Every June, Sapporo Festival brightens up early summer in Sapporo. It is affectionately known to Sapporo locals as the Sapporo Festival, but its official name is the Hokkaido Shrine Festival. This festival, which boasts over 100 years of history, is held every year from June 14th to 16th, and Nakajima Park is lined with attractions such as numerous outdoor stalls and haunted houses. We will introduce this year's highlights along with a look at the venue last year!

The weather was fine over the weekend and the place was crowded with people.

One of the highlights of the Sapporo Festival is the numerous food stalls and attractions that will fill Nakajima Park. In 2024, approximately 270 stalls will appear, and everyone from families to couples can enjoy the annually popular haunted house, shooting gallery, and goldfish scooping. The stalls and other exhibits in Nakajima Park will be open from 10:00 to 21:00 from June 14th (Sat) to 16th (Mon). (Opening hours on the final day will vary depending on the stall.)

Introducing what Nakajima Park will look like in 2025! This is the haunted house.

Zombie Village

Lots of nostalgic games to play!

Pitching Game

Magic House

Goldfish scooping

A stall selling popular Chiikawa goods

There are also stalls selling long-tailed tit merchandise

Mikoshi and floats parade through Sapporo

In 2025, the event will start on a Saturday and Sunday and will be attended by many people.

The sound of flutes and drums can be heard during the "Mikoshi Togyo" (Past event)

The highlight of the Sapporo Festival is the Mikoshi Togyo, held on the 16th. Approximately 1,200 citizens dressed in costumes reminiscent of the Heian period parade through the streets with four mikoshi and eight floats. In the afternoon, as the parade passes through central Sapporo, including Odori, there is also a time for the mikoshi and floats to be unveiled, and the city of Sapporo is filled with the spirit of the festival. The Mikoshi Togyo will take place on Monday, June 16th from 9:30 to 16:50.

Route map for the 2025 Sapporo Festival "Mikoshi Procession"

A wide range of dedication events are held, from hero shows to Sanjo Kagura performances (*Photos of past events)

Hokkaido Shrine also has many food stalls, so you can enjoy delicious food and souvenirs while soaking up the atmosphere of the historic shrine. The festival will be held at Hokkaido Shrine from 9:00 to 21:00 on June 14th (Saturday) to 16th (Monday) (until 17:00 on the final day). In addition, the dedication ceremony, which will feature a variety of programs such as Bunraku puppet theater, Japanese dance, and jazz live performances, will be held from 10:00 to 21:00 on the 14th and from 11:00 to 20:00 on the 15th.

2025 Sapporo Festival "Dedication Ceremony" Venue Map and Time Schedule

You can also enjoy a relaxing boat ride on the lake in Nakajima Park.

Nakajima Park is particularly crowded in the evenings, so please make sure you leave early. The Sapporo Festival is a festival steeped in history and tradition. Please participate in various ways and enjoy the summer in Sapporo.