February is the month to visit if you want to experience Hokkaido’s world famous snow and ice festivals.
There is nothing the Japanese people love more than a matsuri (festival). Summer is filled with them – weekend-long parties full of food, fun and fireworks.
But what to do when you live in Hokkaido for the large chunk of the year that’s buried in snow? The local folk know just what to do… have a snow festival.
Right across the island people get out and make the most of the extreme environment they live in, with a typically Japanese range of unique, intricate and incredible displays and celebrations.
Kutchan Yukitopia Festival
Mid-February 2019
Held in peak winter every year, Kutchan Yukitopia Festival is Niseko’s answer to Rio Carnival. Yuki means snow, and when combined with the concept of “utopia” gives you an idea how much the locals love their home town. Enjoy snow slides, snowmobile rides, giant snowmen, competitions like the one to see who can ski across a pool of icy water, and of course food!
Sapporo Snow Festival
4 February – 11 February 2019
Now globally renowned as a masterpiece of frozen engineering, The Sapporo Snow Festival is held every year in February and runs for a week from the beginning of the month. Odori Park becomes a hive of activity with 15m-plus replicas of world famous buildings, cartoon and movie characters, and even celebrities – like the “Pen Pineapple Apple Pen” guy!
Otaru’s Snow Light Path Festival
8 – 17 February 2019
One of the most beautiful old historic cities in Hokkaido, Otaru takes on an exquisite glow each February for the Snow Light Path Festival in one of the most picturesque winter scenes imaginable. Lanterns and candles adorn snowbanks and float dreamily down the famous Otaru Canal, before leading the way into the city centre and along an old disused railway line.
Shikotsu Ice Festival
Late January to mid-February 2019
Less well known and more off the beaten track for international visitors, the Shikotsu Ice Festival is a miniaturised and more intimate version of Sapporo’s world-famous snow festival. During the day the festival caters to families with horse rides and activities, and in the evening you can walk amongst glowing statues lit by coloured lights and glistening in the cold Hokkaido night.