This week, we continue visiting various snow festivals in Japan. Before enjoying the snow festival in Chizu – now in its eight year - explore the town first. You will notice sugidama (cedar ball) – normally found in sake breweries - hung all around the town to greet visitors. Visit a workshop which makes sugidama, and for 3,000 yen (S$46.70), you can even try making one yourself. Both locals and visitors participate in the various activities held during the festival. One such activity is a bean-scattering ceremony, while another involves making snow lanterns. When night falls, these lanterns with candles are lit all over the town as a stunning climax of the snow festival. The soft light from these snow and bamboo lanterns creates a spectacular atmosphere. Have your camera handy to capture this heartwarming moment. During this snow festival, which is held in the first week of March, a Dolls Festival is also held, where some families display their dolls to the public. Boar and deer soup are also distributed to visitors to welcome them. The festivities continue till late at night.

After this, proceed to an inn where you can stay the night. One of the inns in the area is well known for its delicious seafood which comes directly from the fishing ports of Tottori. The inn features wooden floors, cedar corridors and Japanese-style rooms. Its owner is a chef with 30 years of experience and prepares dishes which are original and refined. For 20,790 yen (S$323.30) you can enjoy a full seafood dinner comprising tender Rosy sea bass grilled with salt; mud shrimp with roe; young snow crab seasoned with a dash of pepper; snow crab roe cooked with sake; grilled boar meat; and crab soup.

The next morning, travel for an hour by Wakasa Railway to the terminal, Wakasa Station. A nostalgic sight awaits you here – a steam locomotive on a turntable. For 300 yen (S$4.70), you can turn it by hand and sit in the driver’s seat, plus view the engine and all the instruments. Explore the town, which still features some kurazukuri buildings. End your trip by trying some of Wakasa’s specialities, one of which is udon with mackerel tempura.

The next snow festival takes us to Lake Kawaguchi, one of the lakes surrounding Mt Fuji. From Otsuki Station, travel by the express train to Kawaguchiko Station. If you sit in the observation car near the driver’s seat, you get to enjoy nice snow views during the 40-minute ride. From Kawaguchiko Station, take the retro bus, which plies around the lake. Alight at the lakeside and visit a herb hall, which is near the site of the festival. Then, go to Oike Park by the lakeside, where you can try some freshly-made mochi (rice cake), boar soup which costs 300 yen (S$4.70), or miso oden, which is 100 yen (S$1.60). You will also see about 200 dolls which have been especially decorated for the snow festival. Resume your journey on the retro bus, while enjoying the winter view of Lake Kawaguchi. For lunch, you may want to try out a sumibiyaki and wine bar, A untie. It's a modern restaurant which serves delicacies and Mongolian barbeque. The chef uses only premium quality meat. You can enjoy a meal of lamb and shoulder loin of Kagoshima kurobuta (pork). The restaurant also serves a unique warm salad made with local vegetables, accompanied by a dressing made of garlic, anchovy and olive oil.

After this delicious meal, walk along the lakeside and visit a workshop, Ishikoro-kan. Here, you can use colourful stones and gems to make unique accessories. There are over 100 kinds of gems and stones to choose from, and you can make things like necklaces or even a phone strap. You will only be charged for the cost of the materials and the end product will serve as a memorable souvenir of your trip. Next, make your way to Shizen Seikatsu-kan, where you will see a 70m long electric waterfall made from 250,000 light bulbs. This stunning view creates a romantic atmosphere and will leave you spellbound. Return to the Hikari no Fantasia festival to catch the magnificent fireworks display, which is the highlight of the festival. Two thousand fireworks light up the sky by the lake in a splendid display of colour and light. What a beautiful way to end to your trip to the scenic Lake Kawaguchi!

We next visit the Snowman Festival at Kuwajima, a small town at the foot of Mt. Haku. First, travel for one hour by plane from Tokyo to Ishikawa Prefecture and head to Kanazawa, a castle town of the Kaga clan. Take a bus from Kanazawa Station to Mt. Haku. Keep in mind that only two buses depart for Mt. Haku each day so do check out the timings in advance. As the festival only starts in the evening, after reaching Kuwajima, you may wish to make a side trip to Shiramine, which has several restaurants. It is a 10-minute drive from Kuwajima. Make use of the time to explore Shiramine and have lunch. You will notice that the buildings here have a similar design in order to preserve the atmosphere and view of the town. Visit a temple which houses eight Buddha statues before dropping by Harukaze Ryokan for lunch. Its handmade soba with local buckwheat is popular. The chef, who has 30 years of experience, uses a traditional method to make the soba. This soba set costs 1,800 yen (S$28) and comes with fresh pickled vegetables and Abura-age (fried bean curd), a speciality of Shiramine. After enjoying this simple yet delicious cuisine of the mountain village, return to Kuwajima by bus. There are no bus stops in this area, but fret not, you just have to inform the bus driver in advance and he will drop you where you wish to alight. Kuwajima has a population of only 300 and it has been holding the Snowman Festival for 19 years.

After this, go to Shiramine Onsen, Hotel Happo, where you can spend the night. You can stay in a comfortable 12-mat Japanese-style room. For dinner, enjoy some Robatayaki, with a total of 14 dishes. The inn also features a nice hot spring where you can relax before going to the snow festival. You will see many locals having fun while making snowmen, and you can join in by making your own. An attraction of the Kuwajima Snowman Festival is the various stalls selling delicious snacks. Try the snowman konjac or aromatic beancurd which has been soaked in sauce overnight. As night falls, you will be enthralled by the enchanting sight of snowmen which have been lit up with candles. Their gestures appear even more lively under the warm light.

The next morning, visit Joruri Matsuri in the neighbouring town. It is about 15 minutes away from Mt. Haku. Go to a hall where joruri puppet plays are performed during the jojuri festival, which attracts many visitors. Joruri puppets are used in this traditional performance art, which has been passed down for 300 years.