[September 2025] 10 Autumn Events in Hokkaido! Fireworks, Festivals, and Food for Great Memories｜Domingo

September in Hokkaido is packed with events where you can fully enjoy the bountiful autumn! From events where you can taste local gourmet food such as fresh seafood to fireworks displays that light up the autumn sky, we’ve carefully selected 10 noteworthy events to fully enjoy Hokkaido. Why not enjoy Hokkaido as you feel the beginning of autumn?

1

Hokkaido’s largest gourmet festival “Sapporo Autumn Fest” (Sapporo City)

This gourmet event is Hokkaido’s signature autumn event. Stretching approximately 1km from Odori Park 4-chome to 11-chome in the center of Sapporo, the venue features over 300 booths from all over Hokkaido, offering seasonal ingredients and local delicacies. Each venue has a different theme, and gourmet food, sweets, and alcohol from all over Hokkaido are all gathered together, including the Sapporo Odori Hokkaido Market, where you can enjoy the flavors and specialties of each region of Hokkaido.

2

The spectacular 60-minute non-stop fireworks display at Hokkaido Artistic Fireworks 2025 (Sapporo)

Set in Moerenuma Park in Sapporo, this fireworks display is created by Japan’s top pyrotechnicians. The approximately 60-minute program is a spectacular sight, with a nonstop display of fireworks, including star mines and large fireworks, synchronized with light and sound. The unique 3D effects and spectacular performances set to famous music make this a fireworks display truly worthy of the name “art.” Food and drinks will also be sold at the venue.

3

The 33rd Nemuro Sanma Festival (Nemuro City) where you can enjoy seasonal charcoal-grilled sanma on the spot

This is a seasonal autumn tradition in Nemuro, with many people visiting from all over the country to enjoy seasonal sanma (pacific saury). One of the highlights of the festival is the Sanma Quayside Robata Corner, where you can eat sanma grilled on the spot over charcoal. Other items on sale include sanma dishes made by the “mothers of the beach,” as well as Nemuro’s specialty products, crabs, and oysters. Every year, events such as sanma catching contests and stage shows are also held.

4

Autumn in Kushiro begins with food and fireworks at the 22nd Kushiro Tairyo Donpaku Festival (Kushiro City)

This is Kushiro’s biggest event, with food and fireworks as its main focus. As the name suggests, which is a combination of “don” (firework) and “paku” (eat), there are plenty of beautiful fireworks and delicious food. The fireworks, some of the largest in Hokkaido, are launched into the air in three shaku (approx. 300cm) scale, creating a spectacular sight. In addition to food available at the “Donpaku Food Stall,” there are also other food-related events, such as the “Agriculture and Rural Fair in KUSHIRO,” where you can sample Konsen milk, buy agricultural and livestock products, and even try your hand at milking!

■Dates and times: Saturday, September 13, 2025, 10:00-20:30 / Sunday, September 14, 2025, 10:00-16:00

・Kushiro Tairyo Donpaku Fireworks Festival: Saturday, 13th, 7:00pm-7:50pm (planned) *3-meter fireworks will be launched around 7:30pm

・Agriculture and Rural Fair in KUSHIRO: 13th (Sat) 10:00-16:00 / 14th (Sun) 10:00-15:00

■ Location: Saiwaimachi Green Space (4-1 Saiwaimachi, Kushiro City), Kushiro City Tourism and International Exchange Center Front Garden (3-3 Saiwaimachi, Kushiro City)

For details and maps of the 22nd Kushiro Tairyo Donpaku, please click here.

5

The nation’s top class fireworks display, featuring approximately 30,000 shots, will be held for the first time at “Muroran Manten Fireworks 2025” (Muroran City)

This is the first fireworks festival of the year in Japan, and it’s one of the largest. In addition to the spectacular fireworks that will light up the night sky with around 35,000 shots, there will be plenty of content to enjoy for both adults and children, including live music performances by popular artists, a comedy stage, a food area with around 80 stores from both within and outside Hokkaido, and Manten Amusement Park with its interactive attractions. The venue, Danpara Park, is in a great location with a panoramic view of Muroran Port, so you can enjoy the beautiful night view along with the fireworks.

6

Must-see rice cake pounding using one of the world’s largest mortars: the 43rd Iwamizawa Hyakumochi Festival (Iwamizawa City)

This traditional festival colors autumn in Iwamizawa. The spectacular mochi pounding using one of the world’s largest mortars, measuring 2.2 meters in diameter and weighing 5.5 tons, is a truly impressive sight. A limited number of freshly pounded mochi are served to visitors as sweet soup. Other events include mochi throwing, mochi pounding experiences, Japanese drumming performances, and dance performances. The venue is lined with food stalls and food trucks, allowing you to enjoy local delicacies.

■Dates and times: Saturday, September 13, 2025, 13:00-20:00 / Sunday, September 14, 2025, 9:40-18:00

■ Location: 4-jo Nishi 2-chome intersection, Sakae Street, 3-jo Street, 4-jo Street (Iwamizawa city center)

For details and maps of the 43rd Iwamizawa Hyakumochi Festival, please click here.

7

The impressive Matsumae tuna cutting show at the 9th Matsumae Castle Town Tuna Festival (Matsumae Town)

This event allows you to fully enjoy Matsumae-produced bluefin tuna. There are plenty of tuna-related events unique to Matsumae, including the popular bluefin tuna sale, a spectacular live cutting show, and a super spicy tuna bowl eating contest. You can also sample tuna-related gourmet food and Matsumae town specialties at the venue, and there will also be stage performances such as dancing and taiko drumming.

8

Delicious gourmet food gathering in front of Asahikawa Station “Northern Blessings Asahikawa Food Marche 2025” (Asahikawa City)

This is a major event that brings together the cuisine of northern Hokkaido, a representative autumn event in Asahikawa. During the event, the area from JR Asahikawa Station to Heiwadori Shopping Park is transformed into a “Gourmet Market.” Specialties and gourmet foods from all over northern Hokkaido are lined up at the venue.

9

Taste and compare soba noodles in Japan’s leading soba producing region at the 22nd Shintoku Soba Festival (Shintoku Town)

This festival is a specialty of Shintoku Town, also known as “Japan’s No. 1 Soba Town.” At the “Soba Food Stall Village” lined up at the venue, famous soba shops and soba-making groups from the town show off their skills, allowing you to taste and compare the four types of soba noodles that each shop boasts: “freshly picked,” “freshly ground,” “freshly made,” and “freshly boiled.” Each menu offers a wide variety of unique dishes, including tempura, eel, and cheese. In addition to soba, local products such as “charcoal-grilled Shintoku chicken” and “grilled shiitake mushrooms” will also be available, as well as desserts such as soba crepes and soft-serve ice cream.

10

“Nepal Fukagawa Festival” (Fukagawa City) – Lots of fun sports and creative experiences for kids

This autumn, Fukagawa will be hosting an interactive festival that will captivate everyone, from children to adults. There are plenty of hands-on programs to enjoy both indoors and outdoors, from crafting experiences like cloisonné, bracelets, and soap carving, to bonfires, firewood chopping, excavation, and even climbing in the gymnasium. There will also be pizza and crepe trucks, as well as displays of police cars and fire engines.

■Date and time: Tuesday, September 23rd Experience time: 9:45-15:30 (Registration: 9:30-15:00)

■Price: Adults 500 yen / 4 years old and above – university and vocational school students 300 yen

*A separate experience fee will be charged.

■ Venue: Hokkaido Prefectural Youth Experience Activity Support Facility Nepal Fukagawa (2-7-1 Otoecho, Fukagawa City)

For more information and maps about the Nepal Fukagawa Festival, click here.

*All information is current as of the time of publication in August 2025.

*All published information may be subject to change, so please check the official website for details.