A traditional Little New Year event where rings of fire, carrying prayers, dance across snowy Kakunodate
Kakunodate Hiburi Kamakura
The 2026 edition of Kakunodate Hiburi Kamakura has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/02/14Ended
- Season / frequency
- Every year February 14 / Every year
- Location
- Various locations throughout Kakunodate Town
- Area
- Akita Prefecture・Senboku City(From Tokyo: approx. 3 h 40 min–4 h 10 min · bullet train)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Features
- Wishes behind the festival
- Last updated
- 2026/11/13
A Little New Year event in snowy Kakunodate, where a bale at the end of a rope is set alight and swung to trace a ring of red fire.
About Kakunodate Hiburi Kamakura
Kakunodate Hiburi Kamakura is a traditional Little New Year event held at various locations throughout Kakunodate and is designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property by the city.
It preserves traces of Sagicho, a court ritual, and has continued since the time of the Satake Kita family.
Sacred fire is used to drive away misfortune from the rice fields, and prayers are offered for a year of safety, including good health for the family and safety at home.
Festival highlights
The biggest highlight is the ring of fire glowing red against the snowy scenery.
A bale is swung in a circle at the end of a rope about 1 meter long, making the fire appear to circle the participant’s body.
A Tenten about 5 meters tall is also built at the venue, and the festival reaches its climax when it is set alight.
A traditional Little New Year event where rings of fire, carrying prayers, dance across snowy Kakunodate
What to expect
A fire is kindled inside a kamakura snow hut, then set to a bale tied to the end of a rope about 1 meter long.
Holding the rope, participants swing the bale in a circle around their bodies—this is hiburi.
The event takes place at various locations throughout Kakunodate, and the festival reaches its high point when the Tenten is lit.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Various locations throughout Kakunodate Town
- Address
Various neighborhoods in Kakunodate, Kakunodate Town, Senboku City, Akita Prefecture
Address Various neighborhoods in Kakunodate, Kakunodate Town, Senboku City, Akita Prefecture
Dates and season
2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)
2026年の案内では、2月14日（土）18:00〜20:00の日程が掲載されていました。
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Akita Prefecture / Senboku City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
仙北市立角館樺細工伝承館
秋田県仙北市の観光施設
写真：Wiiii / CC BY-SA 3.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
仙北市立角館町平福記念美術館
秋田県仙北市にある公立美術館
写真：掬茶 / CC BY-SA 4.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
大村美術館
秋田県仙北市角館町にあるガラス工芸の美術館
写真：掬茶 / CC BY-SA 4.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
新潮社記念文学館
日本の秋田県仙北市にある文学館
写真：掬茶 / CC BY-SA 4.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
田沢湖クニマス未来館
秋田県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
写真：掬茶 / CC BY-SA 4.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·Origins and History of Kakunodate Hiburi Kamakura
Kakunodate Hiburi Kamakura is a Little New Year event that preserves traces of Sagicho, a court ritual.
It is said to have been held since the time of the Satake Kita family and has been passed down in the Kakunodate community.
It is now presented as a city-designated Intangible Folk Cultural Property and described as an event in which sacred fire drives away misfortune from the rice fields and prayers are offered for the safety of families and the community throughout the year.
Official information
Inquiries: Kakunodate Station Front Store, Senboku City Tourist Information Center, 0187-54-2700 / Senboku City Tourism Division, 0187-43-3352
Kakunodate Hiburi Kamakura at a Glance
Kakunodate Hiburi Kamakura is a traditional Little New Year event that draws rings of fire across snowy Kakunodate.
The event is known for hiburi, in which a bale attached to the end of a rope is swung around, and for the Tenten, which stands about 5 meters tall. Lighting the Tenten is a highlight.
The event has been passed down as a tradition that preserves traces of Sagicho and offers prayers for good health, safety at home, and the removal of misfortune from the rice fields.
Sources and references
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
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Article updated: 2026/11/13
