In Asahikawa, February brings average temperatures below freezing and a deep winter chill that transforms the city into a landscape of snow and ice. As early February marks the beginning of spring on the traditional calendar, the Asahikawa Winter Festival is held to celebrate the beauty of the season through snow, ice, and lights.
Asahikawa is known for heavy snowfall, with mornings when opening the door reveals snow piled high from the night before. Instead of viewing this as an inconvenience, the people of Asahikawa chose to embrace the snow and turn it into something joyful. The festival began with the desire to create powerful and imaginative snow sculptures that inspire both children and adults.
Since its start in 1960, the festival has grown into one of Hokkaido’s signature winter events. The venue features some of the largest snow sculptures in the world, including a main structure measuring about 140 meters wide and 20 meters tall, along with numerous works crafted by local volunteers.
