Sapporo in June 2025: Highlights, Events & Festivals

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.

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June's biggest event in Sapporo is the traditional "YOSAKOI Soran Festival"

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.

The powerful "Opening" commemorating the start of the five-day festival

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

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

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

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

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3 Must-See Events to Enjoy in June 2025 Sapporo

From here, I'll introduce three must-see events in Sapporo in June.

Otaru Shukutsu Herring and Otate Festival 2025

The Otaru Shukutsu Herring and Otate Festival 2025 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: June 7-8, 2025
- Access: Immediately from Otaru Aquarium Station, Chuo Bus from Otaru Station
- Admission fee: Free
- Website: https://tanage.jp/all/1727/

2025 Green Belt Festival

The 2025 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: June 14, 2025
- 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 2025

Otaru Amazake Festival 2025 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: June 13, 2025-July 31
- Access: 10-minute walk from JR Otaru Station
- Admission: Free
- Website: http://otaru.gr.jp/event/umeshu2025

Top 3 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

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, 2025-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/

Mt. Yotei Makkari Mountain Opening in June 2025

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 15, 2025
- Access: 5 minutes by car from Makkari city center
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.gutabi.jp/event/detail/2631

TOYAKO Manga & Anime Festival 2025 - Sapporo Event June 2025

The TOYAKO Manga & Anime Festival 2025 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 28-29, 2025
- 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

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