Experience Tomakomai’s winter with snow activities and Shibare-yaki
Tomakomai Skate Festival
The 2026 edition of Tomakomai Skate Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/02/07 〜 2026/02/08Ended
- Season / frequency
- Early February every year / Every year
- Location
- Central Park
- Area
- Hokkaido・Tomakomai City(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
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Participation fee
- Free admission. Advance tickets for “shibare-yaki” available
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
A winter festival in Tomakomai featuring a giant snow slide, stage events, and the local specialty “Shibare-yaki,” Genghis Khan grilled over a drum barrel.
About Tomakomai Skate Festival
The Tomakomai Skate Festival is a winter event held in early February each year in Tomakomai, Hokkaido.
Centered around Tomakomai Central Park, the festival features stage events, a snow sculpture contest, and a large slide made of snow.
“Shibare-yaki,” Genghis Khan grilled on a barbecue made from a repurposed drum barrel, is also one of the festival’s signature specialties.
Enjoy Tomakomai’s winter charms, including food and snow activities, in a city known for skating.
Source: とまこまいスケートまつり - Wikipedia
Festival highlights
Highlights include a giant snow slide and snow sculpture contest unique to the cold season, as well as stage events that enliven the venue.
A food highlight is “Shibare-yaki,” Genghis Khan grilled on a barbecue made from a repurposed drum barrel.
The 2026 event information described these activities at Central Park as something to enjoy with family and friends.
Admission is free, and the event is set up so you can easily explore an outdoor winter festival.
Source: 第６０回とまこまいスケートまつり | 北海道苫小牧市MICE公式サイト
Experience Tomakomai’s winter with snow activities and Shibare-yaki
What to expect
At the venue, you can enjoy the giant snow slide and snow sculptures while watching stage events.
For food, try the local specialty Genghis Khan “Shibare-yaki,” cooked on a barbecue made from a repurposed drum barrel.
In 2026, the festival was held at Central Park on Saturday and Sunday for 2 days, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
A winter event combining snow activities, stage entertainment, and food.
How to take part
Visitors can watch the event.
参加費：入場無料。
Advance tickets for “shibare-yaki” available
Location and access
- Venue and address
Central Park (2-3 Wakakusa-cho, Tomakomai, Hokkaido).
- Train and bus
A 10-minute walk from JR Tomakomai Station.
Address 2-3 Wakakusa-cho, Tomakomai, Hokkaido
Dates and season
2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)
The 60th Tomakomai Skate Festival in 2026 was held over 2 days, February 7 (Sat) and the 8th (Sun).
The hours were announced as 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on both days, and the venue was Tomakomai Central Park.
The festival is held in early February each year and is introduced as a signature event of winter in Tomakomai.
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 / Tomakomai City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
This is an outdoor winter event with attractions such as a snow slide.
As you may spend time on snow or in cold conditions, it’s a good idea to wear warm clothing and non-slip footwear.
If you plan to try the local specialty, “shibare-yaki,” advance tickets were available, so please check in advance where to buy them and whether they are still on sale.
The 2026 event dates have already passed.
Nearby attractions
Nearby tourist attractions introduced include Tomakomai Highland Sports Center, Takaoka Forest Park, Midorigaoka Park, and Midorigaoka Park Observation Deck.
All are introduced as facilities or tourist attractions in Tomakomai City, and are potential stops for an outing combining winter sports, parks, and scenic views.
Please check the operating status of each facility and travel times from the venue before your visit.
樽前山神社
北海道苫小牧市にある神社
苫小牧市美術博物館
北海道苫小牧市にある博物館、美術館
Origins and History of Tomakomai Skate Festival
The first festival was held in 1967, and the 2026 event was the 60th.
The first festival was held at Oji Sports Center and the plaza beside Oji Stadium. From the 2nd through the 37th festival, the venue was Tomakomai Highland Sports Center.
From the 38th festival onward, the event shifted to a format centered around Central Park and has continued as a festival featuring snow sculptures, stage events, slides, and more.
“Shibare-yaki” has been a popular specialty since the 1st festival.
Official information
Tomakomai City Tourism Information: “Tomakomai Skate Festival”
Source: とまこまいスケートまつり／苫小牧市観光情報
Tomakomai Skate Festival at a Glance
The Tomakomai Skate Festival is a winter festival held mainly at Tomakomai Central Park.
Along with a giant snow slide, snow sculptures, and stage events, visitors can enjoy “Shibare-yaki,” Genghis Khan grilled over a drum barrel.
The 60th festival in 2026 was held on February 7 and 8, and was announced as free admission.
The venue is a 10-minute walk from JR Tomakomai Station, making this an event where you can experience Tomakomai’s winter through snow and food.
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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