1 "CRAFTLAND": A New Hands-On Festival of Music, Food, and Crafts in Sapporo

Image credit: CRAFTLAND

A new outdoor event is born in Sapporo's early summer. The charm of "CRAFTLAND" lies in its theme, "Creating a Boat (CRAFT) Together," offering a variety of experiences including music, food, and workshops that inspire a love for craftsmanship.

Image credit: CRAFTLAND

In addition to solo performances, the live artist lineup includes collaborations and special guests, promising unique "CRAFTLAND"-only performances. By staying at the "Auto Resort Takino" campsite within the venue, Takino Suzuran Hillside National Government Park, you can fully immerse yourself in the outdoor event experience.

2 "2024 Shiraoi Beef Festival": An Outdoor Wagyu Event Returns After Five Years (Shiraoi Town)

Image credit: Shiraoi Town

The popular festival where you can eat your fill of Shiraoi beef is back after a five-year hiatus. The festival's specialty is the spectacular "whole-roasted Japanese Black wagyu," where an entire cow is grilled right before your eyes. Another highlight is buying meat with advance tickets and grilling it yourself on the charcoal grills set up at the venue.

Image credit: Shiraoi Town

Dishes using Shiraoi beef, such as hamburgers and hamburger steaks, will also be sold at the venue. Furthermore, gourmet offerings from other famous Japanese Black wagyu brands like "Matsusaka beef" and "Fukushima beef" are planned, allowing you to compare them with Hokkaido's representative brand, "Shiraoi beef."

3 "Otaru Shukutsu Herring and Scallop Festival": A Celebration of Herring and Scallops in a Port Town (Otaru City)

Image credit: Otaru Shukutsu Tanagekai

Shukutsu in Otaru City is an area that preserves the history of a fishing village that prospered from the herring trade. The "Otaru Shukutsu Herring and Scallop Festival" is held in this historic town. You can savor delicious herring and Otaru-produced scallops to your heart's content.

Image credit: Otaru Shukutsu Tanagekai

In addition to grilling herring and scallops to your liking, you can enjoy experiences unique to a port town, such as direct sales of seafood like flounder, sea urchin, and mantis shrimp, as well as shore crab fishing and scallop fishing.

4 "OTO TO TABI presents Shake Ongakukai 2024": A Music Festival in the Forest (Sapporo City)

Image provided by: minaco.

"Shake Ongakukai," which started in 2022, will be held again this year at Sapporo Art Park. The event has been powered up from last year, with an expanded area for food, drink, and merchandise stalls, in addition to live music and comedy performances.

Image provided by: minaco.

The venue, Sapporo Art Park's outdoor stage, is a grassy area surrounded by nature, perfect for enjoying the pleasant early summer weather. You can participate in various ways: lay down a picnic blanket and relax, stand up and get excited—the choice is yours.

5 "Lake Shikotsu KOSUI Festival": An Event to Feel the Early Summer by a Beautiful Lake (Chitose City)

Image credit: Chitose Tourist Association

This is a classic summer event in Chitose, held at Lake Shikotsu, which boasts the best water quality in Japan. The festival is unique to the outstanding natural environment of Lake Shikotsu, featuring everything from street performances and taiko drumming to exhibitions and test drives of eco-friendly cars.

Image credit: Chitose Tourist Association

Additionally, Lake Shikotsu's "chippu" (kokanee salmon), for which the fishing season opens every June, will be sold salt-grilled. It's an extremely popular item that often sells out quickly. Enjoy a festival full of nature and Lake Shikotsu's unique charm in the pleasant early summer climate.

6 "The 57th Oketo Summer Festival & 47th Human Bamba Race": Featuring a Heated Race (Oketo Town)

Image credit: Oketo Town

The "Oketo Summer Festival" is a signature summer event in Oketo Town. The must-see part of the event is the "Human Bamba Race," synonymous with Oketo. In this competition, teams pull iron sleds loaded with logs to the finish line, creating excitement for both participants and spectators.

Image credit: Oketo Town

Other attractions include stage shows with dance and performances, as well as a lottery with luxurious prizes. The event will conclude with a fireworks display to cap off the festival.

7 "Mt. Moiwa Day": Make Early Summer Memories Overlooking Sapporo (Sapporo City)

Image credit: Sapporo Mt. Moiwa Ropeway

This event is held on May 31st, "Mt. Moiwa Day," named after the mountain's 531-meter elevation. Mt. Moiwa is located almost in the center of Sapporo. Various activities, from hands-on experiences to gourmet food, are prepared over four days from May 30 to June 2.

Image credit: Sapporo Mt. Moiwa Ropeway

There will be a petting zoo, an insect exhibition, magic shows, and food trucks, along with a photo contest held at the same time. You can enter with photos taken during the event period, so be sure to capture beautiful scenery and wonderful smiles.

8 "Green Belt Festival": Experience Riding in Work Vehicles and Heavy Machinery (Chitose City)

Image credit: Chitose City Environmental Maintenance Business Cooperative

This festival takes place at the Green Belt, a series of connected plazas near Chitose Station. It's packed with fun hands-on attractions for children, including the perennially popular Sky Master (aerial work platform) ride that offers a view of the entire venue, and a mini heavy machinery riding experience.

Image credit: Chitose City Environmental Maintenance Business Cooperative

The venue will also feature stage performances and over 30 food trucks and stalls, making it a recommended event for a family weekend outing.

9 "Gourmet Dayo! Zenin Shugo in Hokuto 2024": A Lineup of Delicious Cuisine in Front of the Station (Hokuto City)

Image credit: Hokuto City

The delicious flavors of Southern Hokkaido and the Tohoku region gather in Hokuto City. The street in front of Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station will become a pedestrian paradise, lined with food stalls from Hokuto City, surrounding areas, and even the Tohoku region.

Image credit: Hokuto City

In addition to the food stalls, stage performances such as brass band concerts are also planned. Held right in front of Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station, it's a convenient stop for those visiting Hokkaido by Shinkansen.

10 "Tsurumaki Gakudan #39 1/2 'Suspension Anniversary'": Featuring a Theatre Workshop (Sapporo City)

Image credit: Tsurumaki Gakudan

"Tsurumaki Gakudan" is a theatre company from Sapporo that is active both within Hokkaido and nationwide. Since 2017, Tsurumaki Gakudan has been performing "Suspension Anniversary," a work born in and set in Okinawa. A highlight of the show is its unique original direction, where multiple actors rotate through the roles of each character, creating a mysterious experience unique to the stage.

Image credit: Tsurumaki Gakudan

This performance will be staged as a satellite program of the "Sapporo Theatre Season 2024," a festival where plays are performed daily at various theaters in Sapporo. A performance in Okinawa is also scheduled for June 29. As a related event, a workshop using the actual stage set is also planned.