Every June, Sapporo Festival brightens up early summer in Sapporo. Although it is affectionately known to Sapporo locals as the Sapporo Festival, 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. In this article, we will introduce the charms and highlights of this year's Sapporo Festival in detail.

Nakajima Park is usually crowded with people during the event.

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 2024! This is the haunted house.

Zombie Village

target shooting

Die-cutting

Pitching Game

A watermelon game themed stall

There are also stalls selling Chiikawa goods

Many people visit Nakajima Park from the first day.

The Magic House that you see every year

There is also a nostalgic smart ball shop

The "Mikoshi Togyo" where you can hear the sounds of flutes and drums

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.

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.

*The photo of Nakajima Park will be taken in 2024.

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