1 Enjoy Food Stalls and Traditional Events at Sapporo's Annual Summer Festival, the Hokkaido Jingu Reisai (Sapporo Festival) (Sapporo)

The Hokkaido Jingu Reisai (Sapporo Festival), a traditional event that marks the beginning of summer in Sapporo, will be held again this year at Hokkaido Jingu Shrine and Nakajima Park. With a history of over 100 years, this festival draws large crowds to both locations. The highlight is the Mikoshi Togyo (portable shrine procession) on the 16th. The sight of citizens dressed in gorgeous Heian-period-style costumes parading through Sapporo with portable shrines and floats is truly spectacular. Nakajima Park will be lined with numerous stalls selling popular festival food, offering carnival games, and even featuring a haunted house.

2 Music and Fireworks Synchronized in the Great Outdoors at Takino Fireworks 2026 (Sapporo)

Held at Takino Suzuran Hillside National Government Park in Sapporo's Minami Ward, Takino Fireworks 2026 is a popular event where you can enjoy fireworks, music, food, and the outdoors all at once. The main attraction is the spectacular fireworks show synchronized with music. During the day, there are plenty of family-friendly activities, including a kids' DJ, firework-making workshops, a dance contest, and festival stalls. Additionally, the concurrent Hokkaido Meat Festival and a BBQ area will be available, allowing you to enjoy delicious food while watching the fireworks.

3 A Manga and Anime Festival Set in a Hot Spring Town: TOYAKO Manga Anime Festa 2026 (Toyako)

TOYAKO Manga Anime Festa 2026 is one of Hokkaido's largest manga and anime events, held throughout the Toyako Onsen town. The hot spring town bustles with cosplayers from all over Japan, creating an atmosphere that feels like stepping into an anime world. The event is packed with interactive activities like itasha (anime-decorated cars) displays and fan markets, making it a great place for fans to connect and have fun.

4 SANGO FES 2026: A New Festival to Experience Hokkaido Life to the Fullest (Otaru)

SANGO FES 2026 is a brand-new festival held at Sango, a multi-purpose accommodation complex in Haruka-cho, Otaru, and the adjacent Snow Cruise Onze ski resort. Restaurants, shops, and creators from all over Hokkaido will gather at both venues, offering a wide range of content including food, markets, music, and workshops. A fireworks display and a portable shrine procession are also planned, making this a noteworthy new event where you can experience the "Hokkaido lifestyle" amidst the natural beauty of Haruka, surrounded by mountains and the sea.

5 A Spectacle of Giant Blossoms in the Ebetsu Night Sky: The 10th Ebetsu Fireworks (Ebetsu)

This is the signature summer fireworks display of Ebetsu. To commemorate its 10th anniversary this year, the event will be powered up under the theme of a "Giant Flower Festival." In addition to competitive fireworks by Japanese pyrotechnicians and displays synchronized with music, the main highlight will be the "360-degree Rapid-Fire Crane Fireworks" that will brilliantly light up the night sky. The venue will feature 25 food vendors, including kitchen cars and stalls, and an expanded kids' area will ensure that children have a great time too.

6 Savor Early Summer Views and Cuisine at Lake Shikotsu: Lake Shikotsu Chippu Festival ~The 76th Lake Shikotsu Water Festival~ (Chitose)

This is an annual event where you can enjoy the lakeside in early summer at the beautifully verdant Lake Shikotsu. The ever-popular salt-grilled "Lake Shikotsu chippu" (kokanee salmon) is a seasonal delicacy available right after the fishing season opens in June. At the venue, you can enjoy stage events such as traditional Ainu dance performances and acoustic live music, as well as test rides of electric vehicles and personal mobility devices, and nature craft experiences.

7 A Gathering of Oshamambe's Famous Cuisine, Headlined by Hairy Crab: Oshamambe Hairy Crab Festival (Oshamambe)

The Oshamambe Hairy Crab Festival, a signature event of Oshamambe Town, is a popular festival where you can fully enjoy seafood, especially hairy crab. The venue bustles with visitors for its famous "All-Japan Hairy Crab Fast-Eating Competition." Additionally, a "Kanimeshi Summit" will be held, offering a chance to taste various "kanimeshi" (crab rice bento) sold in the town at a discount. The highly popular sale of discounted hairy crabs will also take place, providing a perfect opportunity to compare and savor Oshamambe's prized flavors.

8 Mori Jam 2026: A Fusion of Nature, Food, and Art in the Forest (Shimokawa)

Mori Jam 2026, held in the lush forests of Shimokawa Town, is a hands-on event for enjoying the blessings of nature. The venue will feature a "Forest Market" with over 30 stalls offering food, goods, and workshops. You can also enjoy programs unique to Shimokawa, such as test rides on forestry machinery and forest art exhibitions. In the evening, a "Twilight Music Bar" will be held where you can relax by a bonfire with music and drinks. A tent site is also available, allowing you to enjoy a tranquil and special time in the forest.

9 Natsu Toro: A New Light-Up Event in Jozankei Onsen Wrapped in Japanese Lanterns (Sapporo)

Natsu Toro is a new light-up event held in Jozankei Onsen. From early summer in June to the autumn foliage in October, various spots in the hot spring town will be enveloped in the gentle light of paper lanterns and lamps, allowing for a magical evening stroll. At Jozankei Shrine, there will also be projection mapping and mist effects. You can enjoy the story of Jozankei and the atmosphere of a summer night while leisurely walking through the onsen town.

10 A Popular Event Where You Can Ride Aerial Work Platforms and Mini Excavators: Green Belt Festival (Chitose)

This is a hands-on event held at the Green Belt in central Chitose, where the whole family can have fun all day. The perennially popular Sky Master (aerial work platform) ride and mini excavator ride experiences offer a unique opportunity and view that you can't get every day. The venue will be lined with over 30 kitchen cars and food stalls, making a food tour one of the main attractions. There will also be plenty of stage performances and activities for children.