Written by Greg Lane
Hakodate has a special connection to Russia. In the wild west frontier days of the Meiji period, Russia had a significant influence on Hakodate with a Russian delegation being one of the first foreign consulates to be established after the opening up of Japan in the early 1860s.
To celebrate this connection, the Hakodate Russian Festival has been held since 1994. Part of the festival is the tradition of Maslenitsa – a Russian orthodox celebration similar in significance to the start of lent.
There will also be a ‘Russian Cafe’, introduction to Russian language classes and a ‘play with chess’ session.
Suggested Activity
Go Bar Hopping in Osaka [With Full Dinner]
Spend an evening exploring the bars in Osaka's popular nightlife district of Namba. Sample tasty Japanese pub-style food, and wash it down with your choice of drinks, from sake to umeshu and beer — all in the company of a knowledgeable guide!
The venue for the festival is the Russian Far East Federal University, Hakodate Campus.
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.
Feb 9, 2019
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11:00am – 3:00pm
Official site
⚠️ Link in Japanese
- 1.6 km from Hakodate Station Hakodate Main Line (Hakodate section) (H75)
Typical weather at this time:
High: -5 ºC
Low: -12 ºC
