Sapporo June 2026 Events Guide: YOSAKOI Soran, Sapporo Matsuri & Must-see Events List
I created this article because, as someone who loves art and traditional culture, I wanted to help you enjoy Kanazawa even more. By reading this article, you'll be able to make the most of your precious time in Japan, experiencing it efficiently and deeply.
I often enjoy bar hopping in Shinjuku, where many locals come out to drink every day, and each time I meet them, they share with me the establishments they truly love. However, during short stays, you don't get many opportunities like that.
That's why, we at Magical Trip offer local tours led by locals. Because our guides take you to spots where you can fully experience local culture and cuisine that only locals know about, Magical Trip's tours were selected as TripAdvisor's No.1 tours in 2024.
When you visit Sapporo, I highly recommend experiencing Hokkaido cuisine, which ranks among Japan's most popular regional foods, along with some exceptional drinks. I've actually traveled to Sapporo myself just for these culinary delights.
What I especially recommend is the Sapporo Bar Hopping Food Tour, where you explore Susukino—the district that comes alive at night—with local guides. By bar hopping at establishments truly beloved by locals, you'll be able to fully savor Sapporo's incredible seafood dishes and popular local cuisine.
I hope your Sapporo trip will be absolutely amazing!
Introduction
In June, Sapporo's climate has an average temperature of around 17 degrees, with maximum temperatures often exceeding 21 degrees, allowing you to feel the early summer atmosphere. The low humidity makes it comfortable, creating perfect weather for going out. Throughout the city, you can see many flowers and fresh greenery, allowing you to enjoy sightseeing while experiencing nature up close.
Sapporo is the capital city of Hokkaido prefecture, and while the city center is dotted with tourist attractions and commercial facilities, just a short distance from the center you can enjoy abundant greenery, making it an attractive city where urban elements blend with nature.
In June, Sapporo hosts various events including traditional ones, experiences you can only have here, and events where you can enjoy gourmet food and nature. This time, we'll introduce their highlights, basic information, event dates, and access to the venues.
Table of Contents
-The Biggest Sapporo Event June 2026: The Traditional "YOSAKOI Soran Festival"
-Also Not to Miss as a Sapporo Event in June 2026: The Annual "Sapporo Festival (Hokkaido Shrine Festival)"
-Top 3 Must-See Events to Enjoy in Sapporo in June 2026
-Top 3 Must-See Events to Enjoy Around Sapporo in June 2026
2026 Year-round Event Schedule in Sapporo↓
・Sapporo Events 2026: Your Ultimate Guide to Festivals, Culture & Illumination Highlights
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June's biggest event in Sapporo is the traditional "YOSAKOI Soran Festival"
Source:Official website
The biggest event in Sapporo in June is the traditional "YOSAKOI Soran Festival" that began in 1992. The festival combines Kochi Prefecture's Yosakoi Festival with Hokkaido's Soran Bushi, where participants can be seen holding naruko (handheld instruments that make clicking sounds) and dancing to Soran Bushi music. The main street and Odori Park serve as the central venues, with various locations throughout the city becoming stages, coloring Sapporo with festival atmosphere.
Soran Bushi was originally a folk song sung by fishermen during herring fishing in Shakotan Town, Hokkaido, to boost morale, and is beloved by many as a Hokkaido folk song.
<Information>
Date: June 10–14, 2026
Address: Odori Nishi 8-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido (Main Venue)
Access: Approx. 8-minute walk from Subway "Odori Station"
Admission: Free
Website: https://www.yosakoi-soran.jp/
The powerful "Opening" commemorating the start of the five-day festival
Source:Official website
First, let's focus on the powerful "Opening" that commemorates the start of the five-day festival. The opening is held at the main venue, Odori Park, and features special productions with various collaborations.
The highlight is seeing multiple groups gather on the grand stage, performing dynamic large-scale dancing. The sight of dancers from each group, wearing their respective costumes, dancing together is spectacular, and the audience's excitement instantly heats up. This powerful program keeps your eyes glued to the action every moment!
With the passionate opening filled with all the feelings put into the festival, the venue is enveloped in excitement, building anticipation for the festival that's about to begin!
"Team Performances" held throughout Sapporo
Source:Official website
During the festival period, you can enjoy "Team Performances" held throughout Sapporo. Teams gather from local Sapporo as well as from both domestic and international locations, with approximately 270 teams showcasing wonderful dancing across 17 venues. Night performances such as Soran Night and Night Parade, as well as Junior Competitions where teams of middle school students and younger compete, are also held, allowing you to fully enjoy each team's appeal.
I never got tired of watching each team's wonderful performances, and a whole day passed by in the blink of an eye. I received energy from each team's powerful dancing, and was surprised to find myself more energetic than in the morning on my way back to the hotel.
"Soran Night" where you can see spectacular performances by the previous champion teams
Source:Official website
Don't miss "Soran Night" where you can see spectacular performances by the previous champion teams. "Soran Night" is a special event where teams centered around the previous champions, along with guest teams from overseas, perform one after another, making the entire venue more exciting than ever.
The flawless movements and perfectly synchronized performances by award-winning dancers captivate viewers, and I found myself so absorbed in the dancing that I forgot to take photos.
This is a great event where you can enjoy featured teams' performances all at once, so it's recommended for first-time participants of the "YOSAKOI Soran Festival"!
"Kita No Food Park" where exquisite cuisine from inside and outside Hokkaido gathers
Source:Official website
If you're visiting the festival, be sure to stop by "Kita No Food Park" where you can taste exquisite cuisine from both inside and outside Hokkaido. "Kita No Food Park" is held at Odori Park West 5th and 6th blocks, close to the main stage and parade venues, making it conveniently accessible between performances.
A wide range of menu items are available, including Hokkaido oysters, Japanese-style fried chicken perfect for eating while walking, takoyaki, croquettes, and more - you'll have trouble deciding what to choose. My recommendation is the Hokkaido Oyster Festival corner. They prepare oysters using various cooking methods including steaming and grilling, so take this opportunity to enjoy comparing different preparations!
When you come to Hokkaido, overflowing with gourmet food, enjoy food hopping with locals!
When you come to Hokkaido, overflowing with gourmet food, you should definitely try food hopping with locals. The Sapporo Bar Hopping Food Tour allows you to visit three lesser-known izakaya pubs in "Susukino," Sapporo's famous entertainment district.
First, you'll enjoy Hokkaido's seafood at a hidden underground izakaya. The recommended sashimi is fresh with the perfect amount of fat, offering an exceptional taste. Since sashimi is healthy, you can enjoy it to your heart's content! The menu mainly features seafood and dishes that pair perfectly with alcohol, guaranteeing to keep your drinks flowing.
For the second stop, you can choose a restaurant that matches your mood with your guide. Since Sapporo has abundant restaurants, your guide will be able to suggest the perfect place for you.
For the final stop, you can choose between a ramen shop or a parfait shop. Did you know that Hokkaido has a culture called "shime parfait" (finishing with parfait) where people eat parfait after drinking parties, which originated in Sapporo? It's so popular that there are stores specializing in shime parfait, and I've personally experienced ending a drinking party with great satisfaction after having a shime parfait. Sweet treats after drinking taste exceptionally good, so please challenge yourself to try parfait!
Why not savor Hokkaido's flavors at izakaya pubs where locals gather frequently?
<Meeting point>
- Tour area: Sapporo
- Start time: 18:00
Also Not to Miss as a Sapporo Event in June 2026: The Annual "Sapporo Festival (Hokkaido Shrine Festival)"
Source:PR TIMES
In Sapporo in June, the "Sapporo Festival (Hokkaido Shrine Festival)" is another event you won't want to miss. This is a traditional celebration held at Hokkaido Shrine, which is dedicated to the guardian deities of Hokkaido's pioneering and development, and takes place every year in mid-June.
The "Sapporo Festival (Hokkaido Shrine Festival)" has long been cherished by the residents of Sapporo as a special seasonal tradition that signals the arrival of early summer. On the final day, a procession dressed in traditional costumes parades through the city streets, and around 300 food and market stalls line the avenues, enveloping the entire city of Sapporo in a festive atmosphere.
In this section, we'll take a closer look at the "Sapporo Festival (Hokkaido Shrine Festival)," where you can soak in the atmosphere of a traditional festival right in the heart of Sapporo.
What Is the Sapporo Festival (Hokkaido Shrine Festival)?
Source:Official website
The "Sapporo Festival (Hokkaido Shrine Festival)" is one of Sapporo's most iconic festivals, held over three days every year from June 14 to 16. This event is a traditional Shinto ceremony of Hokkaido Shrine and is widely known among Sapporo residents by its common name, the "Sapporo Festival."
The highlight of the event is the "Togyo," a grand procession in which more than 1,000 participants dressed in colorful traditional costumes march through the city. During the Togyo, the sounds of traditional Japanese flutes and drums fill the air as enormous, elaborately decorated floats called "Dashi" make their way through the streets, offering visitors an experience that is uniquely Japanese in character.
In addition, during the "Sapporo Festival (Hokkaido Shrine Festival)," the food stalls lining Nakajima Park in the heart of Sapporo are another major attraction. Surrounded by the atmosphere of a classic Japanese festival, be sure to enjoy the wide variety of Sapporo cuisine and traditional Japanese festival foods on offer.
History of the Sapporo Festival (Hokkaido Shrine Festival)
Source:Official website
The origins of the "Sapporo Festival (Hokkaido Shrine Festival)" trace back to 1872, when June 15 was established as the annual festival day of Hokkaido Shrine (then known as Sapporo Shrine).
The following year, a government proclamation declared that the festival day should be treated as a holiday and that residents should visit Sapporo Shrine. As a legacy of this tradition, schools and some businesses still close on June 15 to this day, making the "Sapporo Festival (Hokkaido Shrine Festival)" a particularly special occasion for locals.
During this era in Japan, the national promotion of Shinto education among the general public was underway. In 1878, a single Mikoshi — a sacred portable shrine used to carry a deity — paraded through the city streets, marking the very beginning of the Togyo. From 1879 onward, it became an established custom for the Mikoshi and Dashi of Sapporo Shrine to process through the entire city of Sapporo.
Although the "Sapporo Festival (Hokkaido Shrine Festival)" was suspended during wartime, it has carried on Sapporo's traditional culture for more than 150 years, making it a truly precious celebration.
Highlights of the Sapporo Festival (Hokkaido Shrine Festival)
Source:Official website
The undeniable highlight of the "Sapporo Festival (Hokkaido Shrine Festival)" is the Togyo, held throughout the city on June 16. At the head of the procession, a musical ensemble plays flutes and drums, followed by the "Sarutahiko" who leads the parade, the Mikoshi, and the magnificent Dashi floats as they wind their way through the city streets.
Most impressive of all is the sight of nine Dashi, each belonging to a different district of the city, marching one after another through the central streets of Sapporo — roads that are ordinarily filled with traffic. The Dashi are a showcase of traditional Japanese decorative craftsmanship, adorned with gold leaf and vivid carvings that make for a truly spectacular visual display.
Also not to be missed are the dolls of historical heroes and samurai generals perched atop each Dashi. Crafted with painstaking attention to detail, these figures are rendered so faithfully that they could almost be mistaken for real human beings.
When I attended this festival myself, what stayed with me was not only the solemn and sacred atmosphere befitting a Shinto ceremony, but also the sense of elation I felt as the glittering, larger-than-life Dashi passed right before my eyes. In the lively and festive space of this traditional celebration, be sure to etch the one-of-a-kind sights of this special day into your memory.
Event Details and Access for the Sapporo Festival (Hokkaido Shrine Festival)
The "Sapporo Festival (Hokkaido Shrine Festival)" is organized by an entity called "Saiten-ku," which is made up of Sapporo residents. The Saiten-ku handles all aspects of festival operations, including determining the Togyo route and managing all related preparations, and currently each district supports this historic festival on a rotating annual basis.
The Saiten-ku also plays an essential role in bringing excitement to the event itself, with each of the nine districts presenting their own uniquely designed Dashi. Since each district's members pull their Dashi dressed in matching traditional festival wear — Happi Coats — the sense of unity and coordination among participants is yet another highlight of this event.
For detailed information on timing and access for the "Sapporo Festival (Hokkaido Shrine Festival)," please refer to the information below or visit the official website.
<Information>
Date: June 14–16, 2026
Address: 474 Miyagaoka, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Access: Approx. 1-minute walk from JR Bus stop "Hokkaido Jingu"
Admission: Free
Website: http://www.hokkaidojingu.or.jp/festival/
Top 5 Must-See Events to Enjoy in Sapporo in June
From here, I'll introduce three must-see events you can enjoy in Sapporo in June.
JOZANKEI NATURE LUMINARIE
Source:Official website
JOZANKEI NATURE LUMINARIE is an event where you can enjoy art while strolling through illuminated nature walkways in the Jozankei hot spring town. The view of abundant nature lit up with illuminations and projection mapping is fantastical, and you'll definitely lose track of time as you immerse yourself in its worldview.
I have visited this event myself, and experienced the mysterious sensation of feeling like I was tripping into another dimension, with trees, flowers, and stones illuminated in various colors and shapes seeming about to come alive at any moment. Different themed spaces unfold at each point, stimulating the imagination and providing unusual stimulation.
During the stroll, insect sounds and babbling brooks serve as background music, allowing you to enjoy viewing while relaxing. Please come and enjoy entertainment that can only be experienced here.
<Information>
- Date: June 1, 2026-October 31
- Access: 3-minute walk from Jozankei Yu-no-machi bus stop via Jotetsu bus from Makomanai Station
- Admission: Free for Jozankei Hot Spring hotel guests
- Website: https://jozankei.jp/event/luminarie/
Hokkaido University Hokudai Festival
Source:X
The "Hokudai Festival" is a university festival organized and run by students of Hokkaido University. Held across the expansive Sapporo Campus, students from each faculty, international students, and club organizations take center stage, hosting food stalls, stage performances, and research presentations.
The greatest appeal of the "Hokudai Festival" lies in the free-spirited atmosphere created by the lush natural campus and the students' creativity and ingenuity. The Sapporo Campus spans a total area of 1.78 million square meters, offering a wide-open, green-filled space unlike urban universities, where you can enjoy a wide variety of imaginative events and activities.
At the food stalls, I personally recommend trying Hokkaido-exclusive dishes such as grilled scallops — a local specialty — and french fries made from locally grown potatoes. Since international students from around the world also participate in this Sapporo Event June 2026, even foreign visitors who do not speak Japanese are more than welcome to stop by and enjoy the festivities.
<Information>
Date: June 5–7, 2026
Address: 5-chome, Kita 8-jo Nishi, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Access: Approx. 7-minute walk from the north exit of JR "Sapporo Station"
Admission: Free
Website: https://www.hokudaisai.com/
Hana Festa Sapporo
Source:Official website
"Hana Festa Sapporo" is one of Hokkaido's largest flower events, held in Odori Park, which spreads through the heart of Sapporo. Inside the venue, in addition to the sale of ornamental plants and gardening supplies, visitors can also enjoy a variety of stage events including bouquet arrangement shows and wind instrument performances.
One of my personal favorite highlights of "Hana Festa Sapporo" is the gardening contest held by local agricultural high schools. The works created by high school students — using flowers they have grown at their own schools and collaborating together — are vivid and colorful, with each school's entry telling its own unique story, making for a truly impressive display.
"Hana Festa Sapporo" is free to enter, and simply strolling through the expansive Odori Park is enough to soothe your soul with an abundance of charming, colorful flowers. In addition to fresh flowers, there are also vendors selling flower-themed miscellaneous goods and woodcraft items, so be sure to check them out as potential souvenirs to bring back to your home country. This Sapporo Event June 2026 is not to be missed.
<Information>
Date: Late June 2026
Address: 4-chome to 8-chome, Odori Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Access: Approx. 1-minute walk from Subway "Odori Station"
Admission: Free
Website: https://www.hanafes-sapporo.jp/
Mt. Yotei Makkari Mountain Opening in June 2026
Source:Official website
The opening of the Mt. Yotei Makkari course is an annual mountain opening event held on the third Sunday in June for the Makkari route of Mt. Yotei. The event includes a mountain climbing safety prayer ceremony and the Konpira-gū Shrine's Festival (an important festival held at Konpira-gū Shrine), followed by the season's first climbing gathering.
I have participated in the climbing gathering and challenged myself to climb the mountain right after the opening. The Makkari course has the gentlest slope among the four Mt. Yotei climbing routes, making it easy for beginners to attempt, and even I, who am not skilled at mountain climbing, was able to reach the top.
The panoramic view of the magnificent nature including Lake Toya from the summit is spectacular, so I encourage even those unfamiliar with mountain climbing to challenge themselves.
<Information>
- Date: June 21, 2026
- Access: 5 minutes by car from Makkari city center
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.gutabi.jp/event/detail/2631
TOYAKO Manga & Anime Festival 2026 - Sapporo Event June 2026
Source:JAPAN 47 GO
The TOYAKO Manga & Anime Festival 2026 is an event held in Toya Town filled with manga and anime-related programs. Participants dress up as characters in cosplay and parade through the town, transforming the entire town into a manga and anime world.
The highlight is the cosplay parade, where you can fully appreciate realistic cosplay costumes that look like they jumped straight out of manga and anime. When you see cosplays of characters you recognize, your excitement will naturally rise.
Additionally, the venue offers exciting content including the sale of self-published manga, displays of "itasha" (cars designed with anime, manga, and game characters covering the entire vehicle), keyword rallies, and anime song DJ time. This is your chance to fully experience the world of Japanese manga and anime that Japan proudly presents to the world!
<Information>
- Date: June 27–28, 2026
- Access: Take a bus from Muroran Main Line Toya Station to Toyako Onsen Station, then 5 minutes on foot
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://tmaf.toyako-prj.net/
For Those Who Want to Enjoy Exquisite Japanese Cuisine, Experience Japan's Finest Japanese Food in Tokyo!
For those who want to enjoy exquisite Japanese cuisine, experience Japan's finest Japanese food in Tokyo. At the Finest Quality Sushi & Tempura Dining Experience in Ginza, you can taste top-level sushi and tempura at Michelin-starred or highly-rated restaurants on gourmet sites in Ginza.
First, enjoy an omakase course specially prepared by the chef at a sushi restaurant. The sushi, featuring seasonal fish prepared to bring out the most delicious state of the fish, is exquisite. You'll want to forget about talking with friends and savor the flavors.
Next, head to the tempura restaurant. The tempura, highly regarded by both domestic and international patrons, has a surprisingly light texture that doesn't feel like it's been fried in oil, without any heaviness. The tempura was of supreme taste, and despite being the second restaurant, I wanted to order additional items even after finishing the menu.
The attractive point of both restaurants is that you can enjoy your meal while watching the skilled craftsmanship of the artisans at the counter. This is recommended for those who want to enjoy a luxurious dinner in Ginza, one of Japan's premier entertainment districts.
<Meeting point>
- Tour area: Ginza
- Start time: 16:30
Top 3 Must-See Events to Enjoy Around Sapporo in June 2026
Otaru Shukutsu Herring and Otate Festival 2026
Source:Otaru Portal
The Otaru Shukutsu Herring and Otate Festival 2026 is an event where you can eat herring and Otaru-produced otate (scallops) at reasonable prices, and enjoy various activities related to seafood.
Since you can grill the herring yourself using charcoal grills, it's said to be popular for the fun of cooking. The pre-grilled otate is linked to a lottery for junior high school students and younger, and even if you don't win the lottery, you can definitely eat grilled otate, making it extremely popular with children. Why not try your luck?
At the venue, you can also experience grabbing kazunoko (herring roe) salted from Otaru, scallop baby and flatfish filling contests, shopping at seafood stores, and dining at food booths. This event is packed with the charm of Otaru's sea - why not spend the whole day enjoying it thoroughly?
<Information>
- Date: Early June 2026
- Access: Immediately from Otaru Aquarium Station, Chuo Bus from Otaru Station
- Admission fee: Free
- Website: https://tanage.jp/all/1727/
2026 Green Belt Festival
Source:Official website
The 2026 Green Belt Festival is an event that began in 2013 to promote park usage and regional revitalization at Chitose Green Belt. The event mainly offers enjoyment through four types of content:
・Sky master (aerial work vehicle) riding experience
・Mini heavy machinery riding experience
・Stage performances
・Food booths
The Sky master ride allows you to enjoy the view from above, making it an extremely popular program among children. Since you rarely get to ride a Sky master in daily life, please take this opportunity to challenge yourself. On the special stage, powerful performances such as Yosakoi, brass band, and dance are showcased one after another. Why not enjoy watching while snacking on gourmet food from over 30 food trucks and stalls?
There's also plenty of content for parents and children to enjoy together, including balloon gifts for elementary school children and under, and novelty items for answering questionnaires. Let's participate in the event and liven up the festival together with the locals!
<Information>
- Date: Mid-June 2026
- Access: 10-minute walk from Chitose Station on the Chitose Line
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://web-ckk.com/2025/04/21/green-festival2025/
Otaru Amazake Festival 2026
Source:Official website
Otaru Amazake Festival 2026 is an event organized by Tanaka Sake Brewery, a historic sake shop established in 1899, to promote amazake, a traditional Japanese sweet drink made by fermenting rice and rice koji. Despite having "sake" in its name, amazake is non-alcoholic, which is an attractive point for those who don't like alcohol or for children who can drink it.
The event features sales of flavored amazake with lemon and grape, Japanese sweets and frozen desserts made with amazake, and also offers no-lose prize drawings (gara-pon). Since various products using amazake are available, I was able to rediscover new charms of amazake by participating in the event and came to like amazake even more.
The popular amazake smoothies come in pouch packages, making them perfect as souvenirs. Please consider purchasing them as a travel memento.
<Information>
- Date: Mid-June – Late July 2026
- Access: 10-minute walk from JR Otaru Station
- Admission: Free
- Website: http://otaru.gr.jp/event/umeshu2025
