Iwate Snow Festival

• Dates: Feb. 7 to 11, 2020; Time: Generally 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but varies by venue

The Iwate Snow Festival is one of the biggest snow festivals in Japan’s Tohoku region. Spread across seven venues and taking place over 10 days, it offers a huge variety of fun-filled snowy activities for visitors looking to partake in Japan’s immaculate snowy side.

Located on spacious farmland and picturesque ski slopes just south of Mount Iwate, in the center of Iwate prefecture, it’s no wonder that this festival has such a vast range of attractions available. There are, of course, the snow festival classics, including snow sculptures (which are illuminated after dark) and fireworks displays, plus live performances on a stage constructed out of snow.

Those feeling more energetic can have a go at sledding, snowshoeing and snow tubing, as well as trying out the snow train or the giant snow slide – perfect for the young and young at heart.

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ここでニッポンの花火を見てみましょう 視界を埋め尽くすほどのド派手な香港の花火とはまた違った風情を感じませんか笑 派手なのもいいけど、一発一発を味わいながら楽しむのもまた粋だと思うのです まあ、比較して語るにはまだまだサンプルが少ないので、いろんな国の花火を見てみたいですね！ Fireworks called "Hanabi" in Japan. Have you guys seen it? Even it's same kind of fireworks, but feeling is a little different Japan's and other countries'. I think Japanese people think Hanabi as kind of art, and the symbol of summer. How about your country?? I wanna see a lot of countries fireworks! #japan #fireworks #iwate #koiwai #hanabi #trip #travel #worldtraveler #summer #winter #snowfestival #photo #hongkong #日本 #香港 #小岩井農場 #小岩井 #雫石 #盛岡 #小岩井雪祭り #雪祭り #花火 #花火大会 #粋 #風情 #趣 #旅 #世界一周 #世界旅行 #写真好きな人と繋がりたい

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If all this activity gets you peckish, peruse the numerous food stalls to try out some of the local cuisine. The town’s specialty is jingisukan, a hearty grilled lamb dish, which you can eat inside a snow hut known as a kamakura for a really unique dining experience. (This is popular though, so there may be a bit of a wait!)

Koiwai Farm – which hosts the festival – is well known for its dairy products, so there’ll be plenty of those on offer, too, as well as local beer and sake. To keep warm, opt for some hot amazake – a sweet drink made from fermented rice, which is a staple refreshment at Japanese winter festivals.

Once you’ve had your fill of fun and food, head to one of the area’s nearby onsen (hot springs) to get refreshed and soak away the cold. Alternatively, combine your festival visit with a trip to the local ski slopes to really make the most of the weather!