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Hokkaido's Best Winter Festivals

Winter festivals in Hokkaido are nothing short of spectacular, with world-famous events such as the Sapporo Snow Festival and Sounkyo Ice Festival, alongside more local and quaint festivals such as at Otaru and Lake Shikotsu. 

Below is a list of the most popular winter festivals, but there are many more spread out across Hokkaido. Let us know which winter festivals interest you the most, and we'll include them in your private custom-made tour.

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Sapporo Snow Festival

​Sapporo's Yuki Matsuri is a world-class event and one of the largest winter festivals in Japan. Massive snow-statues & building replicas line Odori Park, while intricate ice-sculptures adorn Susukino as the city becomes a winter wonderland. There are three main sites in the city, and many other installations and snow-themed parks in the outskirts. 
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Annually in early February

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Otaru Snow Festival 

Stroll along Otaru's romantic canal and historic side-streets while snapping pictures of adorable snow statues and staying warm with hot mugs of tea, coffee and cocoa. Otaru's Snow Festival offers a more relaxed and much less crowded alternative to Sapporo's.
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Annually in mid-February

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Shikotsuko Ice Festival

Only 40 minutes from Sapporo, Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival is great for the entire family: Ice sculptures, ice slides, horse riding, hot springs and fireworks will keep everyone entertained.  
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Annually from late January to mid February

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Asahikawa Winter Festival

The winter festival in Asahikawa is similar to Sapporo's snow festival. Although smaller in scope, the relative lack of crowds and easy access to Daisetsuzan National Park make this festival a good choice when heading north. 

Annually in early February

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Sounkyo Ice Festival

Sounkyo's Ice Festival is popular for its sculptures, ice caves and traditional Japanese cultural activities. There are Ainu dance shows, Japanese drum performances and nightly fireworks displays. Outside of the village center are Hokkaido's most famous frozen waterfalls, and of course, when you've had your fill, you can take a long soak in a local hot spring.  
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Annually from late January to mid March
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Jozankei Snow Candle Festival

Experience the atmosphere of a small-town festival at Jozankei, a hot spring resort town about 30 minutes from Sapporo. Ice lanterns illuminate the local shrine, live fire shows are held and fireworks light up the night. Jozankei also has innumerable hot spring baths. We'll bring you to our favorite: Houheikyo Onsen. 
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​Annually from late January to early February


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Hakodate Illumination

Hakodate's historic streets and Goryokaku Fort are illuminated nightly as this southwestern city turns into a winter wonderland. The Hakodate Illumination is one of the prettiest times to see Hakodate, the oldest city in Hokkaido.  
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Annually from late November to late February

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Lake Akan Ice Festival

Try your hand at building an igloo, ice-cutting or making a snowman at the Lake Akan Ice Festival. Other activities include ice-fishing, snowmobiling, playing family games and soaking in the local hot springs. There are daily Ainu ceremonies and fireworks displays as well. 
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Annually from early February to early March

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Sapporo's Christmas Market & Illumination

Come December, the holiday season is heartily welcomed by Sapporo's residents as they flock downtown to vist the Munich Christmas Market, a German-themed event lining Odori Park where hundreds of vendors compete with local and international cuisine. Simultaneously, Sapporo's downtown area is lit by countless lights during the Illumination Festival. 

Annually from late November to late December

Thank you for visiting us at Hokkaido Nature Tours!

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General Contact Email:
HokkaidoNatureTours@gmail.com

OFFICE Tel. & FAx.

(+81)11-592-3959
Address: 005-0842 Japan, Hokkaido, Sapporo, Minami-ku, Ishiyama 2-6 7-83
​
Hokkaido Travel License No.: 3-718
​Member of ANTA: All Nippon Travel Agents Association
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  • Home
  • Sample Tours
    • Sample Custom-Made Tours >
      • Sample Custom-Made Tours Highlights
      • Spring: 7 Day Spring Variety 10pax Sample Tour
      • Spring: 5 Day Southern Spring Blossoms Sample Tour
      • Spring: 8 Day Hiking & Wildlife Luxury Sample Tour
      • Summer: 7 Day Summer Variety Sample Tour
      • Summer: 7 Day Hiking & Sightseeing Sample Tour
      • Summer: 6 Day Hokkaido Heartland Sample Tour
      • Fall: 8 Day Fall Foliage Family Fun Sample Tour
      • Fall: 8 Day Central & Eastern Hokkaido Fall Luxury Sample Tour
      • Fall: 6 Day Fall Variety & Scenic Roads Sample Tour
      • Winter: 7 Day Winter Wonderland Sample Tour
      • Winter: 4 Day Winter Family Fun Sample Tour
      • Winter: 7 Day Winter Active Luxury Sample Tour
    • Sample 2-Day Tours >
      • Sample 2-Day Tours Highlights
      • 2-Day Tour Lake Toya, Lake Onuma & Noboribetsu
      • 2-Day Tour Niseko, Shakotan Peninsula & Otaru
      • 2-Day Tour Tokachi, Furano & Biei
      • 2-Day Tour Snowshoeing, Ice Fishing & Furano
      • 2-Day Tour Asahidake & Sounkyo Snowshoeing
      • 2-Day Tour Asahikawa, Dogsledding & Daisetsuzan
      • 2-Day Tour Asahidake Onsen & Sounkyo Gorge
      • 2-Day Tour Takinoue Pink Moss, Tulip & Biei
      • 2-Day Tour Mountain Hut Overnight Hiking
    • Sample Day Trips >
      • Sample Day Trips Highlights
      • Noboribetsu & Lake Toya Day Trip
      • Furano & Biei Flower Fields Day Trip
      • Shakotan Peninsula & Otaru Day Trip
      • Mt. Tarumae & Mt. Moiwa Day Trip
      • Jozankei & Niseko Fall Foliage Day Trip
      • Asahikawa & Mt. Asahidake Day Trip
      • Mt. Asariyama Snowshoeing & Onsen Day Trip
      • Ice Fishing & Dogsledding Day Trip
      • Furano Snowmobiling & Ice Fishing Day Trip
  • HNT Insight
    • Awards, Reviews & Accolades
    • FAQ
    • HNT Blog
    • Hokkaido Activities by Season >
      • Spring Season >
        • Spring Sightseeing
        • Spring Gourmet
        • Spring Festivals & Sakura
        • Hot Spring
        • Spring Wildlife & Zoos
        • Farm Visits & Horseback Riding
        • Boat Excursions
        • Hiking & Trekking
        • Hot Air Ballooning
        • Adventure Activities: Spring
        • Resort & Backcountry Spring Skiing & Snowboarding
        • Daisetsuzan Nat'l Park: Spring
        • Crafts, Culture & Cooking
      • Summer Season >
        • Summer Sightseeing
        • Summer Gourmet
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        • Hot Springs
        • Summer Wildlife & Zoos
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        • Hot Air Ballooning
        • Adventure Activities: Summer
        • Daisetsuzan Nat'l Park: Summer
        • Crafts, Culture & Cooking
      • Fall Season >
        • Fall Sightseeing
        • Fall Gourmet
        • Fall Festivals
        • Hot Springs
        • Boat Excursions
        • Fall Hiking & Trekking
        • Hot Air Ballooning
        • Farm Visits & Horseback Riding
        • Adventure Activities: Fall
        • Daisetsuzan Nat'l Park: Fall
        • Crafts, Culture & Cooking
      • Winter Season >
        • Winter Sightseeing
        • Winter Gourmet
        • Winter Festivals
        • Hot Springs
        • Daisetsuzan Nat'l Park: Winter Activities
        • Snowshoeing
        • Ice Fishing
        • Winter Wildlife & Zoos
        • Resort Skiing & Snowboarding
        • Drift Ice & Boat Excursions
        • Dogsledding
        • Snowmobiling
        • Hot Air Ballooning
        • Crafts, Culture & Cooking
  • Contact Forms
    • Custom-Made Tours Preferences Form
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    • Day Trips Preferences Form
    • Contact Us
    • お問い合わせ
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