All things kimono in Niigata's snow country

Over the Golden Week break this year, my local area had plenty on to see and do - it's one of the many reasons why I love living here so much. 

One of the best events that I attended was a kimono festival in the nearby town of Tokamachi. The Tokamachi area is known for having very rich ties towards art and culture, and one thing I wasn't aware of until recently was that Tokamachi are the second highest producers of kimono textiles in Japan (coming in at first place is none other than Kyoto). The Tokamachi Kimono Festival was held on May 3rd, which is when the region celebrates Coming of Age Day. You might be thinking but isn't that usually a January thing? but it's fairly evident why Tokamachi wait to celebrate theirs - in January the region is covered by feet upon feet of snow.

I'll let the pictures do the talking, but Tokamachi has a host of reasons to pay the region a visit, even though the kimono festival has passed. If you want to check out some of what the area offers, their tourism website is here.