1 The 45th Sapporo White Illumination brings a romantic atmosphere to Sapporo's nightlife (Sapporo City)

This illumination event is Sapporo's signature winter event. Each area of Odori Park is illuminated with a different theme, and the various venues at Ekimae-dori, Minami Ichijo-dori, Akapla, and the south exit of Sapporo Station also light up the city with their own unique lighting effects. The combination of snow and illuminations is so beautiful you'll want to stop in your tracks. If you also enjoy the Munich Christmas Market held at the Odori venue, you can enjoy an even more romantic evening.

2 "Hiroo Hairy Crab Festival" (Hiroo Town) - Delicious hairy crabs boiled in a large cauldron

Hiroo Town's annual winter event, the Hiroo Hairy Crab Festival, is a gourmet festival where you can fully enjoy the seafood that only a port town can offer. The highlights are the sale of hairy crabs boiled in a 2-meter cauldron at a bargain price, and the rich hairy crab soup made in a 1-meter cauldron. Other specialties from Hiroo, such as shishamo, octopus, whelk, salmon roe, and fresh salmon rolls, are also lined up. Attractions such as a crab eating contest are also held, making this an irresistible event for crab lovers. *Depending on the catch, it may be held as the "Hiroo Manpuku Festival."

3 Otaru's famous Blue Canal turns blue (Otaru City)

Otaru Canal, a popular tourist attraction in Otaru, sparkles in blue for a limited time in winter. The canal is fantastically decorated with blue illuminations, and especially during the blue hour after sunset, the sky and the light blend together, creating a romantic atmosphere. On the "Night Cruise" that operates in conjunction with the illuminations, you can view the scenery along the canal from a boat, and experience Otaru in winter in a way that is a little different from walking around the city.

4 "Ice Village" (Shukuba Village), a fantastical "town of ice and snow" that appears only in winter

A town of ice and snow appears only during the winter at Hoshino Resorts Tomamu, a resort in Shimukappu Village. Eleven ice domes line the 3.2-hectare site, creating a fantastical space that includes the Ice Church, Ice Hotel, and Ice Bar. This winter, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Ice Church, a new Ice Museum has been opened where you can learn about its history and story. There is also an ice restaurant, a sweets shop, and an ice maze for children, so a special winter experience awaits, where you can see, eat, play, and enjoy the sights.

5 German Christmas market to be held in Odori Park "2025 Munich Christmas Market in Sapporo" (Sapporo City)

This authentic Christmas market, held in Odori Park in central Sapporo, recreates the atmosphere of Munich, Germany. Under the glittering illuminations, you'll find mulled wine, German cuisine, and Christmas-themed goods. There's also a variety of events, including a Santa Claus greeting, puzzle solving, popular cafes changing weekly, and gift-giving days every Sunday.

6 Giant floating Christmas tree on the sea "2025 Hakodate Christmas Fantasy" (Hakodate City)

A winter tradition that colors Hakodate's Bay Area. A giant Christmas tree floating on the sea is lit up, creating a fantastic sight. Fireworks are launched every day at 6:00 PM when the tree is re-lit, and another highlight is the "Premium Red Tree," where the tree turns red three times a day. At the venue's soup bar, you can enjoy hot soup made with local ingredients, and warm up while you leisurely enjoy the illuminations, fireworks, and night view.

7 Enjoy illuminations at Japan's only Santa Land, "Hiroo Santa Land Illuminations" (Hiroo Town)

This illumination event is held at Hiroo Santaland, which has been certified as the only Santaland in Norway by the city of Oslo. With approximately 150,000 illuminated bulbs and 10,000 wooden lanterns shining, the park is enveloped in a mystical light. The wooden lantern tunnel leading to Santa's House is a particularly great photo spot, and the warmth of the wooden lights will warm your heart.

8 A fireworks and music show that will light up the winter sky of Sapporo "Okurayama Winter Fireworks 2025 supported by Takeda GEAD" (Sapporo City)

This winter fireworks festival is held at the Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium. The highlight is the "Great Sky Art" synchronized with music, and you can enjoy a spectacular show where sound and light combine in the clear winter night sky. The venue offers a wide variety of gourmet food, including ramen, zangi (chicken stew), and steak, and the night view of Sapporo from the observation deck is very special, so you can enjoy it even before the fireworks start.

9 The 39th Kita no Daimonji Fireworks Festival (Kami-furano Town) concludes the year with sacred fireworks and other displays.

This annual event is held from New Year's Eve to New Year's Day at Hinode Park in Kamifurano, a famous spot for lavender. Young people pass the sacred fire from Mt. Tokachi in a relay to a giant character "Dai" painted on the snow, which is then ignited at exactly midnight. Approximately 300 torches measuring approximately 70m in height and 50m in width are lit all at once, creating a spectacular sight as the character "Dai" emerges from the darkness. Fireworks are also launched at the moment the New Year arrives, creating an atmosphere so hot that you forget the cold.

10 A huge gathering of Kushiro's delicious products at the 54th Kushiro Product Festival (Kushiro City)

This gourmet sales event brings together all the delicious foods of Kushiro. There is a wide selection of local specialties, including seafood from Kushiro, and the appeal is that they can be purchased at special prices for only three days. Not only are locals visiting in search of year-end gifts or treats for the New Year holidays, but they are also popular as tourist souvenirs, as they can be shipped to other regions. There will also be raffles and other events during the event, so it can be enjoyed not only as a shopping experience but also as an event.