1. "The 40th Yakumo Float Parade," a parade of powerful floats (Yakumo Town )

Image credit: Yakumo Town

The theme of this year's "Yakumo Float Parade," which marks its 40th anniversary, is "Flames, Scrum, and Glowing Sweat: Now, Endless Youth. Numerous floats will parade through Yakumo Town for two days. Each group has a different float shape and design, and each has its own drumming, o-hayashi, and dancing, so don't miss any of them.

(Image credit: Yakumo Float Procession Village Executive Committee)

In conjunction with the Yakumo Yamashiyori Procession, the Yakumo Yamashiyori Camping Village will be open for a limited time from June 29 to July 7. In addition to camping space, there will be kitchen cars, food and beverage stalls, a marché, experience booths, stage events, exhibition booths, and more.

2 Music and Fireworks Collaboration "Shokunin Koubou Presents Takki no Hanabi 2024" (Sapporo )

Image credit: Shokunin Kobo Presents Takino Fireworks 2024

This fireworks display is held at Takino Suzuran Hillside Park in Sapporo. Large fireworks display synchronized with music in a venue surrounded by nature will light up the night sky. If you use the "Auto Resort Takino" attached to the park, you can also enjoy camping in the afterglow of the fireworks.

(Image credit: Craftsman Studio Presents Takino Fireworks 2024)

This year's event is more powerful than in previous years, and the time leading up to the fireworks has been enhanced. From dance contests, DJ experiences, and a large lottery, to the "Hokkaido Meat Festival" where you can enjoy meat dishes, and the "HOKKAIDO CRAFT BEER FESTA" where you can taste rare craft beers, the festival will be held at the same time.

3 "The 1st Okhotsk Edamaimon Festival" (Edasai Town), an event where the best of Edasai Town gathers.

Image credit: Edasaiwaicho Tourist Association

The popular "Edasai Crab Festival" in Edasai Town, located in northern Hokkaido, will be held as the new "Okhotsk Edasai Umaimon Festival. This festival is a gathering of Edasai-cho's specialty, "good food".

(Image credit: Edasaiwaicho Tourist Association)

The festival will also feature a YOSAKOI Soran Yumeso Ren Esashi performance, a stage show, a big lottery, etc. A fireworks display will be held at the end of the first day.

4 "Mori Jam 2024," a market and stage show to enjoy in the forest (Shimokawa Town)

Image credit: Mori Jam 2024

A summer festival held in the forests of Shimokawa Town with the concept of "enjoying the bounty of the forest together. 40 markets, a picture display in the forest, a chance to meet the Dosanko horses, live music, fashion shows, and many other events are planned.

Image credit: Mori Jam 2024

The chainsaw art competition "EZOCUP" will be held on the same day, and the chainsaw art performance that unfolds in front of your eyes is very powerful. Tent sites are also available for those who wish to enjoy the event at a leisurely pace.

5 "Shiretoko Shari Neputa" (Shari Town): Neputa and musical accompaniment heat up Shiretoko

(Image credit: Shiretoko-Shari-cho Tourist Association)

The "Shiretoko-Shari Neputa" parades fan-shaped neputas of various sizes along a 2.5-km stretch of Shari-cho's main street. This is one of the largest festivals in Shiretoko, which started as a cultural exchange with Hirosaki City in Aomori Prefecture. The festival is one of the largest festivals in Shiretoko, which began as a cultural exchange with Hirosaki City in Aomori Prefecture.

(Image credit: Shiretoko Shari-cho Tourist Association)

Another highlight of the festival is the large ensemble of musical accompaniment. The sight of the fan-shaped floats moving forward with the call of "Ya-ya-do" is a sight to behold. On the last day of the festival, a "Neputa Festival" will be held, bringing together all the musical performances.

6 The 78th Muroran Port Festival, a festival full of history and tradition made with citizens (Muroran City)

Image credit: Muroran Tourist Association

This is a major summer event in Muroran City. The festival is full of history and tradition, including the "Citizens' Dance" in which dancers dance to the tune of Muroranbayashi and Hokkai Bon Uta, and the "Muroran Nerikomi" in which mikoshi and floats are carried in procession.

(Image credit: Muroran Tourist Association)

The main event of the festival is the "Noryo Fireworks Display," which beautifully colors the summer night sky and enhances the beautiful night view of Muroran. In addition, stage events and a large stall area are also held.

7 Yubari Yumeniwa Marche vol.4", an event of taste and healing in Yubari (Yubari City)

Image credit: Yubari Yume Niwa Marche

A variety of booths with the theme of healing will be exhibited. Booths selling handmade accessories and miscellaneous goods, fortune-telling, and offering light meals made from Hokkaido ingredients will be lined up to heal both body and soul. Visitors can enjoy a relaxing atmosphere with delicious food and healing treatments.

8 The 56th Hokkai Navel Festival, a unique festival where people dance by drawing faces on their bellies (Furano City)

Image credit: Furano Tourism Association

This festival is named after Furano, which is located in the center of Hokkaido and is known as the "belly button of Hokkaido. The festival participants draw a face on their stomachs, called a "zu-belly," and parade through the town, dancing. In addition, there will be food stalls offering a variety of delicious Furano foods, and dance and music performances. Visitors are welcome to jump in and participate, and the festival is popular among tourists and attracts a large number of people from Japan and abroad every year.

9 Real voices from East Hokkaido and Okhotsk area "Little Dotoh @ Sapporo "Learn the charm of primary industry in Okhotsk area" - Living with nature in the rich nature of Okhotsk" (Sapporo )

Image credit: General Incorporated Association Dot Doto

Little Doto" is an event where people can meet new friends and the present state of Doto through the dissemination of information and communication about work and living in Doto. This year's event will be held under the theme of "Learn about the charms of the primary industry in the Okhotsk area.

The first part of the event will introduce the primary industry, agriculture, and forestry in the Okhotsk area. In the second part, there will be an exchange meeting with the speakers and people with connections to East Hokkaido. This is a rare opportunity to hear directly from people active in the East Hokkaido and Okhotsk area.

10 Disco experience for parents and children "Muroran Family Disco" (Muroran City)

Image credit: Muroran Family Disco

Under the theme of "Family Disco," an event will be held for children and adults of all ages to enjoy disco music, which has been popular for many years. Steps workshops for disco beginners and elementary and junior high school students will also be held. Whether you enjoy dancing or taking pictures in the disco space with its excellent lighting effects, you can enjoy a disco with a fresh taste that is different from the usual.

11 "Kita no Bonsai Market" (Sapporo) recommended for those who want to start bonsai.

Image credit: Kita no Bonsai Market

Bonsai festival is held for the first time in Sapporo, where bonsai associations, bonsai gardens, and bonsai lovers in Hokkaido gather. This event is perfect not only for bonsai lovers, but also for those who want to start bonsai or consult about bonsai. The bonsai will be sold mainly in small bonsai, wildflowers, bonsai pots, etc. so that people can easily get a bonsai. There will also be tools for decorating bonsai and popular tuberous plants.

12 Lavender Festa Kamifurano 2024 (Kamifurano Town): Lavender fields lit up at night

Image credit: Furano Tourist Association

Lavenders in Hinode Park in Kamifurano Town are lit up fantastically. During the period, the lavender garden is illuminated every night, and visitors can enjoy the lavenders at night in a different atmosphere than usual.

(Image credit: Furano Tourist Association)

On July 13 (Sat), a lighting ceremony and brass band performance will be held, and on July 21 (Sun), stage events such as performance shows and special events are scheduled.

13 Goldfish scooping boasts gather at the "11th Hokkaido Goldfish Sukui Championship" (Asahikawa City )

Image credit: Hokkaido Goldfish Sukui Championship

The 11th Hokkaido Goldfish Sukui Championship will be held again this year in Asahikawa City to decide the No. 1 goldfish scooping contest in Hokkaido. Goldfish scooping enthusiasts compete to see how many goldfish they can scoop in three minutes with a single poi.

Image credit: Hokkaido Goldfish Sukui Championship

The tournament is divided into individual and team competitions, and winners of the individual competitions are given priority entry to the National Goldfish Sukui Championship in Nara Prefecture. If you are a goldfish scooping enthusiast or just want to test your skills, why not try your hand at it?

14 Water attraction to enjoy cool summer "Chitose City Heated Swimming Pool Summer Festival! (Chitose City)

Image credit: Chitose City Heated Swimming Pool

Summer Festival held at Chitose City Heated Swimming Pool. Admission to the pool is half-price, and water attractions such as Water Roll and Aqua Island are available for unlimited play. There are also kitchen cars and stalls with refreshments such as Agemochi, crepes, shaved ice, Zangi and fries, perfect for when you get hungry after playing a lot.

15 "Bungetsu Exhibition," an exhibition of practical works by students studying drawing and art education (Sapporo )

Image credit: Hokkaido University of Education Arts & Sports Culture Complex HUG

This is an exhibition of artworks created by 3rd and 4th year students of Hokkaido University of Education Sapporo. Practical works by students studying painting, design, and sculpture will be displayed in the exhibition room. The exhibition is open to the general public, so please come and see the students' works in person.