The annual Yonbangai Festival in the heart of Sapporo's Odori district is just around the corner! On Sunday, July 13th, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, Sapporo Ekimae Dori in Odori will transform into a pedestrian paradise, featuring numerous street stalls, professional wrestling, live performances, and various other events. This article will give you a detailed look at the charms and highlights of the Yonbangai Festival.

The Yonbangai Festival is an annual event held in Sapporo's Odori district. In 2025, it will take place on Sunday, July 13th, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. The central part of Odori becomes a pedestrian paradise lined with countless stalls. The event also features the "Yonbangai Hanjo Mikoshi," a portable shrine paraded through the shopping street.

The 2025 Yonbangai Festival will feature a lineup of kitchen cars serving delicious food like candy apples, crepes, and soft-serve ice cream! Additionally, the Irish pub "St. John's Wood" will make an appearance, offering draft beer, french fries, fish and chips, and sausages.

What's more, at the "Nigi-Nigi Stalls," you can enjoy fun traditional festival games like goldfish scooping and yo-yo fishing for free! The stalls will open sequentially from around 1:00 PM and close at 4:30 PM. Kids can have a blast without worrying about their wallets!

Yonbangai Festival Map

There are plenty of events too! At the special stage at the 4-chome Scramble Crossing, an ice sculpture performance titled "Midsummer Downtown Ice Carving Performance" will be held (1:00 PM - 5:00 PM). There will also be an "Amezaiku Demonstration Stall," showcasing the traditional Japanese art of candy crafting, where artisans create animals and characters one after another. Lottery tickets will be distributed three times at 12:45 PM, 1:40 PM, and 3:10 PM, and winners will receive a piece of Amezaiku candy art.

From around 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM, a pro-wrestling ring will appear in the middle of Sapporo for the annual Yonbangai Festival tradition! The "EWA Amateur Pro-Wrestling" show will feature a thrilling performance that is sure to excite the crowd.

Furthermore, the stage at the 4-chome Scramble Crossing will host a variety of performances, including numerous idol groups, as well as bodybuilding, Latin & Samba shows.

In addition, the powerful carriers of the "Yonbangai Hanjo Mikoshi" will parade through the streets, bringing the festival atmosphere to its peak! Don't miss this once-a-year festival held in the heart of Sapporo's Odori district.

*Photos are from past events.

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