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Sounkyo hana monogatari

This is the first time in Hokkaido where a spa area has coordinated its gardening at the administrative level. We have done things like make large flower beds in public spaces, put up planters and flower baskets in shops and hotels, and coodinated other flower arrangements and themes for the whole Sounkyo region.
Time period of event : Middle May - Early October
Places : Kamikawa-cho Sounkyo hot spring
Inquiries : Sounkyo Sightseeing Development Council
TEL(01658)2-1811

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Mount Taisetsu-san Sounkyo Gorges Hi-Matsuri

Thanksgiving for Animals Procured
during the Hunt

For the past century, we have been having this ceremony in Iomante to honor animal gods Kotan Koro Kamui (gods which protect the village communities). The proceedings once lasted several days.Nowadays, this very unusual ceremony is promoted by our community as a major cultural event.
Time period of event : July 27th
Places : Kamikawa-cho Sounkyo hot spring(Specially installed place)
Inquiries : Sounkyo Sightseeing Development Council
TEL(01658)2-1811

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Showshoe Hiking (Entry Free of Charge)

Come experience in full the mystery of Sounkyo Gorge in winter for the first time: "Ginga no Taki" (silver-river falls), "Ryuusei no Taki" (shooting-star falls), and the surroundings frozen both in time and ice. Snowshoes, as our ancestors well knew, are the perfect way to experience winter atop all the snow.
Time period of event : December 14th to March 16th
Places : Kamikawa-cho Sounkyo

Applications Inquiries	Showshoe Hiking Course
	Sounkyo Sightseeing Development Council TEL(01658)2-1811
	Hyoubaku Matsuri place TEL(01658)5-3530

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Sounkyo Hyoubaku Matsuri
(Ice Waterfall Festival)

Wondrous beauty through illumination

Ten thousand square meters of river flatlands by the Ishikari River are utilized to display this pageant of ice pillars, ice tunnels, ice domes, etc. The main lookout tower reaches 15 meters, and the view from it at night is mysterious indeed. Saturdays and Sundays have a fireworks display to light up the winter night.
Time period of event : January 28st to March 26th
Places : Kamikawa-cho Sounkyo
Inquiries : Sounkyo Sightseeing Development Council
TEL(01658)2-1811

* Information noted on this page, such as time periods and details of events, is subject to change without notice.

	Name	Period	Places	Details	Inquiries
J a n u a r y	Higashikawa koori matsuri	Middle	Higashikawa-cho Hagoromo park etc	Snow and Ice Sculpture Contests, "Mochitsuki" Rice Pounding, Fireworks Displays, Game Corner, Mazes etc.	Higashikawa-cho public hall (0166-82-3200)
	Diamond dust party	January 19th to March 2nd	Teshikaga-cho Kawayu hot spring	"Diamond Dust" Shows, Experiences making your own Diamond Dust, Diamond Dust Postcard Presents	Kawayu hot spring Sightseeing Development Council (01548-3-2255)
	Mashuko hoshi kikou	January 19 to March 20th	Lake Mashu First lookout	We will show you the breathtaking total darkness of Lake Mashuuko at night, viewed from one of the observation towers. Adults 1200 yen, Children 600 yen (tax included)	Kawayu hot spring Sightseeing Development Council (01548-3-2255)

F e b r u a r y	Akanko hyoujou festival	February 1st to March 10th	Lake Akan hot spring Lake Akan on ice	The Bonfire Ceremony, "Fuyu Hanabi" (Fireworks over Ice), Ice Cutting, Games on Ice, etc.	Executive Committee (0154-67-2254)
	Tokachigawa hakuchou matsuri	February 1st to March 12th	Otofuke-cho Tokachigawa hot spring	Laser Show, Rubber-Stamp Collecting Rally, Night Ballooning, Snow Rafting, Snowmobiling, Igloo Experiences, etc.	Tokachigawa hot spring Sightseeing Development Council
	Kita no shintairikuhakkenI attaka Abashiri	February 2nd to March 3rd	Abashiri-shi Lake Abashiri specially installed place	Snowmobiles, 4-wheeled Buggies, Cross-country Skiing, All-Purpose Playing Fields, Parasailing, Mini-Golf in the Snow, "Wakasagi" Smelt Fishing, Ice Slides, "Banana Boats" pulled over snow.	Abashiri turism asociation (0152-44-5849)
	Shiretoko fantasia	February 2nd to March 9th	Shiretoko Utoro hot spring Specially installed place	Aurora Fantasia, Exciting Events, Sea Ice Floe Displays, Shiretoko Nature Photo Contests etc.	Shiretoko shari-cho turism asociation (01522-3-3131)
	Koori choukoku sekai taikai	February 4th to February 11th	Asahikawa-shi Tokiwa park	We bring together ice sculptors from all over the world for our Ice Sculpture Festival(preparations Feb 4th to 6th, display Feb 7th to 11th)	Executive Committee (0166-22-2522)
	Asahikawa fuyu matsuri	February 7th to February 11th	Asahikawa-shi Asahibashi riverside/Tokiwa park Heiwa dori kaimono park	"Snow, Ice, and Illumination" Festival, displays of snow and ice sculptures, Asahikawa Yuki-Akari Snow Illumination, various stage events, horsebackriding	Executive Committee (0166-25-7168)
	Miyasama kokusai ski marathon	February 16th to February 17th	Biei-cho Biruke no mori	Ski Marathon Tournament (full-, half-, cross-country skiing)	Organizing committee (0166-92-3333)

M a r c h	Snow festival in Biei	March 3rd	Biei-cho Townspeople skiing ground	Take a mid-air stroll on our parasail; Snowmobiling Tournament, other festivals	Executive Committee (0166-92-3333)
	Zennippon snowmobile senshukentaikai	Early	Biei-cho Gliding place	Snowmobile racing with some of Japan's top snowmobilers	Executive Committee (0166-92-3333)
	Asahikawa kokusai basa ski taikai	March 21st	Asahikawa-shi Asahikawa racecourse Peripheral hill course	Our FIS-Approved Ski Event, with some of the world's top skiiers	Organizing committee (0166-23-8300)

J u n e	Mashuko hoshi kikou	Early June-Late October	Lake Mashu First lookout	We will show you the breathtaking total darkness of Lake Mashuuko at night, viewed from one of the observation towers. Adults 1200 yen, Children 600 yen (tax included)	Kawayu hot spring Sightseeing Development Council (01548-3-2255)

S e p t e m b e r	Tokachi aki no fuubutsushi to night watching	Middle September-Late October	Otofuke-cho Tokachigawa hot spring	Original "Soran" Dancing, Japanese "Taiko" Drumming Show, moored glights on hot-air balloons, cattle farm stalls	Tokachigawa hot spring Sightseeing Development Council

O c t o b e r	Shiretoko banya matsuri	Middle October-Late November	Shari-cho Shiretoko Utoro hot spring	Enjoy the flavors of Shiretoko autumn at a fisherman's "Banya" (cottage)	Shari-cho turism asociation (01522-3-3131) (extension number163)
O c t o b e r	Iomante no himatsuri	Late October-Middle December	Akan-cho Akan kohan hot spring	Ancient Ainu folk dances, tourist boats leaving port to see the sunrise--the first sunrise in Japan every day	Akan Sightseeing Development Council (0154-67-3200)

D e c e m b e r	Diamond dust in Kawayu	Late December-Late March	Teshikaga-cho Kawayu hot spring	"Diamond Dust" Shows, Experiences making your own Diamond Dust, Diamond Dust Postcard Presents	Kawayu hot spring Sightseeing Development Council (01548-3-2255)

* Information noted on this page, such as time periods and details of events, is subject to change without notice.

[Sounkyo Sightseeing Development Council]
Terrace of the forest NUPURI
98-5 Chuou-cho Kamikawa-cho Kamikawa-gun Hokkaido Japan 078-1751
TEL (01658) 2-1811 / FAX (01658) 2-1903