The Matobi Festical is held during the week of the sping equinox to held guide the visiting spirits of ancestors back to the other world. Rice straw fires are light in 15 hamlets of the village at staggered times and a free shuttle bus follows the schedule so visitors can see all of the displays. A fireworks show is held at the Roadside Station once all of the fires are lit and there are food and drink stalls for visitors.

The Aniai region of Kitaaktia is known for heavy snowfall in winter. To make the best of the huge snow drifts, the villagers come together and craft small igloos called kamakura and decorate them with candles. The lighting begins at 17:45 and a fireworks show is held starting from 18:50. There are food and drink stalls set up in the plaza.

Kitaakita has a rich tradition of producing mochi, Japanese rice cakes. A huge selection of handmande mochi and pickled vegetables are available for purchase at this festival including the very populare butter mochi unique to the region.  

Amekko Ichi dates back over 400 years and is steeped in legends. According to one such legend, fesitval goers who buy candy from one of the vendors will fend off colds for the remainder of winter. Candy stalls fill the main street and tree branches decorated with candy attached line the sidewalks.

The Lake Twowada Winter Festival treats visitors to winter wonderland of horse-drawn sleigh rides, fireworks, and igloo bars. Every evening a fireworks show illuminates the clear winter sky with dazzling color. Food stalls selling Akita and Aomori delicacies, hot wine, and more lend the event a traditional Japanese flair.

Hinai chicken is renowned for its rich flavor and sought after by chefs around the country. Every January the Hinai area of Odate celebrates it’s namesake chicken with the Tori no Ichi festival. There are games, performances (chicken calling competition!), and of course lots of food for guests to enjoy.

When German engineer Kurt Netto was brought from Germany to help modernize the local mine, he brought German traditions with him. In the winter of 1873 Netto held a Christmas party with the villagers which is the earliest record of Christmas being celebrated in Japan. Today, the villagers continue to celebrate this history every December with a German-style Christmas market selling baked goods, hot wine, and beer.

Approximately 900,000 lights on one of Odate’s main avenues are illuminated from December through the new year. From 16:30 to 1:00 the next morning, the lights are turned on every evening to bring some color and warmth to the cold winter nights. The illumination stretches for 900 m from the municipal hospital towards Odate Station. On December 31st the lights are kept on all night until first light on New Years morning.

Every year the changing of the leaves is celebrated on the banks of Goshikiko Lake. There are games like bobbing for apples, bingo, and more. Visitors also get the chance to enter inside of the Yamase dam which is usually structly off limits.

To celebrate Railway Day (October 14th), The Koska Rail Park holds this weekend-long event to celebrate all things locomotive. Ride on specially made railbikes, take a trip on the sightseeing train, and even have a chance to ride in the cabin of a real deisel locomotive!