The Backpack Adventures

The Yohtaka Andon Festival ( 夜高あんどん祭り ) of Numata is one of Hokkaido’s most popular summer festivals. This event is held every fourth Friday and Saturday of August in the town center of Numata. Yohtaka Andon Festival Yohtaka Andon Festival Details The Yohtaka Andon Festival in Numata is a must-see summer spectacle and one of Hokkaido’s three major andon (paper lantern) festivals . This vibrant event lights up the warm summer evenings with towering and beautifully designed lanterns parading through the city streets. It is a celebration of art, tradition, and community spirit, offering an unforgettable cultural experience. Yohtaka Andon Festival - Numata town, Hokkaido Prefecture A Tradition Rooted in History The festival traces its origins back 350 years to the village of Tonami in Etchu, where a procession welcoming the deity of Ise Jingu inspired the practice of carrying lanterns to illuminate the deity's path. This tradition found its way to Numata, Hokkaido, in 1977...

Day 663: August 26, 2023 Saturday – Ishikari x Numata Road Trip Ishikari x Numata Road Trip Today in Rumoi City, the humid weather was almost unbearable. However, we had exciting plans to keep us occupied. To escape the heat, we decided to venture out to Ishikari City ( 石狩市 ) in the morning for some grocery shopping and later make our way to Numata in the afternoon to witness the famous Yohtaka Andon Festival . 2nd Street Ishikari We woke up bright and early, leaving  Rumoi City  ( 留萌市 )  around 9AM. Our first stop was 2nd Street Ishikari , where we hoped to find some summer clothes and a preloved fan or cooling device. Unfortunately, we didn't have any luck, but we did manage to find some clothes for Ella's upcoming overnight school trip in Takikawa. Grocery shopping at COSTCO Ishikari Kai and Ella in COSTCO Ishikari These are what we bought in today's grocery run Lunch time! We got our favorite pizza and hot dogs From there, we drove to  Costco Ishikari  to...

The Rumoi Donto Festival ( るもい呑涛（どんとう）まつり ) , also known as Rumoi Donto Matsuri , is the crowning jewel of summer celebrations in Rumoi City, Hokkaido. This vibrant festival honors the city’s rich heritage as a once-thriving herring fishing town and pays tribute to the indomitable spirit of its fishermen. Rooted in the rallying cry of the golden herring age—“ Bring it on, even in bad weather or storms. We’ll drink it all up. ”—The festival pulsates with energy, tradition, and community spirit. Rumoi Donto Festival 2023 A Night to Remember: Festival Eve at Rumoi Port The festivities kick off with an electrifying evening at Rumoi Port, featuring the much-anticipated Finale Citizen Fireworks Display . This dazzling spectacle of fireworks, paired with laser light shows, illuminates the summer night sky, creating an unforgettable ambiance by the sea. Families, friends, and visitors gather to revel in the vibrant energy of this magical evening. Rumoi Donto Festival - Rumoi City, Hokkaido Pr...