Highlights
- Gigantic snow sculpture used as a live stage
- Ice Sculpture World Championship
- Snow slides, sleigh rides, ice bar
Background & story
Held since 1960, the festival once built the Guinness-record largest snow sculpture and remains a Hokkaido winter highlight.
Good to know for visitors
- Getting there
- Shuttle/bus from JR Asahikawa Station Open directions in Google Maps ↗
- Booking & entry
- Free to attend — details on the official page (button above).
- Language
- Mostly in Japanese — a translation app on your phone helps.
- Good for
- families, groups of friends
Good to know
The 68th edition runs 6–11 February 2027 (official). Those six days overlap the 77th Sapporo Snow Festival (4–11 February 2027), so the two combine easily. Venues and opening hours for 2027 have not been announced; through 2026 the main sites were the Asahibashi riverside and Heiwa-dori shopping park.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the Asahikawa Winter Festival 2027?
- 6–11 February 2027, six days — the 68th edition (official site, checked 2026-09-18). Opening hours are not published.
- Where is it held in 2027?
- The 2027 venues have not been announced (checked 2026-09-18). Through 2026 the main sites were the Asahibashi riverside and the Heiwa-dori shopping park in central Asahikawa.
- Does it overlap the Sapporo Snow Festival?
- Yes — in 2027 its 6–11 February run falls inside the 77th Sapporo Snow Festival (4–11 February 2027, snowfes.com).
Getting there
Central Asahikawa (2027 venues not yet announced) — Asahikawa, Hokkaido