Upon the recommendation of the ryokan owner in Morioka, we traveled by Shinkansen over to Akita and then by local train to the Oga Penninsula (for point of reference, Morioka is near the east coast of Tohoku, while Akita and the Oga Penninsula are on the west coast of Tohoku). When we got to Oga Penninsula, instead of walking along the beach, we were confronted with a parade of white clothed young men that ended up leading us to a wonderful festival of food stalls, arcades, and entertainment!