Message from Chitose City Hall

Chitose river flows through the city of Chitose, known for its best quality of water, where we find many salmon coming back from the ocean in fall. This is an event taking advantage of the cold winter time in Hokkaido and the clear water of this river, decorating the river-banks with lines of ice-candles all made by the members involved in the promotion of tourism in Chitose city. In 2008, we combine this event with "Fuyutopia Fair in Chitose" held from Jan. 31to Feb. 3, all the way from the site of this event to Chitose JR station is also decorated with ice-candles. When you walk through this way, you'll be relaxed to see the soft light of the candles placed in the ice, in the quiet of the night.

Sapporo Snow Festival

There is 3 venues for Snow Festival, Odori Park, Susukino in the city centre. The other is 'Satoland', about 10 Km north-east of the central part of the city. During Snow Festival, another attraction of Sapporo White Illumination is held in Odori Park area.

Otaru Snow Gleaming Path (Otaru city)

Various kinds of ice-candles made by citizens are seen on canal, walks, or shopping streets, making the fantasy world after dark. Especially the canal area, with dozens of candles floating on the water is within easy access of the station and the tourist spots.

"Asia Cup" international Dog Sled Race (Chitose city)

6 races ranging from 1dog-dragged to 8 dog-dragged sled races are to be held. Among them, 4 dog-dragged races means the tryout for the World cup Champion- ship. From all over Japan, about 100 teams with about 300 dogs are taking part in this race. The venue of this race is at Hakone Farm, where you can enjoy the visit to the barns of cows, or try playing with horses or goats kept here. Please be sure to visit this place with warm clothing on.

Mt.Moiwa ski-ground fest

Whether you ski or not, this is a good event for anyone to enjoy the snow-great for all ages. (scheduled)

Kuriyama Shinise Matsuri (Kita no Nishiki sakagura matsuri?Kibidango matsuri) (Kuriyama town)

This is the festival of two old shops of Kuriyama Town. During this festival, the Kobayashi Shuzo sake warehouse, founded in 1878, and the Tanida Seika kibidango factory will be open to public (which happens once a year). Every year, about 16,000 visitors come! You will find shops where to buy local products, oysters from Akkeshi, mushroom nabe (one pot dishes) from Aibetsu... You will also be able to taste sake. You will also find a shipping corner.

Jozankei Onsen Keiryu Koinobori

Jozankei is the hot springs area of Sapporo City. Starting from 1987, about 250 carp-shaped windsocks (koinobori) floats over the Toyohira river. The best sighting spots are Tsukimi Bridge and Jozan Gensen Park.

Hiraoka Park plum trees light up

Hiraoka Park is famous for its plum trees which are illuminated during the period of plum blossom-viewing. Plum choux a la crème, cheese-cakes, chocolate, ice-cream and soba shops are open during a limited period (ume soba are only sold during light up).

Release of salmon fry

No need to apply in advance, free admittance. Participants will receive a salmon fry release certificate. There will be a salmon drawing corner on the 5th of May (Monday, national holiday) (no need to bring your own drawing tools),

Kita no Megumi Aishoku Fair (Northern Blessing Food Fair) 2008

Hokkaido producers sell directly their production in four different places in Sapporo, from May to October. Vegetables and Fruits produced in the different regions of Hokkaido, see foods, dairy products, beverages, dishes made from local products, flower and vegetable seeds are to be sold. You will find different spots to drink and eat.

Sapporo Lilac Festival

Lilac is the emblem tree of Sapporo. Concerts and classes are planned to be organised in Odori Park where about 400 lilac trees bloom every year. Free seeds will be distributed.

YOSAKOI Soran Festival

This is the meeting point between the Yosakoi festival of the department of Kochi and the Soran song of Hokkaido. Stages will be installed in different places of the city, mainly in Odori Park.

Kita no Megumi Aishoku Fair (Northern Blessing Food Fair) 2008

Hokkaido producers sell directly their production in four different places in Sapporo, from May to October. Vegetables and Fruits produced in the different regions of Hokkaido, see foods, dairy products, beverages, dishes made from local products, flower and vegetable seeds are to be sold. You will find different spots to drink and eat.

The Annual Hokkaido Shrine Festival (Sapporo's Festival)

This festival has been held for more than 100 years. 8 floats will parade through the city on June 16th (Monday), between 8:50 and 16:30. There will be about 500 stalls in Hokkaido Shrine, Nakajima Park, etc.

Flower Fest in Red-Brick

In and around the former Hokkaido Government Building is decorated, filled with pretty flowers, with some events held to entertain the visitors.

Toyohira River Rafting Festival

Toyohira River This is an amusing event for the citizens to join, by making their own rafts, or using rubber tubes to flow down Toyohira River themselves. From June 1(Fri.) to 22(Fri.) is the period to accept its participants.

Sapporo Summer Festival

This is one of the big events many people are looking forward to, with its main venue in Odori Park., where 11 blocks of this pretty park are changed into the open-air beer gardens with each block offering different types of beer or food. Depending on the day, many events are held, from various entertainments on the stages to stalls selling handicrafts by the citizens or shops of antiquity goods by pros. Besides, in Tanukikoji Shopping Arcade, Susukino, Jyozankei Hot Spring Area, various events are held.

Hakodate Christmas Fantasy (Hakodate city)

At the foot of Mt .Hakodate, on the bay, where the historical buildings, many shops or restaurants makes the good combination for the tourists to enjoy visiting is changed into the fantasy world of Christmas season with its gigantic Christmas tree, annual gift from the sister city of Hakodate, Halifax, Canada.

Hakodate Illumination (Hakodate city)

Hakodate, known for its exotic beauty with many historical attraction and charming buildings, many slopes led from Mt. Hakodate with its best night view we believe in Japan entertains us with special winter scenery . 3 slopes are lit up with beautiful illuminations, making the world of fantasy. Beautiful night view of Hakodate town and harbour is displayed from the top of the slopes.

Sapporo White illumination

Odori Park, Ekimae St, Minami Stithies is a big event telling us the coming of beautiful snow season starting in 1981, romantic, artistic collaboration of nature and light after dark in the northern region, usually with the background of the white snow. Trees or objets d'art in Odori or main downtown areas light up the surroundings, making the snow-world even more mysterious and fascinating.