Complete Guide to Japan’s Winter Festivals 2026

The Charm of Winter in Japan

Japan’s winter season offers several unique attractions, such as:

• Beautiful snowy landscapes
• The chance to experience traditional Japanese culture

In Japan, people have long enjoyed seasonal customs like New Year celebrations and mochi pounding, especially during the snowy winter months.
Experiencing these traditions while surrounded by stunning winter scenery will make your trip to Japan even more memorable and enjoyable.

What Are Japanese Winter Festivals?

If you would like to experience traditional Japanese culture or enjoy the unique charm of Japan in winter, we recommend exploring its winter festivals.
In this section, we will briefly explain what winter festivals are and what makes them special.

 Origins of Winter Festivals

In Japan, winter festivals have long been held as a way to endure and celebrate the harsh winter season.
These festivals include prayers for daily well-being, gratitude for the year’s harvest, and celebrations welcoming the New Year.

Snow is considered a symbol of good fortune in Japan, so many winter festivals feature snow sculptures created to express appreciation to the gods.
In addition to snow, fire(often seen as a symbol of life)is frequently used in these festivals, creating a striking and atmospheric contrast.

 How to Enjoy Winter Festivals

So, how can you make the most of Japan’s winter festivals?
Here, we introduce three recommended ways to enjoy these snowy celebrations.

Practical Tips for Winter Travel in Japan

Japan can get extremely cold in winter, so knowing a few simple tips will help you enjoy winter festivals comfortably.
Here, we share some useful ways to stay warm and make the most of your winter festival experience.

Temperatures and What to Wear

In winter, temperatures in the Kanto and Kansai regions typically range from around 0°C to 10°C, while in Hokkaido they can drop to about –5°C to –15°C.
To stay comfortable, we recommend layering a heat-tech undershirt, a long-sleeve shirt, a sweater, and a thick winter coat. For the bottom, warm tights, long pants, and thick socks with sneakers work well.
Carrying hand warmers, a scarf, and gloves will help you enjoy winter festivals even more comfortably.

Transportation in Winter

During winter, train services may be suspended due to heavy snowfall.
Roads can also become extremely slippery, and vehicles without special winter tires may skid.
For travelers who want a comfortable and safe way to get around, using dedicated taxi services is highly recommended.

If you’d like to learn more about transportation in Japan, please refer to the article below.

Booking Tips

In Hokkaido, the winter season attracts a large number of visitors, which can make hotel reservations difficult. Even small hotels can become fully booked quickly.
If you want to secure a room without any trouble, it’s recommended to have a travel agency make the reservation on your behalf.

We’ve now covered several tips for traveling in Japan during winter—hopefully you’re starting to picture what your trip could look like.
If you’d like to know more specifically how much a trip to Japan might cost, please have a look at the article below as well.

2026 Quick Guide to Major Winter Festivals in Japan

Now let’s take a look at the winter festivals happening across Japan in 2026.
Below is an at-a-glance table summarizing the key festivals, including their dates, locations, and main highlights.
If you’re interested in Japan’s winter events, feel free to explore the list.

Festival Name	2026 Dates	Region
Sapporo Snow Festival (Hokkaido)	February 4–11, 2026	Sapporo, Hokkaido
Asahikawa Winter Festival(Hokkaido)	February 6–11, 2026	Hokkaido
Otaru Snow Light Path Festival(Hokkaido)	February 7–14, 2026	Otaru, Hokkaido
Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival	Around February 6–11 but official 2026 date TBD — check locally	Aomori
Yokote Kamakura Festival	February 13–14, 2026	Yokote City, Akita
TOKYO SNOW DOME CITY	Around November 17, 2025 – March 1, 2026	Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
Roppongi Hills Christmas / Keyakizaka Illumination	November 4 – December 25, 2025 (based on the usual schedule)	Minato-ku, Tokyo
Kobe Luminarie	January 30 – February 8, 2026	Kobe, Hyogo
Osaka Midosuji Illumination	November 2025 – Early January 2026 (typical schedule)	Osaka City

Japan is home to many unique winter festivals.
From here, let’s take a closer look at the features and highlights of each one.

Regional Guide to Japan’s Winter Festivals (2026)

From here, we’ll take a deeper look at the winter festivals introduced in the table above.
In addition to Hokkaido, we’ve also included festivals near major travel hubs like Tokyo and the Kansai region, so feel free to find the events that are easiest for you to visit.

Hokkaido Winter Festivals

Let’s begin with Hokkaido, the region known for having the most beautiful snow in Japan.
The vast landscapes covered in pure white snow are truly breathtaking.
If you want to experience the essence of a Japanese winter, Hokkaido is a destination you shouldn’t miss.

Sapporo Snow Festival (Hokkaido)

Japan’s largest winter festival, featuring enormous snow and ice sculptures.
The illuminated displays are stunning at night.

Asahikawa Winter Festival

Amazingly large snow statues — sometimes Guinness-record scale — plus ice sculptures, snow slides, and night illumination make this festival a full winter wonderland.

Otaru Snow Light Path Festival(Hokkaido)

Charming canal town of Otaru glows under thousands of candle-lit lanterns set on snow — a peaceful, romantic winter walk unlike big city festivals.

Tohoku Winter Festivals

Next, let’s take a look at the Tohoku region in northern Japan.
Tohoku is not only known for its beautiful snow but also for its unique traditional culture. It’s an ideal destination for travelers who want to experience both winter scenery and Japanese cultural traditions at the same time.

Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival

At historical Hirosaki Castle, hundreds of snow lanterns and mini-snow huts softly illuminate the winter night — combining traditional architecture, snow, and candlelight for a magical atmosphere.

Yokote Kamakura Festival

Cute snow huts (“kamakura”) and local hospitality bring old-style winter traditions to life — perfect if you want to experience cozy, small-town Japan in snow.

If you feel that most winter festivals are too far away because they’re mainly held in Hokkaido or northern Japan, don’t worry.
Here, we introduce winter festivals in the Tokyo and Osaka that are easy to visit from major cities.

Tokyo winter festivals

Snow rarely accumulates in Tokyo, but the city makes up for it with stunning winter illuminations.
The combination of shimmering lights and the glow of skyscrapers creates a magical atmosphere. Tokyo is the perfect place to enjoy both iconic sightseeing spots and the unique charm of winter.

TOKYO SNOW DOME CITY

Tokyo Dome City is transformed into a winter-themed illumination area with about one million LED lights, creating a magical snow-dome atmosphere.

Roppongi Hills Christmas / Keyakizaka Illumination

Roppongi Hills and Keyakizaka Street shine with elegant white and blue lights, offering one of Tokyo’s most iconic winter night views.

Kansai Winter Festivals

In the Kansai region, you can experience Kobe Luminarie, often called “Japan’s most beautiful illumination.”
Its breathtaking light displays stretch for meters, creating a stunning work of art. Osaka also offers spectacular winter illuminations, with entire streets glowing brilliantly through the season.

Kobe Luminarie

This grand illumination event features breathtaking light tunnels and monuments, held in remembrance of the victims of the Great Hanshin Earthquake.

Osaka Midosuji Illumination

Osaka’s main boulevard, Midosuji, lights up for several kilometers with colorful LEDs, turning the entire street into a glowing winter promenade.

Winter Festivals × Japanese Cultural Experiences

If you’re coming all the way to experience a traditional Japanese snow festival, why not enjoy some cultural activities as well?
Trying new cultural experiences can broaden your perspective and make your trip even more meaningful.
Here are three Japanese cultural activities that pair perfectly with a snow festival visit.

Culinary Experiences

If you’re visiting Japan in winter, why not try traditional Japanese New Year cuisine?
With a cooking experience, you can learn directly from a professional chef one-on-one, or enjoy having special New Year dishes prepared just for you.
It’s a perfect activity for anyone interested in food or traditional cultures.

Click the button below if you’d like to learn more about this experience.

Traditional Crafts Experience

During Japan’s harsh winter months, people traditionally spent time indoors making items such as straw sandals and umbrellas.
Why not try this unique craft experience for yourself?
Creating traditional and beautifully crafted Japanese items by hand is sure to be an exciting and memorable activity.

If you’re interested in this craft experience, please click the button below.

Tailor-Made Cultural Activities

Among all the options, the most recommended activity is a custom-made cultural experience.
With a tailor-made plan, you can design your cultural activities based entirely on what you want to do.
Transportation is also included, making travel smooth and stress-free.
This is a perfect choice for those who want to enjoy Japan efficiently and in a truly special way.

If you’re interested in a tailor-made cultural experience, please click the button below.

3 Day Sample Winter Itineraries

Here, we will introduce a three-day sample itinerary that combines a snow festival with traditional Japanese cultural experiences.
If you’re planning a trip to Japan in winter, feel free to use this as a reference for your travels

Spending winter in Japan can be an exciting and memorable experience.
If you’d like to explore more ideas for winter travel, please check the articles below as well.

 FAQ

Here, we have compiled some frequently asked questions about winter travel and their answers.
We hope that reading these will help ease any concerns you may have before your trip.

 I’m worried about transportation

Transportation in Japan can become challenging during the winter season.
Snow may cause train delays or cancellations, and roads can become slippery, making driving difficult.
To minimize these issues, the most reliable options are to plan ahead and consider using transportation services such as private transfers.

 I’m not sure if I can secure accommodation

In regions known for winter sports—such as Hokkaido—hotels can be difficult to book due to their popularity.
If you want to secure a room with confidence, using a travel agency for reservation support is highly recommended.
Travel agencies can help you find the perfect accommodation that matches your preferences, whether you’re looking for beautiful snowy views or a more private and exclusive atmosphere.

 I’m concerned about the language barrier

In rural areas such as Hokkaido, it may be difficult to find people who speak English.
If you are concerned about language barriers, joining a guided tour is a great option.
Multilingual guides can assist you by communicating with local staff on your behalf, making your trip much smoother and more comfortable.

How to travel without worries

There is an easy way to solve all of these concerns: joining a custom-made tour.
With a tailor-made tour, everything is handled for you—transportation, interpretation, hotel and airport arrangements, reservations for attractions, and even itinerary planning. This makes your trip significantly easier and more comfortable.
For those who want to travel to Japan but feel unsure about making reservations on their own, using these services or consulting a travel support desk is an excellent option.

Experience the Full Charm of Japan in Winter 2026

We have now explored the charm of Japan’s snow festivals and shared tips on how to enjoy them to the fullest.
Winter in Japan is a wonderful season where you can experience both breathtaking scenery and rich traditional culture.

However, it is also a busy travel period, and you may encounter challenges with reservations or transportation.
If you need assistance at any point, please feel free to contact us.
We sincerely hope your trip becomes a truly memorable experience.