Kushiro’s summer festival where sea fog, music, and light come together
Kushiro Kirifestival
The 2026 edition of Kushiro Kirifestival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/07/24 〜 2026/07/26Ended
- Season / frequency
- Late July / Every year
- Location
- Special event stage at the Seismic-Resistant Quay, Saiwai-cho Green Space
- Area
- Hokkaido・Kushiro(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 30 min–2 h · flight time only)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
- Highlights and activities
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
This outdoor festival lets you enjoy live music and laser shows amid Kushiro’s sea fog. The venue also features the Kairo Market, where you can sample food from local shops.
About Kushiro Kirifestival
The Kushiro Kirifestival is an outdoor event celebrating sea fog, a natural symbol of Kushiro, Hokkaido.
The program centers on live music, with performances combining fog, lasers, and sound.
The venue also features the Kairo Market, run by local shops, making this an event where you can enjoy Kushiro’s food and music together.
Source: KUSHIRO KIRI FESTIVAL 2026 | 観る・楽しむ | 釧路・阿寒湖観光公式サイト SUPER FANTASTIC Kushiro Lake Akan
Festival highlights
The main highlight is the fog laser show, which lights up the night sky shrouded in fog with laser beams and music.
In recent years, DJ and laser shows have taken place simultaneously, offering a different kind of spectacle from the live music performances.
The Kairo Market, lined with local eateries, is located in front of the venue, where you can also enjoy robatayaki-style dishes.
Source: くしろ霧フェスティバル - Wikipedia
Kushiro’s summer festival where sea fog, music, and light come together
What to expect
The program features live music over multiple days, centered around a special stage at the venue.
Fog laser shows, DJ shows, stage events, and activities around the venue are combined so there is plenty to enjoy outside the live performances as well.
Food and drink vendors are also on site, and you can sample food from local shops at the Kairo Market.
Source: くしろ霧フェスティバル2026 | 釧路 | Japan, 北海道釧路市Saiwaichō, 4 Chome−1 幸町緑地
How to take part
Visitors can watch the event.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Special event stage at the Seismic-Resistant Quay, Saiwai-cho Green Space, Kushiro, Hokkaido.
The address is 3-3 Saiwai-cho, Kushiro, Hokkaido.
- Train and bus
About a 10-minute walk from JR Kushiro Station.
- By car
There is no parking at the venue.
Please use a nearby paid parking lot.
- Parking
There is no parking at the venue.
Visitors are advised to use a nearby paid parking lot.
Address 3-3 Saiwai-cho, Kushiro, Hokkaido
Dates and season
2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)
The 2026 event was scheduled to run for 3 days, from July 24 (Fri) through the 26th (Sun).
The venue is the special event stage at the Seismic-Resistant Quay in Saiwai-cho Green Space.
Even after the dates have passed, the event is listed as one that is held in late July in a typical year.
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 Hokkaido / Kushiro (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
There is no parking at the venue, so visitors arriving by car should use a nearby paid parking lot.
Visitors are advised not to bring pets into the venue.
The live music area includes a paid section, so check the admission fee and ticket conditions before visiting.
Nearby attractions
厳島神社
釧路市にある神社
釧路市動物園
北海道釧路市にある動物園
釧路湿原国立公園
北海道にある国立公園
写真：欅 (Keyaki) / CC BY-SA 3.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·Origins and History of Kushiro Kirifestival
The Kushiro Kirifestival was first held in 1985.
The festival began at the Kushiro Tourism and International Relations Center. In 2012, the venue was expanded as Saiwai-cho Green Space was developed and an outdoor stage was built at the seismic-resistant quay.
From 2021, the festival switched to using a special stage dedicated to the Kirifestival, leading to the current venue layout.
Official information
The official website has information about the 2026 special guest live performances, tickets, venue access, parking, and bringing pets.
The latest information about the event and ticket purchases is available on the official website.
Kushiro Kirifestival at a Glance
The Kushiro Kirifestival is an outdoor music event centered on Kushiro’s sea fog.
Along with live performances on the special stage, enjoy fog laser shows, DJ shows, and the Kairo Market featuring local shops.
The 2026 event was scheduled to take place from July 24 through the 26th at the special event stage at the Seismic-Resistant Quay in Saiwai-cho Green Space.
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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