A winter festival at Sounkyo Onsen, the gateway to Daisetsuzan National Park, where about 30 ice structures of all sizes fill a roughly 12,000 m² site on the bank of the Ishikari River. Highlights include ice buildings over 10 m tall, an observation deck, and an ice shrine. At night everything is lit up in seven colors, and the festival is certified as a "Japan Night View Heritage" site.
You can look out over the site from the observation deck on the main ice sculpture, modeled on Mt. Kurodake in the Daisetsuzan range. Unique touches include the "Hyobaku Shrine," where you pray by sticking a coin offering onto the ice, and "Ice BAL," where you can taste Kamikawa Taisetsu Shuzo sake inside an ice building. During the festival, fireworks light up the night sky and are reflected in the ice.
Last entry 21:15. 2026 example (Sounkyo Tourism Association and Kamikawa Town)
Last entry 21:15. 2026 example (Sounkyo Tourism Association and Kamikawa Town)
Times can change from year to year. Check the official website for the latest information.
Sounkyo Onsen has a limited number of inns, and they fill up easily on weekends and during the busy February season. If you want to see the illuminations at night, book a stay in the hot spring town early
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PR7.5Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.
ZooHokkaido ・ Asahikawa & Biei
Run by the City of Asahikawa, this zoo is famous for its “behavioral exhibits,” which let animals show off their natural movements and abilities. It opens in separate summer and winter seasons, with closure periods in spring and autumn.
January–FebruaryHokkaido ・ Sapporo
Usually late January to late February (about 3–4 weeks)
2027: Jan 30 – Feb 23
FebruaryHokkaido ・ Sapporo
Usually early February (about one week)
2027 (77th): Feb 4 (Thu) – Feb 11 (Thu, holiday), 8 days
FebruaryHokkaido ・ Otaru
Usually about one week in early to mid-February (around the same time as the Sapporo Snow Festival)
2027: Feb 6 – Feb 13
FebruaryHokkaido ・ Asahikawa & Biei
Usually about 6 days in early to mid-February (around the same time as the Sapporo Snow Festival)
2027 (68th): Feb 6 – Feb 11
April–OctoberHokkaido ・ Noboribetsu & Lake Toya
Usually every night from late April to October 31 (about 20 minutes from 20:45)
2026: Apr 28 – Oct 31 (held nightly; currently underway)
MayHokkaido ・ Sapporo
Usually mid- to late May (about 10 days at the Odori Site, and 2 days on the final weekend at the Kawashimo Site)
JuneHokkaido ・ Sapporo
Usually Wednesday to Sunday (5 days) in early to mid-June
2027 (36th): Jun 9 (Wed) – Jun 13 (Sun), 5 days
JuneHokkaido ・ Sapporo
Usually June 14–16 (14th: eve festival, 15th: main festival, 16th: mikoshi procession)
July–AugustHokkaido ・ Sapporo
Usually late July to mid-August (the beer gardens run for about 4 weeks; Hokkai Bon Odori is held during Obon, and the Susukino Festival for 3 days in early August)
JulyHokkaido ・ Otaru
Usually Friday to Sunday in late July (3 days, with a grand fireworks display on the final night)
AugustHokkaido ・ Hakodate
Usually August 1–5 (fireworks on the first day, parades on the 2nd and 3rd)
AugustHokkaido ・ Noboribetsu & Lake Toya
Usually a Saturday and Sunday in late August (2 days)
September–OctoberHokkaido ・ Sapporo
Usually early to late September, or into early October (about 3 weeks)
2026: Sep 11 – Oct 3 (currently underway)
November–MarchHokkaido ・ Sapporo
Usually late November to mid-March of the following year (the Odori Site runs from late November to December 25)
2026: Opens Nov 20 (Odori Site until Dec 25; Ekimae-dori Site until Feb 11, 2027; Minami 1-jo-dori, Kita 3-jo Plaza, and Sapporo Station South Exit until Mar 14, 2027)
November–DecemberHokkaido ・ Sapporo
Usually late November to December 25 (about 1 month)
2026: Nov 20 (Fri) – Dec 25 (Fri)
December–MarchHokkaido ・ Asahikawa & Biei
Usually held daily from mid- to late December (once there is enough snow) until around mid-March
DecemberHokkaido ・ Hakodate
Usually starts in late November to early December and runs until December 25
2026: Dec 1 (Tue) – Dec 25 (Fri)
Dates, times and access are based on official and other primary sources. Only dates confirmed by official sources are shown as “Confirmed dates”; otherwise the usual timing is given.
Last checked: 2026-09-30
