Asahikawa Winter Festival

When: February 7th, 2024 (Wed) to February 12th, 2024 (Mon)

URL: https://asahikawa-winterfes.jp/

There are fireworks on the first and last day.

The Asahikawa Winter Festival, the second biggest snow festival, held in the city of Asahikawa, home of the famous Asahiyama Zoo, started in 1960. The main venue is located on the banks of the grand Ishikari River, best known for its giant snow sculptures. The main snow sculpture in 1987, called "Gulliver's Castle," even made it into the Guinness Book of World Records (updated in 1994 to a sculpture of World Heritage site, Hwaseong Fortress). A varied program distinctive of the snow country is prepared, including giant snow slides and snow sculpture classes, while the Ice Carving World Fair is held at the same time.

There are free shuttle buses at the Asahikawa JR station that go to the winter festival site.