Japan's winter festivals are in full swing – ice hot springs on lakes and snow caves to ring in the New Year

Written/Compiled and Reported by Liu Jiawen

The silver-white world of harsh winter and the dazzling snowy landscapes are beautiful sights of Japan’s winter season. Around this time, annual winter festivals and snow activities are in full swing across various regions, attracting visitors to experience them. In addition to the famous Sapporo Snow Festival, Daisetsuzan National Park in Hokkaido — specifically Lake Shikaribetsu within the park — takes advantage of its geographical features to set up an ice hotel, ice bar, ice concert hall, and ice hot spring. Meanwhile, in the Tohoku region, numerous snow festivals are also held. These include the shores of Lake Towada in Aomori Prefecture, which are adorned with decorative lights and feature a large ski jump where families can enjoy skiing together. Fireworks light up the lake at night. Kamakura (snow caves) are a traditional custom in the heavy-snowfall areas of Tohoku to celebrate the New Year. These snow caves are built from piled-up snow, with altars inside dedicated to the water deity. The kamakura tradition in Yokote, Akita Prefecture, has a history of 400 years. Visitors here can experience the joy of being inside a snow cave firsthand.

Besides attending festivals, don’t miss Japan’s winter-exclusive natural beauty. For example, in the Tohoku region, there are several waterfalls such as the Chōshi Falls and Kumoi Falls in the Oirase Gorge of Aomori. These fast-flowing waterfalls, when hit by the bitter cold, instantly turn into icicles and icefalls. Bathed in sunlight, they create beautiful scenes alongside the snow-covered rocks along the shore. The best period to see the natural wonder of juhyo in the Tohoku region is from early January to late February, and they can be seen in both Zaō Town, Miyagi Prefecture, and Kitaakita City, Akita Prefecture. In Nagano Prefecture, located in the central part of Honshu, the prefecture’s main river — the Agano River — offers a winter-only snow-viewing boat ride for visitors. Onboard, you can enjoy picturesque scenery that looks like an ink painting. The boat service runs from late December to early March.

For those who can’t take time off to travel to Japan, don’t be disappointed. This year, the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association is participating for the first time in the Taiwan Lantern Festival held in Lukang, Changhua, from February 6 to 19. In the “Creative Light Zone,” themed “Flying Snowflakes,” the snowy scenery of the Tohoku region is showcased. This includes Tsugaru Castle in Aizu-Wakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture; the Golden Hall of Chūson-ji Temple in Iwate Prefecture; the Akita Prefecture Hirosaki Castle Snow Lanterns; the Yokote City snow caves in Akita Prefecture; and the mascot MUSUBI-MARU from Miyagi Prefecture — allowing the public to experience the charm of Japan’s winter.

Japan’s Major Winter Festivals:

【Hokkaido】

Sapporo Snow Festival (Sapporo City)

Dates: February 6–12

Venue: Odori Park, Makomanai, Susukino

Shikotsu Lake Ice Festival (Chitose City)

Dates: January 27–February 12

Venue: Shikotsu Lake

Asahikawa Winter Festival (Asahikawa City)

Dates: February 8–12

Venue: Ishikari River, Asahikawa Shopping Park, Tokiwa Park, and Nagayama Green Road venue

Diamond Ice Party

Dates: January 20–February 20

Venue: Kawaguchiko Onsen at Lake Mashū

Kotan at Lake Shikaribetsu (Kawakami District)

Dates: January 28–March 31

Venue: Lake Shikaribetsu

Icebreaking Cruise GARINNKO for Drift Ice Viewing

Dates: January 20–March 31

Venue: Monbetsu

Icebreaking Cruise ORORA for Drift Ice Viewing

Dates: January 20–March 31

Venue: Abashiri

【Tohoku Region】

Towada Winter Story (Aomori Prefecture)

Dates: February 3–26

Venue: Lake Towada

Yokote Kamakura Festival (Akita Prefecture)

Dates: February 15–16

Venue: Yokote Park, Hagurocho, Futaba-cho

Iwate Snow Festival (Iwate Prefecture)

Dates: February 4–12

Venue: Koaike Ranch

Aizu Hiba Shouji Candle Festival (Fukushima Prefecture)

Dates: February 10–11

Venue: Tsuruga Castle, Aizu-Wakamatsu City

【Chubu Region】

Otari Snow Festival (Niigata Prefecture)

Dates: February 17–19

Venue: Otari