7 winter festivals in Japan

Winter in Japan is not just about the cold and snow. It is a season rich in traditions, celebrations, and spectacular events. Throughout the archipelago, Japanese winter festivals transform cities and villages into enchanting places where light, ice, spirituality, and friendliness blend together.

Discovering these festivals means understanding how the Japanese celebrate winter with creativity and respect for traditions, while offering unique experiences to visitors.

The great snow and ice festivals

Japanese winter is particularly famous for its snow festivals, especially in the coldest regions of the country. These events attract millions of visitors each year.

They showcase the artistic craftsmanship and the adaptation of local communities to extreme weather conditions.

The Sapporo Snow Festival

The Sapporo Snow Festival is undoubtedly the most famous winter festival in Japan. Held annually in Hokkaidō, it features enormous snow and ice sculptures, sometimes several meters high.

These ephemeral works, illuminated at night, transform the city into an open-air museum. The festival is also an opportunity to taste local cuisine and experience the winter atmosphere of northern Japan.

The Kamakura Festival in Yokote

Less known but equally enchanting, the Yokote Kamakura Festival takes place in Akita Prefecture.

The kamakura are small snow houses where people can warm up, drink tea, or share a meal. This festival highlights an intimate and warm atmosphere, very different from large tourist events.

The light festivals to brighten up winter

As the days shorten, light becomes a central element of Japanese winter celebrations. Many festivals use illumination to create a magical and comforting atmosphere.

These events are particularly appreciated for their visual and poetic dimension.

The Kobe Luminarie Light Festival

The Kobe Luminarie is a light festival organized in memory of the victims of the 1995 earthquake.

Every winter, light installations inspired by Italian art illuminate the streets of Kobe. The festival symbolizes hope, resilience, and solidarity, while offering an impressive visual spectacle.

The winter illuminations of Nabana no Sato

The illuminations of Nabana no Sato Winter Illumination are among the most spectacular in Japan.

Millions of LEDs transform the gardens into luminous landscapes representing mountains, waterfalls, or natural scenes. It is a must-see event for photography enthusiasts and night walkers.

Traditional festivals in the heart of winter

Winter is also a time marked by festivals deeply rooted in Japanese tradition. These events blend ancient rites, spirituality, and community life. They offer an authentic glimpse into the Japanese winter culture.

The Hadaka Matsuri Festival

The Hadaka Matsuri is one of the most surprising festivals in Japan.

Held in the middle of winter, it gathers thousands of men dressed in a simple fundoshi. This ritual symbolizes purification and luck for the coming year. Despite the cold, the collective energy and fervor are impressive.

The Onbashira Festival

The Onbashira Matsuri takes place every six years, but some winter ceremonies are particularly significant.

This Shinto festival involves transporting huge trunks of sacred trees from the mountain to the shrines. It symbolizes strength, courage, and the bond between man and nature.

An emblematic spiritual festival of winter

Winter is also a time conducive to reflection and purification rites. Some festivals mark the transition between two annual cycles.

They remind us of the importance of spirituality in Japanese life.

The Setsubun: driving away evil spirits

The Setsubun is celebrated at the beginning of February.

During this festival, the Japanese throw beans to drive away evil spirits and attract good luck. Although it marks the end of winter according to the traditional calendar, Setsubun is deeply associated with this season and its purification rituals.