1 Haunted houses and portable shrines! Sapporo's iconic festival, the Hokkaido Jingu Reisai (Sapporo Festival), with food stalls lining Hokkaido Jingu Shrine and Nakajima Park

*Photo from a previous year's event

The "Hokkaido Jingu Reisai (Sapporo Festival)," a beloved early summer tradition in Sapporo, will be held from June 14th to 16th. This traditional event boasts over 100 years of history. During the festival, dedicatory stage performances and Shinto rituals take place on the grounds of Hokkaido Jingu Shrine, which will be filled with numerous food stalls creating a festive atmosphere. Nakajima Park will also feature many stalls and even a haunted house, making it one of Sapporo's most representative festivals.

*Photos from a previous year's event

The highlight is the Mikoshi Togyo (portable shrine procession) on the 16th. Over 1,000 participants dressed in Heian-period costumes parade through the city center with four mikoshi (portable shrines) and festival floats, creating a spectacular sight.

2 Enjoy a drone show and camping! "HOKKAI Donut FES," a festival bringing Hokkaido's music and food to a grassy plaza

A new outdoor music event for Hokkaido is being held at the Dalwhinnie Entertainment Village Sapporo in Sapporo's Minami Ward. Amidst a spacious grassy area, you can enjoy live performances by bands and singer-songwriters active in Hokkaido, as well as a variety of other performances including theater, dance, and live painting.

On the day of the event, there will be food and drink sales, including sweets, rice bowl dishes, hamburgers, tacos, juices, hot drinks, and alcohol. Additionally, a market will feature handmade goods, pet items, and fresh flowers. There will be kids' activities and a dog run, and camping is also available in the designated area. The day culminates in a drone show finale, making it a festival where you can relax and enjoy nature all day long.

3 Experience the world of Tamagotchi! "The Great Tamagotchi Exhibition" celebrating its 30th anniversary

©BANDAI / Image courtesy of Sapporo Factory

"The Great Tamagotchi Exhibition" is being held at Sapporo Factory to celebrate the 30th anniversary of "Tamagotchi," which has been loved worldwide since its birth in 1996. The exhibition will introduce everything from the original Tamagotchi to the latest series, and will also feature behind-the-scenes development stories and works celebrating the 30th anniversary.

Furthermore, there will be an area where you can feel as if you've stepped inside a Tamagotchi's LCD screen. Through unique displays like "Tamagotchi's Life" and the "Growth Room," you can enjoy the daily lives and world of Tamagotchi characters. The venue will sell exclusive merchandise, and visitors will receive a special original acrylic card as a gift. Photo spots will also be available, making this a special exhibition where you can fully immerse yourself in the 30-year history and charm of Tamagotchi.

4 Stationery and crafts galore! Popular creators from across Japan gather for "Kami-haku & Nuno-haku in Sapporo"

The popular "Kami-haku" event, which showcases the charm of paper goods, collaborates with "Nuno-haku," featuring textiles and craft works. A diverse range of creators will participate, including illustrators, designers, printing companies, stationery makers, as well as embroidery artists, dressmakers, and stuffed toy makers.

In addition to shopping, the venue will be filled with content that allows you to experience the world of paper and fabric more deeply. A wide range of workshops will be held, including portrait drawing, original notebook making, ink mixing, and creating your own scrunchie.

5 Workshops and relaxation experiences too! The popular handmade event "Teshigoto-ichi in Tsudome Vol. 20"

This is a handmade event held at the Community Dome Tsudome. It's a popular event that brings together a wide variety of items, including handmade goods like accessories and general merchandise, select goods, and crafting materials. There will also be relaxation booths offering fortune-telling and massages, as well as easy-to-join workshops. Furthermore, a food corner and kitchen cars will be on site, so you can enjoy some delicious food in between shopping.