The Kami-Hinokinai paper balloon lifting event in Senboku City, Akita Prefecture, is adorned with pictures of warriors and beautiful women. These illuminated paper balloons rise into the night sky, each representing a wish for the year.
Welcome to my blog! Today, I’d like to introduce you to a place I recently discovered and am delighted to visit.
Kami-Hinokinai in Akita Prefecture is a location I have visited before, which is situated nearby. Now, I’m intrigued by its winter event. This historic tradition, dating back over a century, offers a spectacular display of color and light. Join in the festivities, witness the traditional craftsmanship, and make your own wishes on white “wish-writing paper balloons.
The video I’ve selected from YouTube is right here.
Tourist Attractions and Activities
The Kami-Hinokinai paper balloon lifting event is an annual winter tradition held every February in Senboku City, Akita Prefecture. It has been designated as an intangible cultural asset of the city. About 100 large paper balloons, adorned with pictures of warriors and beautiful women, are illuminated and released into the mid-winter night sky.
Each balloon features a picture representing a wish for the year, such as “good health,” “bountiful harvest,” and “safety for the family.” As the balloons quietly rise into the air, a beautiful array of light and color spreads across the sky, creating a fantastic scene.
This paper balloon tradition has a history of over 100 years and is said to have been introduced as a play applying the principle of a hot-air balloon by Hiraga Gennai, a scientist in the Edo period.
While paper balloons used to be made with Japanese calligraphy paper, nowadays they are made by pasting together sheets of paper about one meter wide, creating cylindrical shapes ranging from three to twelve meters in length. The paper balloons are handmade using traditional techniques of the local area, resulting in a wide variety of colors and shapes that are incredibly beautiful.
The production of these paper balloons begins several months before the event in eight local communities. Unfortunately, the area is also affected by an aging population, making it increasingly difficult to secure enough people to make the balloons each year.
Although more than 100 paper balloons have been released in the past, the number for 2023 has been reduced to about 50 due to these challenges.
In addition to the large balloons, white “wish-writing paper balloons” are also provided at the venue. Visitors who arrive early can write their wishes for the year on these balloons and even help launch them. Local food and souvenir shops are also set up at the venue, offering plenty of delicious foods such as fresh seafood and udon noodles for tourists to enjoy.
Culture, History, and Traditions
Nestled in the mountainous and nature-rich region of Akita prefecture, Kami-Hinokinai in Senboku city offers an enchanting experience for nature lovers and history buffs alike.
At the heart of Senboku city lies Tazawa Lake, the deepest lake in Japan, surrounded by a treasure trove of ancient artifacts, such as stone tools, pottery, and remains of ancient dwellings, providing evidence of human life engaged in hunting and agriculture in the area since ancient times.
Furthermore, Kami-Hinokinai has thrived since the Edo period thanks to its copper mines, which were used to extract copper and other minerals. With its rich cultural heritage and long history, Senboku city boasts various traditional events that attract visitors from all over.
Among them is the Sasara festival, where performers play small drums and perform a lion dance known as “Shishi-mai,” and the Semi-naked Festival, held every third Sunday of February.
These are just a few examples of the captivating and unique traditional events that visitors can enjoy in this area.
Dining Guide
There are no restaurants in the immediate vicinity of this area. While the venue may serve local dishes like chestnut soup, I suggest having a meal in Kakunodate City, a popular nearby tourist destination, before arriving.
Accommodation
While there are no lodging facilities in the immediate vicinity, there are over 80 hotels and inns in the nearby areas of Kakunodate City and around Lake Tazawa, which can be confirmed through the website.
Transportation
To travel from Tokyo to Kami-Hinokinai in Senboku City, Akita Prefecture, you will need to go through the nearby city of Kakunodate. From Kakunodate, you can take the Akita Nairiku Line to Kami-Hinokinai, which takes about 45 minutes and costs about 800 yen. There are several ways to get there.
If you plan to travel by plane, the closest airport is Akita Airport, which is about 1 hour and 20 minutes away from Tokyo.
Once at the airport, you can take a limousine bus (Available only in Japanese) or the Akita Shinkansen to get to Kakunodate City via Akita Station. Keep in mind that only coins or 1000 yen bills can be used on the bus, so make sure to have smaller denominations available.
Alternatively, if you prefer to travel by train, you can take the Akita Shinkansen directly to Kakunodate Station. The trip from Tokyo Station to Kakunodate Station takes about 3 hours and 10 minutes and costs about 17,000 yen.
Budget and Transportation Tips
Get ready to immerse yourself in an incredible festival that runs from 4pm to 8pm, with the venue opening promptly at 4pm. If you’re traveling from Kakunodate, a city with plenty of lodging options, I suggest taking the train to Kami-Hinokinai via Kamihinokinai Station, but be mindful of the limited train schedules. On the day of the festival, special trains are scheduled, so make sure to check in advance to avoid missing the last one.
Kakunodate is a popular destination for tourists from around the world, featuring well-preserved samurai residences and cherry blossom trees that have been designated as a national scenic spot during spring.
Because of this, there are numerous restaurants and izakayas in the area that serve local cuisine. I suggest indulging in the local delicacies at these tourist spots before and after experiencing the Kami-Hinokinai festival.
Weather Guide
Senboku City is located in Akita Prefecture in the northern part of Honshu, Japan, and experiences its coldest season in February, with an average temperature of just under 0 degrees Celsius.
Although the highest temperature can reach around 4.0 degrees Celsius, this region is known for being extremely cold, with the lowest temperature dropping to around -4 degrees Celsius.
Moreover, due to its location on the snowy Japan Sea side, the area can receive a snowfall of over one meter. For those planning to attend the winter event in this area, it is essential to prepare warm clothing and appropriate footwear that is slip-resistant and prevents snow from entering.
