[2025 Edition] 10 Must-See Festivals and Events in Hokkaido This Autumn｜Domingo

Autumn is the season of harvest, and Hokkaido is the best season for food and autumn leaves. From Odori Park’s Autumn Fest and Asahikawa’s Food Marche to seasonal saury and bluefin tuna festivals in port towns, there’s a whole host of autumn gourmet events to enjoy. We’ve also carefully selected 10 recommended festivals and events to be held in Hokkaido this fall, including illuminations of autumn leaves in Sounkyo and southern Hokkaido. This is a must-read for anyone looking for a trip or drive in the fall!

1

A huge gathering of food from all over Hokkaido! The annual gourmet event “Sapporo Autumn Fest” (Sapporo City)

Sapporo Autumn Fest 2025, Hokkaido’s largest food festival, will be held at Odori Park from September 12th to October 4th. Ramen, curry, meat dishes, Hokkaido wine, craft beer, and seasonal sweets will all be on display at the approximately 1km-long venue. A variety of areas are lined up from 4th to 11th chome, and you can enjoy sampling and comparing Hokkaido gourmet food, from Hokkaido sake at the bar in 7th chome, to meat dishes in 10th chome, and city and town booths in 8th chome.

2

Asahikawa City transforms into a gourmet market: “Northern Blessings Asahikawa Food Marche 2025” (Asahikawa City)

The “Northern Blessings Asahikawa Food Marche 2025” will see the city of Asahikawa itself transformed into a huge “feast market.” Gourmet food from northern Hokkaido will be gathered, and the newly established “Food Forest Zone” will also feature food stalls in collaboration with Asahikawa ingredients.

3

The Tengu, lion dance, and mikoshi fire-walking are spectacular at the Furubira Ebisu Shrine Festival (Furuhira Town)

This traditional event, representing Furubira Town, is led by Sarutahiko, a Tengu masked figure dressed in vermilion attire, who parades the town purifying the sacred object. The town is filled with the sounds of drums and flutes, and the Tengu’s fire-walking, which sends up pillars of fire about 3 meters high, is a spectacular sight. Following the heroic sight of the Tengu kicking away sparks, the lion dance and portable shrine also walk across the fire, bringing the festival to a climax.

4

A collaboration of beautiful autumn leaves and digital art: “Miracle Illumination 8th” (Kamikawa Town)

This illumination event takes place at Sounkyo Onsen, located at the foot of Mount Daisetsu, known for its earliest autumn foliage in Japan. The walking path through the hot spring town, Momijidani, is transformed into a fantastical landscape with colorful illuminations and digital art that reacts to people’s movements.

■Dates and times: September 14th (Sun) – October 13th (Mon), 2025, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM (last entrance 8:30 PM)

* Held every night during the period

■Fee: 1,000 yen (Momijidani Conservation Contribution)

Main venues: Daisetsuzan National Park, Sounkyo Onsen, Momijidani

For more information on “Miracle Illuminate 8th” click here

5

Biratori’s specialties! Wagyu beef, black pork, and tomatoes all come together at the Biratori Wagyu and Tomato Festival (Biratori Town)

The Biratori Wagyu and Tomato Festival is Biratori Town’s largest food festival. Enjoy local specialties such as Biratori Wagyu beef, black pork, and ripe tomatoes in barbecues, rice bowls, and processed food sales. There are also plenty of events, including a bargain sale on local produce, tastings, YOSAKOI and music performances, and a big raffle. Biratori Lucky will also be there, so the whole family can have fun all day long.

■Date: Sunday, September 21, 2025, 10:00-15:00

■Price: Wagyu and Kurobuta pork advance tickets (limited quantity)

・Biratori Wagyu: 200g / 2,300 yen (limited to 1,500 servings)

・Biratori Black Pork: 200g / 600 yen (limited to 600 servings)

*Available for sale on the day

■ Venue: Nibutani Family Land (94-8 Nibutani, Biratori-cho, Saru-gun, Hokkaido)

For more information and maps about the Biratori Wagyu and Tomato Festival, click here

6

Enjoy the finest bluefin tuna in the castle town at the 9th Matsumae Castle Town Tuna Festival (Matsumae Town)

This autumn gourmet event allows you to fully enjoy Matsumae-produced tuna. In addition to nigiri sushi, rice bowls, and limited-edition menu items, there is also a wide selection of exquisite dishes made with Matsumae Town’s specialties. There is also a tuna sale at the venue, which attracts many visitors.

7

Autumn flavors! Enjoy charcoal-grilled saury at the port at the 33rd Nemuro Sanma Festival (Nemuro City)

The Sanma Festival is held in Nemuro, a city famous for its sanma catches. At the robatayaki corner, you can enjoy fresh Nemuro sanma grilled over charcoal, as well as dishes that Nemuro’s “Haha-san” (mother of the beach) boasts. At the local product sales area, there is a wide selection of fresh seafood such as crabs and oysters, as well as processed products, souvenirs, and street stalls.

8

Taste and compare four types of fresh soba noodles at the 22nd Shintoku New Soba Festival (Shintoku Town)

This is the largest new soba festival in Shintoku Town, a nationally famous soba producing area. At the “Soba Food Stall Village,” where soba restaurants and soba-making groups from the town gather, you can taste and compare four types of new soba: freshly harvested, freshly ground, freshly made, and freshly boiled. In addition to new soba, local delicacies such as Shintoku chicken, log-grown shiitake mushrooms, soba crepes, and rich soft serve ice cream will also be available.

9

Enjoy limited-edition dishes using Furano cheese, milk, and butter at the Furano Cheese Festival (Furano City)

This autumn flavor event will be held at the popular tourist destination, Furano Cheese Factory. The outdoor booth will feature a variety of limited-edition menu items using plenty of Furano cheese, milk, and butter, and the shop will offer a 10% discount on all products except wine. There will also be a fun lottery and limited-time discounts on crafting experiences.

10

The spectacular illuminated autumn leaves swaying on the water’s surface at the “Hokuto Autumn Leaves Corridor” (Hokuto City)

The autumn leaves are lit up in the 11-hectare Hachironuma Park in Hokuto City. The approximately 2,000 trees, including maples and azaleas, turn color, and the autumn leaves reflected on the water’s surface are a spectacular sight.

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

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