1 The 40th Yakumo Float Parade: A Spectacular Procession of Floats (Yakumo Town)

Image courtesy of Yakumo Town

Celebrating its 40th anniversary, the theme for this year's Yakumo Float Parade is "Flame, Scrum, Glistening Sweat ~Now, Endless Youth~." Numerous floats will parade through Yakumo Town over two days. Not only do the shape and design of the floats differ by group, but each also features unique elements like taiko drumming, festival music, and dancing, making every group a must-see.

Image courtesy of the Yakumo Float Parade Village Executive Committee

In conjunction with the Yakumo Float Parade, the "Yakumo Float Parade Camp Village" will be open for a limited time from June 29 to July 7. In addition to camping spaces, there will be food trucks, food and drink stalls, a market, hands-on booths, stage events, and exhibition booths.

2 Shokunin Kobo Presents Takino Fireworks 2024: A Collaboration of Music and Fireworks (Sapporo City)

Image courtesy of Shokunin Kobo Presents Takino Fireworks 2024

This fireworks display takes place at Sapporo's Takino Suzuran Hillside National Government Park. Set against a backdrop of nature, large fireworks will light up the night sky, synchronized with music. You can also use the adjacent "Auto Resort Takino" to enjoy camping while still basking in the afterglow of the fireworks.

Image courtesy of Shokunin Kobo Presents Takino Fireworks 2024

This year's event is bigger than ever, with plenty to do before the fireworks begin. There will be participatory activities like a dance contest, a DJ experience, and a grand lottery. Simultaneously, the "Hokkaido Meat Festival" will offer delicious meat dishes, and the "HOKKAIDO CRAFT BEER FESTA" will feature rare craft beers.

3 The 1st Okhotsk Esashi Gourmet Festival: An Event Gathering Esashi's Best Delicacies (Esashi Town)

Image courtesy of the Esashi Town Tourism Association

The popular "Esashi Crab Festival" in Esashi, a town in northern Hokkaido, has been reborn as the "Okhotsk Esashi Gourmet Festival." This festival brings together all the delicious specialties that Esashi Town is proud of.

Image courtesy of the Esashi Town Tourism Association

The event will feature the much-anticipated horsehair crab speed-eating contest, a performance by the YOSAKOI Soran team Muso Ren Esashi, stage shows, and a grand lottery. The first day will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display lighting up the night sky.

4 Mori Jam 2024: Enjoy Markets and Stage Shows in the Forest (Shimokawa Town)

Image courtesy of Mori Jam 2024

This summer festival is held in the forests of Shimokawa Town with the concept of "enjoying the blessings of the forest together." A wide variety of events are planned, including 40 market stalls, an art exhibition in the woods, interactions with Dosanko native horses, live music, and a fashion show.

Image courtesy of Mori Jam 2024

The chainsaw art competition "EZOCUP" will also be held on the same day, offering a thrilling performance of chainsaw art right before your eyes. Tent sites are available, making it a great option for those who want to take their time and enjoy the event.

5 Shiretoko Shari Neputa: Neputa Floats and Festival Music Heat Up Shiretoko (Shari Town)

Image courtesy of the Shiretoko Shari Town Tourism Association

The "Shiretoko Shari Neputa" is Shiretoko's largest festival, where fan-shaped neputa floats of various sizes parade along a 2.5km route on the main street of Shari Town. The festival originated from a cultural exchange with Hirosaki City in Aomori Prefecture. Some neputa floats reach up to 8 meters high, creating a powerful spectacle that further heats up the summer night.

Image courtesy of the Shiretoko Shari Town Tourism Association

Another highlight is the grand ensemble of festival music. The sight of the neputa floats advancing to the chant of "Yaa-ya-doh" is truly breathtaking. On the final day, a "Neputa Festival" will be held, bringing all the musical groups together.

6 The 78th Muroran Port Festival: A Festival Packed with History and Tradition, Created with the Citizens (Muroran City)

Image courtesy of the Muroran Tourism Association

This is a major summer event in Muroran City. It's a festival filled with history and tradition, featuring the "Citizen's Dance" where participants dance to the tunes of Muroran-bayashi and Hokkai Bon-uta folk songs, and the "Muroran Nerikomi Parade" with portable shrines and floats.

Image courtesy of the Muroran Tourism Association

The main event, the "Cool Summer Evening Fireworks Display," beautifully colors the summer night sky and further enhances Muroran's stunning night view. Other attractions include stage events and a large street of stalls.

7 Yubari Yume-niwa Marche vol. 4: An Event of Yubari's Flavors and Relaxation (Yubari City)

Image courtesy of Yubari Yume-niwa Marche

Various booths will be set up under the theme of healing. You'll find stalls that soothe both mind and body, including sales of handmade accessories and goods, fortune-telling, and light meals made with Hokkaido ingredients. Enjoy a relaxing atmosphere with delicious food and healing treatments.

8 The 56th Hokkai Heso Matsuri (Belly Button Festival): A Unique Festival Where People Dance with Faces Painted on Their Bellies (Furano City)

Image courtesy of the Furano Tourism Association

This festival is based on the idea that Furano, located in the center of Hokkaido, is the "belly button of Hokkaido." Participants dance and parade through the town with faces, known as "zuhara," painted on their stomachs. There are also food stalls offering delicious Furano cuisine, as well as dance and music performances. Walk-in participation is welcome, making it popular with tourists, and it attracts large crowds from both Japan and abroad every year.

9 Little Doto @ Sapporo - "Discovering the Charm of Primary Industries in the Okhotsk Area" ~Living with Nature in the Rich Okhotsk Region~ (Sapporo City)

Image courtesy of General Incorporated Association Dot Doto

"Little Doto" is an event where you can learn about life and work in Eastern Hokkaido (Doto) and meet new people through information sharing and communication. This time, the theme is "Discovering the Charm of Primary Industries in the Okhotsk Area."

The first part will introduce the primary industries of the Okhotsk area, including agriculture and forestry. The second part will be a networking session with the speakers and others connected to the Doto region. It's a valuable opportunity to hear directly from people active in the Doto and Okhotsk areas.

10 Muroran Family Disco: A Disco Experience for the Whole Family (Muroran City)

Image courtesy of Muroran Family Disco

Under the theme of "Family Disco," this event allows everyone, from children to adults, to enjoy timeless disco music. There will be dance step workshops for disco beginners and elementary/middle school students. You can have fun dancing, or take photos in the disco space with its excellent lighting effects. It's a chance to enjoy a fresh and different kind of disco experience.

11 Northern Bonsai Market: Recommended for Those Who Want to Start Bonsai (Sapporo City)

Image courtesy of Northern Bonsai Market

This bonsai festival, the first of its kind in Sapporo, brings together bonsai associations, nurseries, and enthusiasts from all over Hokkaido. It's the perfect event not only for bonsai lovers but also for those who want to start the hobby or seek advice. The market will focus on small bonsai, wild grasses, and bonsai pots to make it easy for anyone to pick up bonsai. You'll also find display tools for decorating with bonsai and currently popular caudex plants.

12 Lavender Festa Kamifurano 2024: Nighttime Lavender Fields Illuminated (Kamifurano Town)

Image courtesy of the Furano Tourism Association

The lavender fields at Hinode Park in Kamifurano Town are fantastically illuminated. During the festival period, the lavender garden will be lit up every night, allowing you to enjoy the nighttime lavender in a different atmosphere than usual.

Image courtesy of the Furano Tourism Association

Additionally, a light-up ceremony with a lighting ceremony and brass band performance will be held on Saturday, July 13. On Sunday, July 21, stage events such as performance shows and special events are scheduled.

13 The 11th Hokkaido Goldfish Scooping Championship: Goldfish Scooping Masters Assemble (Asahikawa City)

Image courtesy of the Hokkaido Goldfish Scooping Championship

The tournament to decide Hokkaido's No. 1 goldfish scooper will be held again this year in Asahikawa City. It's a heated battle among goldfish scooping enthusiasts, competing to see how many fish they can scoop in 3 minutes with a single "poi" (paper scooper).

Image courtesy of the Hokkaido Goldfish Scooping Championship

The competition is divided into individual and team events. Winners of the individual competition will be granted priority entry into the National Goldfish Scooping Championship in Nara Prefecture. If you're a goldfish scooping pro or want to test your skills, why not enter and give it a try?

14 Chitose Municipal Heated Pool Summer Festival!!: Enjoy Summer Coolly with Water Attractions (Chitose City)

Image courtesy of Chitose Municipal Heated Pool

This summer festival takes place at the Chitose Municipal Heated Pool. Pool admission is half price, and you can enjoy unlimited access to water attractions like the Water Roll and Aqua Island. There will also be food trucks and stalls perfect for when you get hungry after all the fun, serving light snacks like agemochi, crepes, shaved ice, zangi (Hokkaido-style fried chicken), and fries.

15 Fumizuki Exhibition: Exhibiting Practical Works by Students of Art and Craft Education (Sapporo City)

Image courtesy of Hokkaido University of Education Arts & Sports Culture Complex HUG

This is an exhibition of works created by 3rd and 4th-year students from the Art and Craft Education department at Hokkaido University of Education, Sapporo Campus. Practical works by students studying painting, design, and sculpture will be displayed in the exhibition room. The exhibition is open to the public, so please come and see the students' work firsthand.