Odate Amekko-ichi

Overview

The Odate Amekko-ichi (Odate Candy Fair) is a winter folk event with over 400 years of history, held annually on the second Saturday of February and the following Sunday along Omachi Hachiko Street in central Odate City, Akita Prefecture. Accompanied by the saying "those who eat candy on this day will not catch a cold," the festival has been beloved by local residents and tourists alike.

Dozens of stalls selling colorful candies line the street, while charms made by tying vibrant candies onto branches of Japanese dogwood (mizuki) decorate the venue, painting a vivid winter scene in the snow-covered Tohoku region. Unique features such as the Akita dog parade and the procession of Shirohige Okami (the White-Bearded Mountain God) further enhance the festival's appeal.

History and Origins

The Odate Amekko-ichi is said to have originated around 1588 (Tensho 16) and boasts approximately 400 years of history, making it one of the most prominent folk events in the Tohoku region. It is believed to have begun with the practice of attaching candies to reddish dogwood branches and offering them to deities in place of rice ears, rooted in agricultural beliefs praying for bountiful harvests and good health.

The local legend that "mountain gods descend from the surrounding peaks on the second Saturday of February to buy candies" has taken root in the community, and the procession of Shirohige Okami—a deity with a long white beard representing the mountain god—has been preserved as the festival's core ritual. Originally held on a small scale as a local folk event, the festival expanded significantly from 1972 (Showa 47) when Omachi Hachiko Street became the venue, evolving into a modern festival open to tourists.

Odate is internationally known as the birthplace of the Akita dog breed, and since the Heisei era, the Akita dog parade has been incorporated into the festival, achieving nationwide recognition as a unique event blending traditional ritual with regional branding.

Highlights

Rows of Candy Stalls Dozens of candy stalls operated by local confectioners and traditional Japanese sweet artisans line Omachi Hachiko Street. Visitors can experience a rich candy culture featuring colorful traditional candies, creative modern variations, and dogwood-branch charms decorated with sweets—a feast for both eyes and palate.

Procession of Shirohige Okami The procession of Shirohige Okami, reenacting the mountain god descending to buy candy, is the festival's mystical highlight. The figure with a long white beard in traditional attire parading through the streets evokes the living presence of 400 years of belief.

Akita Dog Parade A parade of Akita dogs—the breed originating from this region—walking the streets with their owners is another centerpiece of the festival. Highly popular among international visitors, it draws attention as a rare opportunity to interact with Akita dogs.

Dogwood Decorations and Charms At the festival's finale, large dogwood branches lavishly decorated with multicolored candies appear as oversized lucky charms. Visitors take these home as part of a tradition praying for a year of good health, making the festival's communal prayers visible.

Event Information

• Location: Omachi Hachiko Street, Odate City, Akita Prefecture
• Period: The second Saturday of February and the following Sunday, annually
• Access: Approximately 10 minutes by bus from Odate Station (JR Ou Main Line), alighting at Omachi bus stop. Approximately 10 minutes by car from Odate Kita IC on the Akita Expressway
• Admission: Free
• Official Information: Odate City Official Tourism Site

Nearby Attractions

As the birthplace of the Akita dog, Odate City hosts the Akita Inu no Sato (an exhibition and tourist information facility dedicated to the breed) in its central district. It is also the hometown of the loyal dog Hachiko, with related historical sites and memorial facilities scattered throughout the city.

Neighboring Kazuno City and Kosaka Town lie within 30–40 minutes by car, allowing tourists to combine visits with northern Tohoku attractions such as the UNESCO World Heritage Oyu Stone Circles, the Kosaka Mine historical sites, and Lake Towada. February in Odate is deeply covered in snow, offering opportunities to enjoy outdoor hot springs amid snowy scenery at Tashirodai and Otaki Onsen.

Related Information

• Season: February (Winter)
• Prefecture: Akita (Tohoku Region)
• Origin: Around 1588 (Tensho 16), approximately 400 years of history
• Character: Folk event, agricultural belief, prayer for good health
• Related: Birthplace of the Akita dog breed, hometown of the loyal dog Hachiko

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