N Ways to Enjoy Snow: Stunning Snow Festivals Across Japan

By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Network, Li Xinyi, compiled and reported

 

December in Japan is the season of heavy snowfall. In the northern regions, winter activities go beyond skiing — throwing snowballs, building snowmen, having snowball fights, riding snowmobiles through the mountains, or even putting on snowshoes to stroll through snow-covered forests. These are all seasonal experiences. As the cold winds draw near, winter festivals across Japan are about to kick off.

Legend has it that Yuzawa’s Tsunan (formerly known as Jōetsu’s Tosu) is the birthplace of snow festivals. This year, the Tsunan Snow Festival will celebrate its 64th edition, running from February 15 to 17. The venue will feature over 20 attractions including “Snow Artworks” created by local citizens, regional cuisine, and a snow sports area called the “Festival Plaza,” as well as a massive snow-built stage performance known as the “Snow Carnival.” Kamakura (snow huts) originally stem from a traditional festival in Japan’s Tohoku region where locals built snow altars in January to worship the water deity, praying for a bountiful harvest and family safety. In recent years, it has become one of the main highlights of Tohoku’s winter celebrations. The snow huts come with furniture made of snow, offering a novel and fun experience that attracts many visitors. The Yokote region in Akita Prefecture still preserves this tradition, believed to date back 400 years. Visitors to Yokote in winter can enjoy the unique experience of snow huts. Meanwhile, the rare winter spectacle of Zao Tree Ice, which forms only in winter, hosts various celebratory events during its viewing period. On selected dates between December 29 and March 3, you can witness the “Illuminated Tree Ice.”

Hokkaido’s Noboribetsu Town, seeing few tourists in winter, saw its local youth initiate a snowball fight event in 1987 to boost the local economy. After officially establishing competition rules in 1988, the first Showa Shinzan International Snowball Fight was held the following year. Today, besides Japan, countries such as Finland, Norway, and Sweden have also joined in hosting snowball fight competitions. This year marks the 25th Showa Shinzan International Snowball Fight, taking place from February 23 to 24, 2013.

Among Japan’s many winter festivals, the Sapporo Snow Festival — the most representative and largest of them all — will be held next year from February 5 to 11 at three venues: Odori, Tsudome, and Susukino. Approximately 250 ice and snow sculptures are expected to be displayed. At the Odori venue, you can see a massive 15-meter snow sculpture along with creations by Sapporo citizens, plus around 150 ice and snow sculptures. When night falls, the illuminated displays offer a dreamy scene distinct from the daytime. The Asahikawa Winter Festival (February 6–11), second in scale only to Sapporo’s, is a celebration blending snow, ice, and light. Next year will mark its 54th edition, featuring giant snow and ice sculptures complemented by nighttime lighting, plus fireworks shows at both the opening and closing ceremonies.