A winter scene in Shizukuishi, brought to life by snow sculptures and kamakura
Iwate Snow Festival
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- February each year, about 10 days / Held annually, but discontinued by decision in 2022
- Location
- Multiple venues, including Koiwai Farm Makibaen
- Area
- Iwate Prefecture・Shizukuishi Town(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h 10 min–2 h 40 min · bullet train)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Features
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
A winter festival in Shizukuishi Town where visitors could enjoy snow sculptures, kamakura, illuminations, and winter foods.
About Iwate Snow Festival
The Iwate Snow Festival was a winter event held mainly at Koiwai Farm Makibaen and other locations in Shizukuishi Town, Iwate Prefecture.
The festival combined snow-based displays and food experiences, including snow sculptures with large slides, a snow stage, and kamakura.
Some editions were held across multiple venues, and the festival was cherished as one of Iwate’s signature winter events.
Its discontinuation was formally decided in 2022.
Source: 岩手雪まつり - Wikipedia
Festival highlights
Highlights included a snowy landscape lined with large and small snow sculptures, large slides, and a snow stage.
About 70 kamakura snow huts were set up at the venue, some featuring jingisukan and yakiniku.
In some years, the snow sculptures were illuminated in the evening, and fireworks were held at night.
Note that the venue layout and program varied by year.
A winter scene in Shizukuishi, brought to life by snow sculptures and kamakura
What to expect
At past editions, visitors could walk around to see the snow sculptures and large slides, then enjoy the snow stage and various events.
Visitors could eat jingisukan and yakiniku in the kamakura, then view illuminated snow sculptures from the evening onward.
In 2019, Iwate Kogen Snow Park was the main venue, with food stall villages, stage shows, fireworks, and other events held across multiple locations.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Koiwai Farm Makibaen (46-3 Terashita, 10th Block, Terashita, Shizukuishi Town, Iwate District, Iwate Prefecture).
In some past years, the event was held across multiple venues, including Iwate Kogen Snow Park.
Source: 祭・イベント詳細： 岩手雪まつり;｜（一財）都市農山漁村交流活性化機構（まちむら交流きこう）
Address 46-3 Terashita, 10th Block, Terashita, Shizukuishi Town, Iwate District, Iwate Prefecture
Dates and season
- Season
February each year, about 10 days
- Frequency
Held annually, but discontinued by decision in 2022
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Iwate Prefecture / Shizukuishi Town (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
During the festival, visitors often walked on snow. Warm clothing suitable for the winter outdoors and appropriate footwear were needed when viewing the snow sculptures and kamakura.
The venue was illuminated at night, so the view and perceived temperature differed between daytime and nighttime.
Since the venue changed by year and some editions took place across multiple sites, visitors should check the event status and venue before visiting.
Nearby attractions
Past venues associated with the festival included Koiwai Farm Makibaen, Iwate Kogen Snow Park, Amihari Onsen Ski Resort, and Shizukuishi Ski Resort.
In some years, visitors could enjoy a snow-viewing bath at Amihari Onsen Ski Resort and snow activities at Shizukuishi Ski Resort.
This information relates to the festival’s dates and venue arrangements in those years.
Origins and History of Iwate Snow Festival
The Iwate Snow Festival began with “Koiwai Kamakura,” held in 1968.
At the first edition, 12 kamakura were lit, and Shizukuishi Anekko appeared wearing waragutsu straw boots and welcomed visitors by serving jingisukan hot pot.
It was renamed “Koiwai Snow Festival” for its 4th edition in 1971, then became the “Iwate Snow Festival” starting with its 5th edition the following year.
Its discontinuation was formally decided in 2022.
Official information
An official website was listed for the Iwate Snow Festival.
The Iwate Snow Festival official homepage is recorded as a source for event information.
Iwate Snow Festival at a Glance
The Iwate Snow Festival was an event in Shizukuishi Town where visitors could enjoy snow sculptures, kamakura, illuminations, and winter foods.
It continued with changes to its name and scale, beginning with “Koiwai Kamakura” in 1968, and was held through its 53rd edition in 2020.
The festival was canceled in 2021 and 2022, and its discontinuation was formally decided in 2022, so it is not scheduled to take place in 2026.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
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