October in Hokkaido is the perfect time to enjoy events across the region celebrating autumn's seasonal gourmet food, arts, and colorful foliage! We've carefully selected 10 must-see events featuring agricultural products, seafood, music, art, and stunning autumn leaves. Why not experience the charm of Hokkaido's autumn through these exciting events?

This light-up event fantastically illuminates Momijidani (Autumn Leaf Valley) in Sounkyo Onsen, known as Japan's earliest autumn foliage spot. The vividly colored leaves are bathed in light, and interactive digital art that responds to people's movements turns a simple night stroll into a special experience. The event is full of playful features, including light projections on the ground and art reflected on rental umbrellas.

This event brings together seasonal seafood from Esashi Town, such as autumn salmon and Esashi scallops. In addition to direct sales of seafood and agricultural products by local organizations, there are unique activities like a scallop shucking contest and a scallop catcher game. Plus, you can enjoy plenty of Hokkaido's autumn gourmet dishes, including autumn salmon hot pot and salmon chanchan-yaki (grilled salmon with vegetables and miso).

A film festival themed around "FOOD" and "MOVIE." Held at venues like movie theaters in Sapporo and the Former Hokkaido Government Office Building (Akarenga Chosha), the festival screens domestic and international food-related films and hosts talk shows. It's not just about watching movies; there are also projects where you can taste dishes related to the films and a concurrent food event that lets you eat and drink your way through city restaurants at a discount. It's an event where you can enjoy Hokkaido's unique "food" and "film" with all five senses.

A lively event filled with delicious food, laughter, and music. You can savor Okhotsk's cuisine and Okhotsk Beer, as well as beers from around Japan and the world. There will also be booths unique to Kitami, the "Yakiniku Town." With plenty of festival stalls and game corners for children to enjoy, the stage will feature impersonation shows, mini-concerts, and comedy acts.

Hokkaido's largest game development event, bringing together companies involved in game development based in Sapporo. A variety of programs are offered, including a "Game Jam" where you can try developing a game from scratch with professionals, programming workshops, mini e-sports tournaments, and talk sessions. It's a must-see event for game fans of all ages, from children to adults, to experience the fun of game creation and the latest in digital entertainment.

Set against the backdrop of Fukagawa City's vast rice paddies, this unique outdoor festival combines music, food, and agricultural culture for the first time. You can taste freshly milled and cooked new-crop rice from Fukagawa on the spot, and there will be direct sales of fresh vegetables, freshly made nihachi soba (80% buckwheat noodles) from Fukagawa, and gourmet dishes using local agricultural products. Music will fill the stage, and with a play area for children and performances by street artists, it's an event the whole family can enjoy together.

An autumn event held at Kosetsuen, Hakodate's premier autumn foliage spot. During the event, the park is lit up, centering on a 100-meter-long avenue of maple trees, allowing you to enjoy the autumn scenery in a magical atmosphere. The Entei, a tea-ceremony-style shoin-zukuri building, is open for viewing from 9:00 to 17:00, so you can appreciate the autumn leaves from both inside and out for different perspectives.

Jozankei, known as Sapporo's back parlor, is a popular spot bustling with people as a famous autumn foliage destination. For a limited time, buses will run from the Jozankei Tourist Information Center to five spectacular foliage areas, including Hoheikyo Dam, Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort, and the Mt. Hakkenzan area. There are also guided tours for strolling through the hot spring town and around Lake Sapporo, making it easy to enjoy autumn leaf viewing even without a car.

A light-up event that beautifully illuminates the autumn foliage of Hachironuma Park in Hokuto City. During the day, you can enjoy the colors of the trees in the park, and at night, you can enjoy the magical sight of the lit-up foliage reflected like a mirror on the surface of Hachironuma Pond. Various mini-events are also planned during the period, adding to the autumn experience along with leaf viewing.

"TAKEURA ART PROMNADE," held in Shiraoi Town, is a light art event set in the former Takeura Elementary School. The school building, stone monuments, and symbolic trees are enveloped in a gentle light, transforming the space into a magical atmosphere. During the event, a "Full Moon Night Market" will be held for two days only, where local eateries, bakeries, and confectioners will gather to sell various gourmet foods, and live music can also be enjoyed.

*All information is current as of the article's publication in September 2025.
*All information is subject to change. Please check official websites for the latest details.