[2026] Hokkaido & Tohoku Winter Festival Guide! Introducing Popular Event Information

A winter community festival in Noheji, Aomori Prefecture, returning for its third edition under the theme “Play, Create, Connect.” With the motto “Turning snow into play and daily life: crafting a winter story with the community,” it unfolds over two days at the town’s sports park. The eve features a tranquil snowy night lit by lanterns and bonfires, with drinks and music. The main festival brings together snow-country specialties such as a snow sculpture contest, sled races, a snow sauna, kamakura (snow hut) displays, and hands-on snow play. Scheduled for January 2026.

“SNOW MIKU” is a festival held annually in Hokkaido since 2010, as Crypton Future Media—the developer of Hatsune Miku—is based in Sapporo. In 2026, its 17th iteration will take place over two days, February 7–8, with Wing Bay Otaru in Otaru serving as the main venue. With the theme “Happy Pâtisserie,” the main visual will be by Bu-ta and the theme song by Iyowa, and a range of programs will bring the world to life, including the Snow Miku snow sculpture, the Snow Miku tram, and a creators’ market.