Snow, wind, ice, and Fire!
From breathtaking snow sculptures and fireworks displays to romantic candle-lit snow lantern paths, Japan’s winter festivals are unmissable. Heading from north to south, here’s a selection of our favorites for 2020.
10
Asahikawa Winter Festival
Hokkaido Prefecture
Famous for its record-breaking snow sculptures, Asahikawa builds one gigantic frozen structure every year as the centerpiece of its festival. This colossal construction doubles as a stage, and plays host to numerous live music acts and fireworks displays. Meanwhile, in the city center, you can watch craftsmen at work creating ornate ice sculptures as part of an international competition. Once completed, these are beautifully illuminated at night. If you’re feeling energetic, have a go on the ice slide, ride a snowmobile, or build a snowman before retiring to the ice bar!
- Feb. 6 to 11, 2020
- 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (may vary for certain activities)
- Free entry
- Closest Station: Ashikawa Station
9
Otaru Snow Light Path Festival
Hokkaido Prefecture
The charming and scenic town of Otaru in Hokkaido hosts an equally charming and scenic annual snow festival. Hundreds of tiny lanterns float in the canal and line its edges, their soft glow reflecting in the water and creating a wonderfully cozy and romantic atmosphere. Small illuminated snow statues are also built alongside the town’s abandoned train track, where you can enjoy a peaceful stroll through a scene that’s straight out of a fairytale.
- Feb. 9 to Feb. 16, 2020
- The main festival areas are lit up from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Free
- Closest Station: Otaru Station
8
Sapporo Snow Festival
Hokkaido Prefecture
The Sapporo Snow Festival needs no introduction. It’s the most popular in Japan, with larger-than-life snow sculptures often themed around pop culture favorites such as Final Fantasy and Star Wars. These awe-inspiring and gravity-defying sculptures look even more spectacular when they’re illuminated after dark. You’ll also find endless food stalls, live music performances and a snowy play area for kids. It’s one of the most easily-accessible snow festivals in Japan, being located in the city center of Hokkaido’s capital city, Sapporo.
- Feb. 4 to 11, 2020 (The Tsudome play area is open from Jan. 31 to Feb. 11)
- The main sites are open 24 hours, with the illuminations lit from dusk until 10 p.m. or 11 p.m. The Tsudome is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Closest Station: Odori Station (Sakaemachi for the Tsudome)
7
Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival
Hokkaido Prefecture
Lake Shikotsu is famous for having some of the clearest water in Japan, and it’s put to good use during this festival! Stunning ice sculptures are created from the lake’s water and illuminated after dark to create a fairytale kingdom. Other highlights include fireworks shows, taiko drumming performances, ice skating, and even “ice weddings,” where you can pledge your eternal love for your significant other. The area’s numerous onsen also provide the perfect way to warm up after a night of ice appreciation.
- Jan. 24 to Feb. 16, 2020
- 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Illuminations will be lit from 4:30 p.m.)
- Free entry
- Getting there: Buses run from Sapporo and Chitose Station directly to the venue.
6
Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival
Aomori Prefecture
Picture a traditional, three-story Japanese castle standing elegantly in the middle of a park. Around 200 hand-crafted snow lanterns are scattered across the grounds, softly illuminating the area. Nearby, an avenue of winter-blooming cherry blossoms is lit up in delicate pink. Add in fireworks, projection mapping displays and snow sculptures, and it’s easy to see why Hirosaki Castle’s Snow Lantern Festival is one of the most picturesque around!
- Feb. 8 to 11, 2020
- 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Nighttime illumination from 4:30 p.m.)
- Free
- Closest Station: Hirosaki Station
- Closest Bus Stop: Shiyakusho-mae Bus Stop
5
Iwate Snow Festival
Iwate Prefecture
This festival offers visitors all manner of snow-related activities thanks to its location on spacious farmland and ski resorts near Mount Iwate. These include sledding, snowshoeing and snow tubing, as well as a giant snow slide—perfect for the young and young at heart! Admire the snow sculptures, marvel at fireworks displays, and sample plenty of local cuisine before hitting one of the nearby onsen for ultimate relaxation.
- Feb. 7 to Feb. 11, 2020
- Generally 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., but varies by venue
- Free
- Closest Station: Shizukuishi Station (a free shuttle bus runs between the venues)
4
Yokote Kamakura Snow Festival
Akita Prefecture
This festival dates back over 400 years and sees the city of Yokote in Akita Prefecture transformed into a forest of kamakura. These igloo-like structures are hollowed-out snow domes, ranging in size from just large enough to hold a candle to big enough to host small groups. If invited in, you can pray to a water deity at the small altar before enjoying rice wine and daifuku rice cakes. Don’t miss the stream of tiny illuminated kamakura next to the river. It’s a truly magical sight.
- Feb. 15 to Feb. 16, 2020
- The kamakura are open from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Other attractions are also available during the day.
- Free
- Closest Station: Yokote Station
3
Tokamachi Snow Festival
Niigata Prefecture
As one of the snowiest towns in the country, it’s no surprise that Niigata’s Tokamachi is the home of Japan’s original snow festival. Bursting with community spirit and down-to-earth charm, it features snow sculptures dotted all around the area created by both professional artists and local residents. The event’s highlight is the Snow Carnival on Saturday evening, which features live music, light shows, and fireworks—all on a giant stage made entirely out of snow!
- Feb. 14 to Feb. 16, 2020
- 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Feb. 14; 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Feb. 15; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb .16
- Free
- Closest Station: Tokamachi Station
2
Icicles of Ashigakubo
Saitama Prefecture
Ashigakubo creates an icy wonderland by spraying water over the trees and hillside, where it freezes into a wild array of delicate and peculiar shapes. On weekends and holidays, this intricate scenery is lit up after dusk to create an extra-magical effect! The festival is an easy day trip from Tokyo, and the nominal entrance fee includes a free drink of either hot tea or amazake (sweet, low-alcohol rice wine) to keep the chills at bay.
- Jan. 5 to Feb. 24, 2020
- 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The illumination is on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from dusk until 8 p.m.
- ¥300 (includes a free drink)
- Closest Station: Ashigakubo Station
1
Lake Saiko Ice Festival
Yamanashi Prefecture
If you’re looking for an ice festival with an epic backdrop, you can’t get more iconic than Mount Fuji! At Lake Saiko’s annual ice festival you can marvel at ice sculptures and 10-meter-high frost-covered trees known as juhyou, both of which are illuminated after nightfall. For extra sparkle, watch the nearby winter fireworks show at Lake Kawaguchiko if you visit on a weekend.
- Jan. 25 to Feb. 16, 2020
- 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Illuminations will be lit after sunset)
- Free
- Closest Station: Kawaguchiko station. From there take the bus to Saiko Yacho-no-mori Park.