Kushiro Ice Festival

Festival highlights

Highlights include the ice and snow sculptures lined up at the venue and tube slides that let you glide down over the snow.

There is also a coal snowman display that evokes the history of Kushiro, offering an exhibit that connects snow with local character.

Family-friendly events were also planned, including a rice-cake tossing event for children and a parent-child true-or-false quiz.

Illuminations light up at night, giving the winter port a different look from daytime.

Source: くしろ冬まつり｜イベント｜【公式】北海道の観光・旅行情報サイト HOKKAIDO LOVE!

Kushiro’s winter port festival, featuring ice and snow sculptures and tube slides

What to expect

At the venue, you can walk around to see the ice and snow sculptures and enjoy snow-based activities such as tube slides and Snow Kids Land.

The program included activities visitors could take part in, not just watch, such as a rice-cake tossing event for children, a parent-child true-or-false quiz, and a cold-weather karaoke singing contest.

In addition to daytime events, illuminations light up from the evening onward.

Local specialties are also served at food stalls, where you can enjoy a warm meal at the winter venue.

How to take part

Visitors can watch the event.

参加費：無料（一部催事を除く）

Location and access

Venue and address

Kushiro Port Earthquake-Resistant Passenger Ship Terminal and Kushiro City Tourism and International Relations Center.

The terminal is at 4-1 Saiwaicho, Kushiro, Hokkaido; the Kushiro City Tourism and International Relations Center is at 3-3 Saiwaicho, Kushiro, Hokkaido.

Train and bus

About a 5-minute walk from JR Kushiro Station.

For the Kushiro City Tourism and International Relations Center, directions indicate taking the Takuboku Loop Line bus operated by Kushiro Bus and getting off at “Kokusai Koryu Center-mae.”

By car

About 6 minutes by car from JR Kushiro Station and about 28 minutes from Kushiro Airport.

Parking

There is no parking.

Address 4-1 Saiwaicho, Kushiro, Hokkaido (Kushiro Port Earthquake-Resistant Passenger Ship Terminal); 3-3 Saiwaicho, Kushiro, Hokkaido (Kushiro City Tourism and International Relations Center)

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Dates and season

2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)

The 2026 Kushiro Winter Festival was held from February 7 (Saturday) to February 8 (Sunday).

Daytime events ran from 10:00 to 16:00, and the illuminations were scheduled to shine from 17:00 to 20:00.

Typically, the festival is held over 2 days, ending on the first Sunday of February.

The 2026 event period has now passed.

Accommodation and hotels PR

Tips for your visit

The venue includes outdoor winter areas with ice and snow sculptures and snow-play facilities, so it is important to dress warmly.

To see the illuminations, visit during the evening hours, from 17:00 to 20:00.

There is no parking, so plan to walk or use public transportation.

Food is available at stalls inside the venue, but prices vary for some events, according to the information provided.

Nearby attractions

Nearby attractions include the Hokkaido Kushiro Art Museum, Kushiro Fisherman’s Wharf MOO, Minato Bunka-kan, and Nusamai Bridge.

Kushiro Washo Market and robatayaki are also listed as nearby attractions.

You can plan an outing to visit the port town’s cultural facilities and sample its food alongside the festival.

Check each facility’s operating status and conditions of use individually before your visit.

Temples and shrinesKushiro City

厳島神社

釧路市にある神社

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写真：Omiya benten / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Zoos and aquariumsKushiro City

釧路市動物園

北海道釧路市にある動物園

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写真：Uruya / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Parks and gardensKushiro City · 釧路町 · 鶴居村 · 標茶町

釧路湿原国立公園

北海道にある国立公園

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写真：欅 (Keyaki) / CC BY-SA 3.0(resized and reformatted)

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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 Kushiro Ice Festival

The Kushiro Ice Festival began in 1965 and has continued as a winter event that makes use of Kushiro’s severe cold.

Through its 46th edition in 2010, the festival was held over 3 days at 2 venues: Sakaemachi Heiwa Park and the Kushiro City Tourism and International Relations Center / Kushiro Fisherman’s Wharf MOO.

Later, the venues were consolidated into 1 location and the event shortened to 2 days. In 2012, it was renamed the “Kushiro Winter Festival.”

After the name change, the program became centered on events involving local residents.

Official information

Event information is available on the “Kushiro Winter Festival 2026” page of the official Kushiro-Akan Lake Tourism website.

The listing includes the venue, event hours, fees, access, and contact information.

For inquiries, contact the Kushiro Winter Festival Committee Secretariat.

Kushiro Ice Festival at a Glance

Kushiro’s winter festival, which began as the Kushiro Ice Festival, has been held as the “Kushiro Winter Festival” since 2012.

In 2026, ice and snow sculptures, tube slides, family-friendly activities, and illuminations were held at venues including the Kushiro Port Earthquake-Resistant Passenger Ship Terminal.

About a 5-minute walk from JR Kushiro Station; there is no parking.