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With a month full of festivals and events, you’ll never run out of things to do here in Niseko even at the height of summer. Here is a list of what is happening in and around Niseko during August.
In and Around Niseko
Photo Credit: Hokkaido Love
Date Musha Festival
1 – 2 August 2025
Just an hour and 15-minute drive away from Niseko by car, join in celebrating Date City’s long history of samurai traditions at their annual Date Musha Festival. Considered to be one of the city’s biggest summer events, the festival relives and celebrates its history through various events, including dances, a parade of warrior floats, cavalry procession, and even a horseback mounted archery performance.
Niseko Town Tanabata Fireworks Display
2 August 2025
Enjoy a day of live music, traditional festival food, and games with family and friends at Niseko Town’s Tanabata Fireworks Display. Unlike other regions in Japan, Niseko holds the classic Tanabata festival a month later, during August, where they finish the evening with a spectacular display of over 1,500 fireworks launched into the night sky.
Photo Credit: Walkerplus
Iwanai Doto Fireworks Festival
2 – 3 August 2025
The town of Iwanai holds one of the biggest fireworks displays in the Niseko area during the summer. Less than an hour away from Niseko, the festival is held at the town’s port where there will be live performances, traditional dances, and games. Make sure to visit the Tarafuki Village, a special collection of Iwanai shops, during the festival.
Kutchan Jaga Matsuri
2 – 3 August 2025
Jaga Matsuri, or the Potato Festival, is Kutchan’s biggest summer festival honouring the town’s produce of potatoes. The festival is held to celebrate the year’s successful harvest and to wish for another. Over these two days, an array of food stalls, games, beer gardens, dance parades, and fireworks will be happening in town.
Locals and tourists can come and join the Potato Hunt, an all-you-can-take potato game where you try getting potatoes as much as you can within a limited time. Don’t miss the taiko performances or the thousand-people dance on the street in front of Kutchan Station.
Photo Credit: Hanazono Hill Climb
Niseko Hanazono Hill Climb
3 August 2025
Coinciding with Kutchan’s Jaga Matsuri is the Niseko Hanazono HillClimb. Like the Niseko Classic, it is a road cycling race event but this time, participants challenge the uphill slopes of Mt. Annupuri, covering a distance of 15.5 kilometres and an altitude of 796 metres. Everyone is welcome to participate or watch and cheer for the riders on this day.
Photo Credit: Gutabi
Cinema Caravan
9 – 17 August 2025
Founded by the same people who created the first Zushi Beach Film Festival, Cinema Caravan will be coming back to Niseko for the second time this August. For a week, visitors can come and enjoy an outdoor cinema experience at the Hirafu Kogen Central Park, taking advantage of Niseko’s warm weather and a fantastic view of Mt. Yotei.
Hosted by Niseko Hirafu Green Park, a summer-long event that will run until 31 August, Cinema Caravan will be adding films to the list of things locals and tourists can enjoy at this outdoor event.
Photo Credit: Hokkaido Travel Navi
Rankoshi Bon Odori Taikai
15 August 2025
Rankoshi, a neighbouring town, will also be celebrating Obon this August. Held at the town’s antenna shop’s parking lot, Machi no Chaya, bask in the town’s lively atmosphere as you enjoy the beer garden, bon odori (dance) performances by people dressed in costumes, and fireworks display. Come wearing a yukata and join the dances and you can receive a gift from the town.
Hirafu Festival
22 – 23 August 2025
Hirafu Festival is Hirafu Village’s annual summer festival and it perfectly represents the area’s international community. For two days, the local community will be gathering to enjoy live performances, game booths, and an array of food stalls comprising both local and international food. If you’re visiting, don’t miss the popular events such as the taiko drum performance, fireworks, and the mochi catching event.
Photo Credit: Japan in Japan
Kyowa Scarecrow Festival
24 August 2025
A 30-minute drive away from Niseko is Kyowa Town, home to one of Hokkaido’s unique festivals and hometown of the scarecrows. The town has prepared some exciting activities for the festival such as a tasting session of the town’s specialty, Raiden melon, and a collect-all-you-can potato event. The town will also be featuring 100 distinct and unique scarecrows that everyone is welcome to see.
Fireworks and live music performances will also take place, including performances from special guests.
Noboribetsu Jigoku Matsuri
30 – 31 August 2025
Moving a bit further away, two hours from Niseko is Noboribetsu, home to the famous Hell Valley. Based on the legend that the Great Demon King Enma visits Noboribetsu Onsen on the last weekend of August when Hell Valley’s gate to hell opens, the town of Noboribetsu holds this festival where the local community parades around town dressed in demon costumes, carrying a demon mikoshi, taiko performances, demon dances, and the float of Great Demon King Enma goes around town.
Ongoing Events
Photo Credit: Toyako Onsen Tourist Association
44th Toyako Long Run Fireworks Festival
28 April – 31 October 2025
Almost an hour away by car from Niseko is Lake Toya, famous for its stunning scenery and numerous spa resorts. It is also home to the 187-day fireworks display, the Toyako Long Run Fireworks Festival. The event will run from 28 April to 31 October 2025 where visitors can enjoy a 20-minute fireworks display just by the lakeside.
Bike Trails Open
31 May 2025 ~
A much loved summer activity in Niseko, the Twin Peaks Bike Park and Grand Hirafu’s MTB Park opened last 31 May for the green season. With over 14 trails with varying difficulty levels from beginner to advanced, there is a place for everyone to experience mountain biking in Niseko.
For the first timers or riders looking to skill up, how about taking advantage of Rhythm’s Mountain Biking Lessons this summer?
Padel Opens
1 June – 13 October 2025
Padel, a racquet sport described to be a mix of tennis and squash, has come to Niseko this summer. HANAZONO is bringing to Niseko the first Padel Club in Hokkaido, and is open from 1 June until 13 October. Set in Niseko’s breathtaking mountainous scenery, discover and enjoy the fun of the sport with your family and friends.
Mountain Lights
1 July – 13 October 2025
The stunning immersive light art installation, Mountain Lights, will be open to visitors again this year starting 1 July. Located at the base of Mt. Annupuri in HANAZONO, enjoy Bruce Munro’s play on light, color, and sound – consisting of his three works: “Arrow Spring”, “Moon Bloom” and “Prismatic Spring” – from up above on the gondola, and up close as you leisurely walk through the illuminated path.
In addition to the mountain lights, HANAZONO will also be holding a summer fireworks display and a Fire Goddess Performance starting 5 July until 11 October.
Photo Credit: Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu
Mountain Cart Experience Starts
3 July – 29 September 2025
Grand Hirafu is also introducing a new summer activity this green season as well. Mountain Cart is a popular activity in other countries but it will be the first of its kind in Hokkaido. An exciting easy-to-operate downhill cart suitable for all ages, this is a family-friendly activity anyone can enjoy while taking in the beautiful Niseko scenery in Hirafu.
Niseko Hirafu Green Park
18 July – 31 August 2025
Niseko’s seasonal limited park is back again this year. Explore the local food, enjoy the music, and try out outdoor activities all while soaking in Niseko’s warm, sunny weather. The park will run from 18 July to 31 August. For more information, check their website.
With a climate cooler than the rest of Japan, Niseko is the best place to experience Japan’s summer. Check out our special offers and get the best available stay rate for the green season.
