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With sunny days and cool evenings, June is the month for summer adventures in Niseko. Hiking and biking trails are opening up, town festivals are taking place, and summer flowers are starting to bloom. If you’re still undecided on what to do in June, here is a list of events you might want to check out next month.
In and Around Niseko
Photo Credit: Hokkaido Love
Jigokudani Demon Fireworks
June, July, September
Noboribetsu, a popular hot spring resort in Hokkaido and home to the famous Hell Valley, holds a fireworks festival every summer. It is an entertaining and unique fireworks display where Yukijin – the demons considered as guardians of the hot spring – launch the hand-held fireworks into the air in hopes of bringing happiness and carrying away troubles of the people.
2026 Schedule
June: Every Monday and Thursday
July, September: Every Thursday
Photo Credit: Gutabi Hokkaido
Otaru Shukutsu Herring and Scallop Festival 2026
6 – 7 June 2026
An integration of two festivals: the Nishin Gunrai Festival and the Otate Festival, the Otaru Shukutsu Herring and Scallop Festival is back on its third year. A local community-organized event, people can enjoy freshly charcoal-grilled herring (limited quantity) and scallops – two specialties of the area. Kids can also enjoy other activities such as scallop fishing and the releasing of young herring to the sea.
Photo Credit: Yosakoi Soran
Yosakoi Soran Festival
10 – 14 June 2026
Kicking off the start of summer, Yosakoi Soran Festival is a big dance festival held in Sapporo every June. Based on Kochi Prefecture’s Yosakoi festival, participating teams perform the traditional yosakoi dance to the rhythm of soran bushi, one of Hokkaido’s folk songs. Visitors are treated to a sight of a lively and vibrant Sapporo as over 200 participating teams donning colourful costumes, dancing and performing in different parts of the city.
Photo Credit: Sapporo Travel
Hokkaido Shrine Festival
14 – 16 June 2026
One of Sapporo’s biggest festivals, and Hokkaido Shrine’s main festival, this event has been celebrated for over a century. Witness a parade of people wearing Heian period costumes carrying floats and mikoshi or portable shrines, making their way towards the centre of Sapporo, or enjoy rows and rows of food stalls, drinks, and games in Nakajima Park.
Photo Credit: Sapporo Travel
Sapporo Flower Carpet
19 – 21 June 2026
Inspired by the festival held in Brussels, Belgium, the Sapporo Flower Carpet is an art event where volunteers create one large image from flower petals and other natural materials sourced in Hokkaido to create one vibrant and wonderful flower carpet. Creation of the art takes place from 18 – 19 June, while the exhibition will be held from 20 – 21 June.
Photo Credit: Hokkaido Love
Toyako Anime and Manga Festa
27 – 28 June 2026
The Toyako Manga Anime Festa is made for anime and manga lovers held in the town of Toyako Onsen, just an hour away from Niseko. The two-day outdoor festival is filled with events, such as exhibitions, performances, and markets, that people can enjoy and participate in from morning until night. However, one of the highlights of the festival is the Itasha exhibition where people show off their cars elaborately decorated with manga or anime-themed decals or artworks. People are also welcome to come in their cosplay costumes.
Photo Credit: Sapporo Travel
Sapporo Flower Festival
27 June – 5 July 2026
For those who love flowers and gardening, don’t miss out on this event held in Sapporo. From 27 June to 5 July, Odori Park will be filled with stalls selling flowers, gardening supplies, and woodcrafts. Of course, a variety of food vendors and performances will be present at the event as well.. A gardening contest will also be held where several agricultural high schools from Hokkaido will be showcasing their gardening work.
Ongoing Events
Mr. Mishima’s Shibazakura Garden
Late May – Mid June
Spring is still vibrant and thriving even in the later weeks of May when the shibazakura starts blooming in Mr. Mishima’s Garden in Kutchan. Privately owned by Mr. Kazuo Mishima, visitors can admire the carpet of flowers in varying shades of pink, surrounded by yellow rape blossoms, with a gorgeous view of Mt. Yotei in the background.
Photo Credit: Toyako Onsen Tourist Association
45th Toyako Long Run Fireworks Festival
28 April – 31 October 2026
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. In its 45th year this year, the festival will run from 28 April to 31 October 2026 where visitors can enjoy a 20-minute fireworks display just by the lakeside.
Summer in Niseko is off to a great start as the month of June is filled with events and festivities that anyone and everyone can enjoy. All these events are happening 1-2 hours away from Niseko by car, which makes Setsu Niseko as a perfect home base for your summer trip. You can even take advantage of our Summer Long Stay Special Rates and never miss an event this summer.
