The Asahikawa Winter Festival is one of Hokkaido’s most iconic winter events, drawing visitors from around the world to experience enormous snow sculptures, interactive snow zones, and family-friendly attractions in the heart of Asahikawa, Hokkaido.
Held every February in Asahikawa City, this winter festival celebrates snow and ice with breathtaking scale and creativity. Unlike other snow festivals that focus mainly on displays, Asahikawa’s event emphasizes hands-on experiences—from gigantic snow slides to interactive play zones—making it perfect for families and winter lovers alike.
The festival started as a community effort to turn abundant winter snow into positive energy and has grown over more than six decades into one of northern Japan’s largest winter events.
📅 Event Overview
Dates: February 6 (Fri) – February 11 (Wed, holiday) 2026 (6 days)
Location: Multiple venues in Asahikawa, including
Ishikari River Riverside (Asahibashi Bridge area)
Heiwa Street Shopping Park (city center)
Admission: Free for all visitors
Official Website: https://asahikawa-winterfes.jp/
This six-day winter celebration takes place in early February, at the same time as Sapporo’s Snow Festival, making it easy to visit both events during the same trip.
