Ogataki of Aomori/Nishimeya freezed on February 21 for the first time in four years.

The 33-meter-tall waterfall of the Chokubaku type freezes during the severe winter. Since ancient times, it has been worshiped as a clue to the misfortune telling of crop farming, and nowadays every year on the third Sunday of February, the "Hyugataki Ice Festival" is held, and the misfortune telling depends on the ice conditions.

This year, we will hold the "Mihogataki Ice Festival" on February 18. On the same day, the ice had not reached about 1 meter and had not been frozen. The icing this time will be from February 25, 2014.

Naoto Nishizawa of Megiya Tourism Association said, “This year it collapsed but started to grow again. It has not been frozen again again in the past. It is still part of the ice, but this year the foundation is firmly formed Therefore, if it freezes tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, it will be visible until spring."

It is said that the light-up will be extended according to the freezing. It was scheduled until 18th, but the light-up will continue depending on the freezing conditions. Nishizawa says, “The state of the waterfall is updated daily on the Nishimeya Village website. Please check in advance.”

Light-up lighting time is from 16:30 to 22:00.