1 2026 Sapporo Snow Festival: Hokkaido's Premier Winter Event, Watched by the World (Sapporo)

This iconic winter event in Sapporo attracts numerous visitors from Japan and abroad every year. It spans three distinct venues—Odori Park, Tsudome, and Susukino—each offering unique exhibits and attractions. 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 plenty of snow activities for parents and children to enjoy together. The Susukino Site transforms the entertainment district with beautiful ice sculptures. One of the festival's charms is experiencing the powerful snow and ice sculptures up close during the day and then admiring the magical, illuminated scenery at night. With citizen-made snow sculptures and an international snow sculpture contest, every step offers a new encounter with Sapporo's vibrant winter culture.

2 The 67th Asahikawa Winter Festival: Let's Play with Vulpix! Supported by the "I Love Hokkaido Discovery Corps" Pokémon (Asahikawa)

This year's Asahikawa Winter Festival features Alolan Vulpix and Vulpix from the "I Love Hokkaido Discovery Corps" as part of the Pokémon Local Acts initiative. The venue will be adorned with citizen-participatory exhibits, including a massive main snow sculpture, a small and medium snow sculpture contest, and the High School Snow Sculpture Koshien. The stage will host music concerts and talk shows, and at night, a winter fireworks display synchronized with music will light up the winter sky. Additionally, a Winter Marche with about 40 stalls will offer everything from Asahikawa's local cuisine to flavors from various regions.

3 Chitose Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival ~Museum of Ice~: A Luminous Ice Museum Bathed in Shikotsu Blue (Chitose)

A fantastical space created by freezing the water of Lake Shikotsu, renowned for its exceptional clarity. During the day, the ice sculptures quietly sparkle in the natural light, radiating a color known as "Shikotsu Blue." At night, they are illuminated, creating a magical world of ice art. With highlights like ice tunnels, towers, and chandeliers, the scenery changes with every step, adding to its charm. The surrounding area is dotted with high-quality hot spring resorts, allowing you to warm your chilled body while enjoying the winter landscape.

4 IWAMIZAWA Heavy Snow Festival 2026: Featuring a Giant Slide and a Human-Powered Bamba Sled Race (Iwamizawa)

This annual winter event brings a burst of energy to Iwamizawa, one of Hokkaido's snowiest regions. The famous Human-Powered Bamba Sled Race sees teams of six pull a 350 kg sled, filling the venue with cheers and excitement. There are plenty of other 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 Stall Village, 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: A Unique Okhotsk Winter Event to 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 diminishing due to global warming, visitors can learn about it while having fun. In addition to snow and ice sculpture displays and illuminations after sunset, the festival hosts a variety of events, including music performances, comedy shows, and children's entertainment. There are also drift ice-themed hands-on activities and a bonfire event, making it a great festival for families.

6 Kushiro Winter Festival 2026: A Harbor Bustling with Hands-On Events (Kushiro)

A community-focused winter event held at Kushiro Port. With tube slides and ice sculptures, it offers fun for all ages, from children to adults. Unique Kushiro-themed activities, such as a children's fair and making snowmen with coal, are also highlights. Additionally, there are captivating events like a karaoke competition where participants sing their hearts out in the cold wind, making you want to stop and watch.

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

A winter event with the theme "Winter is Our Friend." Held in front of the station, it's easy to drop by. The venue is filled with enjoyable content just to walk around, 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 will serve hot drinks and warm cocktails.

8 The 63rd Monbetsu Drift Ice Festival: Enjoy an Impressive 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 a powerful main ice sculpture depicting the city's Itsukushima Shrine, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary. In addition to the White Stage, which will be lively with comedy and impersonation acts, the festival offers a variety of Monbetsu-style attractions, including 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 Play 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, including 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 (Gourmet Alley) offers plenty of warm food. On the evening of the first day, illuminations will be lit, and fireworks will be launched.

10 Lake Akan Ice Festival ICE・AISU・AKAN "Fuyukabi": Winter Fireworks Blooming Over a Frozen Lake (Kushiro)

A signature winter event in eastern Hokkaido where fireworks are launched every night over the frozen surface of Lake Akan. The fireworks, set against the clear winter sky and serene 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 ice fishing for wakasagi (smelt). The hands-on corners where you can taste amazake (sweet sake) and wakasagi tempura, as well as the ceremonies performed by the Ainu people, are also popular annual features.