The Summer and Autumn Festivals to Know in Hokkaido 2025

The greenery has deepened, and Hokkaido’s short summer has officially begun. From summer through autumn, various events take place in areas like Niseko, Rusutsu, and Furano. We've carefully selected some especially recommended ones for you. Once you've chosen your destination, be sure to book your accommodation early.

Niko Niko Summer Festival

• When: 19-20 July 
• Where: Niseko Village (Shopping & Dining Area)
• What to see & do: Over two days, enjoy food stalls, food trucks, a music and art festival, and a grand fireworks display to light up the night.

The 63rd Kutchan Jaga Matsuri (Kutchan Potato Festival)

• When: 2-3 August
• Where: Kutchan Ekimae Avenue (In front of Kutchan JR Station).
• What to see & do: Get ready to celebrate the 62nd Jaga Matsuri. This year’s event promises two days filled with fun activities, mouthwatering food, and captivating cultural experiences. Don’t miss out on the parade of Nebuta lantern floats, the Taiko drumming, enchanting traditional dances (with 1,000 people participants), exciting games (with the chance to win renowned Kutchan potatoes), dazzling fireworks, and music. It's an event you won't want to miss!
  
  

Photo Credit: Kutchan Town

Niseko Town Tanabata Fireworks

• When: 2 August
• Where: Niseko Cho Undo Park, Niseko.
• What to see & do: Considered to be one of the best fireworks events in this area. This year, you can expect to see impressive and colourful fireworks light up the sky. In addition to the grand fireworks, kids can also enjoy lighting up mini fireworks and lots of fun games! And of course, there will be many local food stalls there.

Photo Credit: Niseko Photography

Hirafu Festival

• When: 23 August (3pm-9pm) and 24 August (11am-9pm).
• Where: Sun sportsland, Hirafu – Next to Intuition Niseko (adjacent to The Vale Niseko).
• What to see & do: Loved by locals and gaining popularity among travellers, this event spans two days, packed with a wide range of activities to delight both kids and adults. Indulge in the flavours of local cuisine and savour the freshness of produce straight from local farms. Enjoy the lively atmosphere with live music by local schools and exciting performances. Don’t miss out Mochi Maki, where you might uncover a fantastic surprise hidden within the rice cakes (usually happens in the evening). The highlight of it all will be the fireworks accompanied by the beats of Taiko drumming on the 2nd day.
  

Want to enjoy most of the event or watch the fireworks from your room? Book your stay at Intuition Niseko, The Vale Niseko or Snow Crystal, located just steps away from the event!

Photo Credit: Glenn Claydon

Bikuni Shrine Annual Festival (Tengu Fire Walking)

• When: 4-6 July; the fire walking starts around 8pm
• Where: Bikuni Shrine, Shakotan
• What to see & do: This traditional festival, dedicated to praying for a good harvest and maritime safety, has been passed down through generations. Loved by locals and visitors from neighbouring towns, this hidden gem of a festival takes place at Bikuni Shrine, where the night truly comes alive. Experience the spectacle of performers embodying tengu, the Japanese mountain spirit, and the fire-walking of Mikoshi portable shrines.
  

Furubira Fire Festival

• When: 13-14 July. 
• Where: Hokaiji Parking Lot, Furubira Town, on 13 July, and Midori Park, Furubira Town, on 14 July.
• What to see & do: Each summer, Furubira Town hosts a striking festival centred on the “Sarutahiko (Tengu) Fire Walking Ceremony.” Clad in vermilion robes and a Tengu mask, Sarutahiko leads a ritual procession before walking through three-metre-high flames to purify the divine spirit. The dramatic scene, accompanied by the sound of drums and flutes, draws nearly 1,000 spectators each year from the local area, Sapporo, and beyond.
  

Iwanai Shrine Annual Festival

• When: 7-9 July
• Where: Iwanai town; check the route map and full schedule
• What to see & do: Experience the 200 year-old Iwanai Shrine Annual Festival. Enjoy the Yoimiya Festival with taiyamagura performances and mochi-maki on 7 July. Followed by processions of portable shrines and the Akasaka yakko which will parade through the town on 8 to 9 July. Witness a stunning sea parade on 9 July with fishing boats and the mikoshi. Explore more than 100 stalls along the shrine street, offering attractions like goldfish scooping and food.

Photo Credit: Iwanai Shrine

Summer Vacation Special Fireworks Festival

• When: 26 July - 2 August, 9-16 August, 23 August; the fireworks display runs from 8:00pm-8:10pm.
• Where: Rusutsu Resort
• What to see & do: Rusutsu Resort lights up every week this summer with an amazing show combining fireworks, lights, and music! Each night features 1,200 fireworks, with a varied display to keep things fresh. Viewing is free, but to enter the resort, you will need a hotel stay or a ticket — such as a Resort Ticket, Amusement Park Ticket, Yotei Gondola Round-Trip Ticket, or Outdoor Super Jumbo Pool Ticket.

Why don’t you visit Rusutsu Resort during this period and get to watch the fireworks while enjoying other summer activities the resort has to offer for a whole family - Amusement Park, indoor wave pool, golf, natural onsen, sheep land, full range of dining options and more. If you love to stay in your private apartment with spacious living area & kitchen, The Vale Rusutsu will be your dream summer accommodation.

Photo Credit: Rusutsu Resort

Furano Heso Matsuri (Belly Button Festival)

• When: 28-29 July
• Where: Around Furano JR Station; the map of the Belly Dance route and full festival details
• What to see & do: The Furano Belly Button Dance (Heso Odori) has been held since 1969, and this year marks its 57th anniversary! The Belly Button Dance will take place on both days of the event from 7 pm to 8 pm, but there is much more to enjoy over the two days — including performances by local schools, Taiko drumming, calligraphy demonstrations, an Ainu culture experience, and more.

Photo Credit: hesomatsuri.com

Furano Wine Festival

• When: 7 September, 10:00am - 3:00pm
• Where: To be determined; more information here
• What to see & do: Taste the world-famous Furano wine and delicious grape juice made from local ingredients, and explore a wide range of other tantalising delights.

Check out our summer offers or contact us for tailored accommodation packages.

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Tel: +81 (0) 136-23-1724