1 “2026 Sapporo Snow Festival” (Sapporo) - Hokkaido's premier winter event, drawing global attention

This is Sapporo's iconic winter event, attracting numerous visitors from Japan and abroad every year. You can enjoy different exhibits and attractions at three venues: Odori Park, Tsudome, and Susukino. The Odori Site features various large and small snow sculptures and winter attractions. The Tsudome Site is perfect for families to enjoy snow activities like giant slides. The Susukino Site showcases beautiful ice sculptures that illuminate the city. One of the festival's charms is admiring the powerful snow and ice sculptures up close during the day and enjoying the magical, illuminated scenery at night. With citizen-made snow sculptures and an international snow sculpture contest, you can experience Sapporo's winter culture with every step.

2 “The 67th Asahikawa Winter Festival ~Play with Vulpix~” (Asahikawa) - Supported by the “I Love Hokkaido Discovery Crew” Pokémon

This year's Asahikawa Winter Festival features Alolan Vulpix and Vulpix from the “I Love Hokkaido Discovery Crew” as part of the Pokémon Local Acts initiative. The venue will be decorated with citizen-participatory exhibits, including a massive main snow sculpture, small and medium snow sculpture contests, and the High School Snow Sculpture Koshien. The stage will host music concerts and talk shows, and at night, winter fireworks 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 ~The Museum of Ice~” (Chitose) - A museum of light and ice enveloped in Shikotsu Blue

A magical space created by freezing the water of Lake Shikotsu, which boasts some of the clearest water in Japan. During the day, the “Shikotsu Blue” ice sculptures quietly sparkle in the natural light, while at night, they are illuminated to create a fantastical world. With many highlights such as 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 your chilled body while enjoying the winter landscape.

4 “IWAMIZAWA Dokayuki Festival 2026” (Iwamizawa) - Featuring a massive slide and a Human Bamba Championship

This annual winter event fills Iwamizawa, one of Hokkaido's snowiest regions, with excitement. In the famous Human Bamba Championship, teams of six pull a 350 kg sled, filling the venue with cheers and excitement. There are also plenty of activities to keep you engrossed despite the cold, such as a giant slide, jumbo karuta (card game), and snowmobile experiences. At the Dokayuki Food Stall Village, you can savor warm food, and the free distribution of pheasant soup and pork miso soup is popular every year.

5 “The 61st Abashiri Okhotsk Drift Ice Festival” (Abashiri) - A unique Okhotsk winter event to learn about drift ice through play

An annual winter event focused 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, there are various events such as music stages, comedy shows, and children's shows. There are also drift ice-themed hands-on activities and bonfire events, making it a great festival for families to attend.

6 “Kushiro Winter Festival 2026” (Kushiro) - A lineup of hands-on events that bring the port to life

A citizen-participatory winter event held at the Port of Kushiro. With tube sliders and ice sculptures, it's an event that everyone from children to adults can easily enjoy. One of the highlights is the unique Kushiro-style projects, 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 their hearts out in the cold wind.

7 “The 56th Kitami Winter Festival” (Kitami) - Featuring an Ice Bar serving hot drinks and cocktails

A winter event with the theme “Winter is a Friend.” Held in front of the station, it's easy to drop by. The venue features content that's enjoyable just to look around, such as 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” (Monbetsu) - Enjoy the impressive main ice sculpture and local delicacies

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 representing the city's Itsukushima Shrine, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary. In addition to the White Stage, which gets lively with comedy and impersonation shows, there are many Monbetsu-style events, such as local gourmet food to be enjoyed in the freezing cold and the famous “Drift Ice Pulling Human Bamba Tournament.”

9 “2026 Wakkanai Ice and Snow Plaza” (Wakkanai) - Snow fun and gourmet food in Japan's northernmost city

A hands-on event where you can fully experience winter in Wakkanai. There are activities for everyone from children to adults to enjoy, such as a treasure hunt, a snow tug-of-war, and parkour tag. The venue is lined with citizen-made snow sculptures and slides, 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'” (Kushiro) - Lake Akan's winter fireworks blooming over the frozen lake

A signature winter event in eastern Hokkaido where fireworks are launched every night over the frozen Lake Akan. The fireworks, set against the clear winter sky and silence, allow you to experience a beauty unique to midwinter. During the day, you can enjoy plenty of Lake Akan-style activities such as snowmobiling, banana boat rides, and ice fishing for smelt. The hands-on corner where you can taste sweet sake and smelt tempura, as well as the Ainu ceremony, are also popular annual features.