As snow covers Hokkaido from late November, the summer matsuri (festival)season gives way to the winter versions. In true Japanese style there seems to always be a new festival just around the corner. The winter calendar is packed with events and we’ve collated a selection of our favourites that we recommend you check out during your stay whenever it is during the winter.
Sapporo White Illumination
22 November – 11 February
First held in 1981, the Sapporo White Illumination festival sees the trees lining Ekimae-dori draped with lights, creating an artistic curtain-like feel to the street sides and lighting the way to Odori Park where some 520,000 light bulbs are used to illuminate objects centred on cosmic and Christmas themes.
New Year’s Day Japan Style
1 January
Welcome the New Year in traditional Japanese style with the “Kagami-Biraki” ceremony. This traditional ceremony, literally translates to “Opening the Mirror”, but in practice is often symbolised when a sake barrel is broken open by a wooden mallet and the sake is served to everyone present. Because of the lid’s round shape, the kagami is a symbol of harmony. The kagami-biraki, therefore, represents an opening to harmony and a year of good fortune. Happy New Year!
Jozankei Mountain Party
Mid-January
A fun family day adventure from Niseko the Yukizanmai Mountain Party festival is held in January in the onsen town of Jozankei. About an hour from Niseko this festival centres around barbecues and outdoor snow activities. Enjoy horse rides, snowshoe adventures, snow tubing and rafting or dog sledding with the kids in the picturesque Jozankei valley. There’s also plenty of onsen options to warm up after!
Oishii Seafood Fair
All February
If seafood is your flavour then February in Niseko is set to deliver a taste bud sensory overload. Each restaurant prepares a special seafood menu to exhibit some of Hokkaido’s finest seafoods with unique and delicious dishes you may never have another opportunity to try. Be sure to look for the special menu on tables at participating restaurants and prepare yourself for a treat of exotic seafoods at fantastic prices.
Hanazono Slopestyle
Late March (TBC)
Send it in style at Hanazono where the best local park riders and skiers gather for the annual park-riding competition. The biggest jumps and tricks of the season are usually landed here and it’s the best place to witness first-hand the level of riding that the local area produces. Held in Hanazono’s stomping ground on the lower slopes of the mountain under the Hanazono 1 lift, this competition marks the true end of winter when spring and park riding takes over the mountain.
FIS Niseko Grand Hirafu Cup
12 – 14 April
April sees the slopes of Hirafu hosting the International ski Federation official event. Watch as some of Japan’s top skiers compete on a world-class giant slalom course. With several local heroes competing it’s a great opportunity to cheer on the home-grown sons and daughters of Niseko as they prove to the world the athletes of Hokkaido can take it to the world’s best on their home turf.