Hokkaido Winter: ASAHIKAWA WINTER FESTIVAL
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ASAHIKAWA WINTER FESTIVAL (“Asahikawa Fuyu Matsuri”)
The 2nd largest winter festival in Japan, the Asahikawa Winter Festival usually takes places at the same time as nearby Sapporo's Snow Festival. It has the record of the biggest snow sculpture.
The Asahikawa Winter Festival has large ice sculptures, illuminations, and other winter activities.
About an hour and a half ride from Sapporo via the Super Kamui, you can take a day trip from Sapporo. There is a free shuttle bus from Asahikawa station which runs every 20 mins to festival sites. From the JR Asahikawa station, take the shuttle from bus stop #2. The first bus leaves at 9:30am and runs until 6pm. Drop off points for the main festival site are the Tokiwa Park and Riverside.
If you want to go to the park earlier, you can take bus #5, 6, or 81 from bus stop #5 (fare is Y170). If paying with cash, make sure to take a stub as you board. You can make change
Sites:
Asahibashi Site is by the riverside of Ishikari named after the nearby Asahibashi bridge. It is about 10-15 min walk from Asahikawa Station.
At this site, there are usually smaller snow sculptures, snow slides, snowmobiles rides, horse-drawn sleigh. It also has an opening and closing fireworks display.
One of the longest ice slides is also here. It is higher than the one in Sapporo. You climb up the gigantic snow display and slide down one of the 2 slides with the help of a piece of cardboard and plastic (it has handles). There is staff on the top and bottom of the slide to assist you.
There is a banana boat and snow rafting available for a fee of Y300 per person. You'll need to wear helmets for the banana boat.
You can horseback ride for Y700.
You can also get lost in the snow maze or try the many food choices.
The gigantic snow sculpture of a Polar bear and medium snow sculptures celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Asahikawa Zoo. See the winners of the snow sculpture. There are also medium snow sculptures that feature small snow slides for children.
I would suggest entering from Tokiwa Park. There are a snow play area, mini golf, and other display. The 5-10 minute walk in the nice park gives you a nicer vantage point as you get to the lakeside.
There are ice sculpture penguins and rows of snowmen. You get the top view of the festival site from this side. The lakeside stop will drop you off right beside the festival site. There are brochure guides and volunteers to help you out.
On the weekend of the 11th and 12th, there will also be hot air balloon rides from 1-4/5pm for a fee of Y2000 (adults) & Y1000 (children)
Heiwadori site is a pedestrian & shopping park. Located 1 km from Asahikawa Station, the 2017 International Ice Sculpture Competition takes place at this site. Carving starts on the 7th of Feb (7pm) to 9th (11am), then it is on display until 11th (11am to 10pm)
From the JR station, opposite side of the bus terminal and beside the Aeon mall is the start of the ice sculpture entries and just walk straight a few blocks along the Heiwadori site.
On the grounds in front of the JR station and beside the ice sculptures is a free skating rink. Skates and use of the rink is free. It is open from 10 am to 4pm.
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 (an economical ticket if you'll be coming from Sapporo is the round trip ticket for Sapporo-Asahikawa for Y5080. You can purchase at the JR ticket office of the Sapporo Station. They'll give you two tickets one per way. You can take the unreserved seats of the Super Kamui (fastest and has the most number of cars for the route) to Asahikawa and vice versa. There is one that leaves every 30 mins or you can take one of the other trains to Asahikawa.
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
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