Asahikawa Winter Festival
The Asahikawa Winter Festival is Japan's second largest snow festival, which began in 1960 and is famous for its spectacular snow sculptures, exciting International Snow Sculpture Contest, and a variety of activities. The biggest feature of the Asahikawa Winter Festival is that the giant snow sculptures do not use any supports and are made entirely of ice and snow. Among them, there is the world's largest snow sculpture - 140 meters (460 feet) long and 20 meters (66 feet) wide, which was once recognized as the Guinness World Record for the largest snow sculpture. This winter festival attracts numerous visitors from both Japan and abroad, allowing people to experience the unique charm and joy in the snowy weather.
Large snow sculptures at the Asahikawa Winter Festival
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The Asahikawa Winter Festival usually coincides with the Sapporo Snow Festival, so visitors can participate in both events. It only takes 1 hour and 20 minutes by JR train from Sapporo to Asahikawa.
The beginning of the Asahikawa Winter Festival
The origin of the Asahikawa Winter Festival can be traced back to January 1946. At that time, the Asahikawa Police Department encouraged residents to clear snow from the roads for traffic safety, but they had difficulty dealing with large piles of snow. The president of the Tourism Association, at the suggestion of a local sculptor, realized that snow sculptures should be turned into art and came up with the idea, which is said to be the origin of the Asahikawa Winter Festival.Where to Go and What to Do During the Asahikawa Winter Festival
1. Tokiwa Park
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Ice slide in Asahikawa Winter Festival venue
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2. Heiwa Dori Shopping Street
Heiwa Dori Shopping Street is a major shopping area through the city center and another venue for the Sapporo Winter Festival. Along the street, you'll see over 50 impressive ice sculptures of various shapes, sizes, and designs. At night, this venue hosts light and fireworks shows, making the ice sculptures even more breathtaking under the lights.3. Watch the International Snow Sculpture Contest
More popular than the Tokiwa Park venue is the International Snow Sculpture Contest held concurrently with the Asahikawa Winter Festival, which is displayed along the Heiwa Dori Shopping Street from Asahikawa Station. It is the only officially recognized international ice sculpture competition in Japan. The contestants spend 2 days and 2 nights carving their works. Compared to admiring the finished ice sculptures, watching the sculptors work is even more interesting. Visitors can witness the entire process of how a block of ice is transformed into a work of art.4. Enjoy Delicious Food at the Winter Marche
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Food street near Asahikawa Winter Festival venue
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When is the Asahikawa Winter Festival held?
The Asahikawa Winter Festival is usually held from early February to mid-February every year for a week. The 66th Asahikawa Winter Festival will be held from February 8 to February 16, 2025.How to Get to the Venues of the Asahikawa Winter Festival?
1. Tokiwa Park
By bus:From Sapporo Station, take bus No. 30 or 25-1 and get off at Tokiwa Park Station, which takes about 15 minutes.
By taxi:
It takes about 10 minutes from Asahikawa Station to Tokiwa Park.
2. Heiwa Dori Shopping Street
By bus:From Asahikawa Station, take bus No. 3 bound for Nayoro Station, get off at 5-jo Midoribasi-dori Station, and walk about 100 meters (110 yards) northeast to arrive at Heiwa Dori Shopping Street. It takes about 7 minutes.
On foot:
From Asahikawa Station, walk about 1,000 meters (1,100 yards) northeast, turn left, and walk about 50 meters (55 yards) to Heiwa Dori Shopping Street, which takes about 15 minutes.
●Note: There are free shuttle buses in front of JR Asahikawa Station that run every 20 minutes to the city center, the Asahikawa Winter Festival venues, and Asahiyama Zoo.