Tokamachi Kimono Matsuri - May 3

Here is one festival that you do not want to miss out on. And as it falls during Golden Week you have no excuses. The Tokamachi Kimono Festival is one of the highlights of the year in Snow Country and one of the most colorful festivals you are likely to visit.

The whole town gets involved and everywhere you look there are locals dressed in kimono. There are rental kimono available if you would like to join the fun.

Back in the day, the towns in Snow Country were all but cut off by the heavy snow and to pass away the long hours of a dark winter many an idle hand was turned to weaving. The kimono material of Tokamachi has long been famous and was much prized by the city folk. When spring came and the roads were finally passable the merchants would rush up to this region to purchase the handiwork of the housebound winter months. This festival at the beginning of spring captures the spirit of those times and celebrates Tokamachi's kimono heritage.

The kimono's on display around town and being worn out in the street are breathtaking. Everywhere you turn you are greeted with colorful designs and there are plenty of other attractions going on during the day as well.

More details and some more photos can be found on the Tokamachi Tourism page (Japanese).