1 The 2026 Sapporo Snow Festival: A World-Famous Winter Extravaganza (Sapporo)

This iconic winter event in Sapporo attracts numerous visitors from Japan and abroad every year. You can enjoy different exhibits and attractions at three main sites: Odori Park, Tsudome, and Susukino. The Odori Site features a variety of large and small snow sculptures and winter attractions. The Tsudome Site is perfect for families, with giant slides and other snow activities. The Susukino Site showcases beautiful ice sculptures that illuminate the city. A key charm is seeing the powerful snow and ice sculptures up close during the day and then enjoying the magical, illuminated scenery at night. With citizen-made snow sculptures and an international snow sculpture contest, you'll experience Sapporo's winter culture with every step.

2 The 67th Asahikawa Winter Festival: Let's Play with Vulpix and Friends! (Asahikawa)

This year's Asahikawa Winter Festival will feature Alolan Vulpix and Vulpix from the Hokkaido Daisuki Discovery Team as part of the Pokémon Local Acts initiative. Centered around a massive snow sculpture, the venue will be adorned with citizen-participation exhibits like small and medium snow sculpture contests and a high school snow sculpture competition. The stage will host music concerts and talk shows, and at night, winter fireworks synchronized with music will light up the winter sky. Furthermore, a winter market with about 40 stalls will offer everything from Asahikawa's local cuisine to flavors from various regions.

3 Chitose Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival: An Art Museum of Light and Ice in Shikotsu Blue (Chitose)

A fantastical space created by freezing the water of Lake Shikotsu, which boasts some of the clearest water in Japan. During the day, the natural light makes the "Shikotsu Blue" ice shine quietly, while at night, colorful lights create a magical world of ice sculptures. With many highlights like tunnels, towers, and chandeliers, the scenery changes as you walk, adding to its charm. The surrounding area is also dotted with high-quality hot springs, allowing you to warm up your chilled body while enjoying the winter landscape.

4 IWAMIZAWA Heavy Snow Festival 2026: Giant Slides and a Human-Powered Sled Race! (Iwamizawa)

This annual winter event in Iwamizawa, one of Hokkaido's snowiest areas, is full of excitement. The famous Human-Powered Bamba Sled Race, where teams of six pull a 350 kg sled, fills the venue with cheers and thrills. There are also plenty of activities to keep you engrossed despite the cold, such as a giant slide, jumbo karuta (card game), and snowmobile rides. At the Dokayuki (heavy snow) food stalls, you can savor warm food, and the free pheasant stew and pork soup are popular every year.

5 The 61st Abashiri Okhotsk Drift Ice Festival: Learn About Drift Ice Through Play (Abashiri)

This annual winter event focuses on drift ice, the symbol of the Okhotsk Sea. With the theme of drift ice, which is decreasing due to global warming, you can learn about it while having fun. In addition to snow and ice sculpture displays and a light-up after sunset, the festival hosts a variety of events including music performances, comedy shows, and children's shows. There are also hands-on activities related to drift ice and a bonfire event, making it a great festival for families.

6 Kushiro Winter Festival 2026: A Harbor Full of Hands-On Events (Kushiro)

A community-based winter event held at Kushiro Port. With tube slides and ice sculptures, it's an event that everyone from children to adults can easily enjoy. Unique Kushiro-style activities are also a highlight, such as a children's fair and making snowmen using coal. Additionally, there are events that will make you stop in your tracks, like a karaoke competition where participants sing out in the cold wind.

7 The 56th Kitami Winter Festival: Enjoy an Ice Bar with Hot Drinks and Cocktails (Kitami)

A winter event with the theme "Winter is a Friend." Held right in front of the station, it's easy to drop by. The venue is filled with content that's enjoyable just to look at, including a snow mountain slide, a stamp rally, and a winter camping exhibit. In addition to stage events like dance and comedy, the gourmet corner and Ice Bar offer hot drinks and warm cocktails.

8 The 63rd Monbetsu Drift Ice Festival: A Massive Main Ice Sculpture and Local Delicacies (Monbetsu)

Started in 1963, the Monbetsu Drift Ice Festival is a major winter event in Monbetsu City. The venue will feature an impressive main ice sculpture representing the local Itsukushima Shrine, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary. In addition to the White Stage, which gets lively with comedy and impersonation shows, there are plenty of Monbetsu-esque events, such as local gourmet food to be enjoyed in the freezing cold and the famous "Drift Ice Pulling Human-Powered Bamba Race."

9 2026 Wakkanai Ice and Snow Plaza: Snow Fun and Gourmet Food in Japan's Northernmost City (Wakkanai)

A hands-on event where you can fully experience winter in Wakkanai. There are activities for all ages to get moving and have fun, such as a treasure hunt, a snow tug-of-war, and parkour tag. The venue features citizen-made snow sculptures and a slide, and the "Umai-mon Yokocho" (Delicious Food Alley) offers plenty of warm gourmet food. On the evening of the first day, illuminations will be lit, and fireworks will be launched.

10 Lake Akan Ice Festival - Fuyukabi: Winter Fireworks Blooming Over a Frozen Lake (Kushiro)

A signature winter event of Eastern Hokkaido where fireworks are launched every night over the frozen Lake Akan. The fireworks spreading across the clear winter sky in the silence offer a beauty that can only be experienced in the dead of winter. During the day, you can enjoy activities unique to Lake Akan, such as snowmobiling, banana boat rides, and smelt fishing. The hands-on corners offering amazake (sweet sake) and fried smelt, as well as ceremonies by the Ainu people, are also popular every year.