@ Yonezawa - Uesgi Snow Lantern Festival

Yonezawa - Uesgi Snow Lantern Festival is the main winter event annually held in the city of Yonezawa, Yamagata.  Snow blocks (look like big tofus) are sculptured not only by professional artists but by ordinary people (participants to the event). 

It was held from February 8th to 9th this year at Uesgi Shrine Park.  Usually there is much enough snow to make the snow sculptures at the park, but there wasn't this year. The event staff members had to bring tons of snow up to the venue from the nearest soccer field. 

FYI: 

• Travel info of the Yonezawa Area: http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/regional/yamagata/yonezawa.html
• Yonezawa Snow Lantern Festival: http://www.yonezawa-kankou-navi.com/langage/en/event.html
• Yonezawa Sightseeing Navigation: http://www.yonezawa-kankou-navi.com/langage/en/index.html
• Weather in the Yonezawa Region: http://www.thetimenow.com/weather/japan/yonezawa