Hokkaido winter festivals

Towering architectural marvels, religious icons and anime characters are fashioned from snow at the February Sapporo Snow Festival, which has been running since 1950. Artists from all over the world compete to craft exquisite snow sculptures, with the best of them found in Odori Park.

Ice takes centre stage at Lake Shikotsu, where artisans use the crater lake’s crystal waters to create statues for the Shikotsu Ice Festival. In chilly Sounkyo, visitors can explore an icicle-filled network of frozen tunnels as part of the Ice Waterfall Festival.

Spark off the new year in Kamifurano with the Northern Daimonji Wildfire Festa, where flames are lit across the hills of Hinode Park in the shape of the Japanese character for “big”, symbolising the start of a new chapter. Lit at midnight with sacred flames, the blaze is a powerful, moving spectacle set to inspire you for the year to come.

In February, fireworks burst for the Lake Akan Ice Festival, during which members of the indigenous Ainu community congregate on the lake for ritual dances and feasts – welcoming one and all to share in Ainu culture.

For those who find retail therapy to be the best kind of festivity, winter sales hit Hokkaido in full force and there’s nowhere better to indulge than Mitsui Outlet Park: Hokkaido’s biggest outlet village with brands like Marc Jacobs, The North Face, Adidas, Le Creuset, Salvatore Ferragamo and more on offer. From now till 8 January 2024, Cathay members shopping here can also earn JPY100 = 2.