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Fukushima’s Winter Festivals: Details and Dates for 2026

Fukushima’s Winter Festivals: Details and Dates for 2026

Visit this page for up-to-date information about Fukushima's festivals.

Winter is an excellent time to visit Fukushima -- great skiing, stunning snow scenery, and of course, traditional winter festivals. If you're looking to find out which winter events are right for you, see below for all the details for the upcoming 2026 editions.

Visit the individual destination pages for more information.

From 20 December 2025: Higashiyama Onsen Candle Festival

The earliest of the winter attractions to open, the Candle Festival at Higashiyama Onsen runs for three months from mid-December through to the end of February. The candles in this charming onsen town are illuminated for 90 minutes every evening, making for a pleasant atmosphere on an evening stroll.

(Candles are lit 16:30-18:00 in December and January, 17:00-18:30 in February)

Given its dates, the Candle Festival combines well with visiting other winter festivals on this list, regardless of whether you’re staying in Higashiyama Onsen.

Address: Higashiyama Onsen, Aizu-Wakamatsu City

7 January: Nanokado Hadaka Mairi Festival

Translating roughly as, ‘the naked shrine visit on the 7th January’, Nanokado Hadaka Mairi sees a group of men in nothing but loincloths climb a hemp rope to the top of Enzoji Temple. To get there they must race up the 113 stone steps to the main temple building in the freezing cold, and visitors are able to participate (advance notice is required).

The festival traces its roots back to an ancient legend, telling of a princess who received a wish-granting jewel from a river dragon to tide against crop failures, and a community who banded together on the night of the 7th to prevent the dragon spirit from taking it back. To this day the festival is a rowdy display of hope and community.

If you’re in Yanaizu for the festival, this is a great chance to see one of the prefecture’s most underrated towns: the Chansey Lucky Park is a winner, and since Enzoji is the birthplace of the akabeko legend, you’ll find merchandise of the red cows wherever you look.

Address: Enzoji Temple, Jikemachi-ko 176, Yanaizu Town, Kawanuma District, Fukushima Pref. 969-7201

10 & 14 January: Bale-Pulling Festivals, Aizu-Misato & Aizu-Bange

This raucous pair of winter festivals are practically twins for their similarity, both headlined by groups of locals fighting over a great hay bale attached to a massive rope at either end. It's said that the result of the tug-of-war will predict the year's fortunes, whether via a great harvest or prosperous business.

Both festivals feature the tug-of-war in addition to a plethora of festival food stalls and performances from local special interest groups like dancing or taiko drumming. The Aizu-Bange festival is especially notable for its men participating in only loincloths, despite the festival usually taking place on snowy roads.

With the festivals taking place in suburban towns within Aizu, they combine well with a trip to see the winter scenery at Tsurugajo Castle or Ouchi-juku.

Late January / early February: Iwaki Tsurushi-bina Matsuri

Held in the Nakanosaku district of Iwaki in the south-east of the prefecture, this is the best time to visit this port town thanks to its colourful displays of handmade dolls and folk arts made with chirimen fabric (which is used in kimonos). The main display takes place at Seikokan, where over 3,000 fabric dolls hang from under the eaves of the old traditional house.

There are also food and merchandise stalls that run primarily on Saturdays and Sundays.

Exact dates will be updated as information becomes available.

Address: Nakanosaku, Iwaki City (Map)

11 February: Shirakawa Daruma Market

Daruma, traditional good luck talismans, are a symbol of Shirakawa City, with two major workshops where visitors can watch craftsmen at work. Shirakawa daruma vary slightly in design from the Tohoku-style daruma sold further north in Fukushima City or the art village at Miharu.

At this event, held yearly on 11th February, there is a festival-esque atmosphere with hundreds and thousands of visitors turning up to peruse over 700 stalls. Since daruma come in 18 sizes and a variety on display, it’s easy to find a daruma that suits you – tradition says you make a wish while the daruma has only its left eye filled in (or you fill it in while making the wish), and then you fill in the right eye when the dream is fulfilled.

Address: The main street in front of Shirakawa Station that runs parallel to the train line.

13 & 14 February: Aizu Painted Candle Festival

The start of a weekend of winter events, Friday 7th February is the first night of the Aizu Painted Candle Festival – tens of thousands of candles in artisanal wooden cases, bamboo holders and paper boxes that light up Tsurugajo Castle and the traditional garden down the road at Oyaku-en.

The main time to see the candles is between 17:30 and 20:30, where visitors can not only enjoy the beautiful evening views but appreciate the time and craftsmanship involved in making each candle.

Tsurugajo Castle: 1-1 Otemachi, Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima 965-0873

Oyaku-en Garden: 8-1 Hanaharumachi, Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima 965-0804

14 & 15 February: Tadami Snow Festival

Taking place on the same weekend as the Ouchi-juku festival, the Tadami Snow Festival is a charming local festival that attracts over 20,000 visitors a year. It’s most famous for its large snow sculptures, which are illuminated when it gets dark, in addition to fireworks displays.

The main festival takes place on the 8th and 9th, with some smaller festivities on the night of the 7th.

Much like Ouchi-juku, the Tadami Snow Festival features music performances, sales of local crafts and food stalls.

Address: In front of Tadami Station, Tadami Town, Minamiaizu District, Fukushima Pref. 968-0421

14 & 15 February: Ouchi-juku Snow Festival

Mochi thrown from rooftops, wood-cutting competitions, igloos, traditional performing arts, fireworks, yosakoi dancing, soba noodles eating contests – the Ouchi-juku Snow Festival casts a wide gamut of activities in addition to its beautiful scenery. The thatched roofs of the hamlet covered in snow make for splendid photographs.

Local vendors sell merchandise directly from their houses, and during the winter season there are food stalls selling chargrilled dishes and snacks. For many people in Fukushima, this is the festival to prioritise every winter.

Address: Ouchi-juku (Yamamoto, Ouchi, Shimogo Town, Minamiaizu District, Fukushima Pref. 969-5207)

Looking for more tips about travelling in Fukushima this winter? Check out our full guide.

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    5 Things to Do in Kitakata

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    8 Things to Do in Nihonmatsu

    Nestled between Fukushima and Koriyama, the sleepy city of Nihonmatsu is surrounded by beautiful nature on all sides. With both cities accessible in short order by shinkansen from Tokyo, Nihonmatsu makes for a great day trip while seeing other sights in this region of Japan.The area is at its most lively during festival season, centring around October and November, but there’s something to visit in Nihonmatsu year-round. Let’s take a look at some of the best spots for a trip to this hidden gem:Climb Mt. AdataraAt 1,700m tall, Mt. Adatara is one of Fukushima’s most famous regions for hikers. It’s also very accessible thanks to a gondola lift, departing from Adatara Kogen Ski Resort at the base, which takes visitors up as far as 1,300m.Regardless of how you make the climb, you’ll be treated to gorgeous views over the surrounding hillsides, especially in autumn when the foliage turns a vibrant gold and orange. This is a great option for hikers of all experience levels, with the trails well-marked and fairly wide throughout the trek.Kasumigajo Castle ParkIn 1868, Nihonmatsu Castle was torn down after forces loyal to the fading shogunate were defeated in the Boshin War. These days only the walls remain, but the castle park is a beautiful spot and listed as a prefectural natural park. In autumn, it’s the site of the charming Nihonmatsu Chrysanthemum Doll Festival, while in spring, the park comes alive as over 1700 cherry trees bloom a beautiful pink.Nihonmatsu Lantern FestivalOne of the best festivals in the prefecture, the lantern festival in Nihonmatsu is held every year at the start of October. Seven giant floats parade through the streets decorated with hundreds of traditional lanterns, each lit by hand by a platoon of talented local townspeople. Each float is then filled with drummers, pulled along by groups of dancers, and cheered on by local students – it’s a powerful atmosphere, and the visuals of the glowing lanterns in the night is hard to beat anywhere in Japan.The festival takes three days; the first day (Saturday) is considered the main day, when all seven floats parade in a single line. On Sunday they tour the city separately, before parading in two groups on the Monday.Visit this page for more information about Fukushima's incredible festival culture.Relax at Dake OnsenMany people choose to experience Japanese culture first-hand during their trip by soaking in a hot spring, or onsen. While it’s not for everyone – clothing is not permitted at most public hot springs – there are options for non-bathers, too. Fukushima has a wealth of onsen towns, served by piping-hot water sourced directly from its many mountains, and Dake Onsen is one of its most charming. But for those not taking a dip, the town still has a pleasant atmosphere perfect for taking a stroll, footbath facilities, and the beautiful road of Sakurazaka (especially beautiful in cherry blossom season!)Take the Extreme Onsen challengeFor those wanting to try an onsen where swimsuits are allowed, this challenge might be right up your alley. A robust hike up an active volcano, with the help of a local guide, and you’ll be soaking in the hot springs of Mt. Adatara directly at the source. The tour is only offered during the summer, since the trail can be dangerous while winter snow remains on the mountain. The Extreme Onsen hike is a truly unique experience, and works great for either groups or as a solo trip.Visit a sake breweryFukushima has a stellar reputation as one of Japan’s best sake-brewing regions. With over seventy breweries in the prefecture, many of which have been making sake for centuries, there’s a reason Fukushima sake constantly wins gold medals at the Annual Sake Awards and has been served at major events worldwide.Seeing the inside of a brewery during your trip to Japan is a must for anyone interested in Japanese cuisine or sake. An option in Nihonmatsu is Himonoya, similarly traditional in that it only brews sake during the winter. Both offer brewery tours, albeit with limited English support, so for guests looking to know more about the sake brewing process, some knowledge of Japanese or an interpreter will be required.Make washi (traditional Japanese paper)Washi paper is a fascinating traditional craft with over a thousand years of history. Handmade from natural fibers, it’s renowned for its strength, beauty, and translucency. 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Most popular is the Ebisu Drift Matsuri, a drift festival held three times a year, with certain courses only usable for drifting during that weekend.Related informationDay trip itinerary in Nihonmatsu CityOther activities in Fukushima PrefectureGetting to Fukushima

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