Feb. 10
Kariwano Otsuna-hiki
Kariwano Otsuna-hiki, a tug of war in Kariwano, Daisen, Akita Pref. This festival, with a 500-year history, is held to pray for a rich harvest of this year, and is designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. Townspeople lay out a giant straw-rope (70 centimeters in diameter and 200 meters long) for a fight on Omachi-dori Street around 7 p.m., and then the tug-of-war starts at 9 p.m.
Access: The JR Ou Honsen Line to Kariwano Station, and then walk three minutes.
JAPANESE MYTHOLOGY & FOLKLORE 