Winter events galore! A roundup of must-see sights for your February trip to Hokkaido! Hokkaido Lab ~A comprehensive Hokkaido travel guide to enjoy gourmet food, nature, and culture~

Winter events galore! A roundup of must-see sights for a February trip to Hokkaido!

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: Last updated: September 7, 2018

Table of contents

1. Must-see sights in Hokkaido in February

A summary of the must-see sights for a trip to Hokkaido in February! February is the peak tourist season in Hokkaido, with a packed schedule of winter events!

The Sapporo Snow Festival is already famous enough to attract tourists from all over the world, but at the same time, various events are held throughout Hokkaido.

With so many options to choose from, we'll answer all your traveler's dilemmas: "Where should I go?", "There are so many events, which one do you recommend?", and "What are some ways to have fun?". We'll also share some tips on winter fashion!

Table of contents
1. Must-see sights in Hokkaido in February
1-1. Drift ice
1-2. Sapporo Snow Festival
1-3. Hakodate
2. Must-see events in Hokkaido in February!
2-1. Otaru Snow Light Path
2-2. Shikaribetsu Lake Kotan
2-3. Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival
2-4. Noboribetsu Hot Spring Festival
2-5. Other Events
3. Weather, temperature, and clothing for Hokkaido in February
Summary

1. Must-see sights in Hokkaido in February

1-1. Drift ice

A summary of the must-see sights for a trip to Hokkaido in February! There are many things that can only be seen in Hokkaido within Japan, and the most prominent example is drift ice!
The drift ice gradually begins to appear from late January.
And February, when the drift ice approaches the shores of Hokkaido, is the best season for drift ice sightseeing!

There are many ways to enjoy drift ice sightseeing.
Typical examples include drift ice cruises and drift ice walking.

For drift ice cruises, there's the "Aurora" departing from Abashiri and the "Garinko II" departing from Monbetsu. It's cold outside, but the inside of the ship is heated and warm, so anyone can easily participate.

A summary of the must-see sights for a trip to Hokkaido in February! On the other hand, the drift ice walk is recommended for active people who want to experience drift ice up close and even touch it!

A summary of the must-see sights for a trip to Hokkaido in February! There's no need to prepare any special equipment beforehand; you'll participate wearing a special drysuit provided by the tour company. It's a short tour, only about an hour, but the unique experience of walking on water will make the time fly by!

[Check these out too]
I actually rode it! The Abashiri drift icebreaker Aurora | Aurora
・You definitely won't regret it! Useful tips for choosing the right drift ice viewing tour based on your purpose!
- Drift Ice Walk [Experience Report] A special experience of freely walking on drift ice!

★Enjoy drift ice sightseeing at a great price with a bus tour departing from Sapporo!★

★Departing from Haneda! Our tour packages include flights, hotel, and ice floe viewing all in one package!★

1-2. Sapporo Snow Festival

The Sapporo Snow Festival is Hokkaido's largest tourist festival, not just in February, but throughout the year.

A summary of the must-see sights for a trip to Hokkaido in February! With a history spanning nearly 70 years, this event has evolved beyond simply displaying snow sculptures, incorporating a variety of ideas and continuing to evolve even today.

The events held during this period are incredibly diverse, and there's sure to be something for everyone to enjoy!

My personal favorite event is "Hokkaido Food Plaza"!

A summary of the must-see sights for a trip to Hokkaido in February! This event, which allows you to enjoy a variety of gourmet foods from all over Hokkaido all in one place, is popular with locals too! It has now become a popular event, on par with the Autumn Festa held in the fall.

Also, projection mapping has become very popular in recent years!
Its beauty is so breathtaking that it makes you forget the cold; it's truly a work of art and well worth seeing!

Sapporo Snow Festival: Projection mapping on the large snow sculpture "Kasuga Taisha Shrine - Chumon Gate"

Furthermore, in 2015 (the 66th edition), the first-ever puppet opera "Alice in the Land of Snow" performed on a snow sculpture generated great buzz and moved audiences, becoming incredibly popular with many repeat visitors!

A summary of the must-see sights for a trip to Hokkaido in February! I'm really looking forward to seeing what kind of events will be held at the Snow Festival in the future!

【event information】
2019 Event Dates: February 4th (Mon) - 11th (Mon), 2019 *The Tsudome venue will open on January 31st (Thu).
Official website:　http://www.snowfes.com/

[Check these out too]
Six things you should know to avoid making mistakes at the Sapporo Snow Festival
How to choose a Sapporo Snow Festival tour more affordably and wisely [2017 Edition]

1-3. Hakodate

Hakodate, located in southern Hokkaido, enjoys a mild climate and is characterized by less snowfall compared to Sapporo and Asahikawa.
The scenery, with its exquisite balance of buildings and snow, is incredibly romantic and photogenic!
Hakodate in February is definitely an area I'd like to visit!

A summary of the must-see sights for a trip to Hokkaido in February! The "Hakodate Illumination," held annually from November to March, is best viewed in February!
Every day from sunset until 22 PM, popular tourist spots like Nijukkenzaka and Kaikodori will sparkle in a fantastical way!

A summary of the must-see sights for a trip to Hokkaido in February! Furthermore, in the gourmet city of Hakodate, this is the best season for seafood, including seasonal scallops, sea urchins, and cod! In addition to classic seafood bowls and sashimi, you can enjoy a variety of dishes, such as hot pots, which are perfect for warming you up—a unique feature of this season!

A summary of the must-see sights for a trip to Hokkaido in February! Alternatively, why not take a short trip from the city center to see monkeys bathing in hot springs at the tropical botanical garden, or visit the Trappistine Convent for some relaxing time?

A summary of the must-see sights for a trip to Hokkaido in February!

In Hakodate, the snow begins to melt in March.
Visiting Hakodate in February, when you can enjoy the snowy scenery before spring arrives, is highly recommended!

【event information】
Hakodate Winter Festival / Hakodate Illumination
2018-2019 Event Dates: December 1, 2018 (Sat) - February 28, 2019 (Thu)
Official website:　http://www.hakodate-illumination.com/

[Check these out too]
・A magical night in Hakodate! Hakodate illuminations & winter events
・Spectacular Views! Everything You Need to Know and Hidden Gems to Enjoy Hakodate's Night View to the Fullest

Next page 2. Must-see events in Hokkaido in February!