Written by Lily Crossley-Baxter
Researched by Patrick Balfe
The Sapporo Snow Festival is an amazing experience, but don’t stop there — there are plenty of other spectacular winter festivals in Japan. The north of Japan is filled with celebrations in the colder months. You’ll find sculptures, fire-cleansing, and snow slides making appearances in places like Akita, Nagano, and everywhere in between.
As well as seeing incredible creations, you can combine your trip with some skiing or soaking in onsen towns.
Read on to learn about Japan’s top winter festivals and how to reach them from Tokyo, with or without a rail pass.
1. Sapporo Snow Festival
February2 hours 30 minutes from Tokyo
Hokkaidō
The Sapporo Snow Festival is one of Japan’s biggest events, and by far the most famous festival in the north. Taking over Hokkaidō’s capital city for a week each February, it has three sites filled with incredible snow sculptures, light shows, and snowy activities, along with plenty of food stalls to keep you fueled. Admire intricate creations crafted by teams from around the world and enjoy live performances and interactive elements.
The Odori Park and Susukino sites have been stalwart sites for sculpture displays and the Tsudome site is making a return again in 2026 with snow activities for all ages.
Since the festival takes place in the heart of Sapporo, you can see some of the city’s sights at the same time, with the Sapporo Beer Museum, famed clock tower and markets galore, not to mention exploring Sapporo’s incredible food scene.
Getting to the Sapporo Snow Festival
The quickest way to reach Sapporo from Tokyo is to fly to Sapporo’s New Chitose Airport. The flight time is 1.5 hours, and then it’s just under 40 minutes on the train to Sapporo. Look at low-cost carriers like Air Do, Peach, and Jetstar for cheap tickets.
If you want to take in the sights, the bullet train will take you from Tokyo all the way up to Shin-Hakodate, where you can hop onto a Limited Express to Sapporo. The journey takes between 7-8 hours and costs over ¥28,000 one way though, so we can’t really recommend it unless you have a JR Pass.
Pro tip: Check out our full guide on travel from Tokyo to Sapporo for tips on getting a through-ticket discount — plus some bus and ferry options!
2. Zaō Snow Monster Festival
December to February3 hours 30 minutes from Tokyo
Yamagata
During heavy snowfall, the trees covering the slopes of Zaō Snow Village take on unusual shapes, becoming juhyō — snow monsters. In the evenings from late December to February, the monsters are illuminated. You can see them from the Zao Ropeway (¥4,400 return), which doubles as the ski lift.
The town also has a great selection of hot springs to try, so this is an excellent weekend getaway if you are looking for some sport and onsen action to go with your festival.
There are also a few special events during the Zaō Snow Monster Festival. From 8 p.m. on Saturday, February 7 you can watch as around 1000 skiers and snowboarders make their way down the Uenodai Slope, carrying LED lights as they slide and jump through the air.
Getting to the Zaō Snow Monster Festival
The nearest transit hub for Zaō is Yamagata, which is a stop on the Yamagata Shinkansen. The journey from Tokyo takes 2 hours and 45 minutes and costs around ¥11,250. From Yamagata, catch a bus onwards to Zaō Onsen Bus Terminal. The trip costs ¥1,000 or so, takes 40–50 minutes each way, and runs roughly hourly; full timetable here.
You can also reach Zaō Onsen via direct bus from Sendai during the event period. The bus departs from bus stop no. 76 (outside the east exit) daily at 8 and 9 a.m. and takes around 85 minutes. The return bus leaves Zaō Onsen at 3:30 and 4:30 p.m., giving you a full day out. Tickets are ¥2,500 each way and reservations can be made online here from one month in advance (in Japanese).
Train travel between Tokyo and either Yamagata or Sendai is covered by the countrywide Japan Rail Pass, as well as by several regional rail passes from JR East. Both visitors and foreign residents alike can take advantage of JR East’s Tōhoku Area Pass, which covers travel to Yamagata.
3. Nozawa Fire Festival
January 15 every year2 hours 30 minutes from Tokyo
Nagano
One of Japan’s three great fire festivals, the Nozawa Fire Festival is a spectacular sight, with towering flames set against a backdrop of snow. A shaden (shrine) is built from local trees, which villagers carry through the town before construction. The local Kosuge Shrine sends a priest to bless the structure and endow it with a dōsojin, a god who protects travelers. The festival is also known as the Nozawa Onsen Dōsojin Matsuri.
Then, on the 15th of January each year, a battle takes place, culminating in the shaden being set alight with burning torches. The ages of 25 and 42 are considered unlucky for men in Japan; therefore, it is these ages that stand against the festive firelighting.
Sake is handed out, and locals revel in the celebrations late into the night, so staying local is key if you want to join in! Accommodation in the area fills up fast, so be sure to book early if you want to attend (Chouchinya and Lodge Matsuya are some decently priced and centrally located options). Or consider staying nearby, like Myōkō, and taking a shuttle to the event.
Getting to the Nozawa Onsen Dōsojin Matsuri
From Tokyo, catch the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Iiyama Station (1 hour 45 minutes). From there, hop on the bus to Nozawa Onsen Village — it takes around 30 minutes and costs ¥600. Alternatively, you can take the JR Iiyama Line to Togari Nozawa Onsen Station, and then take a 10-minute taxi ride.
The whole journey from Tokyo costs approximately ¥9,500. The Shinkansen journey is covered by the Japan Rail Pass, as well as JR East’s Nagano & Niigata Area Pass.
4. Tadami Snow Festival
Second weekend of February4 hours from Tokyo
Fukushima
A small town hosting a big festival, Tadami is well known across the region for its snow celebration featuring fireworks, ice sculptures, and more. The main sculpture rivals those seen at the Sapporo Snow Festival in size and grandeur.
There is a competition for local sculptors, who have only 20 days to create their masterpieces before the judging. At night, the main sculpture is illuminated, and a fire-cleansing ritual takes place to alleviate misfortune and pray for good health.
There is also a Shintō dance in the snow, during which men carry a portable shrine through the celebrations. You can further expect music, dance performances, food stalls, and a fireworks show to end each evening.
Getting to the Tadami Snow Festival
Tadami is in eastern Fukushima Prefecture, near the border with Niigata. To reach Tadami Station from Tokyo, take the Jōetsu Shinkansen to Echigo-Yuzawa or Urasa, where you can change for the JR Jōetsu line for Koide. At Koide, transfer to the JR Tadami line for Tadami Station. The total journey takes anywhere from 3 to 5 hours (depending on transfer time) and costs around ¥10,000. The Tadami Line, in particular, runs infrequently.
The whole journey is covered by the Japan Rail Pass, as well as by several regional rail passes offered by JR East. The Tokyo Wide Pass, which costs ¥15,000 for 3 days of travel, also covers the Shinkansen journey to Echigo-Yuzawa.
Note: The festival site is in front of Tadami Station.
5. Otaru Snow Light Path Festival
Early to mid-February30 minutes from Sapporo
Hokkaidō
This once-small festival has grown steadily since 1999, attracting over 500,000 visitors each year. This is partly due to the magical displays of candle-lit snow, but also due to it being held around the same time as the Sapporo Snow Festival. And Otaru is only a 30-minute train ride away from Sapporo.
There are a variety of displays in two main areas, and countless private ones that come together to light the town as a whole. Schools, community groups, and even businesses (like KFC!) create displays that range from adorable to terrifying. The town’s central canal, one of the main spots, is covered with floating candles. The other main spot is the former Temiya Railway line, which features a snow tunnel and plenty of great photo spots.
If you’re keen to try a hot spring to warm up in the cold, you can head out to Asarigawa Onsen Town, which has its own light displays along the river, as well as plenty of nice warming baths available.
Otaru itself is a wonderful place to explore, and the festival atmosphere is fantastic. From the dangerous-looking but extremely fun snow slides (do it, trust us) to the German beer halls, this is a community-driven festival that’ll welcome you with open arms.
Getting to the Otaru Snow Light Path Festival
From Sapporo, Otaru is an easy 30-minute, ¥1,590 limited-express train journey on the JR Hakodate line. (Or a 45-minute local train ride that costs ¥750). Traveling from Tokyo, it can be cheaper and quicker to fly to Sapporo than to use the train system. Check our Tokyo to Sapporo transport guide for details on getting between the two cities.
Pro tip: A Sapporo–Noboribetsu Area Pass from JR Hokkaidō covers rail travel — including travel on limited-express trains — between New Chitose Airport, Sapporo, Otaru, and Noboribetsu Onsen over four days, for ¥10,000.
6. Kamihinokinai Paper Balloon Festival
February 10 every year4 hours from Tokyo
Akita
The original purpose of the Paper Balloon Festival in Akita was to pray for a good rice harvest by releasing balloons, beautifully decorated and covered in wishes. The festival dates back to the Edo period; however, these days, the wishes aren’t limited to bountiful grain.
Some balloons are as tall as eight meters and require a small team to engineer their successful release into the night sky. A second release follows, with smaller lanterns bearing personal wishes (since the larger ones tend to be covered with businesses’ hopes).
The balloons are all made from paper and sealed with rice-based glue. You can find some decorated with colorful depictions of famed characters. Exactly two months before the festival, people from all eight districts of the town join together to make the balloons.
It is recommended that you arrive before 5 p.m. to see the full event and write your own wish on one of the balloons. There are food stalls selling local specialties and drinks in the park.
Getting to the Kamihinokinai Paper Balloon Festival
Catch the Akita Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kakunodate (3 hours), and switch to the Jukan Railway to take you to Kamihinokinai Station, from where it is a 5- to 10-minute walk to the main festival area.
The final 40-minute journey on the private Jukan Railway is not covered by any rail passes and costs ¥780. However, you can use a JR Pass or either a Tōhoku Area Pass or a East–South Hokkaidō Pass from JR East to cover the Shinkansen journey. The full journey would cost around ¥17,800 one-way without a rail pass.
7. Yokote Kamakura Snow Festival
February 15 to 16 every year3 hours 30 minutes from Tokyo
Akita
Kamakura, in addition to being a popular day trip from Tokyo, means something like “snow hut” in Japanese — and that’s exactly what you’ll find at this completely different winter wonderland festival in northern Japan. With a history dating back over 450 years, the Yokote Kamakura Snow Festival features dozens of snow structures throughout the city, each containing a snowy altar for people to pray to the water deity.
The main spots are at the Kamakurakan Hall, which is open specially for the festival and is found just past the Janosaki Bridge. The river also has a stream of glowing miniature kamakura, and the local elementary school has a great display, too.
Local residents will be cooking rice cakes on charcoal grills and serving up warming amazake (a traditional non-alcoholic drink made from rice) to keep everyone toasty. There will also be some creative snow sculptures and traditional food stalls around the Kamakurakan Hall, so that’s a great place to start your tour!
Getting to the Yokote Kamakura Snow Festival
You can reach Yokote Station quite easily from Tokyo; it takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes to 4 hours, depending on transfer time. Take the Akita Shinkansen to Ōmagari Station (3 hrs and 15 mins) before changing to the local JR Ou line for the final 15-minute journey to Yokote. The whole trip costs approximately ¥17,350 one-way, but is completely covered by the countrywide JR Pass as well as the Tōhoku Area Pass and the East–South Hokkaidō Pass from JR East.
8. People-Throwing and Ash-Smearing Festival
January 15 every yearAround 3 hours from Tokyo
Niigata
Every 15 January, the tiny hot-spring town of Matsunoyama Onsen stages one of Japan’s more eyebrow-raising New Year rituals. During the event, newlywed grooms are hauled up to a five-meter-high platform by Yakushidō Shrine, then cheerfully hurled into the deep snow below — fun. The idea is to send the couple into married life with a good dose of luck and fertility.
After the flying grooms comes the suminuri ash-smearing — a ceremonial fire is lit, and participants mix ash and snow into a dark slush, then smear it over one another’s faces while shouting congratulations. Once the rituals wrap up, you can thaw out in Matsunoyama’s famously hot, mineral-rich baths, counted among Japan’s top medicinal onsen.
Getting to the Mukonage and Suminuri Festival
From Tokyo Station, take the Jōetsu Shinkansen to Echigo-Yuzawa Station (about 75 to 90 minutes; around ¥7,000 one way). From Echigo-Yuzawa, transfer to the Hokuhoku Line and ride to Matsudai Station (about 30 to 50 minutes, depending on the service). From Matsudai, take the local Tōkei Bus to the last stop, Matsunoyama Onsen. The bus ride takes roughly thirty minutes and costs around ¥520.
Travel between Tokyo and Echigo-Yuzawa is covered by the nationwide Japan Rail Pass and several JR East regional passes, including the Nagano–Niigata Area Pass, which can be good value if you are hopping around snow-country spots in the region.
9. Kayabuki no Sato Snow (Miyama Village) Lantern Festival
Select evenings in JanuaryAround 2 hours from Kyoto
Kyoto Prefecture
Miyama’s Yukitōrō—literally “snow light path”—draws thousands for its quietly dramatic winter scenes. The hamlet’s snow-covered, thatched farmhouses (18 in total) are illuminated, while hundreds of lanterns line the lanes.
The festival runs from 5 to 7 p.m., with food stalls open from 3 p.m. serving local snacks and warm drinks. On January 21, watch traditional dance performances, join in the rhythmic thump of mochi-pounding, and enjoy bowls of red-bean soup.
Getting to the Kayabuki no Sato Snow Lantern Festival
From Kyoto Station, take the JR line to Sonobe or Hiyoshi Station (roughly 45–60 minutes; about ¥600). From either station, continue by Nantan City Bus to Kita Village, which takes around an hour. Note that there are no late return buses, so check schedules carefully or plan private transport for the return trip.
A special shuttle bus will also run from Sonobe Station on event days; details are announced on the official bus website closer to the date.
If you’re travelling more widely around the region, journeys to Kyoto are covered by the Japan Rail Pass and several JR West regional passes.
Honorable mentions
These are some of our other favorite winter events worth checking out around the country.
Noboribetsu Onsen “Naked Man” Festival
Early February1 hour from Sapporo
Hokkaidō
Officially the Noboribetsu Onsen Hot Water Festival, this chilly midwinter ritual sees loincloth-clad men split into two teams and hurl hot-spring water at each other before coming together to parade a sizeable phallus mikoshi through the onsen town.
Getting to the Noboribetsu Onsen “Naked Man” Festival
Take the JR Limited Express from Sapporo to Noboribetsu Station (about 75 minutes), then hop on a local bus to Noboribetsu Onsen (around 15 minutes). Trains to Sapporo are covered by the Japan Rail Pass.
Yunishigawa Onsen Kamakura Festival
January onwardsAround 3 hours from Tokyo
Tochigi
Yunishigawa Onsen turns into a snowy lantern village as hundreds of mini-kamakura (tiny igloos) light up the Sawaguchi Riverbed on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings.
The glow of the lanterns against the snow is the festival’s signature scene, but you’ll also find full-size kamakura, snowy viewpoints, and plenty of hot springs to dip into during the day.
Getting to the Yunishigawa Onsen Kamakura Festival
From Asakusa Station, take the limited express to Kinugawa Onsen (about 2 hours). From there, either take a 55-minute bus to the Sawaguchi Riverbed, or continue by train to Yunishigawa Onsen Station and hop on a 20-minute bus into town.
Dada-dō Onihashiri
JanuaryAround 5 hours from Tokyo
Nara
Held for more than 500 years, this dramatic fire ritual at Nenbutsu Temple is one of Japan’s most striking new-year traditions. As drums, trumpets, and bells echo through the dark hall, three ogres, each wielding a flaming torch, charge through the temple to chase off bad spirits and protect the year’s good fortune.
Getting to the Dada-dō Onihashiri
The nearest station is Yamato-Futami on the JR Wakayama Line. From Tokyo, take the Shinkansen to Kyoto or Shin-Osaka, then transfer to the JR network toward Nara and onward to Yamato-Futami.
The full trip takes around 4.5 to 5 hours, depending on connections. From Yamato-Futami Station, it’s a 35-minute walk to Nenbutsu Temple, but a shuttle bus runs from the Ueno Park parking lot (about 20 minutes from the station).
FAQs
Still have questions? Is each as individual as a snowflake? Hopefully not, but we’ll do our best to answer them anyway.
How cold does it get in Japan?
Japan is a “long” country, with everything from ski resorts to tropical islands, so this depends heavily on where you are. In Hokkaidō (the nation’s northernmost island), the average January temperature is -2°C (28°F), whereas in Tokyo it ranges from 2°C (35°F) to 10°C (50°F).
If you branch down to Osaka and Kyoto, you’ll have daily averages of around 5°C (41°F), whereas in tropical Okinawa, you can enjoy a mild average of 15°C (59°F).
Does it snow in Japan?
Japan definitely sees snow, and the famous snow-capped Mt. Fuji is just the start. While Hokkaidō and northern Japan see the most consistent snowfall (from late November to March), the capital, Tokyo, may see only a few days of snow each year.
In Kyoto and Osaka, it can snow often; however, it rarely sticks, meaning you’ll only get around 3-4 chances to see the postcard version of Kinkakuji Temple.
Where does it snow in Japan?
The majority of northern Japan has reliable snowfall throughout winter, but for the rest of Japan, it depends on the lay of the land. Mountainous regions as far south-west as Shikoku and Hiroshima see snow most years, and even the city of Fukuoka on Kyushu has occasional snow.
While Tokyo only sees snow a couple of times a year, with around 5-10cm (2-4 inches) to play with, neighboring areas like Fuji, Nagano, and Niigata have enough for smaller ski resorts (check out our list of ski resorts near Tokyo if you fancy a trip).
What winter holidays are celebrated in Japan?
Japan has a host of traditional (and less so) holidays and festivals in winter. Christmas has been adopted and takes on a more symbolic couples theme, with Christmas Eve and Christmas Day being major ones for dates and even proposals.
New year in Japan sees the tradition of the first shrine or temple visit (called hatsumode), special symbolic dishes called osechi ryori, and sending New Year’s cards called nengajō. A little later in February, there’s Setsubun, a day when throwing beans at demons offers you good luck for the year.
What is the biggest winter festival in Japan?
Known worldwide, the Sapporo Snow Festival is undoubtedly the biggest winter festival in Japan. Check our number-1 listing above for more details, and make sure you book early as hundreds of thousands visit each year! The nearby Otaru Light Festival (mentioned above) is only half an hour away and adds a whole new area to explore.
While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change. This post was originally published in December 2017. Last updated: December 2025 by Patrick Balfe.
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