Did you know that Sapporo isn’t your only option when it comes to Japanese snow festivals? Believe it or not, but between December and March, there are places in Japan that get some of the deepest snowfall out of all the cities in the world. So, it’s no surprise that the traditions of snow festivities have popped up around the country and have been going on since the 50s.
There’s a lot more to winter in Japan than just Sapporo’s iconic snow sculptures (although these are spectacular), and in this post, we’re sharing all the other snow festivals that you need to know about. We’re going from Hokkaido to Aomori, and into Niigata, bringing you ice sculptures, sledging, and snow illuminations at the country’s best winter events.
Sapporo Snow Festival, Hokkaido
It’s the most iconic of all the Japanese snow festivals for a reason! The Sapporo Snow Festival is easily the biggest event of the season, made famous for the tremendous snow and ice sculptures erected every year. The festival has been happening since 1950, when local school students started building snow sculptures in Odori Park. Today, it’s grown into a huge event with over 2 million visitors flocking to see the snow sculptures from all around the world.
Aside from the elaborate and incredible snow sculptures that cover Sapporo, there are also ice sculpture competitions, an ice bar, and the giant snow slide in Tsudome. The festival area (and sculptures) is lit up from 10pm, making it even more magical during the nighttime.
If you’re planning on going, we do recommend you plan ahead. It’s a super busy and popular time to visit Sapporo, so expect accommodation prices to be higher than usual and some crowds around the festival itself.
Sapporo Snow Festival Details
Where: Odori Park, Tsudome, andSusukino in Sapporo
When: Feb 4th to 11th 2026
Official Website: https://www.snowfes.com/
How to Get There:
If you’re coming from a major city outside of Hokkaido, then the best option is to take a domestic flight to New Chitose Airport (CTS) and take a train into the city. You can also get to Sapporo by riding the Hokkaido Shinkansen to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station and then transferring to a limited express train to Sapporo, though this option takes longer than flying.
Otaru Snow Light Path Festival, Hokkaido
Not at all far from Sapporo is Otaru, and with its festival dates coinciding with the Sapporo Snow Festival, there’s really no reason not to hit them both in one winter Japan trip! The Otaru Snow Light Festival is a truly magical event built around the city’s tradition of lighting the streets with snow candles.
Locations like the Canal, the magical viewpoint of Tenguyama, and the remnants of Hokkaido’s first railway line are all adorned in the warm glow of thousands of candles. You’ll also find lots of fun winter activities like the large snow tube, children’s snowball area, and local competitions. This is genuinely one of the most stunning snow-themed festivals in Japan, where you get to feel a part of the small city’s traditions.
Otaru Snow Light Path Details
Where: Otaru Canal, Temiya Line, Otaru Art Base, and Tenguyama in Otaru
When: Feb 7th to 14th 2026
Official Website: http://yukiakarinomichi.org/
How to Get There:
The easiest way to get to Otaru is from Sapporo by train. Take the JR Hakodate Line from Sapporo Station to Otaru Station, which takes about 30–45 minutes depending on the train. You can then easily explore the city on foot.
Sounkyo Onsen Ice Fall Festival, Hokkaido
The Sounkyo Onsen Ice Fall Festival is simply fantastic. They transform the intensely cold winter weather into an opportunity for enchantment. A 10,000 sqm natural canyon at the foot of the Daisetsuzan mountains is crystallised with ice sculptures, an ice climbing experience, and an icefall shrine.
The beauty is taken up a notch with illuminations and projection mapping with scattered light through the ice at night. It does cost ¥500 to enter, but we think the spectacular ice carving is well worth the cost. Just make sure to dress for the extreme cold as temperatures plummet to -10 degrees Celsius during nighttime in winter. Luckily, there are onsen around where you can warm back up!
Sounkyo Onsen Ice Fall Festival Details
Where: Kamikawa Town, Sounkyo Onsen
When: 5:30pm to 9:30pm, Jan 24th to Mar 8th 2026
Official Website: https://sounkyo.net/hyoubaku/
How to Get There:
The easiest way to get to Sounkyo Onsen is definitely by car, so long as you are comfortable traversing icy roads. If not, public transport is also an option. From Sapporo, take the JR Limited Express to Asahikawa Station (about 1 hour and 30 minutes), then transfer to a bus bound for Sounkyo Onsen, which takes another 1 hour and 45 minutes. The festival site is located within the Sounkyo Onsen area and is easily accessible on foot from most hotels and bus stops.
Asahikawa Winter Festival, Hokkaido
You’re really spoiled for choice when it comes to snow and ice sculptures in Hokkaido during winter. Asahikawa Winter Festival is another amazing event that celebrates the snowy season with giant ice sculptures that can be as big as three meters tall. There’s always a theme to the sculptures, and this year it’s Hokkaido’s favourite pokémon, Vulpix!
Over a million people make the trip to attend the festival, which takes months of preparation to pull off. Snow is collected from the region to build the magnificent sculptures, which pop up all over the city, but primarily along the Ishikari Riverside. During the festival, you’ll also get to watch fireworks, illuminations, and colour projections which bring the ice sculptures to life.
Asahikawa Winter Festival Details
Where: Ishikari River, Asahibashi Riverside
When: 10am to 8pm, Feb 6th to 11th 2026
Official Website: https://asahikawa-winterfes.jp/
How to Get There:
It’s easy to get to Asahikawa from Sapporo and takes under 2 hours. Just catch the JR Limited Express from Sapporo Station directly to Asahikawa Station. From there, catch the 28, 27, 29, or 34 bus about 15 minutes to Motomachi, then walk back across the river to the festival site.
Tokamachi Snow Festival, Niigata
If you’re dreaming about Japanese snow festivals, but hoping to avoid the masses at the Sapporo Snow Festival and stay a little closer to Tokyo, then we think you’ll love the Tokamachi event! The city gets some of the largest snowfalls in all of Japan, which is put to good use during the annual weekend of elaborate snow sculptures being displayed all over the city.
It’s a locally-loved tradition, with residents and business owners building their own snow sculptures alongside the professionals. People from across the prefecture come to enjoy them, but there’s no doubt that it’s at a much less international scale than in Sapporo. The festival hasn’t been able to be put on at its full brilliance since before the Covid-19 pandemic, but hopefully the 2026 event will change this.
Tokamachi Snow Festival Details
Where: Across Tokamachi City
When: Feb 20th and 22nd 2026
Official Website: https://snowfes.jp/hp/
How to Get There:
You can get to Tokamachi in a little over 2 hours from Tokyo. Take the Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Echigo-Yuzawa Station (about 75 minutes), then transfer to the Hokuetsu Express Hokuhoku Line to Tokamachi Station (about 40 minutes).
Check out the winter illuminations near Tokyo
Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival, Aomori
We might have saved the best till last. During the Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival, the castle grounds are coated in hundreds of tiny handmade igloos, each filled with its own lantern. It creates an almost otherworldly glow that lights up the night and reflects across the snow.
There are also snow sculptures, food stalls, and artworks on display to celebrate the festival. This option is great for kids, as they can take in the wonders of the mini igloos, but also have a lot of fun sledging down the snow slides, also built for the festival.
If you’re in the area, you should absolutely also check out the Winter Cherry Blossoms Illumination, also happening in Hirosaki Park. It runs from December to February after sunset until 9:30pm and is a magical way to enjoy the winter flowers.
Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival Details
Where: Hirosaki Park
When: 10am to 9pm, Feb 6th to 11th 2026
Official Website: https://www.hirosaki-kanko.or.jp/edit.html?id=snow_lantern_festival
How to Get There:
If you’re coming from Tokyo, take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Shin-Aomori Station (about 3 hours), then transfer to the JR Ou Line to Hirosaki Station (about 35–45 minutes). From Hirosaki Station, take a bus to Shiyakusho-mae or Bunkyo-cho (about 15 minutes), or walk for around 30 minutes to reach Hirosaki Park.
Comparing the Best Japanese Snow Festivals…
Why not all of them? In all seriousness, each of these options is great. Of course, the Sapporo Snow Festival is the most well-known and largest, so we know you’ll have an amazing time there. You can easily also tack on a stop at the Otaru Snow Light Path Festival or Asahikawa Winter Festival within the same trip (or why not both), or rent a car and drive to Sounkyo Onsen to see something most visitors never will.
For something closer to Tokyo, Tokamachi is the easiest to get to and offers a charming local vibe, whilst the Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival is really family-friendly and truly enchanting to see.
Japan Snow Festivals FAQs
What is the snow festival in Japan?
Japanese snow festivals are winter events celebrating snow and ice through frozen sculptures, illuminations, and seasonal fun. The most famous is the Sapporo Snow Festival, which attracts millions of visitors each year and showcases impressive snow and ice art.
Where is the Sapporo Snow Festival in 2026?
The Sapporo Snow Festival in 2026 will be held in Sapporo, Hokkaido, across its main venues: Odori Park, Susukino, and Tsudome.
How should I dress for snow festivals in Japan?
Expect very cold, sub-zero temperatures and dress appropriately. Wear lots of layers, and don’t forget to pack your hat, scarf, and gloves.
What is the best winter festival in Japan?
The Sapporo Snow Festival is widely considered as the best winter festival in Japan as it’s the largest and most famous.
