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The year in Asahikawa旭川の一年

Snow sculptures in February, a marching parade in June, fireworks over the Ishikari in summer, Ainu ceremonies observed through the year and winter lights from late November. Here is the whole year, month by month.⁠[5][33][34][32][31]

24 events in 7 kinds

Every month has something on. Which one is yours?月を選んでね！

This monthCOMING UP

January 1月

Winter2 events

Still on from earlier months

Nothing of this kind this month.

This monthCOMING UP

February 2月

Winter6 events

FestivalEarly February

Asahikawa Winter Festival旭川冬まつり

Held every February since 1960, with one of the world’s largest snow sculptures: the main one is 140 m wide and 20 m high. Soldiers of the JGSDF 2nd Division help build it, and Guinness once certified one of these main sculptures as the world’s largest snow sculpture.

In 2026The 67th festival had a Pokémon theme, featuring Vulpix and Alolan Vulpix. Asappy, the city mascot, turned 15, and anniversary goods were on sale.

Good to knowA blizzard canceled the stage events on 6 February 2026, so expect changes in stormy weather.⁠[5][31][68][12][1][60]

A huge snow sculpture at the Asahikawa Winter Festival, in daylight

Photo: Asahikawa City

FestivalEarly February

Ice Sculpture World Contest氷彫刻世界大会

Heiwa-dōri Kaimono Kōen

Ice carving on Heiwa-dōri Kaimono Kōen, which opened in 1972 as Japan’s first permanent pedestrian shopping street. It is held in early February, the same time of year as the Winter Festival.⁠[2][31]

LightsEarly February

Snow-light Zoo雪あかりの動物園

Asahiyama Zoo

A special winter event at Asahiyama Zoo. In winter the zoo’s penguins also go for a walk on the snow, daily when there is snow on the ground.⁠[31][7]

Read the story: Asahiyama Zoo

Still on from earlier months

Nothing of this kind this month.

This monthCOMING UP

March 3月

Winter3 events

SportMid-March

Vasaloppet Japanバーサーロペット・ジャパン

A cross-country ski race held since 1981. It began as the Asahikawa International Vasa Ski Race.⁠[1][31]

Still on from earlier months

Nothing of this kind this month.

This monthCOMING UP

April 4月

Spring1 event

NatureMid-April to early May

Katakuri liliesカタクリの花

Otokoyama Nature Park

Otokoyama Nature Park has one of Hokkaido’s largest wild fields of katakuri, a small purple lily that blooms in spring. The park is open mid-April to early May, 9:00–17:00, with free entry. Tosshōzan hill on the city’s northern edge also has one of Japan’s largest colonies.⁠[19][4]

Purple katakuri flowers in bloom across the forest floor of Otokoyama Nature Park

Photo: Asahikawa City

Nothing of this kind this month.

This monthCOMING UP

May 5月

Spring2 events

Ainu cultureMay–June

Chinomishir Kamuynomiチノミシリカムイノミ

Arashiyama

An Ainu observance on Arashiyama, the Asahikawa Ainu’s “mountain of prayer”: a prayer ceremony that honors the ancestors, including the Kamikawa chief Kuchinkure, and prays for the community.

In 202614 June⁠[32][62]

Read the story: Ainu heritage

Still on from earlier months

Nothing of this kind this month.

This monthCOMING UP

June 6月

Summer5 events

MusicEarly June

Hokkaido Music Grand Parade北海道音楽大行進

A marching-band parade, first held in 1929. In 2026, 105,000 people came out to watch.

In 20266 June, the 94th parade: 80 bands and 2,772 marchers.⁠[1][33]

A banner leading marchers down a tree-lined street at the Hokkaido Music Grand Parade

Photo: Asahikawa City

MusicEarly June

Asahikawa Music Week旭川ミュージックウィーク

A music festival held in early June.⁠[31]

Ainu cultureJune

The Day the Silver Drops Fall銀の滴降る日

Kawamura Kaneto Ainu Memorial Museum

The Kawamura museum’s birthday event for Chiri Yukie, the young Ainu writer who lived in Asahikawa around the time the museum opened. She left one book, Ainu Shin’yōshū, a collection of Ainu sacred songs, and died at 19.⁠[32][37]

Read the story: Ainu heritage

FestivalLate June

Asahikawa Design Week旭川デザインウィーク

A week of furniture and design in a city with more than 120 years of furniture making. UNESCO named Asahikawa a Creative City of Design in 2019.⁠[31][2][1]

Read the story: Furniture & design

Still on from earlier months

Nothing of this kind this month.

This monthCOMING UP

July 7月

Summer2 events

FestivalLate July

Nagayama Tonden Festival永山屯田まつり

Nagayama

A summer festival in Nagayama, the city’s first farmer-soldier (tondenhei) village. In June 1891, 400 households of farmer-soldiers settled West and East Nagayama, 200 in each.⁠[31][1][63]

A lantern float painted with warriors at the Nagayama Tonden Festival

Photo: Kamikawa Bureau, VIEW OF KAMIKAWA · CC BY 4.0

FestivalLate July to early August

Asahikawa Summer Festival & Taisetsu Sanroku Festival旭川夏まつり・大雪さんろくまつり

Ishikari riverbank by Asahibashi, Heiwa-dōri, Shōwa-dōri and the Sanroku district

The opening night brings the Dōshin Fireworks on the Ishikari riverbank by Asahibashi. There is also a citizens’ dance parade on Heiwa-dōri, a YOSAKOI Soran dance night, the Taisetsu joint portable-shrine procession, the Retsuka Tanabata festival on Shōwa-dōri and a street festival in the Sanroku (3・6) nightlife district.

In 202630 July–1 August. The Dōshin Fireworks were the 74th. The citizens’ dance parade was canceled because of rain.

Good to knowStreets around the Sanroku district are closed, and there is no event parking.⁠[34][69]

Fireworks above the river and a bridge at the Dōshin fireworks, Asahikawa Summer Festival

Photo: Asahikawa City

Nothing of this kind this month.

This monthCOMING UP

August 8月

Summer3 events

FestivalEarly August

Ginza Tanabata銀座七夕まつり

A street event for Tanabata, the Star Festival, in early August.⁠[31]

FestivalMid-August

Night Zoo夜の動物園

Asahiyama Zoo

Asahiyama Zoo opens into the evening. Japan’s northernmost zoo is known for its behavioral exhibits, where animals swim, climb and hunt the way they would in the wild.⁠[31][2][6]

Read the story: Asahiyama Zoo

Still on from earlier months

Nothing of this kind this month.

This monthCOMING UP

September 9月

Autumn7 events

Food & drinkMid-September

Kita no Megumi Tabe Marche北の恵み あさひかわ食べマルシェ

From JR Asahikawa Station to Heiwa-dōri

A regional food festival along the whole route from JR Asahikawa Station to the Heiwa-dōri mall. Guide maps are handed out at a counter in the Michi-no-Eki Asahikawa hall.

In 202619–21 September

Good to knowThere is no event parking.⁠[35][70][75]

Read the story: Asahikawa ramen

Food stalls with banners in front of the station at the Tabe Marche food festival

Photo: Asahikawa City

Ainu cultureSeptember

Ainu Culture Festivalアイヌ文化ふれあいまつり

Organized by the Asahikawa City Museum, one of the Ainu culture facilities listed in the Hokkaido Government’s Ainu culture guide.

In 202619–22 September⁠[36][71]

Read the story: Ainu heritage

Ainu cultureSeptember

Kotan Matsuriこたんまつり

An Ainu festival. Japanese Wikipedia lists it in September, and the Kawamura Kaneto Ainu Memorial Museum listed it for 22 September in 2024. Check this year’s date before you go.⁠[4][32]

Read the story: Ainu heritage

Ainu cultureSeptember

Kamuycheppnomiカムイチェプノミ

An Ainu observance held in September, one of several Ainu ceremonies still held through the year in Asahikawa.⁠[32][62][20]

Read the story: Ainu heritage

FestivalLate September

Asahikawa Pottery Festival旭川陶芸フェスティバル

Michi-no-Eki Asahikawa exhibition hall

A pottery festival in the roadside station’s 1,500 m² exhibition hall, which has a 12 m ceiling. Michi-no-Eki Asahikawa is just south of JR Asahikawa Station, about 5 minutes over the Crystal Bridge.

In 202619–20 September, the 30th festival⁠[70][75][8][78][74]

SportLate September

Asahikawa Half Marathon旭川ハーフマラソン

A half marathon run in late September.

In 202627 September

Good to knowOn race day, roads around Taisetsu Crystal Hall and Michi-no-Eki Asahikawa are closed.⁠[70][36]

NatureSeptember–October

Autumn leaves紅葉

Asahidake (Higashikawa) and Kurodake (Kamikawa), outside the city

September and October are the months for autumn leaves. Each year the Asahikawa Tourist & Convention Association publishes estimated peak dates for Asahidake and Kurodake.⁠[31][49][96][103]

Mt. Kurodake in yellow and red autumn leaves, Kamikawa

Photo: HOKKAIDO LOVE! (Hokkaido Tourism Organization)

Nothing of this kind this month.

This monthCOMING UP

October 10月

Autumn1 event

Still on from earlier months

Nothing of this kind this month.

This monthCOMING UP

November 11月

Autumn1 event

LightsLate November to March

Yukinowa Asahikawa & town-center illuminationsユキノワアサヒカワ・あさひかわ街あかりイルミネーション

City center

Winter light displays in the city center, from late November through March. January averages −7.0 °C, so dress warmly.⁠[31][22]

A tunnel of warm lights over a snowy walkway, Asahikawa town-center illuminations

Photo: Asahikawa City

Nothing of this kind this month.

This monthCOMING UP

December 12月

Winter2 events

NatureWinter, on clear and bitterly cold mornings

Diamond dustダイヤモンドダスト

Tiny ice crystals sparkle in the air on clear, bitterly cold winter mornings. January averages −7.0 °C, with an average low of −11.7 °C, and Asahikawa still holds Japan’s official record low: −41.0 °C on 25 January 1902.⁠[15][22][10]

Still on from earlier months

Nothing of this kind this month.