Hokkaido Winter Festival Guide 2018
Celebrate winter during your trip to Niseko with these top annual festivals coming up in February.
Celebrate winter during your trip to Niseko with these top annual festivals coming up in February 2018.
Sapporo Snow Festival: 5th - 12th February
As one of Japan’s largest winter events, the Sapporo Snow Festival is a must-do during your Niseko itinerary. Seeing over 300 snow and ice sculptures scattered throughout the city's parks and streets is pretty special. Not to mention, plenty of food and drink stalls to keep you warm!
Otaru Snow Light Path Festival: 9th - 18th February, 2018
The Otaru Snow Light Path Festival is a winter festival held every February in Otaru, during which the city becomes decorated in lights and small snow statues. The atmosphere is truly magical with Otaru's famous canals all lit up by glowing lanterns.
Yukitopia Snow Festival: 17th - 18th February
Celebrate winter with the locals at this fun family-friendly event in Niseko, just a short 15-minute ride from the resort. The Yukitopia Snow Festival offers plenty of fun games and activities for children and adults, free rides up the local ski hill and a look into Japanese living that larger festivals don't usually provide.
Plus there are plenty of festival food and drink stalls for all to enjoy!
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Jozankei Onsen Yukitouro 2018: 31st January - 4th February, 2018
Lights from around 2,000 snow lanterns will be displayed around the shrine at Jozankei Onsen, creating a fantastical and Japanese-style winter atmosphere. There will also be “flames of wishes” where visitors light a flame praying for their wishes to come true this year.
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Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival: 26th January - 18th February
See the magnificent ice illuminations at this lakeside festival. Enjoy the event from the afternoon and evening to catch the ice sculptures, tasty food, evening fireworks and maybe a dip in one of the area's famous onsen.
