What Is a Kamakura?

Kamakura is a traditional snow structure made by hollowing out a large mound of snow, creating a small room inside.
In snowy regions of Japan, kamakura have long been used as winter shelters and as sacred spaces to pray for good harvests and protection from fire.

Inside a kamakura, the snow walls surprisingly block out the cold wind, making the interior quiet, cozy, and warmer than expected.
Today, kamakura are no longer just a tradition — they have become a unique winter experience where visitors can eat, relax, and enjoy Japan’s snowy culture from the inside.

Below are two of the best places in Japan where you can actually enter and experience a real kamakura.

---

Kamakura no Sato (Restaurant Kamakura Village)

📍 Iiyama City, Nagano

Dine Inside a Giant Snow Dome 🍲

Every winter, from late January to late February, about 20 massive kamakura appear in the Sotoyama area of Iiyama City, Nagano.
Built by local volunteers, this seasonal attraction is known as Kamakura no Sato, home to the famous Restaurant Kamakura Village.

Here, you can sit inside a huge kamakura and enjoy a hot winter meal made with local ingredients.

What You Can Enjoy Inside

🍲 Meal Plan

• Noroshibi Nabe: a hearty hot pot made with local Chinese cabbage and mushrooms, flavored with Shinshu miso
• Salted rice balls made from Iiyama-grown Koshihikari rice

The name Noroshibi comes from ancient signal fires once used on nearby Mount Kuroiwa during the Sengoku period.

🍠 Snack Plan

• Roasted sweet potatoes
• Sweet red bean soup (oshiruko)
• Amazake (traditional sweet rice drink)

More Than Just Kamakura

• Snow rafting & snow play areas
• A striking bright red Kamakura Shrine
• Kamakura souvenir shops

Practical Information

• Admission Fee:
  • Adults: ¥300
  • Elementary school children: ¥100
  • Free for restaurant users and preschool children
• 2026 Open Dates:
  January 23 (Fri) – March 1 (Sun), 2026
• Reservation (English available):
  https://www.iiyama-ouendan.net/en/special/kamakura/

✨ A perfect spot to enjoy food, snow, and Japanese hospitality all at once.

---

Onogawa Onsen Kamakura Village

📍 Yonezawa City, Yamagata

Order Ramen from Inside a Kamakura? 🍜

Located in Yonezawa City, Yamagata, Onogawa Onsen is a historic hot spring town said to be founded over 1,200 years ago.

Every winter from mid-January to early March, giant kamakura — about 3 meters tall and 5 meters wide — line the onsen town, creating the Onogawa Onsen Kamakura Village.

This event began in 2001, driven by local residents who wanted to make winter tourism more exciting.

A Truly Unique Experience

Each kamakura is spacious enough for several people and comes with tables and chairs.
And here’s the highlight:

👉 You can order food delivery into your kamakura! (Lunch time only)

Inside, you’ll find menus from nearby restaurants.
By paying a small delivery fee, you can enjoy Yonezawa ramen without leaving the snow dome.

Recommended dish

• Winter-only Moyashi (bean sprout) Ramen from Ryuka Shokudo
  Hot ramen inside a kamakura is an unforgettable way to warm up from the inside out.

More to Explore

• Stone-built foot baths
• Drinkable hot spring water (onsen water tasting spot)
• Relaxing strolls through the historic onsen town

Practical Information

• Kamakura Viewing: Free, open at all times
• Food Delivery Fee: ¥500
• Address:
  2501-1 Onogawa-machi, Yonezawa City, Yamagata
• Access:
  About 25 minutes by car from JR Yamagata Shinkansen Yonezawa Station
• Parking: Available

---

Experience a Winter You Can Only Find in Japan ❄️

Eating, relaxing, and even ordering ramen inside a snow house may sound unbelievable — but in Japan, it’s a real winter tradition.

If you’re visiting Japan during the snowy season, stepping inside a kamakura is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that perfectly blends nature, culture, and local warmth.

What Is Japow? Why Japan Has the Best Powder Snow

How to Enjoy a Traditional Japanese Ryokan: 8 Must-Try Experiences

Enjoying Onsen the Right Way: A Beginner’s Guide to Bathing Etiquette

Why Hokkaido Is Japan’s Ultimate Winter Destination

Alcoholic beverage Anime Anime pilgrimage April Architecture August Autumn Building Capital Area Cherry blossom Convenience store February Flower Izakaya January Japanese food Kinki kyoto Local ramen Manga March Nagoya Nature Nightlife Night view Onsen Osaka Photogenic Pink September Shopping Shrine Souvenir Spring Station Summer Superb view Temple Tips Tohoku Tokai Tokyo Torii White Winter