When thinking about the best time to visit Hokkaido, you probably think of summer, when it's cool and pleasant, right?

However, during the colder months, there are relatively fewer tourists, allowing you to enjoy a more relaxed experience, and there are also many discounts available, making it a more affordable way to travel.

Furthermore, numerous events are held in Hokkaido that allow you to enjoy the unique snow and ice of the region, so why not experience winter in Hokkaido?

This time, we've carefully selected six festivals where you can enjoy the beauty of snow and ice, and savor winter-only activities.

<Table of Contents>
1. Sapporo Snow Festival
2. Asahikawa Winter Festival
3. Snow-lit Zoo
4. Otobuke Tokachigawa Swan Festival Sairinka
5. Otaru Snow Light Path
6. Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival
Final thoughts

When you think of snow festivals in Hokkaido, the first thing that comes to mind is the "Sapporo Snow Festival."

It's a major winter event that attracts many tourists not only from within Japan but also from overseas, with over 200 million visitors.

The event will be held at three venues: Odori Park, Tsudome, and Susukino, each offering unique and distinctive events.

In Odori Park, snow and ice sculptures line the streets, and at night they are lit up, creating a magical atmosphere.
Furthermore, the International Snow Sculpture Competition, in which teams from all over the world participate, features snow sculptures symbolizing each country, making it a truly spectacular sight!

For families, we recommend the "Tsudome venue," where you can enjoy playing in the snow.

It's about a 10-minute subway ride from Sapporo Station on the Toho Line.
The nearest station is "Sakaemachi," and a shuttle bus will operate from this station during the Snow Festival.

At the outdoor venue, the "Family Tube Slider," which allows parents and children to ride together, is a popular attraction.
There are plenty of other activities to enjoy in the snow!

There are also activities available in the indoor venue, so it's great that you can play indoors if you get cold!

Located in Susukino, Hokkaido's premier bar district, the "Susukino venue" is lined with ice sculptures and ice models, which are illuminated at night, creating a fantastical atmosphere.

There are also ice bars that offer hot drinks and other treats, so you can warm yourself up and then fully enjoy Sapporo's nightlife.

The Asahikawa Winter Festival is held in Asahikawa, in the northern area famous for Asahiyama Zoo.

This event, along with the Sapporo Snow Festival, is famous as one of Hokkaido's representative winter events.

Every year, dynamic, gigantic snow sculptures are created at the vast Ishikari River Asahibashi riverside venue.

At the Heiwa-dori Shopping Park venue, an official event called the "World Ice Sculpture Championship" was also held simultaneously.

This is the only official international competition held in Japan, and you can watch the competitors create ice sculptures over approximately 40 hours.

Artistic works created by ice sculptors from around the world stand side by side, truly befitting an international competition!

Held at Asahiyama Zoo around the same time as the Asahikawa Winter Festival is the "Snow Lantern Zoo" event.

The usual opening hours are from 10:30 to 15:30, but during this period they will be extended until 20:30 (last entry at 20:00).

From 16:00 PM onwards, handmade ice candles are lit throughout the park, creating a very romantic atmosphere.
Visitors are also pleased with the nocturnal animals and the limited-time events.

In winter, temperatures in the Tokachi area drop below freezing.

In Tokachigawa Onsen, the "Otofuke Tokachigawa Swan Festival Sairinka" is held every year in honor of the swans that migrate there.

This fantastic show, which synchronizes sound and light, uses approximately 600 light bulbs and LEDs controlled by a computer, making it truly authentic and dynamic!

In addition, various other events are planned, such as snow slides and snow candle making.

"Otaru Snow Light Path" is a fantastical event where the gentle light of candles spreads throughout the old townscape.

In addition to the main venues of "Otaru Canal," "Temiya Line," and "Asarigawa Onsen," the event will be held at approximately 40 other locations, including secondary venues and Canal Plaza, enveloping the entire city of Otaru in candlelight.

The Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival is held in the hot spring town of Sounkyo.

The grounds are lined with snow huts and ice sculptures, and from the 15-meter-high ice observation deck, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the entire festival venue.

Enjoy a variety of events including icefall drumming, a fun raffle, an icefall wedding, and mochi throwing!

Fireworks are launched every night from 20:30 PM, creating a festive and vibrant atmosphere.

What you see in the back right of the photo is a specially constructed ice slide.
You can also enjoy activities like sliding down snow tubes.

Be sure to visit the Icefall Shrine, where sacred jewels made of ice are offered as offerings.

It is said that if you throw a coin into the sacred orb and it sticks to it, your wishes for love, wealth, or success in exams will come true.

The sacred orb, covered in offerings, looks like a work of art.

In Hokkaido, many snow festivals and ice festivals are held during the winter.

From among them, we have picked out and introduced some festivals that are particularly beautiful and enjoyable, and highly recommended.

To fully enjoy the world of snow and ice, be sure to dress warmly and wear non-slip shoes.

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