Digging for gold: Yamagata’s epic snow-shoveling contestーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS #shorts
Okura Village in Yamagata Prefecture is known for its heavy snowfall – dumps of more than 4 meters are not uncommon. Every year, it holds a snow shoveling race. Competitors use shovels and bare hands in a frantic effort to dig through the snow. The first team to hit ground level wins a gold shovel. Started as a junior high school activity, the ‘Ground Dumping Competition World Cup in Hijori’ now attracts enthusiastic snow bunnies from far and wide. This year, 39 teams took part. Organizers hope the event will attract more tourists to the town, which is struggling with depopulation.