When the cold winds begin to blow and the withered leaves fall, a long, cold winter arrives in Hokkaido.

Hokkaido's winters bring sub-zero temperatures and a world of white snow. Even in such a harsh season, the people of Hokkaido are incredibly active! They thoroughly enjoy the cold and snow.

One of the joys of winter is illuminations. From urban illuminations decorating street trees to immersive illuminations illuminating ice sculptures at special venues, we'll introduce eight recommended illumination events held throughout Hokkaido!

<Table of Contents>
1. Sapporo White Illumination (Sapporo City)
2. Hakodate Christmas Fantasy (Hakodate City)
3. Illuminated Tunnel (Toyako Town)
4. The Blue Pond is illuminated at night (Biei Town)
5. Shiretoko Drift Ice Festival (Shari Town)
6. Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival (Kamikawa Town)
7. Abashiri Okhotsk Drift Ice Festival (Abashiri City)
8. "Shintoku" Illumination (Shintoku Town)
Summary

The Sapporo White Illumination, held primarily in Odori Park in Sapporo City from late November to mid-February, is one of Sapporo's most iconic winter events. It was the first illumination event of its kind in Japan, starting in 1981.

At Odori Park, illuminations inspired by Hokkaido's nature, space, Christmas, and other themes are displayed at each venue, delighting the eyes of visitors.

Additionally, the "Munich Christmas Market" will be held at the 2nd Street venue until Christmas time. This market, modeled after an authentic German Christmas market, allows visitors to experience a European Christmas by purchasing ornaments and enjoying German food such as mulled wine and sausages.

If you get cold, we recommend looking down at the illumination venue from the Sapporo TV Tower in the 1st Street area. You'll be captivated by the fantastical illuminations that stand out against the snowy landscape.

Related article:Highlights and attractions of Sapporo White Illumination!
Related article:Munich Christmas Market in Sapporo | Enjoy Christmas in Sapporo!

Hakodate Christmas Fantasy is an illumination event held annually in the bay area of ​​the port city of Hakodate, from late November to December 25th.

A giant Christmas tree, 20 meters tall, appears on the sea. At the lighting ceremony held every day at 18 PM, fireworks light up the tree simultaneously, creating a beautiful, exotic scene reminiscent of a fairy tale.

Another highlight of Christmas Fantasy is the soup bar set up on the walkway in front of the tree. Popular restaurants from Hakodate are offering their signature soups for 600 yen (tax included) a bowl. A warm bowl of soup made with local Hakodate ingredients will warm you up after a stroll in the chilly weather.

Related article:A giant tree floating on the sea! I went to the Hakodate Christmas Fantasy!

The "Illumination Tunnel" is a tunnel of light that appears only during the winter months in the bustling plaza of Toyako Onsen. The dazzling tunnel, approximately 70 meters long and using about 400,000 LED lights, has a 9-meter diameter dome in the middle, and when you look up, it looks like a sky full of twinkling stars.

After exiting the tunnel, take a stroll along the "Lake Toya Illumination Street" that adorns the hot spring town. Why not experience the special night of Lake Toya Onsen, available only at this time of year?

The "Blue Pond" is a popular tourist spot in Biei Town. The beautiful sight of withered larch and birch trees standing in the cobalt blue pond captivates visitors. The Blue Pond was closed during the winter until 2013, but since 2014, it has been illuminated during the winter.

With snow accumulating on the ice-covered blue pond, and pristine white trees standing tall, the scene creates a fantastical atmosphere reminiscent of a Nordic forest. You can see a completely different side of the blue pond compared to summer.

Also, the famous Shirahige Falls in Shirogane Onsen, near the Blue Pond, will be lit up at the same time. We recommend visiting both.

The Shiretoko Drift Ice Festival, which was first held in 2017, replaced the Shiretoko Fantasia (Aurora Fantasy), which had been held until 2016, in an effort to showcase the winter charm of Shiretoko, a World Natural Heritage site.

Various events will be held at two locations: the Green Stage at the Shiretoko National Campsite in the Utoro Onsen area, and the Blue Stage at the back of the Oronko Rock Tunnel.

The Blue Stage offers a chance to enjoy the illuminations. You can experience a fantastical space where Shiretoko's nature and light intertwine, with lights illuminating Oronko Rock, Sankaku Rock, and drift ice from underwater.

Green Stage, on the other hand, resembles a snow-covered campsite. You can enjoy unique winter outdoor experiences in Shiretoko, such as illuminated bonfire areas and aerial tents.

Related article:[Shiretoko Drift Ice Festival] Report - Enjoy the fantastical night forest and sea!

Along with the Sapporo Snow Festival and the Asahikawa Festival, the Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival, held in Sounkyo Onsen, is considered one of Hokkaido's three major snow festivals.

An icefall is formed when water falls from a waterfall and freezes. In the harsh cold that freezes even the flow of a waterfall in an instant, the elegant ice structures and sculptures that rise up are well worth seeing.

At night, it's illuminated in seven colors, creating a mystical landscape. You'll feel as if you've wandered into a world of ice.

Related article:Enter a fantastical kingdom of ice! The charm and highlights of the Sounkyo Onsen Ice Waterfall Festival

The Abashiri Okhotsk Drift Ice Festival is a traditional winter event in Abashiri with a history of over 50 years. Visitors can enjoy the winter flavors of Abashiri while admiring the impressive giant snow sculptures and the intricately crafted ice sculptures.

At night, the ice and snow sculptures are illuminated, creating a magical atmosphere. The candlelit night, where the main stage is lit by candlelight, is also a sight to behold.

Shintoku Town is the gateway to Tokachi. The town has two ski resorts, "Shintokuyama Ski Resort" and "Sahoro Resort Ski Resort," and is a popular tourist destination for skiers and snowboarders due to the excellent quality of its snow.

The winter illumination event held in Shintoku town is called "Shintoku Illumination." Approximately 2 lights illuminate the street trees in front of JR Shintoku Station.

The park offers a magical welcome to tourists with attractions such as "Snowflake," an illumination display inspired by snowflakes, and "Snowfall," which features lights cascading down like raindrops.

Here's a compilation of recommended illuminations that will magically illuminate Hokkaido's winter.

Hokkaido's winters are long and cold, but there are plenty of events that can only be enjoyed during Hokkaido's winter.

Why not visit Hokkaido in winter and be captivated by its illuminations? It's sure to become an unforgettable winter memory.

Please also check out these related articles.

• 

  A classic Hokkaido treat! I enjoyed some sweets at the Rokkatei Obihiro Main Store's tea room.

• 

  I had a great time at a standing sushi bar! I went to Ise Sushi Ekimae branch in Otaru!

• 

  Top 5 Sapporo Soft Serve Ice Creams Worth Traveling For! [Hokkaido Sweets Roundup]

• 

  Maruyama Bar Kuro | A luxurious experience of exquisite Italian cuisine using Hokkaido ingredients and vintage wines.

• 

  Bringing Spring to Hokkaido!! 6 Enchanting Wild Vegetables

• 

  I participated in a guided tour of the Shiretoko Five Lakes! [Shiretoko, a World Natural Heritage Site]

• 

  A casual stroll around Hakodate Morning Market! Must-try morning market gourmet food & seafood | Hakodate City

• 

  The secret behind the exquisite "Sunset of Lake Mashu" mango, grown in the harsh northern climate.

Introducing our sister site (please check it out if you're interested)