Snow Festival-Hopping in Hokkaido: Things to See and Do

 

 

The Sapporo Snow Festival in Hokkaido is a world-class famed winter snow event that you should visit at least once in your lifetime. But if you plan to go to Hokkaido in winter, there are other snow events held in different areas worth checking out. We went around three festivals, all equally grand and famous–and all in one trip! Follow us on this unique Hokkaido trip as we hunt down three popular snow festivals.

 

A long-awaited winter trip to Hokkaido: Three snow festivals!

 

 

When I think of winter in Hokkaido, snow festivals first come to mind. Hence, during last year's trip to Hokkaido, I finally got to realize my dream and went around three snow festivals that I had longed to see. Now I want to share the highlights of each snow festival and how to go around them. When a friend of mine and I saw snow at last, we were so thrilled we couldn't sleep. We wanted to spend as much time as possible going around the three snow festivals held in different parts of Hokkaido.

 

Day 1 – Sapporo Snow Festival (Sapporo)

The first snow festival was in Sapporo City, which is about 40 minutes from New Chitose Airport, via JR Rapid Airport. Our trip started in Sapporo Station! We went to the Sapporo Snow Festival, which is held in Odori Park, about a 10-minute walk from the station. We were impressed by the giant snow sculptures of buildings and popular characters. We took a lot of pictures and ate Sapporo ramen at Susukino at night to warm our cold bodies.

 

 

Day 2 – Otaru Snow Light Path (Otaru)

We headed to Otaru via a rapid train. The Otaru Snow Light Path starts in the evening, so we spent the day sightseeing in the city. We enjoyed strolling around, eating seafood dishes, and indulging in desserts. There were lots of souvenir shops, so we bought gifts for family and friends. When the sun set, it was time for the event at last. The whole city of Otaru is covered with the glow of candlelight and it’s incredibly romantic! We stayed at a hotel in Otaru City that night, enjoying the evening view at the quasi-main venue Tenguyama.

 

Day 3 – Sounkyo Onsen (Kamikawa)

We woke up early and headed back to Sapporo, and from there we made our way to Sounkyo Onsen, passing through Asahikawa. The Sounkyo Onsen Ice Waterfall Festival was an event that we really wanted to go to after seeing photos posted on social media prior to our trip. At this festival, ice sculptures created by making the most out of nature were lined up along the Ishikari River. At sunset, the sculptures were illuminated, as was the icefall, and the sight was just like something from a movie! We stayed overnight at a hot spring inn and immersed ourselves in the memories of the snow festival we had just enjoyed. 

 

Top Snow Festivals in Hokkaido

 

1. A Ceremony for Snow & Ice: Sapporo Snow Festival

 

 

The Sapporo Snow Festival is a ceremony for snow and ice held at three main sites: Odori Park, Susukino, and Tsudome. Each festival venue offers something different, so everyone is encouraged to visit all three places. Due to the spread of the novel coronavirus, the 2021 and 2022 editions of the snow festival were canceled, but segments like a video streaming of snow sculpting were held online.

 

Activity Information

Location: Sapporo, Hokkaido Event Period: Every February (Please check the official website for the latest schedule and information.) Website: Sapporo Snow Festvival

 

2. A gentle glow covering the old townscape: Otaru Snow Light Path 

 

 

Generally, when we talk about illuminations, we think of LED lights. Otaru Snow Light Path uses candles for its illuminations. During the festival, one of the main venues located along the Otaru Canal takes on a romantic atmosphere due to the effect of the snow and lighted candles! Floating candles with motifs of old fishing gear sparkling on the surface of the water, snow candles that create a gentle light, snow objects, and others are handmade by the locals and softly illuminate the old streets of Otaru. The semi-main venue Tenguyama is also popular as an observation pot. Hang around here to savor the night view of the town and the light of snow candles.

 

Activity Information

Location: Otaru, Hokkaido Event Period: Every February (Please check the official website for the latest schedule and information.) Website: Otaru Snow Light Path Access: About 32 minutes via JR Rapid Airport from Sapporo Station to Otaru Station.

 

※Additional Point: See Otaru before the festival!

The Otaru Snow Night Path is held from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., so if you arrive in Otaru in the morning, you have plenty of time for sightseeing. It's a fun city to explore: Visit cafes and shops on the Otaru Canal, see historic buildings in the Wall Street of the North, ride a rickshaw, or join a canal cruise. It’s definitely a different kind of Otaru from the event at night! 

 

3. Magical illuminations: Sounkyo Onsen Ice Waterfall Festival 

 

 

Sounkyo Onsen Ice Waterfall Festival is held at the Ishikari River in Kamikawa Town, Hokkaido. Icefall is formed when water from a waterfall freezes in the cold temperature. Ice sculptures are created and exhibited under different themes annually. At night, they are illuminated with seven colored lights, creating a magical atmosphere. You can take photos for free at the photography corner by the entrance of the venue.

 

 

Also at the festival, the Hyobaku Shrine is said to give blessings for success, fulfillment of romance, and increased fortune when a money offering placed on the ice deity does not fall or move. You can also warm up with amazake, a traditional Japanese hot drink made of fermented rice. The temperature is cold enough to freeze a waterfall, so don’t forget to bundle up with warm down jackets and gloves!

 

Activity Information

Location: Kamikawa Town, Hokkaido Event Period: Late January - mid-March (Please see the official website for the latest schedule.) Website: Sounkyo Onsen Ice Waterfall Festival Access: It takes about 2 hours and 10 minutes to get to Kamikawa from Sapporo by limited express train. From JR Kamikawa Station, take the Dohoku Bus for about 30 minutes, then get off at Sounkyo Onsen Bus Stop, and walk for about 5 minutes.

 

※Additional Point: Enjoy Kamikawa and Sounkyo before the festival!

Sounkyo can be directly accessed from Asahikawa Station by using the Dohoku Bus. You can also sightsee in Asahikawa first before heading to the event venue. For a spectacular view of Kurodake (also known as “the Roof of Hokkaido”), use the ropeway at Daisetsuzan National Park.

 

My impressions of the festivals

I really enjoyed visiting the three festivals that represent Hokkaido. The Sapporo Snow Festival, as I had researched on social media, was large scale. The main venue was also close to Sapporo Station, so I was able to sample Sapporo food and sightsee around the area. The Otaru Snow Light Path is especially romantic at the venue along the canal. I was able to take pictures that looked like scenes from a movie. The Sounkyo Onsen Ice Fall Festival was a great way to experience the unique snow country scenery and hot springs together!

 

If you're traveling to Hokkaido, you should definitely try to visit all three snow festivals! 

 

Refer to the following for more information on the facilities mentioned in this article.

https://www.japan.travel/en/destinations/hokkaido/hokkaido/
https://en.visit-hokkaido.jp/

Fun Times in Winter Night! The Famous Illuminations in Hokkaido and Tohoku Region 
https://www.japan.travel/en/my/solo-japan/fun-times-winter-night-famous-illuminations-hokkaido-and-tohoku-/

Sapporo Snow Festival
https://www.japan.travel/en/travel-directory/Sapporo%20Snow%20Festival/
https://www.snowfes.com/english/

Otaru Snow Light Path
https://www.japan.travel/en/travel-directory/Otaru%20Snow%20Light%20Path/
http://yukiakarinomichi.org/?page_id=2180
Sounkyo Onsen Ice Waterfall Festival
https://sounkyo.net/hyoubaku/en/