Tokamachi Snow Festival
十日町雪まつりFestivalFeb 19, 2027
Tokamachi Snow Festival runs from 19 to 21 February 2027 across Tokamachi in Niigata's deep-snow country, and it suits families and snow-country first-timers who want residents' snow sculptures and local food in the open air; the venues spread over a wide area, so you rely on the free shuttle buses.
Dates and hours
- February 19, 2027 to February 21, 2027Announcedsourcechecked Oct 11, 2026
Residents started the festival in 1950 with the idea of making friends with the snow and enjoying it, and the 2027 edition is the 78th. Every snow sculpture in the art exhibition is built by local people. They work towards judging on the first evening, so the finished pieces are on show from Friday evening to the end on Sunday.
The festival has no single site. Plazas open across the town centre and outlying districts with snow games and hot food, and free shuttle buses link them to temporary car parks. In the mountains around Tokamachi the snow can lie more than 3 m deep.
From Tokyo take the Joetsu Shinkansen to Echigo-Yuzawa and change to the Hokuhoku Line for Tokamachi, about two hours in all. Drivers need winter tyres.
Worth knowing
- Watch the sculptors at work on Friday daytime from a safe distance; heavy machinery is still moving.
- Wear waterproof boots with grip; the organisers single out non-slip, waterproof footwear.
Quick answers about Tokamachi Snow Festivalよくある質問
When is the Tokamachi Snow Festival 2027?
The 78th Tokamachi Snow Festival runs from Friday 19 to Sunday 21 February 2027.
How do I get to the Tokamachi Snow Festival from Tokyo?
Take the Joetsu Shinkansen to Echigo-Yuzawa and the Hokuhoku Line to Tokamachi, about two hours from Tokyo Station.
When can you see the finished snow sculptures in Tokamachi?
From the first evening of the Tokamachi Snow Festival, after Friday's judging, until the festival closes on Sunday.
What are the opening hours of Tokamachi Snow Festival?
Tokamachi Snow Festival is open daily times and the main venues are set later; the snow sculptures are finished for judging on the first evening and stay on show until the festival ends.