Are you traveling to Hokkaido this summer? Then why not check out summer festivals and celebrate the most vibrant season of Hokkaido together with the local!
From big fireworks to small local festivals, there are many not to miss out. Some festival dates are not yet confirmed for 2024, but I will update them below once they are officially announced. As many festivals tend to take place around similar dates from the previous year, I added the dates in 2023 for your reference.
Useful Resources
✨Traveling to Eastern Hokkaido? Grab my Eastern Hokkaido Travel Planner
✨Taking trains? Check out my JR Hokkaido Pass Guide
✨Stuck in your trip planning? Ask for my Local Expert Advice
27 Summer Festivals in Hokkaido
May 3-31, 2024, Higashimokoto, Shiba Sakura Festival
Late May, Nemuro, Habomai Fish Festival: Dates to be confirmed
May 19, 2024, Abashiri, Spring Crab Festival
June 1-2, 2024, Shiraoi Beef Festival
Late June, Lake Shikotsu Water Festival: Date to be confirmed (2023 was on June 25)
July 13-14, 2024, Nemuro Port Festival
Mid-July, Nemuro Bon Dance Festival: Date to be confirmed (2023 was on July 16)
Mid-July, Kitami Bonchi Festival: Dates to be confirmed (2023 was on July 19)
July 19-21, 2024, Nakashibetsu Shrine Festival
July 20, 2024, Naka Furano Lavender Festival
July 25-27, 2024, Abashiri Okhotsk Summer Festival
Late July, Akan Furusato Festival: Date to be confirmed (2023 was on July 23)
July 26-28, 2024, Otaru Shio Festival
July 26-28, 2024, Monbetsu Port Festival
Late July, Lake Toya Summer Festival: Date to be confirmed (2023 was on July 29)
Early August, Hakodate Port Festival: August 1-5 to be confirmed
August 1-3, 2024, Asahikawa Summer Festival
August 2-4, 2024, Kushiro Port Festival
Mid-August, Kushiro, Senshin Firework Festival: Dates to be confirmed (2023 was on August 16)
Mid-August, Obihiro Heigen Festival: Dates to be confirmed (2023 was on August 14-15)
Late August, Noboribetsu Hell Festival: Last Saturday and Sunday of August, to be confirmed
August 31 & September 1, 2024, Nemuro Crab Festival
Yosakoi Soran Dance Festival, Sapporo
The Yosakoi Soran Festival, a vibrant early-summer event in Hokkaido, fills the air with energy around Sapporo’s Odori Park. This festival kicked off in 1992, mixing the lively "Naruko" clappers from the Yosakoi Festival in Kochi with the catchy rhythms of Hokkaido’s own "Soran Bushi." Dancers, dressing in colorful costumes and wielding Naruko, leap and whirl to the dynamic tunes of Soran Bushi. Every year, the festival pulls in about 270 teams, that's 27,000 dancers, and the nearly 2 million people who come to watch. With over 10 stages all over the city, this festival turns Sapporo into a massive dance floor!
📅 June 7-11, 2024
📍Multiple locations - check the official website.
Hokkaido Shrine Festival, Sapporo
Known locally as "Sapporo Matsuri," the Hokkaido Shrine Festival is a true local favorite with a history spanning over a century. On June 16th, the city buzzes with excitement as mikoshi (portable shrines) are paraded through the streets, accompanied by vibrant floats and locals dressed up in traditional Heian-era costumes. The parade begins at the Hokkaido Shrine in Maruyama, winding its way to Odori Park that always gathers a big, lively crowd. Also head over to Nakajima Park, where about 400 stalls offer all sorts of goodies, from snacks to games!
📅 June 14-16, 2024
📍 Hokkaido Shrine, Nakajima Park, Odori
🍶 Local Izakaya in Sapporo
Want to enjoy the night like a local? Check out this guide to Sapporo's most popular izakaya areas.
Also join Sapporo Bar Hopping Food Tour with MagicalTrip! The friendly and outgoing local guides provides you a small group tour to make your experience much more personal and authentic.
Shiretoko Summer Festival
Shari town in Shiretoko comes alive each summer with the Shiretoko Summer Festival, a vibrant spectacle that’s not to be missed. Over two exciting days, the streets of Shari are taken over by more than a dozen massive "neputa" floats. These floats, carrying large, beautifully illuminated lanterns, have their roots in Japan's Tohoku region. The star of the show is an impressive 8-meter tall neputa gifted from Hirosaki City in Aomori Prefecture, Shari’s sister city.
📅 July 19-20, 2024
📍Shari
Sapporo Summer Festival
Since it started in 1954, the Sapporo Summer Festival has been a highlight of the season, featuring a series of events across the city as shown below. If you are in Sapporo, don’t miss it!
📅 July 19 - August 16, 2024
📍 Odori Park, Tanuki Koji Shopping Street, Susukino.
Odori Beer Garden, July 19 - August 14: A hallmark of Sapporo’s summer, the Odori Beer Garden is one of Japan's largest, held in Odori Park. This iconic event turns the park into a bustling hub of activity, offering a wide selection of beers and culinary delights, perfect for enjoying the warm summer nights.
Tanuki Festival, July 19 - August 16: Held along Sapporo's oldest shopping arcade, Tanuki Koji has over 140 years of history. Spanning 1km east to west through the city center, the arcade is decked out in festive decor, with various events and traditional festivities that attract visitors and locals.
Susukino Festival, August 1-3: Centered around a special stage in the Susukino area, this festival features performances such as taiko drumming and YOSAKOI Soran dancing. Around 80 food stalls operated by local eateries add to the vibrant atmosphere, making it a feast for the senses.
Bon Odori Dance, August 11-16: The grand finale of the month-long Sapporo Summer Festival is the Bon Odori Dance, held in Odori Park. This traditional Japanese dance event brings the community together to celebrate the spirit of summer. The event includes a "Children's Bon Dance" and the "Hokkai Bon Dance" for adults, offering fun for all ages as well as a number of food stalls.
Where to stay in Sapporo
- JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo
⭐4 stars ♨️Hot spring 🏢Excellent Location
An urban city hotel with a great location directly connected to JR Sapporo station, shopping malls nearby, and a natural hot spring spa. Only 10 min walk to Odori Park. - ONSEN RYOKAN Yuen Sapporo
⭐3.5 stars 👩❤️👨For Couple ♨️Hot spring
A modern onsen city hotel with simple and stylish rooms, located just 5 min away from Odori Park. - Mercure Hotel Sapporo
⭐4 stars 🏢Excellent Location 👟Fitness Room
A city hotel conveniently located in Susukino, a popular spot for local restaurants and bars.
Toyohira River Firework Festival, Sapporo
The Toyohira River Firework Festival is a beloved event in Sapporo with a long-standing history. It’s the only show in town where you can see fireworks bursting over the Toyohira River. 4,000 fireworks light up the night sky, creating a breathtaking spectacle visible from many parts of the city. The event attracts locals and tourists alike. It’s a major highlight of the summer in Sapporo, bringing everyone together for a night. Make sure you’re there to soak it all in!
📅 July 26, 2024
📍 Toyohira River, between Minami Ohashi Bridge and Horohira Bridge
✨TRAVEL TIP
If you are looking for a guided tour that offers transportation, check out Guided One-Day Tours from Sapporo. The popular destinations include Furano, Biei, Asahikawa, Otaru, Lake Toya, Noboribetsu and many more. You can visit many must-see places in one day while just relaxing in a car!
Hakodate Port Festival
Hakodate Port Festival is the highlight of Hakodate's summer. It all starts with a fireworks show on August 1st. The next couple of days are filled with community parades near Hakodate Station, Matsukaze-cho, and the Goryokaku area, where you can catch the famous "Hakodate Squid Dance." Throughout the festival period, Hakodate Green Plaza buzzes with local food stalls. Adding to the festive mood, a specially decorated tram runs through the city, playing festive music and decked out in twinkling lights!
📅 August 1-5, 2024, to be confirmed
📍Multiple locations in Hakodate
Hokkaido Summer TRIP Itineraries
If you are still figuring out your trip, here are some of my summer trip itineraries for you.
NEED ADVICE ON YOUR TRIP PLAN?
I’M HERE TO HELP YOU!
I’ve been helping international travelers plan their dream trips to Hokkaido for many years. I’d be happy to plan your itinerary with you for Eastern Hokkaido as well as other regions.
Check out what you can ask me & why you should plan with a local expert like me.
THAT’S ALL!
Hope you enjoyed this article. I’d love to hear from you, whether it’s feedback or questions - Reach out to me on my Facebook page or Instagram.
This 3-day itinerary takes you to must-visit summer attractions in Abashiri in Hokkaido, Japan, using only public transportation!