◆ Murayama area

Yamagata City

・21st Yamadera Kokeshi Doll Snowman Festival

The main event of the Yamadera Kokeshi Doll Snowman Festival is the Kokeshi Doll Snowman Contest.

Why not make a snow sculpture of a popular character with your friends and enter the contest?

The best works will receive prizes ranging from gold to bronze.

Each piece will be on display during the exhibition period and can be viewed freely.

[Event period]
February 8th (Sat) – 16th (Sun), 2025
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<Kokeshi Doll Snowman Contest>
Date : Sunday, February 9, 2025
Venue : Yamadera Hojubashi Park
Application Deadline : Friday, February 7, 2025
For applications , please contact Yamadera Tourism Association at 023-695-2816.
Judging results : Judging will begin at 12:00 and the results will be announced on the day.
🏆 Prizes and Prize Money 🏆
Gold Award : 1 group, certificate and prize money (30,000 yen)
Silver Award : 1 group, certificate and prize money (10,000 yen)
Bronze Award : 2 groups, certificate + prize money (5,000 yen)
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<Treasure Hunt in the Snow>
Date : Sunday, February 9, 2025
Time : 13:00~
Participation fee : Free
Meeting place : Hojusan Risshaku-ji Temple precincts (in front of Nemoto Chudo)
(Those who wish to participate should arrive by 12:30)

＜Tendo City＞

・The 13th Tendo Highlands Snow Park Festival

The “Tendo Kogen Snow Park Festa” will be held at the special venue at Tendo Kogen Ski Resort.

This year, new events will be introduced, such as a Tyrannosaurus Race and a Fun Raffle!

In addition, we are planning to open a new “Kids Land” near the No. 2 Pair Lift, an area where children can experience activities such as tube slides and snowmobiles.

Enjoy!

[Date]
Saturday, February 1st and Sunday, February 2nd, 2025
[time]
10:00～14:30
[venue]
Tendo Kogen Ski Resort
[Contents]
・Ski demonstration (1 day)
・Tyrannosaurus Race (1 day)
・Children’s Snow Treasure Hunt (both days)
・Kids Land (both days)
・SDF vehicle and equipment exhibition (both days)
・Fun raffle (both days)
others

<Nishikawa Town>

・Mt. Gassan Shizu Onsen "Lights of the Snow Hatago"

“Snow Hatago Lights” was started from the desire to hold a one-of-a-kind event that could only take place at Mt. Gassan Shizu Onsen, recreating the townscape of hatago inns out of snow.

[Date]
February 1st (Sat) – 24th (Monday/Holiday), 2025
[time]
17:00～20:00
[venue]
Nishikawa Town Shizu Onsen
[Participation Fee]
1,000 yen (free for junior high school students and younger)
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・As a purchase bonus, you will receive a wooden pass as a gift♪
・Free for junior high school students and younger・Please drive to the parking lot at Yumiharitaira Park・A round-trip shuttle bus will run from the parking lot to the venue without a reservation・Outbound shuttle bus (Yumiharitaira Park → Shizu Onsen venue): Runs every 15 minutes from 16:30. The last bus is at 19:30・Return shuttle bus (Shizu Onsen venue → Yumiharitaira Park): Runs every 15 minutes from 17:15. The last bus is at 20:00※Same-day tickets (1,000 yen) are also available※Free for Nishikawa town residents (please bring proof)

<Higashine City>

・49th Higashine Snow Festival

At the Higashine Snow Festival, you can enjoy free “Kappo Nabe” (a traditional Japanese hotpot) prepared by a chef at an inn and “Furi Nabe” (a hotpot served to guests) prepared by local restaurants, and there will also be a Higashine sake tasting event.

In addition, “Kuse no Ichi” will be held for two days on the 1st (Sat) and 2nd (Sun), where people, things, spaces, music, and other unique characteristics will gather together.

Enjoy!

[Date]
Sunday, February 2, 2025
[venue]
Sakuranbo Higashine Onsen
[Contents]
・Higashinekuseno Market [1st and 2nd]
・Setsubun bean-throwing event ・Kappo hotpot (free)
・Fireworks ・Hot pot corner ・Higashine sake tasting ・Snow candles and more

<Obanazawa City>

・49th Obanazawa Snow Festival ~Tokura Lake WINTER JAM~

The Obanazawa Snow Festival – Lake Tokura WINTER JAM – will be held at Lake Tokura.

This is an event that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, with a variety of winter experience menus and a corner where you can enjoy delicious Obanazawa food.

Please invite your family and friends to join us.

[Date]
February 22nd (Sat) and 23rd (Sunday/Holiday), 2025
[time]
22nd (Sat): 10:00-19:00
23rd (Sunday/Holiday): 10:00-16:00
[venue]
Tokura Lakeside Special Venue
(Main venue: Around Glass Studio Asahi)

◆ Okitama area

<Yonezawa City>

・48th Uesugi Snow Lantern Festival

The Uesugi Snow Lantern Festival takes place mainly at Matsugasaki Park, where Uesugi Shrine is located.

In addition to the snow lanterns, the venue will feature the “Candle Zone,” a fantastical world created by candles and colored megaphones, and the “Tent Village Product Fair,” where delicious Yonezawa foods are lined up.

Also, don’t miss the stage events featuring singing and dancing performances.

[Date]
Saturday, February 8th and Sunday, February 9th, 2025
[time]
8th (Sat): 11:00-21:00
[venue]
Uesugi Shrine grounds, Matsugasaki Park area

<Takahata Town>

・The 24th Winter Peony Festival

The Mahoroba Winter Peony Festival sees vibrant peony flowers blooming amidst the snowy scenery.

When the sun goes down, the area is lit up, creating a fantastical landscape.

At the main venue, Taiyokan [JRT Takahata Station], the large lounge will be open to the public free of charge during the festival, and the festival’s specialty shop will be stocked with delicious Takahata products.

There will also be peony displays and limited-time events at exhibition venues around the town.

Please see also.

[Date]
February 8th (Sat) – 11th (Tue/Holiday), 2025
[time]
10:00～20:00
[venue]
Main venue: Takahata Town Taiyokan (JRTakahata Station)
Local exhibition venue: Yoneori Tourism Center Takahata Winery
Takahata Roadside Station *The town exhibition venue will be open for tours during the hours set for each facility.

＜Nagai City＞

・22nd Nagai Yukiakari Corridor Festival 2025

The Nagai Yukiakari Corridor Festival will be held throughout the city, mainly at venues in the five shopping districts of Nagai City (Honmachi, Omachi, Takanomachi, Chuo, and Aramachi).

Please visit each venue and enjoy the ingenious planning and “lights.”

[Date]
Saturday, February 1, 2025
[venue]
Nagai City downtown area and others *5 shopping streets in Nagai City (Honmachi, Omachi, Takanomachi, Ekimae Chuo Dori, Aramachi)

＜ Nanyo City＞

・19th Nanyo Snow Light Festival

The Nanyo Snow Light Festival will be held at several locations within Nanyo City, with Eboshiyama Park as the main venue.

Light towers made from empty wine bottles and lanterns made from pictures drawn by kindergarten children and local residents will be lit up in various places around the city.

A food truck will also be set up at Eboshiyama Park.

Please come and visit us.

[Date]
Saturday, February 1, 2025
[Light on time]
17:00～
[place]
・Eboshi Park ・Akayu Onsen Street (Onsen Street/in front of each inn)
・JRAkayu Station ・Akayu Station Shopping Street ・Omotemachi Shopping Street ・Akayu Honmachi Shopping Street ・Shinmachi Shopping Street ・Okigo Community Center
[Contents]
・Let’s make a lantern ・Snow card rally ・Treatment ・Heartwarming food truck ・Lucky start of spring gacha ・Others

◆ Mogami area

<Shinjo City>

・The 54th Shinjo Snow Festival

The 54th Shinjo Snow Festival will be held at the special venue in Mogami Central Park.

This year’s main snow sculptures are a castle and a giant slide.

There will be lots of fun events, such as a Tyrannosaurus race and a Kamen Rider Gau Show.

Please also enjoy the simultaneous event “Snow Country Wonderland.”

[Date]
Saturday, February 8th and Sunday, February 9th, 2025
[time]
8th (Sat) : 10:00-20:00
9th (Sun) : 9:00-15:00
[place]
Mogami Central Park (Kamuten Park)

<Sakegawa Town>

・Sakegawa Snow Festival

The Sakegawa Snow Festival will be held at the special venue in Sakegawa Village Eco Park.

At the Snow Festival, you can enjoy playing in the snow with snowboarding and banana boating, making mushroom lanterns out of snow, and tasting delicious food and drinks.

There will also be a “snow fireworks display” in the evening.

[Date]
Sunday, February 2, 2025
[time]
11:00～19:00
[place]
Sakegawa Village Eco Park Special Venue
[Event contributions]
Elementary school students and above: 300 yen
(Free attractions for those who cooperate)

<Okura Village>

・Elbow Break Fantasy Corridor 2025

The Hijiori Onsen Corridor is unique to Hijiori Onsen, one of Japan’s snowiest areas.

The gentle candlelight lights up the snow walls, creating a fantastical world.

Enjoy a winter stroll in the snow.

[Date]
Saturday, January 25, 2025
February 1st (Sat), 8th (Sat), 15th (Sat)
[Lighting time]
19:00～20:00
[place]
Hijiori Onsen Street, near Tenguhana Bridge
[Parking Lot]
Please use the Hijiori Deyukan.

<Mamurogawa Town>

・White Athlon 2025

White Athlon is a new sport that focuses on equipment such as stomping bales that were once used in snowy regions.

There will be four events: stomp bale relay, takagari flying, snow centipede, and snowshoes relay.

Other events that even non-competitive participants can enjoy include a “Snow Park” where you can play on the slopes, a “Food Stall Village” full of delicious food, and a snow play corner with treasure hunts and other activities.

*Applications for participation in the competition are accepted until Friday, January 10, 2025.

[Date]
Saturday, January 25, 2025
[time]
8:00～15:30
[venue]
Akiyama Ski Resort, Mamurogawa Town
[Contents]
・Four creative events unique to this special heavy snow area ・Winter fireworks ・Food stalls ・Sales corner ・Snowmobile experience ・More

<Tozawa Village>

・The 10th Kadokawa Yuki Corridor Story

An event using snow walls will be held in the Kadokawa area of Tozawa Village, Yamagata Prefecture, a snowy region.

A group of local residents volunteered to create a snow corridor using snow walls, and after sunset, the picture lanterns decorated on the snow corridor are illuminated by the soft light of candles and stand out in the darkness.

This year there will also be a sky lantern launch and a Kamakura DJ live performance, creating a fantastical space with lights, snow and music.

[Date]
Sunday, February 9, 2025
[time]
17:00～19:30
[place]
Tozawa Village Southern District Regional Promotion Center
(Former Kadokawa Elementary and Junior High School)
[Contents]
・Sky lantern launch ・Kamakura DJ live ・Free “Amazake” (sweet sake) distribution and more

<Kanayama Town>

・Kamuro Snow Festival 2025

The Kamuro Snow Festival 2025 will be held at Green Valley Kamuro Ski Resort.

In addition to banana boat and snowshoe trekking experiences, there will also be a Kamuro delicious food market and rice cake throwing event.

Additionally, the “amazing mogami tent sauna” will also be held at the same time!

Enjoy!

[Date]
Sunday, February 9, 2025
[time]
10:00～20:00
[place]
Green Valley Kamuro Ski Resort
[Contents]
・Kamuro Delicious Food Market ・Mochi-throwing ・Snow Fireworks ・Banana Boat Experience ・Snowshoe Trekking Experience ・Amazing Mogami Tent Sauna and more

◆ Shonai region

<Sakata City>

・The 22nd Yukinko Eyeball Festival

The “Yukiko Eyeball Festival” will be held at the Hirata Lifelong Learning Center special venue.

The festival will feature fun events such as a snow flag competition and a banana boat experience, as well as a sale of “Motsujiru” (offal soup) by the Tazawa Community Promotion Association’s Agriculture Department.

We hope you enjoy.

[Date]
Sunday, February 2, 2025
※No need to apply in advance! Same-day registration available
[time]
9:00～12:00
[venue]
Hirata Lifelong Learning Center Special Venue
[Participation Fee]
1,000 yen (free for infants)
* Various events available * Includes 3 snow banana boat rides
[Contents]
・Snow flag competition ・Banana board experience ・Snow ring toss corner ・Raffle with luxurious prizes ・Hot drinks
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● “Motsu-jiru” soup on sale by the Tazawa Community Promotion Association Agriculture Policy Committee!

<Tsuruoka City>

・Gassan Asahi Snow Festival2025

The Gassan Asahi Snow Festival 2025 will be held at Yudono Ski Resort.

There are lots of different experiential events to enjoy the snow.

There will also be an “Asahi Yatai Village” where all of Asahi’s delicious foods will be gathered.

Please enjoy this experience with your family and friends.

[Date]
Saturday, February 15, 2025
[time]
10:00～14:00
[venue]
Yudonosan Ski Resort
[Contents]
・A huge transformation into Yukinko-chan!
・Asahi Food Stall Village ・Ice cream making experience ・Snowshoes walking experience and more

・The 35th Kinpusen Snow Lantern Festival

[Date]
Sunday, February 23, 2025
[time]
18:00～
[venue]
Palace in Mount Kinpu
~Details are currently being confirmed~

・Matsugaoka Snow Festival

The Matsugaoka Snow Festival is held at a venue where you can experience the nature and history of the Matsugaoka region.

While enjoying playing in the snow, such as sledding or making snowmen, you can sample the winter delicacies of kandara-jiru at the mini food stall village.

In the evening, a “New Sake Tasting with Matsugaoka Yaki” event will be held at Matsugaoka Honjin.

Reservations are required, so please apply early.

[Date]
Saturday, January 25, 2025
[venue]
Matsugaoka Honjin, Matsugaoka Rural Park, Matsugaoka Reclamation Area Silkworm Cultivation Rooms and Surrounding Areas
[Contents]
・Food market mini food stall village ・Silkworm village ・Snow lantern light-up ・Snow mountain play ・Matsugaoka pottery new sake tasting party and more