The beauty of Hokkaido changes with the changing of the seasons. With autumn comes the changing of the leaves from crisp shades of green to all sorts of bright reds and yellows, and the air now has a slight chill to it; you’ll still find the people outdoors (albeit bundled up a tad bit more), enjoying the last of the weather before winter arrives. As winter comes, there is a shift to the indoors; winters in Hokkaido are known to be unkind. However, on good days, you’ll find locals walking the streets, especially in the night, soaking in the festive cheer that comes along with Christmas.
Whatever the case, the best of each season is highlighted in a whole range of festivals and activities, of which there seem to be no shortage of in Sapporo! With so many, where does a visitor even begin? In this two-part series, we introduce and present to you our top picks for the best festivals and activities in Autumn/Winter:
Hatsuhinode (1st January)
Meaning first dawn, Hatsuhinode originates from a Shinto tradition where greeting Toshigami, the god of the New Year, at the first sunrise will bring good luck, well-being and health. Thus, many locals flock to the city’s high points to do so, with many places revise their operating hours on this day to allow you to catch the first sunrise of the year. One of the best places is the Observation Deck T38 on the 38th floor of JR Tower, open from 6:00 on New Year’s morning. Another popular observation point is Mt. Moiwa of Moerenuma Park, standing at an altitude of 531 meters.
Hatsumōde at Hokkaido Shrine (1st to 3rd January)
You’ll find that many traditions around New Year’s start with the Japanese word “hatsu”, meaning first. Hatsumōde is one of these, and represents the first shrine visit of the year. Join the locals as they flock to Hokkaido Shrine, with approximately 800,000 people visiting over the three-day New Year holiday, to pray for good luck, health and fortune for the year ahead.
Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill Snow Park (early January to early March)
Not only does this park provide panoramic views of Sapporo, in winter, it takes full advantage of the snow and transforms into a winter playground! An excellent place for adults and kids alike, you can enjoy a whole range of snow activities such as building snowmen, snowball fights and even sledding, all without the hassle of going to a ski resort.
Ice Fishing (January to March)
Ice fishing is a popular wintertime activity, and the Barato River, 30 mins from Sapporo, is a popular spot for smelt fishing. You’ll find colourful tents scattered across the frozen surface of Barato, where special equipment will be used to drill a hole in the ice. The freshly-caught smelt will then be given to a nearby restaurant to be made into tempura, and pairs excellently with sake. For a truly unique winter experience, you have to try this.
Yukitouro (late January to early February)
There is nothing quite like a good long soak in the tub, thus what better time to visit an onsen than in the midst of winter? If you are planning a trip, make sure to stop by Jozankei, an onsen town close to Sapporo. To make it an even more magical experience, the Yukitouro, or Snow Candle Way, is an event that happens during in the last week of January/first week of February at Jozankei Shrine, with over 2,000 snow candles crafted by the people of the onsen town adorning the snow-covered grounds. A free shuttle bus is available during the event period between the Jozankei Onsen town and the shrine.
Sapporo Snow Festival (early February)
One of the most anticipated winter events, drawing over 2 million visitors each year, the Sapporo Snow Festival features a range of intricately-detailed snow sculptures situated at 3 different sites. The main site at Odori Park is entirely occupied by snow sculptures of various shapes and sizes along its 1.5km stretch. You’ll even be able to watch the artists at work, and witness these sculptures come alive. Lit up until 22:00 every day, it draws over 2 million visitors all wanting to catch a glimpse of the magnificence of these sculptures. get a bird’s eye view of these magnificent sculptures from the top of the Sapporo TV Tower, which hovers over Odori Park.
Otaru Snow Light Path (mid February)
If you have the time, be sure to make a stop by Otaru, a city just a short train ride away from Sapporo. The historic city, with its charming olden canal, is an especially beautiful sight to behold in winter. In February, the Otaru Snow Light Path is held over 10 days, during which the city and its canal is adorned with a range of light displays and floating lanterns.
