Uesugi Snow Lantern Festival
上杉雪灯篭まつり37°55′ N 140°06′ EFestivalFeb 14, 2026
The Uesugi Snow Lantern Festival suits travellers in Yamagata in mid-February who want a quiet candlelit evening in a castle town; it lasts one weekend, so plan around the dates once the committee sets them.
Dates and hours
- February 14, 2026 to February 15, 2026Confirmedsourcechecked Oct 11, 2026
Date rule: A weekend in mid-February; the committee sets the dates each year
Each February Yonezawa builds about 200 snow lanterns and around 1,000 small snow bonbori around Uesugi Shrine in central Yonezawa. At dusk the candles inside them are lit, and the site glows orange against the snow.
The festival began in 1978 with a snow tower raised to console the spirits of those who died in the Pacific War. The memorial rite still opens the lighting each year, and visitors are welcome to watch it quietly. A candle zone and a tent market of local food fill the rest of the grounds.
2027 brings the 50th festival, and the committee says it is planning anniversary events. The organisers expect crowds and ask visitors to use the shuttle buses, paid car parks or public transport. In 2026 a paid shuttle ran from Yonezawa Station and the city hall for ¥200 one way (primary pupils ¥100). The city loop bus to Uesugi-jinja-mae cost ¥210.
Worth knowing
- Arrive before 17:00 to see the memorial rite before the lanterns are lit.
- Take the city loop bus or the festival shuttle from Yonezawa Station; the organisers expect the roads round the shrine to be busy.
Quick answers about Uesugi Snow Lantern Festivalよくある質問
When is the Uesugi Snow Lantern Festival?
On a weekend in mid-February. In 2026 it ran on 14 and 15 February. The 2027 festival is the 50th, and its dates weren't set by 11 October 2026.
What are the opening hours of Uesugi Snow Lantern Festival?
Uesugi Snow Lantern Festival is open in 2026 the memorial rite began at 17:00 on Saturday 14 February and the lanterns were lit at 17:30.