In July, it’s the perfect time to explore the beauty and vibrancy of Niseko and its neighboring towns. As summer arrives, the region comes alive with a plethora of activities and exciting festivals, offering unforgettable experiences. Discover the July events in Niseko and nearby areas.
During summer, Niseko and its surrounding towns become more lively than ever with numerous exciting events in July. You can admire the dazzling beauty of Hanazono Mountain Lights, enjoy fun activities at Niseko Hirafu Green Park, and witness stunning fireworks displays in Sapporo. Especially notable are the Sapporo Summer Beer Festival and the Otaru Tide Festival, offering fantastic cultural and culinary experiences. Take the time to visit and savor these unforgettable moments!
July Events in Niseko: Hanazono Mountain Lights
July kicks off vibrantly with the opening of the Hanazono Mountain Lights exhibition. This is a vivid light art installation of grand scale by world-renowned British artist Bruce Munro. Illuminating the slopes of Niseko Hanazono Resort during summer, it stretches along the base of Mount Annupuri for 1.3 km. With 180,000 individual lights, these “fireflies” enhance the nighttime experience of summer in Niseko.
In 2024, the exhibition’s third consecutive year, two new large-scale artworks have been added, expanding the artistic world further. “Prismatic Spring,” nestled among “Moon Blooms,” a collection of 1,000 color-changing light spheres, and the largest piece, “Arrow Spring,” illuminating the sky. These artworks add color and music to the Mountain Lights, which previously featured a monochromatic palette.
Inspired by the terrain, geology, mythology, and artistic aspects of Niseko—a region shaped by volcanoes, snow, and ice—the light art experience creates a unique fusion of art and nature.
If you want to experience the Mountain Lights, take the Hanazono Symphony Gondola to the mid-station stop. From up high, marvel at the gentle ribbon of light ascending the slopes. Then, stroll downhill through dazzling exhibitions illuminated by colorful lights.
• Art Exhibition Dates 2024: July 1 – October 6, 2024
• Daily Opening Hours: From dusk until 10:00 PM (extended to 11:00 PM on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays).
• Ticket Prices: Adults 4,000 yen / Children 3,200 yen (under 13 years old) / Preschoolers free of charge. This ticket includes unlimited gondola rides within the same day. You can also book online for a 20% discount off the regular price for the Mountain Lights tour.
Some additional notes:
√ The event may be canceled without prior notice due to weather conditions.
√ Please dress appropriately for the weather and temperature, and wear comfortable shoes (avoid high heels).
√ This is an outdoor exhibition surrounded by nature, so insect repellent is recommended.
√ Gondola services may temporarily suspend or cancel due to strong winds.
√ Children must be accompanied by a guardian.
July Events in Niseko: Opening of Niseko Hirafu Green Park
(Figure: Niseko Area Guide)
Set amidst the breathtaking scenery of Niseko, Japan, Niseko Hirafu Green Park will run from July 13 to September 1, 2024. Featuring bustling farmers’ markets, thrilling skateboard parks, and enchanting outdoor Cinema Caravan nights (from August 9 to August 15), Niseko Hirafu Green Park hosts a variety of events designed to delight and satisfy visitors of all ages.
Prepare to be captivated by vibrant energy, diverse offerings, and the spectacular natural beauty of Niseko Hirafu Green Park this summer!
Fireworks Festival in Sapporo
(Figure: sapporo.travel)
If you’re keen on experiencing fireworks near Niseko, various festivals are held across Sapporo from mid-July to late September.
The “Hokkaido Makomanai Music Fireworks Festival,” one of Hokkaido’s largest fireworks events featuring a total of 22,000 fireworks, takes place at Makomanai Park on July 6.
The “Doshin UHB Fireworks Festival,” with a history of over half a century, lights up the summer near the Minami Bridge over the Toyohira River in central Sapporo on July 26, promising to illuminate the largest city in Hokkaido.
Since 2012, the “Hokkaido Artistic Fireworks” has combined fireworks with music, creating a spectacular display across the expansive sky. Sapporo’s gentle night breeze provides the perfect climate to enjoy fireworks—a quintessential scene of summer in Japan. Come here to enjoy various fireworks festivals, each offering unique settings and performances.
In addition to the fireworks displays, this unique combined event features candle art with 5,000 candles and a music stage in this outdoor festival.
Sapporo Summer Beer Festival and Bratwurst Sausage to Welcome Summer
For food enthusiasts, the Sapporo Summer Festival kicks off a month-long celebration of beer and Bratwurst sausages from July 19 to August 16, 2024, at the Sapporo Beer Garden in Odori Park.
The Sapporo Beer Garden in Odori Park is one of Japan’s largest beer gardens. Spanning over a month, this beer garden accommodates up to 13,000 seats, spread across six blocks within Odori Park, offering an opportunity for thousands of visitors to enjoy food and beer together. Within these six blocks, there are four areas representing major Japanese breweries, a global beer area, and a German Village dedicated to beer and German cuisine enthusiasts. You can purchase food and drinks either from vendors or directly from your favorite stalls.
The Sapporo Summer Festival, according to Sapporo Travel website, incorporates events like the Hokkai Bon Odori dance, the Tanuki Festival along Tanukikoji Shopping Street, the Susukino Festival, and numerous others. When the festival began in 1954, its main venue was Nakajima Park, featuring activities such as boat festivals, Bon Odori dances, fireworks displays, firefly hunts, and the Tanabata Star Festival. In 1957, the festival moved to Odori Park, and the first beer garden appeared in 1959.
Otaru Ushio Festival
The Otaru Ushio Festival (Otaru Tide Festival) is one of the most significant events of the year in Otaru, held from July 26 to 28. It has been organized for over 50 years to express gratitude to the sea, which has brought prosperity to the city across generations of Otaru residents.
(Figure: Hokkaido Love)
Anticipated to attract over 1 million visitors, this joyful event opens and closes with spectacular fireworks displays. Dancing lights burst over the sea, illuminating the sky and casting beautiful reflections on the waves. The highlight of the festival is the Ushio Nerikomi, a city-wide dance parade involving nearly 10,000 participants.
Rankoshi Seseragi Matsuri Festival
Experience a special day of relaxation by the Shiribetsu River, amidst the pristine waters of Hokkaido, at the Rankoshi Seseragi Matsuri Festival. Alongside dynamic outdoor activities such as boat rowing and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), there will be an outdoor music festival, traditional performing arts like Kagura and Taiko drumming, and a variety of other events. Numerous food stalls will also be set up, offering delicious treats for festival-goers. The festival takes place on July 21, 2024.
Let’s spend a special summer day by the Shiribetsu River with family and friends, where nature and culture blend harmoniously.
In addition to the grand festival programs mentioned above, in July, you can participate in a music event on July 27-28 featuring a series of chamber music concerts at the Shiribeshi Museum, including stops at the Niseko Arishima Memorial Museum and the Shu Ogawara Art Museum in Kutchan.
July concludes with the Jolly Fox International Golf Tournament in Niseko from July 27 to 31.
This summer, come to Niseko and its neighboring towns to experience unique cultural events and a vibrant atmosphere. From the enchanting lights of the Hanazono Mountain Lights, and fun activities at Niseko Hirafu Green Park, to stunning fireworks displays in Sapporo and distinctive food festivals like the Sapporo Summer Beer Festival and the Otaru Tide Festival, you’ll create unforgettable memories. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy this colorful and energetic summer!
Source: PowderLife, Hokkaido Love, Niseko Area Guide
