Everyone loves snow and Japan is no exception to that rule. Through the cold winter months, these festivals are sure to give you a warm, fuzzy feeling inside. Whether you’re planning to spam Instagram with pics of Sapporo’s Snow Festival, or feeling out in the cold because you can’t make it, it’s time to start planning for the next adventure!
Sapporo a go? Plan ahead.
Sapporo Snow Festival 2020
The most famous snow festival is the Sapporo Snow Festival held on Japan’s northernmost island, Hokkaido. Over two million people make the trek to this winter wonderland every February to get a glimpse of the towering snow sculptures that take over Sapporo’s city center.
Ever wondered what a scene straight out of Final Fantasy or Star Wars would look like made entirely out of the white powdery stuff? Well, wonder no more—there’s loads to see and do no matter what the time, although these gravity-defying structures look mighty fine all lit up after sunset. For the true Hokkaido experience, make sure to warm yourself up with some soup curry or Genghis Khan (grilled lamb) at the end of the day.
Beware that you do need to book accommodation and flights super early for this one (looking at a year to eight months in advance) or expect to pay through the roof.
Sapporo Snow Festival 2020
I totally missed Hokkaido off my itinerary, are there any festivals near Tokyo?
No problemo! Honshu is blessed with tons of snow this time of year so you can take the Shinkansen (bullet train) to one of the nearby prefectures for skiing, snowboarding and snow festival-ing.
Yunishigawa Onsen Kamakura Festival
The closest festival to the capital is in Nikko in Tochigi Prefecture. Called the Yunishigawa Onsen Kamakura Festival it’s about two and a half hours from Tokyo. Good for a day trip, I know, but why not stay overnight and soak in the town’s numerous onsen (hot springs) between festivities?
Snow huts can be found at the “Heike no Sato”—the main venue (these need to be booked in advance)—or you can sled down slopes at Yunishigawa Snow Park. The scenery is lit up at night and is best viewed with amazake, the region’s favorite sweet fermented sake drink.
Yunishigawa Onsen Kamakura Festival 2020
Tokamachi Snow Festival
You could also follow the modern Japanese Snow Festival back to its roots in Niigata by taking a trip to the Tokamachi Snow Festival, the very first contemporary snow festival that set the stage for their ever-growing popularity. An event-packed weekend celebrating the best of both contemporary and traditional Japanese culture gives the Tokamachi Snow Festival broad appeal.
Similar to the Sapporo Snow Festival, snow-laden architecture takes center stage and the festival closes with the Snow Carnival, a community event taking place on an epic stage made entirely from snow. There’s fireworks, a kimono showcase, and a light show—this snow-fest has all bases covered.
Tokamachi Snow Festival 2020
My skis are packed and ready to go, what’s good up north after a hard day on the slopes?
Northern Japan is the bomb for adventure sports and snow festivals. Yamagata is a particular favorite with ski resorts like Zao Onsen offering a pick ‘n’ mix of sports, onsen, and festivals.
Zao Snow Monster Illuminations
The Zao Snow Monster Illuminations are held from December until February which is also the best time to visit the slopes.
The “Snow Monsters” are actually trees on Mount Zao that have been buried under the snow, creating an eerie-looking landscape that is best explored at night via the Zao Ropeway. Wrap up warm because temperatures at the top can get as low as -20°C (-4°F).
Zao Snow Monster Illuminations 2020
Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival
Aomori and Akita are two prefectures that often get missed off of people’s travel plans. Both have heaps of awesome sightseeing opportunities, as well as a decent resort scene.
Aomori holds one of the region’s biggest festivals over five days in February in the form of the Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival. A top spot for cherry blossom viewing, the winter transforms it into a magical wonderland reminiscent of Narnia. Illuminations are projected onto the castle’s walls and mini-igloos called kamakuras are lit with hundreds of candles.
The event culminates in a spectacular fireworks display. Remember as you walk around that all of the stunning lanterns have been lovingly hand-crafted by locals who have been preparing throughout the harsh winter months for this moment!
Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival 2020
Kamihinokinai Paper Balloon Festival
Akita’s Kamihinokinai Paper Balloon Festival sees over 100 balloons sent into the atmosphere on February 10 every year. These balloons aren’t your average birthday balloons; they can get as tall as eight meters and are painted with beautiful designs of geisha and samurai straight from Edo-era ukiyo-e prints, or adorned with hand-written wishes for the year to come.
Kamihinokinai Paper Balloon Festival 2020
I’ve been meaning to pay the Fukushima area a visit, what’s the dealio there?
Fukushima is Japan’s best-kept secret when it comes to snow festivals. What Fukushima can’t make up for in fame, it does in quantity—Fukushima has three festivals for you to choose from.
Aizu Painted Candle Festival
Both taking place in the second weekend of February are the Aizu Painted Candle Festival held at Tsurugajo Castle, and the Ouchijuku Snow Festival.
Aizu is one of the three regions in Fukushima, famed across Japan for its painted candles. They have been crafted in this region for over 500 years and are said to burn for longer than their Western counterparts. Not only are the candles painted with seasonal motifs, but they are also planted in the castle grounds to form a large picture when viewed from the top of the castle.
Aizu Painted Candle Festival 2020
Ouchijuku Snow Festival
The Ouchijuku Snow Festival is held in an ancient village with the same name during the second week of February. The streets are lined with beautifully crafted lanterns, fully illuminating the thatched roofs of the traditional Edo-period cottages designated as an “Important Preservation District for Groups of Historic Buildings.” The second weekend of February is also the best time to pick strawberries in the region.
Ouchijuku Snow Festival 2020
Urabandai Snow Festival 2020
So candles and old houses aren’t your thing, but the Urabandai Snow Festival (held on the third weekend of February) has a little something for everyone. At 5:30 p.m. on the first day of the festival, 3000 candles are lit up and placed on a frozen lotus pond. Visitors are encouraged to contribute by leaving their own candles. There’s also snow treasure hunts, craft workshops and some of the most deeeelicious ice cream.
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Hi Sophie!
I absolutely loved your blog post! My uncle is moving near Sapporo. He’s going to live there for five years! I can’t wait to tell him about these snow festivals! For me personally; I really want to see the Aomori summer festival. I think it would be really cool and interesting to see all types of floats. I would also like to see the comparison or differences in summer festival between Japan and where I live!
Those all look like a lot of fun! I just went to the snow festival in Takasu in Gifu prefecture. Wonderful snow sculptures along with mesmerizing fire and lazer shows!