The "Towada Lake Winter Story," a mid-winter event held on Fridays through Mondays and national holidays from January 30, 2026 to February 23, 2026, is taking place at a venue wrapped in ice and snow. In addition to the daily winter fireworks and food stalls, snow activities, and other attractions, a weekend-limited stage event called "Winter Border Festival" will also be held. The Towada Lake Winter Story Executive Committee Secretariat (Towada-Oirase Tourism Organization) has announced the finalized details including the timetable.
Because Towada Lake spans the border between Aomori Prefecture and Akita Prefecture, there is a history of a standalone event called the "Towada Lake Border Festival" being held in the past. The stage performance bearing that name, "Winter Border Festival," features not only Aomori's "Nebuta Bayashi" and Akita's "Namahage Taiko," but also "Hanamaki Shishi Odori (Deer Dance)," a traditional performing art representing Iwate Prefecture. Additionally, a variety of performances by local volunteers, including Tsugaru shamisen and Towada hayashi music, as well as yosakoi dance performances, are also must-see attractions. Please come experience the fervor of Northeastern Japan's festivals at the "Towada Lake Winter Story 2026" venue.
Stage Event "Winter Border Festival" Details
Event Period
January 31 (Sat) to February 22 (Sun), 2026
*Please check the timetable for details.
Venue
Towada Lakeside Yasumiya Multipurpose Plaza
Admission
Free
Performances
Aomori: Nebuta Bayashi
The distinctive hayashi music that is essential to enliven the Nebuta Festival. Let's all shout "Rassera!" and dance together!
Akita: Namahage Taiko
A local performing art that fuses "Oga no Namahage," a nationally designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property, with traditional Japanese "Wadaiko" drums. The powerful performance is spectacular!
Iwate: Hanamaki Shishi Odori (Deer Dance)
A folk performing art performed while shaking sasara (bamboo clappers) worn at the waist and beating drums, dancing sometimes dynamically and sometimes delicately. It prays for peace and the expulsion of evil spirits.
*Cooperation: Nitobe Friendship City Exchange Committee
Tsugaru Shamisen
A traditional performing art nurtured by the land and history of Tsugaru. The powerful, profound, and dignified tones touch the heart.
Akebono Festival Committee
Performances that are familiar at the Towada City Autumn Festival, including performances of Towada Hayashi composed by the Japan Folk Performing Arts Research and Preservation Society.
Yosakoi Dance Performance
Hot winter performances by four groups including "Kitasato Sangen Shoku," who are very active at festivals in Towada City!
Timetable
January 31 (Sat)
- 2:00 PM: Namahage Taiko
- 5:00 PM: Namahage Taiko
February 1 (Sun)
- 2:00 PM: Tsugaru Shamisen
- 5:00 PM: Tsugaru Shamisen
February 7 (Sat)
- 2:00 PM: Nebuta Bayashi
- 5:00 PM: Nebuta Bayashi
February 8 (Sun)
- 2:00 PM: Tsugaru Shamisen
- 5:00 PM: Tsugaru Shamisen
February 14 (Sat)
- 1:00 PM: Akebono Festival Committee
February 15 (Sun)
- 2:00 PM: Tsugaru Shamisen
- 5:00 PM: Tsugaru Shamisen
February 21 (Sat)
- 3:00 PM: Yosakoi Dance Performance
- 7:15 PM: Yosakoi Dance Performance
February 22 (Sun)
- 2:00 PM (scheduled): Hanamaki Shishi Odori
Official Website
Organizer
Towada Lake Winter Story Executive Committee
Inquiries
Towada Lake Winter Story Executive Committee Secretariat
(Inside Towada Lake Tourism Exchange Center "Platt" Tel: 0176-75-1531)
About "Towada Lake Winter Story 2026"
This year marks the 28th edition of the "Towada Lake Winter Story," which has welcomed many visitors over the years as an event to enjoy precisely because of the harsh winter. The Towada Lake Winter Story Executive Committee (Secretariat: Towada-Oirase Tourism Organization) proposes ways to enjoy the snowy shores of Towada Lake. This winter, we have prepared content for both adults and children to enjoy, including "Winter Fireworks" that color the clear, freezing night sky, the "Yukiakari Yokocho" where you can taste gourmet food made with local ingredients, and the "Snow Park" where you can easily play on the snow-covered lakeside. In addition, stage events featuring traditional performing arts from Northeastern Japan and performances by local volunteers will also be held.
Event Name
Towada Lake Winter Story 2026
Official Website
Organizer
Towada Lake Winter Story Executive Committee
Main Activities
① Winter Fireworks
A program where music and fireworks are synchronized. You can also apply for message fireworks with your thoughts.
Time:
8:00 PM
*On days when message fireworks are scheduled, message fireworks will be launched from 8:00 PM, followed by the winter fireworks program.
② Yukiakari Yokocho
Food stalls where you can enjoy local cuisine from Aomori and Akita.
Hours:
- Monday & Friday: 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM
- Saturday, Sunday & Holidays: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
③ Snow Park
A large snow slide will appear. You can enjoy playing in the snow and various activities in the vast natural setting.
Hours:
- Monday & Friday: 4:00 PM to 7:30 PM
- Saturday, Sunday & Holidays: 11:00 AM to 7:30 PM
Winter Activities Around the Venue
☆ Night Time ☆
Winter Oirase Night Tour (Departing from Towada Lake)
A nighttime bus tour guided by nature guides to visit the impressive icicles and frozen waterfalls of Oirase Stream. You can enjoy the fantastically illuminated ice and snow formations at famous spots along the stream.
*Fee required, reservation required
Event Period:
December 20, 2025 (Sat) to February 28, 2026 (Sat)
Closed:
Monday to Thursday
*Please refer to the reservation page calendar for details.
Time:
5:15 PM to 7:34 PM
Official Website:
https://frozen-oirase.com/plan003.html
Organizer:
Towada City, Towada-Oirase Tourism Organization
☆ Night Time ☆
Guide's Whim Snow Night Walk
A night walk where the guide and participants whimsically select from the infinite hidden ways to enjoy Towada Lake's winter nights, determining that day's tour content on the spot.
*Fee required, reservation required
Event Period:
January 1, 2026 (Thu) to February 28, 2026 (Sat)
Time:
- A: 6:45 PM to 7:45 PM (Monday to Thursday only, excluding holidays)
- B: 8:15 PM to 9:15 PM
Official Website:
http://www.towada-guide.com/?page_id=1115
Organizer:
Asobiya Towada, Towada Lake Guide
☀︎ Daytime ☀︎
"Harsh Winter = Fantasy" Towada Lake Winter Morning Walk
A morning walk to encounter the beauty within the harsh nature of the just-awakened, shivering morning Towada Lake. Let's go on a fantastic morning stroll together.
*Fee required, reservation required
Event Period:
December 24, 2025 (Wed) to March 15, 2026 (Sun)
Time:
6:00 AM to 7:00 AM
*Off-hour tours are also available upon consultation until 9:30 AM.
Official Website:
http://www.towada-guide.com/?page_id=773
Organizer:
Asobiya Towada, Towada Lake Guide
☀︎ Daytime ☀︎
Towada Lake Winter History and Good Luck Walk (Yasumiya Course)
The approach to Towada Shrine is often closed due to deep snow accumulation in winter. A guide who has received special permission to visit safely will lead you to good luck spots scattered throughout the area while discussing Towada Lake's faith culture and history.
*Fee required, reservation required
Event Period:
December 2025 to March 2026
Closed:
Friday to Tuesday
*However, operations will be open Friday to Tuesday in February 2026.
Time:
8:30 AM to 3:30 PM (flexible upon consultation)
Official Website:
http://www.towada-guide.com/?page_id=1142
Organizer:
Asobiya Towada, Towada Lake Guide
☀︎ Daytime ☀︎
Kanjiki (Snowshoe) Footpath
An adventure walking through Towada Lake's winter forest wearing Western-style snowshoes called "snowshoes." Choose from three courses: a short course with only flat forest walking, a middle course aiming for a lookout point, or a long course for adventurous exploration.
*Fee required, reservation required
Event Period:
January to March 2026 during snow season
Time:
Flexible upon consultation within daylight hours
Official Website:
http://www.towada-guide.com/?page_id=1465
Organizer:
Asobiya Towada, Towada Lake Guide
☀︎ Daytime ☀︎
Snow Rambling Tour
The guide will recommend the best walking course based on that day's weather, snow quality, and other conditions. Wearing snow ramblers or snowshoes, you can stroll leisurely through the pure white forest and enjoy the charm of nature through winter-only encounters and discoveries.
*Fee required, reservation required
Event Period:
January 5, 2026 (Mon) to early March
Time:
9:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Official Website:
https://tgkai.jp/tour/snowramblingtour/
Organizer:
Towadako Guidehouse Kai
☀︎ Daytime ☀︎
Winter Towada Lake Canoe Tour
You can leisurely enjoy the spectacular scenery of Towada Lake, sealed in snow and ice, from a canoe's perspective while listening to the guide's explanations.
*Fee required, reservation required
Event Period:
January 5, 2026 (Mon) to early March
Time:
10:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Official Website:
https://tgkai.jp/tour/wintertowadakocanoetour/
Organizer:
Towadako Guidehouse Kai
☀︎ Daytime ☀︎
Winter Towada Sauna
Walk through the monochrome Towada forest wrapped in falling snow and tranquil air to reach a unique winter sauna. You can experience the dynamism of using Towada Lake, with water temperatures between 1°C and 5°C, as a cold bath, and savor the gentle flow of time.
*Fee required, reservation required
Event Period:
December 24, 2025 (Wed) to February 28, 2026 (Sat)
Time:
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Official Website:
https://www.asoview.com/channel/activities/ja/towadasauna/offices/3896/courses
Organizer:
Towada Sauna
☀︎ Daytime ☀︎
Play at the Visitor Center!
Find the pinecone sprites hidden in the facility and correctly answer quiz questions using the exhibits to get commemorative items! You can also experience craft-making using natural materials such as acorns.
Event Period:
January 30, 2026 (Fri) to February 23, 2026 (Mon)
Closed:
Wednesday
Hours:
9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Organizer:
Towada Visitor Center Operating Council
Inquiries:
Towada Visitor Center (Tel: 0176-75-1015)
[Reference] Event Schedule
*Please note the opening dates for each activity.
