Winter festivals are one of the main reasons for people traveling to Japan in winter. Winter in Japan is freezing, especially in northern regions such as Tohoku, Hokkaido, and Kita Kanto. One of the best ways to enjoy Japan’s snowy and icy winter is to visit the Snow Festival.
Starting From December-January up to March, many winter festivals are held across the country, including spectacular snow-white, lighting, ice sculptures, and traditional Japanese winter scenery.
Winter Festival-Asahikawa
Asahikawa is famous for its ground-breaking snow sculptures, a vast frozen building that serves as the festival’s center every year. This colossal building can double as a stage and hosts many live music performances and fireworks displays. Simultaneously, in the city center, you can watch the work of artisans who are making gorgeous ice sculptures as part of international competition. After completion, these lights will be beautifully illuminated at night. If you feel energetic, please skate on the ice rink, ride a snowmobile, build a snowman, and then exit the ice!
Sa Tama Prefecture Chichibu Night Festival – December
In Japan, fireworks are generally regarded as a preservation place for summer festivals, but you can avoid humidity and sprinkle a little color on the most transparent sky in winter. Take a 90-minute train ride from Tokyo to celebrate the Chichibu Night Festival in Sa Tama Prefecture.
Lanterns illuminate the huge colored lights on the street (we imagine the carrier will not feel cold), followed by an impressive two and a half-hour fireworks display. There is nothing better than holding a cup of hot Tianhe (sweet rice wine) between gloves when watching the celebration.
Nozawa Onsen Tosho God Festival
The Nozawa Fire Festival is one among the three essential firefighting matsuri in Japan. It is a spectacular sight, with towering flames surrounded by snow. A shrine (shadow) was built with local trees, and villagers would pass through the town before being assembled. The local Kosuge Shrine sent a priest to bless the building and give it a dosojin to protect foreign travelers.
The Sapporo Yuki Festival
Sapporo Yuki, Snow Festival, is the largest snow-festival of Japan. It started its journey in 1950, hoping to attract a large number of tourists. It is said that Hokkaido has many things to do and see throughout the year, and this festival is just a festival you will be happy to experience. It is held in Odori Park in Sapporo’s center every year in the second week of February.
More than 2 million domestic and foreign tourists participated in this festival. They are all interested in visiting this winter festival because it provides a unique experience and is once in a lifetime. Don’t you think it’s worth staying here to observe the rows of giant ice sculptures through live performances? Then what are you waiting for? Make Copa Airlines Reservations and visit japan this winter.
Jujube Monster Festival
Snow monsters may not precisely meet your expectations, but there is no denying that they are impressive. In winter, snow-capped mountains are covered with mountains. These trees will take on unique indescribable shapes during heavy snowfall and become like juhyo, which is the backdrop for the impressive and distinctive snow festival on the slopes of Zao Snow Village.
On Saturday night of the music festival, you can see hundreds of skiers and snowboarders sliding down from the Uenodai Ski Resort, sliding and jumping in the air with red torches. The mascot followed, and the event ended with an impressive firework display.
Otaru Snow Road with lights Festival
The Lovely and picturesque town in Otaru, Hokkaido, hosts an equally lovely and picturesque annual snow festival. Hundreds of small lanterns float in the canal and line up on the edge of the channel. Their soft glow reflects in the water, creating an excellent comfortable, and romantic atmosphere. There is also a small illuminated snow statue next to the town’s abandoned train tracks, where you can stroll peacefully in a fairytale-like scene.
Fukuoka Wildfire Festival
Oniyo is one of the three major firefighting festivals in Japan. After 1600 years of practice, it may also be one of the oldest traditions. It was held on January 7 in Fukuoka at Daizenji Tamataregu Shrine and practiced to dispel evil spirits. The shrine was guarded by fire for a week until a large group of people wrapped around their waists transferred the flames to six giant torches and then paraded around the shrine.
Visit Japan by making Air Canada Reservations, and Obviously, if embers fall on you, that’s excellent luck – the hole in your favorite jacket will always bring back happy memories.
