The Tsunan area of Niigata Prefecture is renowned for its heavy winter snowfalls, and while that might seem prohibitive from an agricultural sense, it actually has some benefits! One of the region's specialties are "snow carrots"–these veggies that would have otherwise been harvested during autumn stay underground for a little longer, resulting in carrots that have a sweet, almost fruity flavor.
This is celebrated at the Tsunan Snow Carrot Festival, where teams come together to dig for carrots under the wintery landscape. There is a 30 minute time limit, and the team that manages to harvest the largest weight of carrots is crowned the winners.
Team applications for the event need to be submitted by March 11th for the 2024 event, and there is a participation fee of 1500 JPY for adults or 500 JPY for elementary/junior high school aged students. Applications need to be made via email to tap@poplar.ocn.ne.jp, including the team name, the team captain name and address, a contact phone number, and the names and ages of all team members.
Participants are able to bring digging gear, and are advised to wear clothes that they don't mind getting dirty!
Getting there
The event takes place at the Okinohara Plateau, approximately 15 minutes by car from the Tsunan Station area.
