Winter travel in Japan means festivals, food, and shopping galore!

Text by MOOK Editorial Department

 

Every early February, when heavy snow falls, Sapporo’s Odori Park unveils the dreamlike "Sapporo Snow Festival." During the festival, the park is divided into two sides with a wide avenue on each, and in between are displayed all kinds of giant snow sculptures. At the theme square, there are colorful laser light projections, super-large snow sculptures as tall as five stories, and regularly scheduled performances that attract thousands of visitors to stop and admire.

Today, the Sapporo Snow Festival is held at three venues: Odori Park and Tsudome in Sapporo City, and Susukino. Among these, the Odori venue in the city center is the most accessible. In summer, it’s a green promenade; in winter, it transforms into a white corridor of ice sculptures. The park is divided into two sides with a wide avenue on each, and in between are various huge snow statues. The International Square is an area where ice sculptors from around the world showcase their skills, offering a glimpse of the creativity of each national team.

The theme square is the highlight of the snow festival. Each year, a specific theme is chosen, and massive ice sculptures as tall as five stories are created from snow and ice, enhanced by colorful laser lights that produce vivid lighting effects. Combined with various performances, the lively atmosphere continues from day to night. As for the Susukino and Satoland venues, they mainly feature large snow slides and a variety of snow activities, allowing all visitors to enjoy playing in the snow together.

 

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Fans of oysters shouldn’t miss the Miyajima Oyster Festival held on the second weekend of February. The Seto Inland Sea, nestled between Hiroshima Prefecture and Miyajima Island, is known for calm waves and abundant migratory marine life, making it a haven for oysters and the top oyster-producing region in Japan. The oysters here are known for their plump texture and rich, delicious flavor. Hiroshima’s oyster harvest season runs from November to March, and the cold weather makes it the perfect time to enjoy their taste. During the peak season, the area is filled with a joyful atmosphere of oyster feasting, with restaurants offering a variety of oyster-based dishes to celebrate.

 

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Kifune Shrine, a popular spot in Kyoto, implements a special snow illumination from January 1st to February 28th. Against a silver-white world, the vermilion lanterns lining the shrine’s approach glow brilliantly at night, creating a stunning contrast with the snowy scenery—a particularly moving sight. Netizens have even praised illuminated Kifune Shrine as “the most dreamlike shrine in Japan when it snows.” The snow illumination is lit from sunset until 8:00 PM each day, and whether it will be lit on a given day is announced on the official website by 3:00 PM. If you’re visiting Kyoto during this period, consider adding Kifune Shrine to your itinerary.

 

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