Story ​All the Special Events of the Season – Enjoy Winter in Hokkaido! By JNTO on 23 January 2020

When mentioning winter events in Hokkaido, the Sapporo Snow Festival is perhaps the most known by many people, but there are plenty of exciting wintry events to experience in other regions of the prefecture as well! Let’s have a look at some special events you can only experience in the wintry natural expanses of Hokkaido!

Retro Townscapes and Colourful Wintry Canals the Otaru Snow Light Path Festival

Every year, Otaru holds the “Otaru Snow Light Path Festival”. Visitors will begin their promenade around Otaru Canal, then continue through the former Temiya railway site to Otaru Art Base, all while the gentle glow of candles placed throughout the area lighting up the nostalgic Otaru landscape.

The floating of approximately 200 candles upon the frozen canal, snow candles and art fixtures throughout the old Temiya railway make for a very romantic atmosphere!

• Otaru Snow Light Path Festival
• Address: Otaru Canal, Former Tamiya Railway, Asarigawa Hot Springs, Tenguyama, Otaru Art Base, and other areas throughout the town
• Access: a 32-minute ride from Sapporo Station on the Rapid Airport train line
• Event period: 8th - 16th February
• ※Festival opening ceremonies will be held on 8th February, so event light-up will not be available until the following day.
• Event hours: 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

A Wintry Event with the Theme of “Snow, Ice, and Light”
the 61st Annual Asahikawa Winter Festival

This wintry event features the theme of “Snow, Ice, and Light”. The festival hosts Japan’s only international ice sculpture competition and one of the largest snow sculptures in the world.

Visitors have the chance to watch as artists carve the details into their ice sculptures during the competition. There is plenty to see and do at the event; we recommend checking out the interesting sound and light show near the biggest snow sculpture in the event area! Enjoy a thrilling ride down the approximately 100-metre-tall ice slide too!

You can also taste ramen, pork buns, and other toasty delights made with local, fresh ingredients at the Winter Marche. In addition to the festival, watch wintry animals frolic during the “Snow Lights in the Zoo” event coinciding with the winter festival at the Asahiyama Zoo; the zoo’s atmosphere completely changes during the illumination at night.

• 61st Annual Asahikawa Winter Festival
• Event location: Ishikari-Asahibashi Riverside, Tokiwa Park, 7-joryokudo, Heiwa-dori Kaimono Koen (Asahibashi Site).
• Access: a 20-minute ride by free shuttle bus from Asahikawa Station
• Event period: 6th–11 th February
• Event hours: May vary due to venues and activities. Please check the official homepage for more information.

Ice Art, Bonfires, and Ice domes...Experience the Wonders of Winter - 2020 Shiretoko Ice Festival

On the north-eastern shore of Hokkaido lies the Shiretoko peninsula, home of the Shiretoko Campground and the main venue for the Shiretoko Ice Festival. The event begins with the dreamy ice drift, continues with an approximately 5-metre-tall ice tower, and boasts illuminated ice art such as the venue’s uniquely shaped ice dome.

Nature guides who are well-versed in Shiretoko's surroundings will explain to you what makes the area so special. The event even has unique, interesting outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy the winter season in Hokkaido to the fullest, such as the viewing the beautiful night sky with hammocks and warming up in front of the bonfire.

Visitors can also enjoy hot beverages and special cocktails in the ice dome bar. Keep the cold at bay with cups of hot cocoa and steamed buns filled with salmon chan-chan-yaki (grilled salmon and vegetables).

• 2020 Shiretoko Ice Festival
• Event location: Shiretoko Campground (Utorokagawa, Shari Town)
• Access: by a 50-minute train ride from JR Shiretoko-Shari Station
• ※Shuttle services to the venue are provided free of charge (bus for Shiretoko Grand Hotel/Shiretoko Daiichi Hotel).
• Event period: 30th January – 29th February
• Event hours: 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.