The snow huts are kept inside a chamber maintained at -10 degrees Celsius all year, allowing for winter traditions to be experienced in the middle of summer.
The Yokote Kamakura tradition has a history spanning over 450 years.
Kamakura huts are traditionally built to honor the water god, Suijin, to ensure a good harvest and household safety.
The interior of the snow hut is equipped with an altar where offerings of sake and rice cakes are traditionally made.
The structure of the snow houses at the hall is refreshed periodically using authentic snow from the surrounding region.
The Kamakura-kan Hall serves as a year-round preservation site for Yokote's traditional Kamakura snow houses. The facility utilizes industrial-grade refrigeration technology to maintain two full-sized snow huts inside a refrigerated room at a constant temperature of -10 degrees Celsius. Visitors enter this cold storage space to experience the interior of a traditional Kamakura firsthand, regardless of the season. The site also functions as an exhibition center for local history and traditional crafts associated with the Yokote Kamakura Festival. A gift shop on-site specializes in regional Akita products and festival-related souvenirs. The museum preserves the cultural heritage of the 450-year-old Kamakura tradition which involves worshipping the water deity through the construction of snow shrines.
Inside the refrigerated chamber, standing beside the illuminated Kamakura snow house.
Wear a warm jacket or coat, as you will be entering a room maintained at -10 degrees Celsius regardless of the outdoor temperature.
Spend a moment in the main hall reading the informational displays about the history of the Yokote festival before entering the cold room.
Check the gift shop for regional lacquerware, a local specialty of the Akita Prefecture.
Do not attempt to enter the refrigerated cold room without the provided protective gear.
Open daily; check local listings for irregular maintenance closures.
Visitors must put on provided heavy coats before entering the refrigerated room.
