Iiyama Snow Festival

Festival highlights

Highlights include large snow sculptures made by local residents, as well as smaller snow sculptures and snow lanterns lining the streets.

The snow sculpture contest features several categories, with entries on display at Iiyama Castle Ruins Park, Honcho Shopping Street, and other locations.

At Iiyama Castle Ruins Park, visitors can also enjoy a snow slider that makes use of the natural terrain and play in the snow, experiencing both the scenery and activities unique to a snowy region.

A community-created celebration of snow that brightens the snow country of Iiyama

What to expect

At the venues, visitors can do more than admire the snow sculptures: they can explore the contest entries and walk through the town center, where snow lanterns line the streets.

At Iiyama Castle Ruins Park, activities include a snow slider using a special inner tube and snow play, giving children and adults alike a chance to spend time in the snow.

Local residents sometimes serve hot dishes and other food near the venues.

How to take part

Visitors can walk around viewing the snow sculptures and snow lanterns, and enjoy activities such as playing in the snow and riding a snow slider.

Snow sculpture-making is presented as a community effort. Check the event-specific information to find out whether general visitors can take part in making the sculptures.

If you’re mainly coming to see the displays, you can enjoy walking between the different sites.

Location and access

Venue and address

The main venues are Iiyama Castle Ruins Park and Iiyama Cultural Exchange Center Natura, with snow sculptures and snow lanterns also displayed throughout central Iiyama.

Train and bus

Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen Hakutaka or the JR Iiyama Line to Iiyama Station.

Get off at Iiyama Station for the Natura venue and at Kita-Iiyama Station for the Iiyama Castle Ruins Park venue.

Local buses around central Iiyama and other options are listed for travel between venues.

By car

Toyoda-Iiyama IC on the Joshin-Etsu Expressway is about 15 minutes from central Iiyama.

In winter, winter equipment such as snow tires is necessary to prepare for snow and icy roads.

Parking

Iiyama High School and the Cosina Iiyama Office are listed as possible parking locations.

Event venue 長野県飯山市 飯山城址公園

This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.

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Dates and season

2026 Event Information (The listed dates have passed)

In 2026, the festival was held from February 7 (Saturday) through the 8th (Sunday).

It is usually held on the second Saturday and Sunday of February, with activities such as a snow sculpture contest, a mikoshi carried through the snow, a snow slider, and live music in the snow.

The event is held in mid-February, during the snowy winter season.

Accommodation and hotels PR

Tips for your visit

The festival involves walking through Iiyama in winter to visit several snow sculpture sites, so wear clothing suited to snowy conditions, such as warm layers and shoes with good grip.

On snowy days, you can make use of the covered Gangi streets. Trains and buses between the sites are infrequent, so checking the timetables in advance is a good idea.

If you need help, you can ask a staff member wearing a red jacket with a snowflake logo.

Nearby attractions

A stroll around town to see the snow sculptures can include displays along Honcho Shopping Street and the roads from Iiyama Station to Iiyama Castle Ruins Park.

The distinctive covered gan-gi arcades of the snow country are also introduced as places to enjoy a walk through town on snowy days.

Visitors are also encouraged to stop by local Japanese-Western confectionery shops selling “Banana Board,” a popular Iiyama winter treat.

Temples and shrinesIiyama City

小菅神社 (飯山市)

飯山市にある神社

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写真：user:KMR / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Facility data source

Attractions in the same municipality. Check each attraction’s official website for travel distances from the venue and current opening information.

Origins and History of Iiyama Snow Festival

The Iiyama Snow Festival began with the idea of local young people to use Iiyama’s snow to make snow sculptures.

An initiative led mainly by members of the Iiyama Chamber of Commerce Youth Division began in Showa 57. Snow sculpture-making in February of Showa 58 became the catalyst for the event to grow into a full-scale festival the following year.

It has continued while maintaining its foundations as a community-made festival involving local residents, even as snowfall and weather conditions have changed.

Official information

Event and transportation information is available on the official Iiyama Snow Festival website.

The Iiyama Snow Festival Executive Committee is listed as the contact, with the phone number 0269-62-0156.

Iiyama Snow Festival at a Glance

The Iiyama Snow Festival is a winter celebration in which Iiyama residents make use of snow as a local resource and enjoy snow sculptures, snow lanterns, and snow activities throughout the town.

Highlights include the snow slider at Iiyama Castle Ruins Park, and large snow sculptures and a snow sculpture walking rally in town.

In 2026, the festival was held on February 7 (Saturday) and the 8th (Sunday), offering a close-up experience of life and creativity in a snowy region.