A festival to explore snow sculptures and plazas and discover winter culture in snow country
Tokamachi Snow Festival
The 2026 edition of Tokamachi Snow Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/02/20 〜 2026/02/22Ended
- Season / frequency
- Mid-February each year / Every year
- Location
- Various locations throughout Tokamachi City (main area: Snow Rich Square / Tokamachi Municipal Nishi Elementary School grounds)
- Area
- Niigata Prefecture・Tokamachi City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 40 min–2 h 10 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
- Participation / viewing
- Open to public participation / spectators welcome
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
A winter festival where visitors explore snow sculptures and festival plazas throughout Tokamachi City and enjoy snow-country culture and winter events.
About Tokamachi Snow Festival
Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: Rebirth10 File:Tokamachi Snow Festival.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: Rebirth10 File:Tokamachi Snow Festival Zikokuhyou.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: Rebirth10 File:Lapid Tokamachi Yukimatsuri E653kei.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.The Tokamachi Snow Festival is a winter event held in Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture, where visitors can enjoy artworks and events that make use of snow.
Snow sculptures and festival plazas are set up throughout the city, where local people express the life and culture of snow country.
In 2026, the program included the Snow Art Exhibition, snow activities, snow-country cultural experiences, and food stalls.
As visitors tour venues stretching from the city center to the area around the stations, they can experience winter scenery unique to Tokamachi.
Source: 2/20-22「第77回十日町雪まつり」開催！ | 十日町市観光協会 / 定例記者会見（令和8年2月2日）／十日町市
Festival highlights
The main highlight is the Snow Art Exhibition, featuring works created by local residents and groups.
In 2026, 42 works were spread across the city, and the snow sculptures in the art category were illuminated from the first evening.
At Snow Rich Square, the main area, visitors can enjoy stage shows, a kimono runway show, and snow activities.
In the evening, the Rainbow Snow Fireworks light up the winter sky, while food stalls add to the enjoyment of the venue.
A festival to explore snow sculptures and plazas and discover winter culture in snow country
What to expect
At the festival, visitors can start from Tokamachi Station, Shimojo Station, or Echigo-Mizusawa Station and tour festival plazas and snow sculptures in various locations.
The experience includes viewing works in the Snow Art Exhibition and enjoying stage shows and snow activities at Snow Rich Square.
Snow-country cultural experiences and food stalls are also available, with different events to discover in each area.
In 2026, the festival ran until 3 p.m. on the final day, and a shuttle bus also operated.
Source: 冬の一大イベント「ようこそ十日町雪まつりへ！」2日目の様子をお届けします【新潟県十日町市・2026年】 | 十日町市観光協会
How to take part
General visitors can enjoy viewing snow sculptures at each venue, stage shows, snow activities, snow-country cultural experiences, and food stalls.
While local residents and groups create the snow sculptures, activities for visitors mainly involve touring the venues and viewing the displays.
In 2026, 14 festival plazas and snow sculptures throughout the city were open to the public.
Participation requirements may vary for individual activities.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Various locations throughout Tokamachi City.
The main area is Snowrich Plaza (the grounds of Tokamachi Municipal Nishi Elementary School), with plazas and snow sculptures scattered across an area of about 15 km between Gejo Station and Echigo-Mizusawa Station.
- Train and bus
You can reach the venues from Tokamachi Station, JR Gejo Station, and JR Echigo-Mizusawa Station.
Free shuttle buses ran via the west exit of Tokamachi Station, City Hall, the JA Uonuma main branch, and other locations.
- By car
February 21, 2026 and the 22nd: temporary parking lots were opened.
Parking locations listed include City Hall, the JA Uonuma main branch, and the parking lot at the west exit of Tokamachi Station.
- Parking
Temporary parking is available at places including Rissho Kosei-kai Tokamachi Church, Utsunomiya Manufacturing Co., Ltd., the No. 2 parking lot at Crossten, the Water and Sewerage Bureau, and the Soka Gakkai Tokamachi Culture Center.
Mizusawa Elementary School was open only on February 21.
Source: 【第77回】臨時駐車場・シャトルバス情報 | 十日町雪まつり｜Tokamachi Snow Festival
Address Various locations throughout Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture
Dates and season
2026 Event Information (the listed dates have passed)
The 77th Tokamachi Snow Festival in 2026 was held from February 20 (Friday) through the 22nd (Sunday).
On the 20th, it ran from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., with snow sculpture displays in the art category and their illumination as the main attractions.
It ran from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the 21st and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the 22nd.
Opening times varied by venue, and the Rainbow Snow Fireworks were launched at 7 p.m. on the 21st.
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 Niigata Prefecture / Tokamachi City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
The venues are spread across the city rather than gathered in one place, with 42 snow sculptures and 14 festival plazas throughout the area.
If you plan to visit areas that are too far to cover on foot, the snow sculpture and festival plaza shuttle bus or the free shuttle bus is a convenient option.
As you will be walking around outdoor venues in the snow, prepare for slippery footing and cold weather.
Opening hours vary by venue, so check the hours for the festival plaza you want to visit before setting out.
Nearby attractions
十日町市博物館
新潟県十日町市にある博物館
十日町市立里山科学館 越後松之山「森の学校」キョロロ
新潟県十日町市にある博物館
写真：Kentaro Ohno さん https://www.flickr.com/photos/inucara/ / CC BY 2.0
Photo source ·Origins and History of Tokamachi Snow Festival
The Tokamachi Snow Festival began with the idea of enjoying winter and living it more brightly by embracing snow rather than treating it as an enemy.
Following Emperor Showa's visit to Niigata Prefecture in 1947, Kihei Takahashi and others worked on the “Brightening Life in Snow Country” movement, and the snow festival was born as one of its ideas.
The first festival was held on February 4, 1950. At first, it featured exhibitions, a snow carnival, a ski relay race, and other events.
Today, it has grown into a winter festival centered on snow sculptures, festival plazas, and snow activities.
Official information
Official information about the Tokamachi Snow Festival is available on the official Tokamachi Snow Festival website.
Information was published for the 77th edition in 2026, including program events, the Snow Art Exhibition, festival plazas, access, temporary parking, and shuttle buses.
The program varies by venue and year, so please check the latest event information before visiting next time.
Tokamachi Snow Festival at a Glance
The Tokamachi Snow Festival is an event where visitors can enjoy snow-country culture and winter festivities while exploring snow sculptures and festival plazas spread throughout Tokamachi City.
In 2026, the program included 42 snow sculptures, 14 festival plazas, snow activities, stage shows, and the Rainbow Snow Fireworks.
Starting from a station and using the shuttle bus makes it easier to visit multiple venues.
Centered on the Snow Art Exhibition, this event offers a chance to experience the relationship with snow that local people have fostered.
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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