Bake the surume and pray for good health for the year ahead！Dynamite Carnival (Myoko City, Niigata Prefecture)

2025.1.21

Dynamite carnivalどんど焼きMyoko City

On Saturday, March 18, “Dynamite Carnival,” a major winter event, was held at Myoko Suginohara Ski Resort in Myoko City, Niigata Prefecture, where tourists experienced the Dondoyaki, a Lunar New Year’s event.

The “Dynamite Carnival” is an annual event held in the Suginosawa district of Myoko City for tourists visiting the ski resort to enjoy the Dondoyaki, a Lunar New Year’s event that has been held in the area for the past 30 years.

The two 7m 50cm tall dondos made of kaya were set up at the venue.

Shortly after 6:30 p.m., 20 people, including local elementary and junior high school students, lit the Dondon, and it burned vigorously along with New Year’s decorations and other items brought in by local residents. 

Some people even roast the surume over a flame and eat it. ……

From Australia
First time I ate surume. It was salty.
“Delicious. Chewy.”

According to the Suginosawa Tourist Association, approximately 1,200 people visited the venue that day, 60% of whom were foreign tourists from Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. From Australia
I read that Dondoyaki is ‘for health and prosperity.’
“It was beautiful. I fell in love with this place and will come back next year.

This was followed by a 20-minute fireworks display at the venue, marking the finale of the festival.

Shigeo Yamakawa, Chairman, Suginosawa Tourist Association
The event was a great success with many visitors. I think we were able to let foreign tourists know about the festival, such as by roasting and eating surume (dried squid) and wishing for good health.