Asahikawa Winter Festival 2023 - Hokkaido, Japan
As I continued making my way around Hokkaido, I made a stop in Asahikawa—not only to visit the well-known Asahikawa Zoo, but also to time my stay with the city’s annual Winter Festival. While smaller in scale than the Sapporo Snow Festival, the Asahikawa Winter Festival is still considered the second-largest winter festival in Hokkaido. It typically runs from February 7th to the 12th, overlapping nicely with the Sapporo festival, making it easy to include both in the itinerary.
I walked from Asahikawa Station toward the festival grounds near Tokiwa Park, passing through Heiwa Dori along the way. This route turned out to be part of the experience itself, with various ice sculptures and small snow displays lining the street. Once I reached the riverside festival grounds, it was easy to see why this location works so well—the wide, open space allows everything to be spread out comfortably. Unlike Sapporo’s three-site layout, Asahikawa’s festival is contained within a single area, but it features everything you would normally find across multiple sites.
One of the first things that caught my attention was the row of tiny snowmen lining the walkways, each dressed in a different design. They added a playful and welcoming touch as I made my way deeper into the grounds. The main snow sculptures featured a mix of themes, from dragons and cartoon characters to recreations of famous buildings from around the world. Towering over everything was a massive snow stage, flanked by two giant snow slides. This stage holds a Guinness World Record, having been recognized in 1994 as the world’s largest snow construction. Scattered among the snow sculptures were ice carvings, including one particularly striking polar bear—likely to depict the beloved polar bears at Asahikawa Zoo.
As I continued exploring, I picked up one of the plastic sheets provided at the base of the slides and climbed the snowy ramps to the top. I was genuinely excited, though slightly disappointed that I had forgotten my GoPro—I would have loved to capture the ride down. Holding a phone while sliding didn’t feel very practical and safe. When it was my turn, I launched myself down the slide, snow spraying everywhere as I reached the bottom. The front of my jacket was completely dusted in snow, but I couldn’t stop smiling—the adrenaline rush made it one of the most memorable moments of the festival.
After the slide, I wandered through the festival grounds and made my way into the nearby snow maze. While not very large, it still took some effort to find my way out. I then headed toward the food stalls and picked up a beef skewer and a small bowl of udon. There were designated seating areas nearby, and taking a break to warm up while watching the crowds pass by felt especially satisfying after being out in the cold. Once I finished eating, I spent some time walking around again, stopping to admire the many tiny snowmen and their creative designs.
When I felt I had seen everything, I made my way back toward Asahikawa Station to my accommodation. The experience felt both familiar and distinct compared to the Sapporo Snow Festival—more compact and intimate, yet just as enjoyable. If you have the time while travelling through Hokkaido in winter, I would highly recommend visiting both festivals to fully appreciate how each city celebrates the season in its own way.
History & Background
The Asahikawa Winter Festival (旭川冬まつり) began in 1960 as a community-driven event aimed at embracing the city’s heavy snowfall and long winters. Over the decades, it grew steadily in scale and popularity, eventually becoming Hokkaido’s second-largest winter festival. The festival is particularly known for its massive snow stage, which often serves as the centrepiece of the event and has earned international recognition for its size and craftsmanship.
Set along the Ishikari River near Tokiwa Park, the festival highlights both artistic expression and interactive winter fun. In addition to large-scale snow sculptures, the event emphasizes hands-on experiences such as snow slides and mazes, making it especially popular with families. Today, the festival attracts visitors from across Japan and abroad, offering a more relaxed but equally impressive alternative to Sapporo’s larger celebrations.
Getting There
The festival grounds are within walking distance of Asahikawa Station, making access simple and convenient. From the station, it’s an easy walk through central streets such as Heiwa Dori, where additional ice and snow sculptures are often displayed during the festival period. Public transit is available, but walking allows you to enjoy the smaller displays leading up to the main venue.
Route Overview
Distance: 4.37 km out & back (Asahikawa Station)
Total elevation gain: 9 m
Duration: 54 min (with breaks 1 hr 57 min)
Difficulty: Easy
Festival Info: You can find more about Asahikawa Winter Festival on their official site. There are info about the history, past sculptures, important updates, and access info to the festival.
Cost Breakdown
Food: ¥1,291
