Snowman Festival

Festival highlights

Highlights include the distinctive snowmen and snow sculptures lining the streets of Shiramine and Kuwashima.

In the evening, candles placed inside the snowmen and elsewhere are lit, enveloping the entire district in a magical atmosphere.

In 2026, there was also time set aside to visit food stalls, where visitors could enjoy food and drinks featuring local specialties.

Source: 雪だるままつり / 石川県 -【JAPAN 47 GO】

A winter evening brightened by snowmen and lights in Shiramine

What to expect

At the festival, visitors can walk around town to see snowmen and snow sculptures made by local residents and enjoy them lit up from evening onward.

Snow sculptures are made by rolling snowballs, packing snow into molds, carving into snow walls, or piling snow onto a frame.

Stalls at various venues offer food and drinks, mainly local specialties.

How to take part

Visitors can watch the event.

参加費：駐車協力金：乗用車500円、マイクロバス3,000円、大型バス5,000円

Location and access

Venue and address

Shiramine and Kuwashima districts, Hakusan City.

The entire district serves as the venue, and in 2026, roads in the Shiramine district are closed to vehicles from 3 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Train and bus

Take the Hokutetsu Hakusan Bus bound for Shiramine and get off at “Shiramine.”

It takes 110 minutes by bus from Kanazawa Station.

By car

From Hakusan IC, travel south on Route 157 for about 70 minutes.

Parking

The parking contribution fee is 500 yen for passenger cars, 3,000 yen for minibuses, and 5,000 yen for large buses.

Follow the directions of traffic guides and signs.

Address Kuwashima and Shiramine, Hakusan City, Ishikawa Prefecture

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Dates and season

2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)

In 2026, it was held on February 6 (Friday), with the event listed as running from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Food stalls in the Shiramine district are open from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., and the snowmen are illuminated from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The 2026 event has already taken place, but the information noted that the lights might be turned off depending on the weather.

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Tips for your visit

The venue covers the entire district. According to the 2026 event information, roads in the Shiramine district were closed to vehicles from 3 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

If you travel by car, avoid the restricted hours or use the designated parking lots, and follow the directions of traffic guides and signs.

Visitors arriving by bus are advised to inquire in advance.

Nearby attractions

Nearby attractions include Shiramine Onsen Sōyu, Rinsai-ji Temple, and the Ishikawa Prefectural Hakusanroku Folk Museum.

Shiramine Onsen Sōyu is introduced as a hot spring facility, Rinsai-ji as a temple, and the Hakusanroku Folk Museum as a facility focused on local history and folk customs.

If you plan to visit alongside the festival, check each facility’s opening days and hours.

Temples and shrinesHakusan City

白山比咩神社

石川県白山市にある神社

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写真：dennis bloodnok (bloodnok) / CC BY 2.0

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Museums and art museumsHakusan City

石川県ふれあい昆虫館

石川県白山市にある博物館

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写真：Saigawasakurabashi / CC BY-SA 3.0

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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 Snowman Festival

The Snowman Festival began in 1990, led by the village youth group at the time, to give residents of snowy Shiramine a chance to enjoy the snow and welcome visitors.

At first, each household made one snowman for every member of the family.

Over time, more creatively designed snowmen and snow sculptures appeared, and groups from outside the district also began taking part in making them.

Official information

The 2026 event information is posted on Hakusan City’s tourism and travel information website, “Urara Hakusan.”

The event information lists the venue as Shiramine, Hakusan City, and describes snowman displays, illuminations, and food stalls in the Shiramine and Kuwashima districts.

The Shiramine Tourism Association can be reached at 076-259-2721.

Snowman Festival at a Glance

The Snowman Festival is a winter event where visitors can enjoy snowmen and snow sculptures made by residents of the Shiramine and Kuwashima districts, together with the lights.

In 2026, it was held on February 6, with illuminations from evening onward.

Vehicle restrictions apply throughout the venue area, so consider using public transportation or the designated parking lots.