1 The 75th Sapporo Snow Festival (Sapporo): Hokkaido's Premier Winter Extravaganza

Started in 1950, the Sapporo Snow Festival has grown into one of Sapporo's biggest winter events, attracting over two million visitors from Japan and abroad. The main Odori Park site, stretching from Nishi 1-chome to Nishi 10-chome, transforms into a winter wonderland featuring massive snow sculptures, smaller creations by citizens, and various winter attractions. At the Susukino site, beautifully illuminated ice sculptures create a magical atmosphere. Furthermore, the Tsudome site is packed with giant slides and activities for families, offering a wide range of winter fun both indoors and out.

2 The 50th Sounkyo Onsen Icefall Festival (Kamikawa): Ice Art and Fireworks Lighting Up the Winter Sky

Set against the stunning backdrop of the Daisetsuzan mountains, this is one of Hokkaido's premier winter events. The venue is filled with highlights, including over 30 large and small ice sculptures, a 13-meter-high ice observatory, tube slides, and even an Icefall Shrine. At night, the area transforms into a magical world with a seven-color light display, and spectacular fireworks brilliantly color the frigid night sky.

3 The 35th IWAMIZAWA Heavy Snow Festival (Iwamizawa): Don't Miss the Thrilling Human Bamba Championship!

A festival to enjoy the snow in the heavy snowfall region of Iwamizawa. It's packed with activities, including the wildly popular "Human Bamba Championship," where teams race while pulling sleds, a giant slide that's a hit with kids, a petting zoo, and jumbo karuta card games. What's more, free pork miso soup (tonjiru) is served on the first day and pheasant stew (kiji-nabe) on the second, and the Dokayuki Food Stall Village offers a variety of warm treats.

4 Chitose-Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival ~The Ice Museum~ (Chitose): A Magical World of Ice Sculptures and Light

This winter art festival features fantastical ice objects made from the exceptionally clear water of Lake Shikotsu. During the day, they shine in a beautiful natural blue, while at night they are illuminated by colorful lights, offering a different atmosphere at any time of day. With a "Premium Ticket" available exclusively for guests staying at the local hot spring inns, you can enjoy a special viewing experience in the quiet of the night after closing. Staying at a nearby inn to leisurely enjoy the festival is highly recommended.

5 The 62nd Obihiro Ice Festival (Obihiro): Enjoy Art and Activities Made of Ice

A winter festival where ice takes center stage. In addition to impressive ice and snow sculptures and delicate ice carvings, there are hands-on activities like an ice slide and a spinning ice sled. The fireworks that light up the winter night sky and the Ice Marche, where you can enjoy Tokachi's local cuisine, are also major attractions. Experience a winter unique to Obihiro, filled with warmth and fun amidst the cold.

6 The 66th Asahikawa Winter Festival (Asahikawa): A Celebration of Snow, Ice, and Light

The Asahikawa Winter Festival is one of Hokkaido's most iconic winter events. The venue features one of the world's largest snow sculptures and many smaller ones created by local citizens. The "Fuyu Marche" (Winter Market) is also held, offering local gourmet food, regional dishes, original festival menu items, and cuisine from around the world. Don't miss the stage events, which feature a lineup of special guests for singing performances, hero shows, and dance performances.

7 Kushiro Winter Festival 2025 (Kushiro): Packed with Attractions to Make You Forget the Cold

This winter festival is known for its exciting activities and unique local events that thrive in the cold. The main venue, the Kushiro Port Earthquake-Resistant Passenger Ship Terminal, will be lined with ice and snow sculptures, and visitors can try activities like tube sliding. There are plenty of events for the whole family to enjoy, including a children's fair, a Kushiro coal snowman-making workshop, and a Cold Wind Karaoke Contest.

8 The 55th Kitami Winter Festival (Kitami): Where You Can Even Try Curling

With the theme "Winter is Our Friend," this event lets you fully enjoy the season with a giant snow slide, ice sculptures, and even a chance to try curling. Enjoy hot drinks and cocktails by a bonfire at the "Ice BAR," or participate in workshops to experience the culture of Okinawa's Yaeyama Islands. With food stalls, fair games, and stage events, the whole family can spend a special winter day together.

9 The 27th Otaru Snow Light Path Festival (Otaru): A City Illuminated by Candles

A signature winter event in Otaru where countless snow candles are lit. At the popular Otaru Canal, floating glass ball candles glitter beautifully on the water's surface, creating an atmosphere different from the usual. The former Temiya Railway Line site typically features snow candles and a snow slide. This year's opening ceremony will be held at the Otaru Art Base. Enjoy the感動 of Otaru's unique winter, as the entire town is enveloped in a warm glow.

10 2025 Lake Shikaribetsu Kotan (Shikaoi): A Phantom Village Made of Ice Appears

A miraculous "phantom village" woven from snow and ice that appears only in the dead of winter. The beautiful "igloos" made of natural snow and ice, and the Ice Bar where even the interior and glasses are made of ice, create a truly dreamlike world. The open-air bath on the ice, overlooking the vast snowy landscape, will warm both body and soul with its free-flowing hot spring water. A variety of winter activities such as snowmobiling and snow rafting are also available.

11 Furano Kan Kan Village (Furano): Enjoy Attractions Amidst a Sea of Lights

The "Furano Kan Kan Village" illuminates Furano's winter, creating a special time amidst a magical display of over 60,000 lights. In addition, there are plenty of activities unique to a snowy region, such as an ice snow globe, snow tubing, dog sledding, and snow rafting.

12 Hitsujigaoka Snow Park 2025 (Sapporo): Winter Activities You Can Enjoy Empty-Handed

A winter playground that appears at the Sapporo Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill. A wide range of activities, including the popular "Tube Sledding," family-friendly "Snow Slides" and "Snow Striders," and "Walking Skis" on the vast pasture, can be enjoyed for just the price of admission. Since you can come empty-handed, it's a great attraction for families, couples, and friends to drop by during their winter sightseeing or travels.

13 The 32nd Shintotsukawa Snow Festival (Shintotsukawa): Sumo Wrestling in a Giant Wok

A winter event packed with delicious food and fun. Don't miss the Winter Hot Pot Competition, where you can enjoy hearty hot pot dishes, and the unique "International Wok Pushing-Sumo Championship," where contestants ride in giant woks on the snow and try to push each other out. With a jumbo slide and mochi-throwing, there are plenty of programs for both adults and children to enjoy all day long.

14 45th Parallel Shibare Festival (Nakatombetsu): A Heated Snowshoe Centipede Race and Winter Fireworks in the Extreme Cold

A winter festival in the northern town of Nakatombetsu that celebrates Hokkaido's harsh cold. The venue is lined with large and small snow sculptures, and the festival concludes with magical winter fireworks that light up the night sky. Unique events like the snowshoe centipede race are also held, allowing everyone to enjoy a fun time unique to winter.

15 Jozankei Onsen Yukitoro 2025 (Sapporo): Wrapped in the Magical Beauty of Snow Lanterns

A winter art event where the warm glow of about 1,000 snow candles merges with projection mapping and illuminations. In addition to the "Forest of Prayer," which is enveloped in a fantastically beautiful light, a campsite will appear for two days only, where you can warm your body and soul with bonfires, wood-chopping experiences, roasted marshmallows, and warm food. Furthermore, the opening and finale will feature a special collaboration between the snow lanterns and traditional gagaku court music.

16 2025 Wakkanai Ice and Snow Plaza (Wakkanai): Enjoy Snow Sculptures and Activities with the Family

An event packed with fun for children to interact with snow. As a major event in Wakkanai, inspired by the Antarctic continent in connection with the movie "Antarctica," the venue will feature tubing, mini slides, and displays of cute mini snow sculptures.

17 2025 Ebetsu Snow Festival (Ebetsu): Winter Fun for the Whole Family

A winter event for the whole family to enjoy. There are plenty of activities for everyone from small children to adults, including a giant slide, snow rafting, and an ogre-slaying bean-throwing game. A variety of food and drinks will also be available, such as warm soba noodles, pizza, sweet amazake, and yogurt.

18 The 61st Kamifurano Snow Festival (Kamifurano): A Hands-On Winter Festival for Families

A snow festival packed with hands-on events. There are plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy, including a large slide made from a giant snow sculpture, smaller snow sculptures, snowmobiling and rafting experiences, and a treasure hunt. Additionally, a food corner, an exhibition of Self-Defense Force equipment, and a dog run are also planned.

19 Nayoro Snow Quality Japan's Best Festival (Nayoro): A Full Day of Fun in a Snow Maze and on Slides

A winter festival to play to your heart's content in snowy Hokkaido. The event is packed with fun attractions, including one of the world's largest snow mazes and a thrilling giant slide. The International Snow Sculpture Competition, featuring creations by professional artists from around the world, and the picture-perfect illuminations are also must-sees. Furthermore, the festival is filled with delicious food, including the local specialty "Nayoro Nikomi Jingisukan" (stewed lamb) and the "Extreme Cold Yakiniku Fest."

20 The 36th Tancho Festival (Tsurui): A Festival in the Village Famous for Red-crowned Cranes

A unique event themed around the red-crowned crane (tancho), which is the village bird of Tsurui. The festival features crane-related events such as the "Tancho Calling Contest," where participants compete by imitating crane calls, and the "Tancho Cold Endurance Competition," where they compete to see who can stand the longest on one bare foot on a platform in icy water. This year, the event will be expanded with a larger venue, promising even more fun than before.

21 Tokachigawa Swan Festival "Sairinka" (Otofuke): A Fantastical Space of Woven Light and Sound

"Sairinka" is a fantasy of light that unfolds at the sub-zero Tokachigawa Onsen. The fantasy show of light and sound creates a magical space with lights dancing across the snowfields and forest. There are also plenty of attractions like snow rafting and the "Alley of Light," a corridor of illumination. You can also enjoy a variety of gourmet foods, including a mega-sized sweet bean bun made with ingredients from Tokachi.

22 The 70th Shibetsu Snow Festival (Shibetsu): Featuring the Unique International Snow Shoveling Championship

A major event that colors the winter in Shibetsu. The venue will feature a giant slide, impressive large snow sculptures, and a tent village with food stalls serving warm food and drinks. The highlight is the "International Snow Shoveling Championship," a unique international competition that originated in Shibetsu and is known to those in the know, with heated battles unfolding every year.

23 Packed with Stage Events Fun for Kids Too: The 2025 Bihoro Winter Festival (Bihoro Town)

Bihoro Town's annual winter event is perfect for the whole family. The venue comes alive with a full lineup of stage events, including performances by the Bihoro Pass Taiko drummers, a Snow Basketball Tournament—a sport originating in Bihoro that both adults and children can enjoy—idol stages, and hero shows. There will also be a limited free giveaway of potato chips for high school students and younger, as well as food stalls selling items like okonomiyaki, imo dango (potato dumplings), and kabocha dango (pumpkin dumplings).

24 A Handmade Town Event to Enjoy the Cold: The 46th Samusamu Festival (Kunneppu Town)

A heartwarming winter festival handmade by the townspeople. In addition to snow sculpture displays, the venue will feature hands-on activities like an ice slide and a tug-of-war tournament. There's also a full program of events for the whole family to enjoy, including character shows on a snow stage.

25 Get Lost in Active Snow Play: Winter Play! HOT4DAYS <2025> (Abira Town)

Four hot and exciting days to blow away the cold. It's packed with unique winter activities like snow banana boat rides, sledding, and snowshoeing experiences. The "Hayakita Snowman Making" and the large sledding course at the "Chibikko (Kids') Slope" are very popular with children. Additionally, at the Michi-no-Eki (Roadside Station) Abira D51 Station, you can enjoy hot gourmet food to warm you up, such as "Vegetable Ankake Udon" loaded with veggies and juicy "Kenboro Pork Buns."

26 A Playground Where You Can Savor Local Ingredients: Furano Bonchi Powder Festival 2025 (Furano City)

An event packed with winter charm, held at the Furano Ski Resort. You can enjoy a diverse program including food stalls with menus using local ingredients, a festival game corner, and snow rafting. On the first night, fireworks will be launched, lighting up the winter night sky. Furthermore, powerful performances of Furano's traditional art, "Iyasaka Daiko" drumming, will liven up the venue.

27 Enjoy Heart-Pounding Winter Fun with the Family: The 42nd Aso Yuki no Hiroba (Tobetsu Town)

"Aso Yuki no Hiroba" (Aso Snow Plaza), where you can fully enjoy winter in Tobetsu Town, is held with the theme of parent-child interaction. It's packed with activities for the whole family, including a large snow slide that's a huge hit with kids, a treasure lottery, mochi-pounding experiences, as well as horse-drawn sleigh rides, snowmobile experiences, and snowball fights that adults can also enjoy. At night, fireworks light up the clear winter sky, making it the perfect event for creating winter memories with your family.

28 A Tyrannosaurus Race on the Snow: Takikawa Fureai no Sato Pokapoka Winter Festival <2025> (Takikawa City)

A winter event for enjoying the snow and the cold. A "Tyrannosaurus Race," where competitors race while wearing T-Rex costumes, will be held on the snow. The dinosaurs will dash across 40 meters of snow. There are plenty of other fun activities, including a "Snow Treasure Hunt" for kids and an "Extreme Cold Fair." Local restaurants will also be selling ramen, baked sweet potatoes, and hot drinks.

29 Featuring an Attractive Skating Rink Made of Natural Ice: Kushiro Winter Park 2025 (Kushiro City)

An event packed with activities unique to "Ice Capital Kushiro." You can fully enjoy the charm of winter with fantastical illuminations, including an illuminated promenade-style skating park made of natural ice and an ice slide. Various other events are also planned during the festival period.

30 A Heartwarming Kamakura Experience in the Cold: Kamakura Terrace in Satorando (Sapporo City)

An event full of charm where you can fully enjoy winter. You can experience a wide range of activities, including kamakura (snow huts), snowmobiling, and Snow Striders. Additionally, hot snacks and drinks will be served, including a total of seven types of hot pot dishes that change weekly, piping hot gourmet food enjoyed over a charcoal fire, amazake (sweet fermented rice drink), and hot cocoa. You can also enjoy fireworks on the snowfield and snow art, allowing you to spend a special time with family and friends.