HOKKAIDO WINTER FESTIVALS 2017

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One of the best times to visit Hokkaido is in the peak of winter, when you can enjoy several snow and ice festivals throughout the island. The most popular is the Sapporo Snow Festival, which features amazing snow and ice sculptures and attracts millions of visitors.  


The northern island of Japan Hokkaido can be accessed by plane through Asahikawa Airport or Chitose Airport. Chitose Airport is closer to Sapporo, which is about 40 minutes by train. Asahikawa Airport on the other hand is about 2 ½ hours away from Sapporo. You can also reach Sapporo via the JR Hokkaido Shinkansen, which will take you from Tokyo to Hakodate (about 4 hours) and then take the train from Hakodate to Sapporo, which will take you another 4 hours. Unfortunately, they discontinued the sleeper trains to Hokkaido. If taking the Shinkansen, make sure to leave the latest 3 PM at the last train leaving Tokyo to reach Sapporo in time before the trains shutdown for the night at midnight.

This year’s Winter Season Festivals:

HOKKAIDO WINTER FESTIVALS


OTARU SNOW STORY
Dates: November 12, 2016 – February 2, 2017
Website: http://www.otarusnowstory.com/

Otaru Snow Story is an early winter festival where you can enjoy events and the snow in Otaru. Must see is the Nikka Distillery at night where you can enjoy the Yoichi Snow Light of the Road  (Jan 14 & Jan 28).

OTARU SNOW LIGHTING PATH FESTIVAL (“Otaru Yuki Akari No Michi”)

 



 


 



Dates: February 3-12, 2017
Illumination/Light Up: 5:00PM -9:00 PM
Sites: 2 main sites (Otaru Canal & Temiya)
Access: OTARU STATION. Both sites are within 15 minutes walk from Otaru Station. You can also take the Otaru Stroller Bus (Blue Line) to reach the Otaru Canal (Y220).
Website: http://yukiakarinomichi.org/?page_id=2180


LAKE SHIKOTSU ICE FESTIVAL

 


 


 




Dates: January 27- February 19, 2017
Hours of Operation: 9:00 AM– 10:00 PM
Illumination/Light Up: 4:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Sites: Lake Shikotsu
Access: LAKE SHIKOTSU via Bus or via taxi or private vehicle.
Website: http://hyoutou-special.asia/

SAPPORO ILLUMINATION 
Dates: November 18, 2016 – Feb 12, 2017 (Sapporo Ekimae Dori Site (Sapporo Station Street); Nov.18,2016 - Mar.14,2017 (Minami 1-Jo Street Site)
Illumination/Light Up: 4:30PM to 10:00 PM
Sites:  Sapporo Ekimae Dori Site & Minami-1-Jo Street Site (Odori Site is closed by now)
Website:   http://white-illumination.jp/en-us/

SAPPORO SNOW FESTIVAL (“Yuki Matsuri”)
Dates: Feb 1 – 12, 2017 (Tsudome Site);  Feb 6-12 (Odori Park Site) ; Susukino Site
Hours of Operation:  9:00PM  -5:00 PM (Tsudome Site)
Illumination/Light Up:  Sunset (around 4:30 PM)  to 10:00 PM / Susukino Site Sunset until 11 PM
Sites:  Odori Park (Main Site)  Tsudome Park, Susukino area
Access:   Odori Park (Odori Station); Tsudome Park ( Station) or take bus from Odori Site ; Susukino Site (Susukino
Website:   http://www.snowfes.com/english/

ASAHIKAWA WINTER FESTIVAL (“Asahikawa Fuyu Matsuri”)
Dates: February 7-12, 2017
Hours of Operation: 9:00 AM -9:00 PM
Illumination/Light Up: Sunset to 9:00 PM
Sites:  Asahibashi Riverside Site & Heiwa Dori Site
Access:   Asahikawa Station
Website:   http://honyaku.j-server.com/LUCAKC/ns/tl.cgi/http://www.city.asahikawa.hokkaido.jp/awf/index.html?SLANG=ja&TLANG=en&XMODE=0&XCHARSET=utf-8&XJSID=0
Brochure: http://www.city.asahikawa.hokkaido.jp/awf/awf_update/d058667_d/fil/English.pdf

SOUNKYO ICE WATERFALL FESTIVAL

Theme: Wild Ice World
Dates: Jan 25 – March 20,2017
Hours of Operation:  9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Illumination/Light Up:  Sunset to 10:00 PM
Sites:  Sounkyo Onsen
Access:  Bus from Asahikawa - Kamikawa to Sounkyo Please get on the bus bound for JR Kamikawa station from the north bus "Terrace Bus Touch by Kamikawa Mori". Walk 5 minutes to Sounkyo Onsen. (Y2100 Sounkyo to Asahikawa (1 hr 55 mins) ; Y1260 Kamikawa to Asahikawa (1hr 15mins) ; Y870 Kamikawa to Sounkyo –  30 mins)
Bus Timetable: http://www.sounkyo.net/hyoubaku/img/access/16w-kamikawa.pdf
Website:   http://www.sounkyo.net/hyoubaku/
Entrance is free. But a Y300 donation gives you a postcard, hot drink worth Y100 and a souvenir cooperation ticket

OTHER USEFUL WEBSITES:

JR HOKKAIDO TRAIN: http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/

HOKKAIDO TOURISM: http://en.visit-hokkaido.jp









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