Two days in Nakashibetsu to enjoy snow sculptures, a jumbo slide, and fireworks in the winter sky
Nakashibetsu Winter Festival
The 2026 edition of Nakashibetsu Winter Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/02/07 〜 2026/02/08Ended
- Season / frequency
- The second Saturday and Sunday of February each year / Every year
- Location
- Shirubetto Square in front of the Nakashibetsu Town General Cultural Center
- Area
- Hokkaido・Nakashibetsu Town(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.
- Participation / viewing
- Open to public participation / spectators welcome
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
Nakashibetsu’s winter festival brings together snow and ice sculptures, a jumbo slide, snow competitions, and fireworks lighting up the winter sky.
About Nakashibetsu Winter Festival
The Nakashibetsu Winter Festival is a local winter event held in Nakashibetsu, Hokkaido.
The program features activities making use of snow and cold weather, including snow and ice sculpture displays, a snow sculpture contest, a jumbo slide, and activities for children.
Local shops and others also set up stalls at the venue, making it an occasion for people to gather in town during winter.
Source: 第51回なかしべつ冬まつり｜北海道観光｜ぐうたび北海道
Festival highlights
Highlights include displays of snow and ice sculptures and the jumbo slide, which is popular with children.
Snow competitions include tug-of-war and a rugby throw-in, where participants test their strength and teamwork against one another.
There is also a fireworks display on Saturday night, offering a chance to enjoy the snowy venue and winter night sky together.
Source: これを見れば一目瞭然！「第51回なかしべつ冬まつり」イベントスケジュール
Two days in Nakashibetsu to enjoy snow sculptures, a jumbo slide, and fireworks in the winter sky
What to expect
At the venue, the program begins with an opening ceremony and mochi throwing, followed by events such as a rugby throw-in, a parent-and-child slide time trial, and a snow tug-of-war.
performances and Japanese drum performances are held, and the award-winning snow sculptures are announced. Fireworks light up the night.
The following day’s program concludes with a cold-weather radio calisthenics session, a general snow tug-of-war, the closing ceremony, and a grand prize drawing.
How to take part
Alongside events for general visitors, there are competitions that can be entered under certain conditions.
Events are divided by age group, including a rugby throw-in for elementary school students in grades 1–6, a snow tug-of-war for elementary school students, and an extreme spicy-food eating championship for people aged 20 and over.
The snow tug-of-war for general participants is open to junior high school students and older.
Entry methods vary by competition.
To enter the rugby throw-in, call the Nakashibetsu Chamber of Commerce and Industry Youth Division; for the snow tug-of-war, call the Nakashibetsu Junior Chamber; and for the extreme spicy-food eating championship, call the Nakashibetsu Festival Executive Committee.
Entries for snow sculpture creation were accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, with 8 small sculptures available.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Shirubetto Plaza in front of Nakashibetsu Town General Cultural Hall (1-1 Higashi 2-jo Minami 3-chome, Nakashibetsu Town, Shibetsu District, Hokkaido)
- Train and bus
It is a 1-minute walk from Nakashibetsu Town Transportation Center (bus terminal).
Nakashibetsu Airport is a 10-minute drive away.
- By car
It is a 10-minute drive from Nakashibetsu Airport.
2026年2月7日（土）18:45～19:30は、花火大会に伴い南3丁目通りで交通規制が行われました。
- Parking
370 free parking spaces were listed, including the parking lot at Nakashibetsu Town General Cultural Hall.
Another notice asked visitors to use public parking or the temporary parking lot (near JA Nakashibetsu).
Source: 第51回なかしべつ冬まつり / 北海道 -【JAPAN 47 GO】
Address 1-1 Higashi 2-jo Minami 3-chome, Nakashibetsu, Shibetsu District, Hokkaido
Dates and season
2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)
The 51st Nakashibetsu Winter Festival in 2026 was announced for February 7 (Saturday) and the 8th (Sunday).
The festival is scheduled to run from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the first day and from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the second day.
The fireworks display was scheduled for 7 p.m. on the first day, with postponement to the following day in severe weather.
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 / Nakashibetsu Town (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
As the venue is outdoors, visitors are advised to dress warmly.
Children using the jumbo slide were advised to wear a hat and gloves.
Events may be changed or canceled depending on the weather and snow conditions, and visitors should also be aware of traffic restrictions on Minami 3-chome Street during the fireworks.
Nearby attractions
Nearby sightseeing spots include the Nakashibetsu Town Museum, the Nakashibetsu Town Museum Midorigaoka Branch, and Hokkaido Prefectural Yumenomori Park.
Kaiyodai Observatory is also listed as a sightseeing spot in Nakashibetsu, offering views over the town and the grid-patterned windbreak forests.
If you plan to visit these places as well as the festival, it is a good idea to check each facility’s operating status when planning your trip.
Source: 網走・紋別・北見・知床、釧路・阿寒・川湯・屈斜路・根室、帯広・十勝｜北海道観光｜ぐうたび北海道
中標津町郷土館
北海道中標津町の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
Origins and History of Nakashibetsu Winter Festival
The Nakashibetsu Winter Festival was first held in 1975.
Its origins are described as beginning when people involved in making large snow sculptures at the Sapporo Snow Festival venue were invited from the Japan Self-Defense Force’s Betsukai Camp to provide guidance on snow sculpture making.
The festival marked its 35th edition in 2010, and snow sculpture making, fireworks, and activities making use of snow have been carried on ever since.
Source: なかしべつ冬まつり - Wikipedia
Official information
The festival is organized by the Nakashibetsu Festival Executive Committee.
For inquiries, contact the organizing office at 0153-74-0464. The listed contact is the Tourism Promotion Section, Economic Promotion Division, Nakashibetsu Town Hall.
According to the 2026 information, the festival is supported by Nakashibetsu Town, the Nakashibetsu Chamber of Commerce, and the Nakashibetsu Tourism Association, a general incorporated association.
Nakashibetsu Winter Festival at a Glance
The Nakashibetsu Winter Festival is a winter event in Nakashibetsu where you can enjoy snow and ice sculptures, a jumbo slide, snow competitions, and fireworks all in one place.
The 2026 festival was announced for February 7 and the 8th at Shirubetto Square.
Participatory competitions have age and group-size requirements, so it is recommended that you check the entry guidelines for the events you wish to join before visiting.
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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