Snow Festivals in Japan: 9 Must-See Winter Events in 2026
Enjoy winter in Japan in early 2026 with snow festivals across Sapporo, Aomori, Niigata, Tochigi, and more. Discover spectacular ice sculptures and illuminations, find festival dates, and learn how to make the most of winter travel in Japan.
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Visiting Japan in the Winter? Go to a Snow Festival!
Japan’s snowy north (Aomori, Niigata, Hokkaido) hosts winter festivals celebrating the season. Snow festivals—from Sapporo’s large snow and ice sculptures to Nikko’s igloos—let visitors enjoy the winter landscape.
This article lists snow festival sites, their dates, and average snowfall periods to help plan winter travel in Japan.
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Table of Contents
- 1. Sapporo Snow Festival: February 4 - 11, 2026
- 2. Asahikawa Winter Festival: February 6 - 11, 2026
- 3. Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival: February 6 - 11, 2026
- 4. Aomori Yukiakari Matsuri: Early February 2026
- 5. Yokote Snow Festival: February 13 - 14, 2025
- 6. Inukko Festival: Early February 2026
- 7. Yamagata Snow Festival: February 7, 2026
- 8. Tokamachi Snow Festival: February 20 - 22, 2026
- 9. Yunishigawa Kamakura Festival: January 30 - March 1, 2026
1. Sapporo Snow Festival: February 4 - 11, 2026
In Hokkaido, snow starts to fall around the end of October and early November.
As the northernmost region of Japan, it sees the earliest snowfall in the country. Sapporo, Hokkaido’s center of government, is host to the annual Sapporo Snow Festival, Japan’s largest snow festival, which takes place in February.
Photo by Pixta
The venue for the festival is the Sapporo City center, including Odori Park.
The main appeal of the festival is how these impressive architectural creations are completely made out of ice and snow. People come from all over the country to view the rich variety of snow and ice sculptures.
There’s more to the festival than just enjoying the world of ice; with many food and drink booths and rest areas all over the venue, it’s easy for families to join the festivities.
2026 Sapporo Snow Festival
Schedule: February 4 - 11, 2026 (Odori Park, Susukino-Sapporo Ekimae Dori, Community Dome Tsudome)
Official website: https://www.snowfes.com/
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Odori Park
7-chome, Odori Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido 060-0042
Odori Park is a long, narrow park stretching about 1.5 kilometers from east to west in Sapporo's Chuo Ward. Created in 1871, it is an iconic green space located in the center of Sapporo. Flowers and trees of all seasons can be enjoyed here, making it a place of relaxation for Sapporo residents. It is the cultural and tourist center of Sapporo, hosting many events throughout the year, such as the Yosakoi Soran Festival in summer and the Sapporo Snow Festival in winter. Other highlights include the TV tower, fountains, and sculptures.
Hotels near Odori Park
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2. Asahikawa Winter Festival: February 6 - 11, 2026
Photo by Pixta
The Asahikawa Snow Festival is also held in Hokkaido in Asahikawa. The city is located slightly north of Sapporo, so its snow season starts somewhat earlier.
Asahikawa is known for its Asahikawa Zoo, a famous and very popular spot. However, the standout of the snow festival is the Guinness World Record-holding giant snow sculptures, which is an extraordinary scene only visible in winter.
This ice sculpture depicts Shuri Castle, an Okinawan World Heritage site. This might be the only place where you can see Shuri Castle in gleaming silver and white.
The sculptures are on display for about a month, and the World Ice Sculpting Championship is held at the same time; the atmosphere becomes quite romantic after night falls, when the sculptures are all illuminated.
2026 Asahikawa Winter Festival
Schedule: February 6 - 11, 2026
Website: https://asahikawa-winterfes.jp/
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3. Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival: February 6 - 11, 2026
Photo by Pixta
In Aomori Prefecture in Japan's northern Tohoku region, snowfall begins at the start of November.
Once winter comes and the snow starts to pile up, Aomori becomes a world of pure white. The prefecture is the host of the annual Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival held in Hirosaki Park, a national historical landmark.
Photo by Pixta
The eponymous lanterns are essentially modern-day streetlights.
The Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival has been held since 1977, when the local citizens decided to make lanterns in order to liven up the town during the long and cold winter. This warm event can only be enjoyed for a few days, so please check the schedule carefully.
Near Hirosaki Park, you'll also find a Starbucks built in one of Aomori's Tangible Cultural Properties too. Why not stop by and check out this building and get a warm drink after sightseeing?
2026 Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival
Schedule: February 6 - 11, 2026
Hours: 10:00 - 21:00
Website: https://www.hirosaki-kanko.or.jp/edit.html?id=cat02_winter_yuki (Japanese)
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Hirosaki Park (Takayoen)
1 Shimoshiroganecho, Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture 036-8356
This park is located in the center of Hirosaki City and has a total area of approximately 492,000 square meters (approximately 149,000 tsubo). Seasonal events are held every season.
Hotels near Hirosaki Park (Takayoen)
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4. Aomori Yukiakari Matsuri: Early February 2026
Picture courtesy of Aomori City Economy Dept. Tourism Division
The Aomori Yukiakari Matsuri (Snow Light Festival) is a week-long festival celebrated by the citizens of Aomori city, with handmade snow lanterns and candles. It's very conveniently located too, in the Nebuta House Warasse West Plaza, just a minute's walk from JR Aomori Station.
The sight of the carefully made lanterns illuminated by candlelight is fantastic, and one of the highlights of this festival. During this event, there is also a Wish Candle, where if you draw a wish on the candle holder, your wish may come true.
Wouldn't you like to make your own wish at this amazing event?
2026 Aomori Yukiakari Matsuri
Schedule: TBA (*Last year's event was held on February 3, 2025.)
Official site: https://aomori-tourism.com/event/detail_8701.html
Find accommodation in Aomori on Booking.com
Find accommodation in Aomori on Agoda
5. Yokote Snow Festival: February 13 - 14, 2025
The first snow falls in Akita in early November. The Yokote Snow Festival takes place each year from January to February in Yokote, Akita.
During the Yokote Snow Festival, you can not only relax inside kamakura (snow huts), but also see dedications of bonden, a special implement used by Shinto priests as well.
2026 Yokote Snow Festival
Schedule: February 13 - 14, 2026
Time: 18:00- 21:00
Website: https://www.yokotekamakura.com/event/3-5/
Find accommodation in Yokote on Booking.com
6. Inukko Festival: Early February 2026
Picture courtesy of Akita Tourism Federation
The Inukko Matsuri is a festival that has taken place in the Yuzawa district of Akita prefecture for about 400 years.
At the main venue, rice-flour puppy statues stand guard—protecting each house from burglary and marking the festival’s starting point.
This festival takes place in and around the Yuzawa City Athletics Gym, which is a 20-minute walk from JR Yuzawa Station. Other highlights of this festival include a fireworks display, and projection mapping, huge snow statues of dogs, and a special prayer for dogs event, where the health and happiness of dogs are prayed for.
Dog owners from across Japan and around the world come to take part in this irresistible, historical event for dog lovers.
2026 Inukko Matsuri
Schedule: TBA (*Last year's dates were February 8 - 9, 2025)
Website: https://inukkofes.com/
Find accommodation in Yuzawa on Booking.com
7. Yamagata Snow Festival (February 7, 2026)
Picture courtesy of Yamagata Tourism Culture and Sports Department, Tourism and Hospitality Promotion Section
The Yamagata Snow Festival is an event-filled celebration that began in 2015. It is held at the Mogamigawa Furusato Park, which is a ten-minute drive from JR Sagae Station.
With a large snow sculpture as its symbol, here you can enjoy illuminations and fireworks at night in a charming, romantic atmosphere.
There are also food stalls selling gourmet treats from Yamagata and events where you can experience the life and culture of a "snow country". There are even spots where you can make your own mini snow sculptures too, so there is plenty to enjoy both day and night at this festival.
2026 Yamagata Snow Festival
Schedule: February 7, 2026
Website: https://yamagatakanko.com/attractions/detail_7646.html (Japanese)
Find accommodation in Yamagata on Booking.com
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8. Tokamachi Snow Festival (February 20 - 22, 2026)
Picture courtesy of Tokamachi Snow Festival Executive Committee Office
The concepts behind the Tokamachi Snow Festival, which draws huge crowds every year, are “friendship with snow” and “enjoying the snow.”
It is known as one of Japan’s three great snow festivals along with the Sapporo Snow Festival in Hokkaido and the Minami Uonu.
2026 Tokamachi Snow Festival
Schedule: February 20 - 22, 2026
Website: Tokamachi Snow Festival 2026
Find accommodation in Tokamachi on Booking.com
9. Yunishigawa Kamakura Festival (Jan. 30 - March 1, 2026)
Yunishigawa Kamakura Festival is held in the popular Yunishigawa Onsen hot spring area in Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture. The area starts to receive snow in mid-November. The change between fall and winter in this area is gorgeous.
This festival is popular in winter, with daytime sledding and barbecues. In the evening, hundreds of small kamakura (igloos) are lit up—perfect for a special night out with friends or a loved one.
Yunishigawa Kamakura Festival 2026
Schedule: January 30 - March 1, 2026
Hours: 17:30 - 21:00
Website: https://www.nikko-kankou.org/spot/1210
Enjoy Japan's Snow Festivals
Festivals occur year-round in Japan, from ones with traditional parades and floats, like Kyoto's Gion Matsuri, to the Kanamara Matsuri near Tokyo, an event for fertility.
January, February, and March are great times to take in the festive environment with events snowy northern Japan.
This is the official account of MATCHA's editorial department. Our articles feature useful travel information for visitors to Japan, from how-to guides to recommended places to visit.
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