1 The 51st Sounkyo Onsen Ice Fall Festival: Art of Ice and Light Created by the Extreme Cold (Kamikawa Town)

Held at Sounkyo Onsen in Daisetsuzan National Park, this is one of Hokkaido's three major winter festivals. The expansive venue is lined with about 20 large and small ice sculptures created using the harsh natural cold. At night, they are lit up to create a magical scene. Fireworks displays are also held during the festival, with light and sound echoing through the canyon in the crisp air. After viewing, warming your chilled body in a nearby hot spring is also recommended.

2 Shikaribetsu Kotan: A Phantom Village on Lake Shikaribetsu That Appears Only in Midwinter (Shikaoi Town)

A "phantom village" that appears only during winter on Lake Shikaribetsu. Igloos and activity facilities are built on the lake using snow that has fallen on it and clear ice from its pristine waters. The space, decorated with over 10,000 snow blocks and natural ice cut from the lake, is a magical world in harmony with nature. Unique programs are available here, such as an ice bar with beautiful ice interiors, an open-air bath on the ice overlooking the snowfield, and ice glass making.

3 The 63rd Obihiro Ice Festival: A Winter Festival Packed with Hands-on Fun (Obihiro City)

This is Obihiro's signature winter event. It's packed with interactive booths where you can play with snow and ice, such as an ice slide, a spinning sled, and a snow bike trial, making it fun for everyone from children to adults. The venue features ice masks made by elementary school students, impressive snow and ice sculptures, and ice carvings. At night, fireworks light up the cold sky. Additionally, an Ice Marche offers a taste of Tokachi's local food. It's the perfect winter outing where you can enjoy both fun and food at once.

4 Furano Kan Kan Mura: Enjoy Winter Night Activities Surrounded by Light (Furano City)

A unique winter night activity event held adjacent to the New Furano Prince Hotel. Approximately 70,000 illuminations adorn the venue, enveloping it in a magical atmosphere woven by snow and light. There is a wealth of unique Hokkaido winter experiences, including a snow dome made entirely of ice, snow tubing, dog sledding, and snow rafting. Enjoy skiing and sightseeing during the day, and spend a special evening at the illuminated Kan Kan Mura.

5 Jozankei Yukitoro 2026 FINAL: The Grand Finale for a 15-Year Tradition of Light in Jozankei (Sapporo City)

"Yukitoro" (Snow Candle Way) is a winter art festival held at Jozankei Shrine. The enchanting scenery, lit by about 1,000 handmade snow candles, has colored Jozankei's winters for 15 years. The year 2026 will mark the final time the "Snow Candle Yukitoro" will be held in its current format. In addition to the candle area bathed in warm light and the "Forest of Prayer" that merges nature and digital art, last year's popular "Yukitoro CAMP Fes ~Bonfire for All~" will also return. Enjoy a winter night enveloped in light and warmth with activities like wood chopping, bonfires, tent saunas, and warm food and drinks.

6 Honbetsu Mamemaka Night: Get Fired Up with an Intense Bean-Throwing Event Full of Demons (Honbetsu Town)

A traditional New Year event unique to Honbetsu Town, the "number one bean town in Japan." In the "Geki Mamemaki" (Intense Bean Throwing), demons appear one after another, and a massive amount of beans fly towards them, bringing the venue's excitement to a peak. In addition to unique experiences like bean prayers and bean bathing, there are plenty of exciting attractions such as food trucks, stage acts, and a bean-throwing lottery.

7 Winter Fun at Daisetsu Dam: Experience Extraordinary Activities on a Frozen Dam Lake (Kamikawa Town)

An activity event where you can enjoy extraordinary winter scenery and thrills, held on a dam lake that is normally inaccessible. On the frozen Daisetsu Dam Lake, there are plenty of free activities, including one of Japan's largest canyon sliders at about 300m long, ice fishing, snow play, and a cozy tent experience. For an additional fee, you can also enjoy the "Phantom Snow Cornice & Lake Ice Viewing Secret Cruise" to the depths of the frozen lake, a spinning ice carousel on the ice, and fat biking/snowshoeing experiences.

8 Otofuke Tokachigawa Swan Festival "Sairinka®": A Fantastical Winter Show of Light and Sound (Otofuke Town)

A fantastical winter entertainment show where sound and light synchronize, held at the sub-zero Tokachigawa Onsen. The venue is filled with the light of about 600 large and small triangular cone objects made from agricultural insulation materials, which shine rhythmically to the music. The dynamic lighting that illuminates the snow and forest from the observation deck is breathtaking. There are also many features to make your night walk even more enjoyable, such as snow rafting and a rest area where you can enjoy warm food and drinks.

9 The 52nd Higashikawa Ice Festival: Fireworks and Ice Art Shining in the Clear Winter Sky (Higashikawa Town)

A traditional event that represents winter in Higashikawa Town. At the venue, an ice sculpture contest is held where contestants compete to create the most perfect sculpture within a limited time of 24 hours, resulting in a lineup of impressive ice carvings. Other highlights include snow sculptures made by groups, mini snowmen displayed around the venue, and ice lanterns. A fireworks display is also held on the first night, and the sight of them spreading across the clear winter sky is a must-see.

10 2026 ES CON FIELD Kachio, Kachijo, Kachikko Race: Start the Year with a Full-Speed Dash at ES CON FIELD (Kitahiroshima City)

A special New Year's project will be held for the first time at Hokkaido Ballpark F Village. Participants will race along a special 400m course set up at ground level in ES CON FIELD HOKKAIDO, aiming for the Escon Shrine. The race is divided into three categories: men, women, and elementary school students in grades 5-6. The winner of each race will receive luxurious prizes, including the right to throw the first pitch.