【Latest for 2025】Seasonal Event Guide for Niseko, Hokkaido: Fireworks, Cycling & More!
Niseko in Hokkaido is surrounded by nature and hosts events throughout the year where you can experience spectacular seasonal scenery and Japanese culture. In this article, we will introduce events held during the green season from May to October.
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Kutchan Town is located in the Niseko area in western Hokkaido , and is a town surrounded by abundant nature, including Mount Yotei, known as the northernmost beautiful mountain in Japan. This area is covered in the finest powder snow that skiers from all over the world long for, and is a truly charming resort worthy of being called the "St. Moritz of the Toyo." This account will introduce you to Niseko Kutchan's popular restaurants, beautiful natural scenery, luxury hotels, and useful travel information.
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Table of Contents
- A luxury hotel in Niseko, perfect as a base for sightseeing in Otaru and Sapporo!
- Monthly Event Schedule
- May: Enjoy the Breathtaking Spring Scenery of Full-Bloom Shibazakura
- June: Join a Cycling Event in the Heart of Niseko’s Nature
- July: Experience Summer Nights with Illuminations and Fireworks
- August: Celebrate a Traditional Japanese Summer Festival
- September: Enjoy the long autumn nights
- October: Witness the Sacred Fire-Walking Ritual for Good Health
- If you want to avoid the crowds, we recommend visiting Niseko during the green season!
A luxury hotel in Niseko, perfect as a base for sightseeing in Otaru and Sapporo!
The Niseko area is a great place to stay, with easy access to popular tourist destinations such as Otaru, Sapporo, Shakotan, Noboribetsu, and Lake Toya, all within a 1-2 hour drive. In addition, in winter, tourists from all over the world flock to the area in search of powder snow, and there are many Michelin-starred luxury hotels and hotels with multilingual support. Why not use a luxury hotel in Niseko as your base for day trips to Otaru and Sapporo?
Monthly Event Schedule
In this article, we will introduce events held during Niseko's green season from May to October.
Event dates, times, and venues may be subject to change. Please check the official website for details before traveling.
May: Enjoy the Breathtaking Spring Scenery of Full-Bloom Shibazakura
◆Late May to early June: Mishima's Moss Phlox Garden
Mishima's Moss Phlox Garden
The Shibazakura Garden, lovingly cultivated by Mr. Mishima of Kutchan Town, is a famous spot for flowers that herald the arrival of late spring in the town. The garden boasts an area of approximately 4,000 square meters, and visitors can enjoy the wonderful scenery for free.
[Event Summary]
-Best time to see: Late May to early June (may vary depending on weather conditions)
-Location: Mishima's Moss Phlox Garden
June: Join a Cycling Event in the Heart of Niseko’s Nature
◆Late May to early June: Mishima's Moss Phlox Garden
◆6/13-6/15: Niseko Classic
◆6/29: Wonder Cycling
Niseko Classic
This is a full-scale road race in which amateur racers from Japan and abroad compete on two courses: the 140km Gran Fondo and the 80km Mediofondo.
A thrilling experience for competitors and spectators alike, the event also serves as an important prelude to the 2026 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships, to be held in Niseko from 28-31 August 2026.
In addition to the road race, the "NISEKO DISCOVERY CYCLING" will also be held at the same time, which can be enjoyed by everyone from beginners to experienced riders! In 2025, two routes have been prepared: "100km Shakotan Course / Enter the world of Shakotan blue! Enjoy the mountains, sea and hot springs" and "55km Yoichi Course / Green country ride where you can enjoy Genghis Khan."
[Event Summary]
・Date: Thursday, June 12th to Sunday, June 15th, 2025
・Venue: Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu
Wonder Cycling
Unlike events where you ride a set course and refuel at aid stations, Wonder Cycling is a cycling event where you go around recommended cafes and restaurants in the area with a local cyclist guide. There are two courses, about 50km and about 80km. You can choose according to your level. What course you will ride and what shops you will stop at are a surprise until the day of the event.
*Participants must register in advance.
[Event Summary]
・Date: Sunday, June 29, 2025
・Reception location: Kutchan Town Hall Parking Lot
July: Experience Summer Nights with Illuminations and Fireworks
◆7/1-10/13：Mountain Lights
◆7/5, 7/19, 8/9, 8/23, 9/20, 10/11: Mountain Lights and Fire Goddess Performance
◆Every Saturday from July 5th to October 11th: Hanazono Summer Fireworks -Fireworks Saturday-
◆July 18-20: Niseko Jazz Festival
◆7/18-8/31：NISEKO HIRAFU GREEN PARK
◆July 19th and 20th: Niseko Village Niconico Summer Festival
◆July 28th and 29th: Kutchan Shrine Annual Festival
Mountain Lights
Mountain Lights is a large-scale light art installation held during the summer at Niseko Hanazono Resort. This outdoor exhibition marks the Japan debut of world-renowned British installation artist Bruce Munro, featuring a mesmerizing display of light-based artwork.
[Event Summary]
・Dates: Tuesday, July 1, 2025 to Monday, October 13, 2025
・Time: From sunset* onwards *Opening hours vary depending on the time of sunset. For details, please see here .
・Venue: Niseko Hanazono Resort
Mountain Lights and Fire Goddess Performance
The fire performance "Mountain Lights and Fire Goddess Performance" will be held against the backdrop of the spectacular light art installation " Mountain Lights."
Enjoy a miraculous synchronicity session that can only be seen here, including the sound of a mukkuri resonating in the silent Hanazono night, a fire dance performed to music with fireworks in the background, and a dancing Ainu sword wrapped in flames.
[Event Summary]
-Dates: July 5th and 19th, August 9th and 23rd, September 20th, and October 11th, 2025
-Time: From around 8pm (approximately 10 minutes)
-Venue: Niseko Hanazono Resort（Within the Mountain Lights exhibition area）
Hanazono Fireworks Saturday
Watch the night sky over Hanazono come alive with vibrant colors! Enjoy a dazzling display of fireworks launched from the summer slopes of the ski resort, in an unforgettable collaboration with the breathtaking light art installation Mountain Lights.
We recommend watching the Mountain Lights before the fireworks begin. The fireworks are especially special after you have been immersed in the art of light that spreads all around. If you want to enjoy the fireworks with music, we recommend watching them in front of Hanazono308.
On Saturday nights, there's a DJ, so you can relax and enjoy the music while watching the Mountain Lights.
[Event Summary]
・Dates: Every Saturday from 20:00 onwards from July 1st (Tuesday) to October 13th (Monday), 2025 *Every day from August 9th to 16th
・Venue: Niseko Hanazono Resort
Niseko Jazz Festival
The Niseko Jazz Festival is back on an even bigger scale!
This year, a dream collaboration with the world-famous jazz club "Blue Note Tokyo" has been realized. Talented jazz musicians from Japan and abroad will gather in Niseko and perform a variety of stages over three days.
A total of 12 groups and over 50 artists will perform, and soul-stirring music ranging from classical jazz to bossa nova and modern jazz will reverberate through the summer skies of Niseko.
This is a special summer festival that anyone who loves music can enjoy, from children to adults.
[Event Summary]
-Date: Friday, July 18th, 2025 – Sunday, July 20th, 2025
-Venue: Snow Niseko (6-9, Niseko Hirafu 1-jo 2-chome, Kutchan-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido)
*We are currently selling a plan that includes a Niseko Jazz Festival ticket, which allows you to participate at a discount when you purchase an accommodation package!
NISEKO HIRAFU GREEN PARK
"NISEKO HIRAFU GREEN PARK" is a limited-time park in Hirafu that is open to help people enjoy the summer in Niseko more casually. On event days, you can watch movies, listen to music, eat delicious food, and get active in nature.
The theme for 2025 is "Summer in Niseko, playing as if living in nature," and we are offering a relaxing time in a pleasant location with Mount Yotei right in front of you.
[Event Summary]
・Dates: Friday, July 18th to Sunday, August 31st, 2025
・Venue: Hirafu Kogen Central Park (next to Hirafu Daiichi Parking Lot)
〒044-0080 Niseko Hirafu 1-3-9 Kutchan-cho Abuta-gun Hokkaido
More details about the event will be announced in the future. Please follow our official account and stay tuned!
Niseko Village Niconico Summer Festival
The Niseko Village Niconico Summer Festival, a major event that will add color to the summer in Niseko, Hokkaido, will be held on Saturday, July 19th and Sunday, July 20th, 2025! It's a two-day event where you can enjoy music, gourmet food, fireworks, and the "chill summer" atmosphere in the midst of magnificent nature. There's plenty for everyone to enjoy, from families to couples and friends.
[Event Summary]
・Dates: Saturday, July 19th and Sunday, July 20th, 2025, 12:00-21:00
・Venue: Niseko Village NISEKO-YO Venue
Kutchan Shrine Grand Festival
At the Kutchan Shrine annual festival, portable shrines, processions, and intangible folk cultural assets, Akasaka-yakko and Kodomo-yakko, parade through the town of Kutchan.
The "Akasaka Yakko" pictured here imitates the movements of a leader in a feudal lord's procession and is said to have been passed down from Sumiyoshi Shrine in Otaru. It has been passed down in the Yahata area of the town where Kutchan Shrine is located, and is currently designated as an intangible folk cultural property of the town.
[Event Summary]
・Dates: July 27th (Sun), 28th (Mon), 29th (Tue), 2025
・Venue: Kutchan Shrine grounds
August: Celebrate a Traditional Japanese Summer Festival
◆8/2-8/3: Kutchan Potato Festival
◆8/3: Niseko Hanazono Hill Climb
◆8/22-23: Hirafu Festival
Details of the following events are listed in the July column.
◆7/1-10/13：Mountain Lights
◆7/5,7/19,8/9,8/23,9/20,10/11: Mountain Lights and Fire Goddess Performance
◆Every Saturday from 7/5 to 10/11: Hanazono Summer Fireworks -Fireworks Saturday-
◆7/18-8/31: NISEKO HIRAFU GREEN PARK
Kutchan Potato Festival
The Kutchan Potato Festival is Kutchan Town's most famous summer festival.
It began in 1948 as a festival to celebrate a good harvest of potatoes, a specialty of Kutchan Town, and to express gratitude to farmers. Events include the "Sennin Odori" where 1,000 dancers dressed in yukata parade, the "Potato Janjantori" where potatoes are bagged within a time limit, and the traditional "Awa Odori" dance from Tokushima Prefecture, the birthplace of the pioneer of Kutchan's development.
[Event Summary]
・Dates: Saturday, August 2nd and Sunday, August 3rd, 2025
・Venue: Kutchan Station Street
Niseko Hanazono Hill Climb
This is a race on road and mountain bikes over a course of about 15km that passes through the "Kutchan Potato Festival" held on the same day. Participants come from both Japan and abroad.
[Event Summary]
・Date: Sunday, August 3, 2025
・Venue: Kutchan city center to Goshiki Onsen
Hirafu Festival
The Hirafu Festival is an annual summer festival held in the Niseko Hirafu area, featuring traditional Japanese Bon Odori dancing and a variety of international food stalls.
There will also be a rice cake throwing event with luxurious prizes, authentic target-shooting and sword fighting competitions, music and live performances.
At the end of the event, a joint performance of Yotei Taiko drums and fireworks will be performed to bring the festival to a finale!
[Event Summary]
・Date: Friday, August 22, 2025, 15:00-21:00
Saturday, August 23, 2025 11:00-21:00
・Venue: Sun Sports Land Kutchan
September: Enjoy the long autumn nights
◆9/13-9/15: LUPICIA NISEKO MARCHE 2025 World Teas x Autumn Feasts
*Details of the following events are listed in the July column.
◆7/1-10/13：Mountain Lights
◆7/5, 7/19, 8/9, 8/23, 9/20, 10/11: Mountain Lights and Dance of the Fire God ◆Every Saturday from 7/5 to 10/11: HANAZONO Summer Fireworks -Fireworks Saturday-
◆7/18-8/31：NISEKO HIRAFU GREEN PARK
LUPICIA NISEKO MARCHE 2025: World Teas × Autumn Delicacies
An event to enjoy the flavors of autumn will be held at the Lupicia Niseko Head Office, surrounded by the natural beauty of Niseko .
Lupicia is a Japanese company that handles over 400 types of tea from around the world each year. At the event, you can enjoy a tasting of 50 different types of Lupicia tea, dishes made with local seasonal potatoes, and freshly baked bread, scones, and other baked goods from the Niseko Factory Outlet at great prices!
"Yotei Mountain Foot Beer" will also be available, featuring a flavor and aroma that takes advantage of the clear waters of Mount Yotei. Enjoy the natural beauty of Niseko along with the flavors of autumn!
Admission is free and no reservations are required. Please feel free to join us.
[Event Overview]
Dates: Saturday, September 13th to Monday, September 15th, 2025, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Venue: Lupicia Niseko Head Office (7 Niseko Town, Abuta-gun)
An event celebrating autumn flavors will be held at the “LUPICIA Niseko Headquarters,” surrounded by Niseko's magnificent nature.
October: Witness the Sacred Fire-Walking Ritual for Good Health
◆10/9-10/11 Kutchan Konpira Festival
Details of the following events are listed in the July column.
◆7/1-10/13：Mountain Lights
◆7/5,7/19,8/9,8/23,9/20,10/11: Mountain Lights and Fire Goddess Performance
◆Every Saturday from 7/5 to 10/11: Hanazono Summer Fireworks -Fireworks Saturday-
Konpira Daigongen Autumn Festival
This is a large-scale festival held in conjunction with the Konpira Temple festival, where approximately 200 traditional Hokkaido street stalls gather.
Within the grounds of Konpira-ji Temple, there is also a fire-walking ceremony to pray for good health, as well as a children's mikoshi parade in which local elementary school students take part.
[Event Overview]
・Dates: October 9th (Thurs), 10th (Fri), 11th (Sat)
・Venue: Kutchan Town Marchen Street, Konpira Temple *October 10th (Friday) from 10:30: Secret Great Homa Ceremony, October 10th (Friday) from 13:00: Fire-walking Ceremony will be held.
If you want to avoid the crowds, we recommend visiting Niseko during the green season!
The Niseko area is not only popular during the winter season when skiers from all over the world visit, but during the green season from May to October, you can enjoy the great outdoors of Niseko through activities such as hiking, cycling, and rafting. For more information on how to enjoy Niseko's green season, please see the following page.
Kutchan Town is located in the Niseko area in western Hokkaido , and is a town surrounded by abundant nature, including Mount Yotei, known as the northernmost beautiful mountain in Japan. This area is covered in the finest powder snow that skiers from all over the world long for, and is a truly charming resort worthy of being called the "St. Moritz of the Toyo." This account will introduce you to Niseko Kutchan's popular restaurants, beautiful natural scenery, luxury hotels, and useful travel information.
The contents on this page may partially contain automatic translation.
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