Kakunodate

There are 400 Prunus yedoensis (ソメイヨシノ) trees on the embankment of Hinokinai River spans 2 km, and 150 Prunus pendula (シダレザクラ) trees in Samurai town street.

Will be held on 7 to 9 September every year. Festival has a history of 350 years. Many floats to move the town. People traditional dancing to continue behind the floats. When floats run into each other on the street, claiming the priority in the way that they hit each other floats.

In a sort of purification ritual, people whirl flaming pieces of straw on a string above their heads. Onlookers can participate if they like. If so, a hat covering one's hair is a good idea.

"Sasara" is the local dialect for the traditional Lion Dance. The name comes from the sasara - wooden instruments played during the dance. The dance's origins go back four hundred years, when the new lord Stake, arriving in exile from the south, had the dance performed in advance of his procession in order to drive away malevolent spirits. Now it is part of local O-Bon celebrations (mid-August), danced as a prayer for a good harvest and good health.