The is held every year from August 16–18. It is a symbolic dance to show proper respect and gratefulness to one's deceased ancestors. It is ranked as one of the top 3 bon dances in Japan. It began as a harvest dance in Nishimonai in about 1280. In 1601 the lord of Nishimonai, Onodera Shigemichi, burned his castle after a defeat and the people danced among the ruins to remember their lord. These two dances were merged in the late 18th century to form the dance's last incarnation which (despite attempts to stop it in the early 20th century) continues to this day. It is the biggest festival of the year, drawing people from all over Tohoku, and the country at large. The week before the festival all of the shops on the Bon Odori street open up and display traditional patchwork kimono, hats and masks. The shops and food stands open at around 5. The dance begins as the sun goes down and continues until about 11. Yukitopia The annual takes place on the last Saturday and Sunday of January. A horse-drawn carriage follows set course through Nishimonai, Motonishi, and all the way up the Nana Magari mountain road, crossing into Tashiro. The road is lined with small lanterns made from snow. Noted people from Ugo Satō Nobuhiro, Meiji period political theorist Notes External links Official Website Towns in Akita Prefecture