February Snow Themed Festivals in Japan

February is the coldest month in Japan. Temperatures dips, snowfalls and rains characterize this month in most parts of Japan.

As you may be aware, Japan has some pleasing festivals with a cultural tag, or popularity tag, cuteness tag which please the hearts and warm up the spirits. And the peak winters are not exempt of its own fun and artistic expressions.

In Japan, if its winter, snows come to mind. And then there the world-renowned powder snow（パウダースノー?粉雪 こなゆき） where snow resembles powder. Sapporo has chosen to popularize itself for the powder snow by organizing a Snow festival.

Further a place called Hirosaki, which I mentioned in my post about Sakura flowers sometime back, also organizes the Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern festival.

Hokkaido also organizes snow themed festivals as also Hiroshima. Yamagata and Mie Prefectures have their snow-based delights.

Snow has a great significance for the Japanese people and it’s a treasure which makes winter a season of fun and entertainment.

We will see a few snow based festivals of Northern Japan.

?SNOW BASED FESTIVALS IN JAPAN

Winter in Japan invariably brings powder snow to the minds of people elsewhere. So famous is the powder snow in Japan that it is abbreviated as Japow (Japan Powder(snow)) by skiers and snowboarders coming to Hokkaido!

What is powder snow?

Powder snow happens when fresh snowfall starts for the season.

Powder snow is the fresh, dry, and thin snow which can be shoveled easily and is best for skiing and other sports than wet snow. The powder is miniscule Ice crystals

How do Powder snow form in Hokkaido?

Warm currents blow over the sea and keep the water warm. But steam rises from the surface of the water and the cold current coming of the Siberia Air mass cools the surface and the winds blow the clouds inwards. When this air hits on hills it falls as powder snow.

These clouds also bring snowfall to Sapporo when they pass over the city. Niseko Mountain Range receive a huge volume of snowfall. About 16 mtrs of snow falls in the season.

?The Line up of the Snow Festivals

1.?????? Sapporo Snow Festival

The Sapporo Snow Festival is held in Sapporo between 4 Feb to 11 February. The dates vary each year, so please check dates if you plan to visit next year.

?This festival features Ice and snow buildings which assume a magnificent look when they get lighted up with illuminations in the night time.

This festival is open for free and has an impressive and creatively designed ice sculptures which delight each person. About 2 million tourists flock each year to experience the winter wonders of the snow sculptures. These sculptures are displayed in three places Odori Park, Susukino and Tsudome which feature art works which can be witnessed.

The sculptures are made out of 30 000 tonnes of ice and are 15 meters tall and 25 metres wide.

So mesmerizing the sculptures that you will not tire walking around the places

The work on these exquisite sculptures begins a month ahead and the work is the handiwork of the Japanese Military and folks of the local community.

?Foods, and drinks are found at the base of the Sapporo TV Towers.

?Shikotsu Ice Festival

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?About 40 kms from Sapporo is a place, Shikotsu. In Shikotsu Toya National Park, a variety of Ice sculptures await you at Lake Shikotsu. The sculptures are made of the frozen water of the lake, giving shape to numerous structures with interesting forms and ice castles and Ice Kingdoms

Horse riding, Ice Skating and Ice Slides may it a family entertainment show.

?The sculptures are illuminated at nigh and offer a beautiful site.

?The entry is free for kids. 500JPY charged for high school students and other people.

Food and drinks are available at the venue and onsens are also open for soaking in to re-energize yourselves.

?Otaru Snow Light Path

Otaru is a place which is located northeast of Sapporo.

?Those interested in culture of Japan, would have learnt about native indigenous Ainu tribes of Japan. These tribals live in Otaru. The name Otaru is supposed to be of Ainu origin which means “River through a Sandy Beach”

?Every February in two areas of Otaru- Unga Kaijo and Temiyasen Kaijo, a snow festival is held.

In Unga Kaijo, small sculptures decorated with lamps illuminate the path to a canal for up to 300 mts. In Temiyasen Kaijo, there are ice sculptures with flickering lamps which make it iconic views at nights.

Other than these sites, a lot of small shops display lanterns which gives a feel of walking in the winter wonder land.

?Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival.

?Hirosaki Castle in Aomori prefecture is known for various kinds of Sakura. Its also known for its Snow Lantern Festival.

With the famous and beautiful Hirosaki Castle as a backdrop, you can watch snow lanterns , sculptures and Kamakura.

The entire sculpting and decoration is done by the local communities which gathers to showcase the creative skills.

Food stalls sell local food and drinks.

A giant Ice slides is a big attraction where kids can have a playful time.

?Festival is from early to mid-February.

Hope you have great vicarious trip to Northern Japan Snow themed festivals!!

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