The Hokudaisai Festival, celebrating its 67th anniversary this year, is a beloved annual event that brightens up the early summer in Sapporo. Held at Hokkaido University's Sapporo Campus from Friday, June 6 to Sunday, June 8, the festival features food stalls and a wide variety of projects by nearly 300 participating groups, attracting not only Hokkaido University students but also crowds from all over Sapporo. This article will give you a detailed look at the charms and highlights of this year's Hokudaisai.

International students serving delicious dishes from their home countries

The Hokudaisai is a composite event, bringing together 10 different festivals from various faculties and departments of Hokkaido University (Yuryosai, Humanities and Social Sciences Festival, Science Festival, Engineering Festival, Medical Exhibition, Dentistry Festival, Pharmaceutical Sciences Festival, Veterinary Medicine Festival, Agriculture Festival, and the International Food Festival). The vast 1.78 million square meter Sapporo Campus hosts a diverse array of events, from the Yuryosai, where first-year students and student clubs set up stalls, to festivals by each faculty showcasing their unique research and projects, and the International Food Festival (IFF), where you can enjoy authentic cuisine prepared by international students.

In 2024, the Hokudaisai attracted a record-breaking 118,000 visitors. This year's theme is "Saiun" (Iridescent Clouds). Known as a good omen, "Saiun" are also called "clouds that bring happiness." The theme was chosen with the hope of bringing new color to the festival's traditionally Latin-derived themes and symbolizing the diversity of the Hokudaisai.

Scenes from the 2024 festival

The stage, where many live performances take place

During the festival, the main street of the Hokkaido University campus is packed with food stalls, and facilities throughout the campus are open to the public. There's also a stamp rally held across the venue, where you can win a prize for collecting all the stamps.

Hokudaisai Stamp Rally

■Stamping Hours
・June 6 (Fri) 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM
・June 7 (Sat) 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
・June 8 (Sun) 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
■Lottery & Prize Collection Hours
・June 6 (Fri) 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM
・June 7 (Sat) 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
・June 8 (Sun) 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
■Stamp Locations: Yuryosai, Medical Festival, Agriculture Festival, Engineering Festival, Humanities and Social Sciences Festival, Veterinary Medicine Festival, Science Festival, Dentistry Festival, Pharmaceutical Sciences Festival, Clark Memorial Student Center, First Gymnasium

The Hokudaisai is also famous for its stage events featuring star-studded guests each year. On Sunday, June 8, from 1:00 PM, there will be a talk session with TV producer Nobuyuki Sakuma, who is also a famous radio DJ, and Tadahisa Fujimura, the director known for the popular show "Suiyo Dodesho."

Additionally, the comedy duo Haru to Hikoki, known for their YouTube channel "Bakido Channel" with 1.8 million subscribers, will perform a live comedy show on Saturday, June 7, from 12:30 PM. Other diverse guests visiting the Hokudaisai include literary critic Kaho Miyake, author of books like "Why Can't I Read Books When I'm Working?", and Tsunehiro Uno, author of books such as "Slow Internet."

Main Hokudaisai Guest Events

1. Nobuyuki Sakuma × Tadahisa Fujimura Talk Session

■Date & Time: Sunday, June 8 | Doors open 12:30 PM, Starts 1:00 PM, Ends 2:30 PM
■Venue: Hokkaido University Clark Memorial Student Center, Auditorium
■Price: Pre-festival discount ticket (non-reserved seat) 700 yen, Pre-festival ticket (reserved seat) 900 yen, Festival period ticket (non-reserved seat) 800 yen
*Purchase tickets from this dedicated page.

2. Haru to Hikoki Comedy Live in Hokudai

■Date & Time: Saturday, June 7 | Doors open 11:30 AM, Starts 12:30 PM
■Venue: Hokkaido University Clark Memorial Student Center, Auditorium
■Price: 1,000 yen (tax included, all seats reserved)
*For ticket purchases and more details, visit this page.

3. Kaho Miyake Lecture

■Date & Time: Friday, June 6 | From 7:00 PM
■Venue: Hokkaido University Clark Memorial Student Center, Auditorium
■Price: Free admission (first-come, first-served)

4. Tsunehiro Uno Lecture

■Date & Time: Saturday, June 7 | From 1:00 PM
■Venue: Building for Common Lecture of Humanities and Social Sciences, Classroom 8
■Price: Free admission (first-come, first-served)

5. Keisuke Matsuoka × Ko Shinjo Talk Session

■Date & Time: Saturday, June 7 | From 3:00 PM
■Venue: Hokkaido University Clark Memorial Student Center, Auditorium
■Price: Free admission, numbered ticket system (online/in-person)
*For numbered ticket registration and more details, visit this page.

6. Kotaro Sawaki Lecture

■Date & Time: Sunday, June 8 | From 3:00 PM
■Venue: Hokkaido University Clark Memorial Student Center, Auditorium
■Price: Free admission, numbered ticket system (online/in-person)
*For numbered ticket registration and more details, visit this page.

To attend the Hokudaisai, please note that entering the campus by private car or taxi is prohibited, so using public transportation is recommended. Additionally, bringing alcohol and smoking are not allowed. Please follow the rules to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

For more details and a list of events at the Hokudaisai, please check the official website. The Hokudaisai is a major event that brings many people together, serving as a place for interaction between Hokkaido University and the local community. Be sure to check out the efforts of the students who are studying hard to take flight from the great land of the north.

*Images provided by the Hokudaisai Festival Executive Committee

The 67th Hokudaisai Festival

Dates: June 6 (Fri) - 8 (Sun), 2025
Click here for details and map information for the 67th Hokudaisai Festival

Check these out too!