The Asahikawa Winter Festival was first held in 1947, but
was known as the Iyomante. Iyomante means Bear
Festival in Ainu and its purpose was to allow the people
to enjoy the cold during the coldest month, February. In
1960, the name of the celebration changed to Asahikawa
Winter Festival and has become one of the most well-
known winter events. The festival is mostly known for
having the largest snow sculptures. The giant sculpture
of Suwon Castle, a Korean Fortress, in 1994 made it into
the Guinness World Records as the largest snow
structure built. The festival is held in early February,
usually around the same time as the Sapporo Snow
Festival. The Asahikawa Winter Festival is more family
friendly compared to Sapporo’s event. For example,
there is a snowball tournament that kids can enter. The
children are also involved in covering the town with the
snowmen they make.
The two main areas of the Asahikawa Winter Festival are
Tokiwa Park near the Asahibashi Bridge and Heiwa Dori
in the Shopping Park. At Tokiwa Park, a ginormous snow
sculpture is created and used as a stage for the different
performances happening during the five days. The city
gets help from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s
Second Division to build the main snow sculpture. At
night some of the giant snow sculptures have a projection
mapping performance that is free to enjoy. Around the
same area there is a snow maze, 100- meter ice slide
and small amusement park rides. The Heiwa Dori is
where the Official International Ice Sculpture competition
in Japan is held. The sculptures are carved out in the first
two days of the winter festival. You can watch the
contestants work on their craft and admire the detail that
goes into the ice sculptures. Once the sculptures are
done, they are illuminated at night for all to enjoy until the
end of the festival. As for food and souvenirs, the area
called Winter Marché is the place to go.
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