Asahikawa is enveloped in bitter cold in February, with the average temperature below freezing (the temperature at which ice forms). In early February, when spring officially begins, the Asahikawa Winter Festival is held with the theme of "A festival of snow, ice and lights."

This event has been held for over 60 years since 1960 and is one of the biggest winter events in Hokkaido. The venue is lined with snow sculptures made by volunteers including one of the world's largest snow sculptures (the main sculpture is 140m wide and 20m high).

Exciting Asahikawa Winter Expo. The Asahikawa Winter Festival is created by a wide variety of people working together. We will create an exciting event where participants, visitors, and everyone involved in the winter festival can enjoy Asahikawa's winter while experiencing the various charms of Asahikawa and feeling the future of Asahikawa.

■Winter Marche ~A food fair in northern Hokkaido~
At the Asahikawa Winter Festival, we will be holding a "Winter Marche" where you can enjoy warm gourmet food. In addition to local gourmet food, regional cuisine, and Asahikawa Winter Festival original menus, this year's festival will be themed around a "food expo" where you can enjoy food from around the world and local foods in Japan, in order to enjoy the festival's catchphrase "Exciting Asahikawa Winter Expo" through food as well. Please come and enjoy!