Brief Summer in the Northern Land | Sapporo Events from June to August

Although summer in the northern land is brief,

there is a succession of events that let you enjoy Sapporo's short summer.

From June to August,

the activities at Odori Park come one after another,

and the entire street is very lively!

Jozankei Nature Luminarie

June 1, 2024 – October 31, 2024

Colorfully adorns the diverse natural scenery of Jozankei.

Jozankei Nature Luminarie is a dreamlike light and projection show that began in 2016 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the opening of Jozankei Hot Spring. The venue extends from the promenade along the ravine of the hot spring town's Nijo Park to the symbol of Jozankei, the Nijo Suspension Bridge. The corridor of light wrapped in hazy illumination, the forest of light blooming with flowers of light, and the delicate projections adorning the suspension bridge are performances full of ingenuity, presenting a scenery completely different from the daytime, making visitors linger and forget to leave. The fragrance of trees, the murmuring of the river, and the chirping of insects—only in Jozankei can you simultaneously savor the colorful natural landscape and the dreamlike technology of light and shadow.

Hokkaido Shrine Festival (Sapporo Festival)

June 14–16, 2024

A splendid procession of mikoshi (portable shrines) and festive stalls create a lively atmosphere.

Also known as the "Sapporo Festival," this is a beloved festival for citizens with a history of over a hundred years. On the 16th, the "Mikoshi Parade" takes place, with over 1,000 citizens dressed in colorful costumes carrying eight floats, including four mikoshi enshrining the deities of Hokkaido Shrine, parading slowly through the city like a picture scroll from the Heian period. Starting from Hokkaido Shrine in Maruyama, passing through the city center, the mikoshi and floats are displayed at Odori Park in the afternoon, attracting many citizens to watch. Stalls are set up at Hokkaido Shrine, and traditional dedication ceremonies are held. In Nakajima Park, many stalls and yokai houses are also set up.

YOSAKOI Soran Festival

June 5–9, 2024

Watch the powerful dance performances up close, or join in and dance along.

Hokkaido's YOSAKOI Soran Festival is derived from another Japanese festival in Kochi Prefecture, characterized by the use of the percussion instrument naruko accompanied by the folk song of Hokkaido's Soran Bushi. The YOSAKOI Soran Festival began in 1992, held over multiple days in early June, and now attracts over 2 million visitors annually. This epic dance event in Hokkaido captivates with its splendid movements, colors, and music.

Sapporo Craft Beer Forest

July 6–7, 2024

Enjoy craft beer at "Sapporo Craft Beer Forest" held at a summer ski slope in the forest.

Held annually in Sapporo, "Sapporo Craft Beer Forest" is an event organized by craft beer enthusiasts for craft beer enthusiasts. Not only from Hokkaido but also craft beers from across Japan and abroad gather at Sapporo Bankei Ski Area. It's an event held at a summer ski slope surrounded by nature in the forest, where you can raise your glass and enjoy beer from daytime to your heart's content. Brewers who make the beer also participate; come and chat about beer stories. There are also live stage performances and a variety of foods that pair with different beers, making the venue even more exciting.

Sapporo Summer Festival

July 19 – August 16, 2024

A cityscape poem of Sapporo summer, enjoyed by citizens and tourists alike.

A grand festival gathering over a million people. Over the approximately one-month period, from Odori Park 5-chome to 11-chome, events such as the largest open-air beer garden in Japan, Hokkaido Bon Odori dance, Tanukikoji Tanuki Festival, and Susukino Festival are held by sponsoring organizations. Looking back at history, the Sapporo Summer Festival began in 1954, with Nakajima Park as the main venue hosting various events such as dragon boat races, Bon Odori, fireworks, firefly catching, and Tanabata Festival. Since 1957, the venue moved to Odori Park. In 1959, the "Open-Air Beer Garden" was first held at Odori 6-chome.

Welfare Sponsored Sapporo Odori Beer Garden

July 19 – August 14, 2024

Sapporo Odori Park is immersed in a sea of beer.

The Sapporo Odori Beer Garden is a huge beer event held annually in Odori Park, located in the center of Sapporo. Over a 1-kilometer stretch, approximately 13,000 seats are set up, serving draft beer directly delivered from factories in Sapporo and the suburbs, as well as beers from around the world. You can taste and compare different beers in different sections of the beer garden. The "Sapporo Odori Beer Garden," where you can enjoy Hokkaido's seasonal cuisine and top domestic beer brands in an open park, has been held as part of the "Sapporo Summer Festival" since 1959 (Showa 34) and is a representative outdoor event in Hokkaido. Sometimes it gets cool in the evening, so don't forget to bring a jacket.

PMF (Pacific Music Festival)

July 10–30, 2024

A classical music festival that adults and children can easily enjoy.

"PMF (Pacific Music Festival)" is a classical music festival lasting about a month, where many music fans can enjoy several performances during the event. PMF is an international educational music festival advocated by composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein, started in 1990 to nurture young musicians from around the world. Young people aspiring to become performers and a team of top instructors gather from all over the world, performing mainly in Sapporo. Venues include Sapporo Concert Hall Kitara, as well as outdoor venues such as Odori Park and the "Sapporo Art Forest Outdoor Stage," with many free performances so everyone can casually enjoy classical music.

Sapporo Jazz Festival

July 13 – December 10, 2024

Enjoy jazz festivals for free on the streets of Sapporo.

With the concept of "Sapporo becoming a jazz city," this is the largest jazz festival in Japan, started in 2007. Over about two months, domestic and international artists perform jazz music at various venues around the city. At Odori Park, a specially set up "Sapporo Music Camp" with a capacity of over 550 people holds performances almost daily for about a month. "PARK JAZZ LIVE" held at hotels and public facilities can be enjoyed for free. At the Sapporo Art Forest Outdoor Stage "NORTH JAM SESSION," top domestic and international artists perform live, and the audience can freely sit or lie on the grass to enjoy the performances.

Hokkaido Marathon

August 25, 2024

The Hokkaido Marathon is a full marathon race that began in 1987. Utilizing Sapporo's cool climate, it is characterized as the only full marathon held in summer in Japan. Due to the harsh conditions of "summer" and a "5-hour time limit," completing the Hokkaido Marathon is a status symbol for runners, with about 40% of participants coming from outside Hokkaido. With a countdown at Sapporo TV Tower, everyone starts together from Odori Park, running through the streets of Sapporo, lined with many citizens cheering them on. The 11.5 km "Fun Run" covering part of the full marathon route is also popular. After the marathon, enjoy your summer sightseeing in Sapporo.

RISING SUN ROCK FESTIVAL

August 16–17, 2024

Greet the rising sun at the expansive venue in Ishikari.

First held in 1999, it is the first true overnight outdoor rock festival in Japan. Over just two days, various large and small live performances take place across the vast venue. The second day goes overnight, and after 4 a.m., as the rising sun appears, the live performances come to an end. People participate freely, lying on picnic sheets, barbecuing, or watching from atop hay bales. This unique Hokkaido scenery, atmosphere, and various food stalls are also loved by artists. Fans come from all over the country, and families with children also attend. People can camp in tents near the performance area.