Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival" in Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture, to be Held from February 6 Special family-friendly events to commemorate the 50th anniversary

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Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture, will hold the "Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival" in Hirosaki Park from February 6 (Friday) to February 11 (Wednesday), 2026. The 50th Snow Lantern Festival will be held in Hirosaki Park, where snow lanterns, snow sculptures, and the illuminated Hirosaki Castle will create a fantastic snow scene, welcoming many visitors.

Hirosaki Castle Keep and Snow Lanterns

Outline of "Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival

Date and Time ： February 6 (Fri.) - February 11 (Wed., holiday), 2026

　　　　　　 10:00 - 21:00 (until 20:00 on the last day, February 11)

Venue ： Hirosaki Park

Admission: Free

Special page: https://www.hirosaki-kanko.or.jp/edit.html?id=cat02_winter_yuki

Highlights of the Festival

＜Snow Sculpture

As this is the 50th anniversary of the festival and the castle tower is scheduled to be moved by Hikiya in 2026, the theme of the first snow sculpture will be the castle tower of Hirosaki Castle, the symbol of Hirosaki City.

Subject: Hirosaki Castle Keep

Venue: Yonomaru in Hirosaki Park

<Projection Mapping

Using the large snow sculpture as a screen, projection mapping will be projected on the theme of Hirosaki's four seasons and festivals.

Venue: Hirosaki Park, Shi-no-Maru

Time: Daily at 30-minute intervals starting at 17:30 (last showing at 20:30)

<Hirosaki Yukiawari

Candles will be handed out to visitors to the Kita-no-Kaku area. The candles placed by visitors will create a space filled with light.

Venue: Hirosaki Park, Kitanokaku area

Time: 17:00 - 21:00 (until 20:00 on the last day, the 11th)

　　　Candles will be distributed from 18:00, ending when all candles are gone.

<Mini Kamakura

Approximately 300 miniature camakura will be set up to decorate the park.

Venue: Hirosaki Park, Nishi no Kaku

Mini Kamakura

<Tsugaru Nishiki-e Grand Corridor

A corridor of Tsugaru Nishiki-e will be created by reusing mirror paintings and farewell paintings of the Neputas that participated in the Hirosaki Neputa Festival.

Venue: Hirosaki Park, Ninomaru Amusement Park

Tsugaru Nishiki-e Grand Corridor

The 50th Special Event] <Apple Neputa Street

About 200 colorful apple neputas and 2m high apple neputa objet d'art will enliven the festival.

Venue: Hirosaki Park, near Otemon Gate

Apple Neputa

50th Special Event] <Projection Mapping on the Grand Slide

Projection mapping will be projected in conjunction with the movements of people sliding down the large slide.

Venue: Hirosaki Park, Yonomaru

Time: 17:30 - 21:00 (until 20:00 on the 11th, the last day of the festival)

Giant Slide

50th Special Program] "Let's build a snowman together! Snowman Challenge

An area will be set up in Hirosaki Park to encourage visitors to create their own snowmen in order to create new photo spots that are unique to the snow country.

Let's make snowmen freely and fill up the Civic Plaza! Aim for 50 snowmen!

Date & Time: February 6 (Fri.) - February 8 (Sun.), 2026, 11:00 - 15:00

Venue: Hirosaki Park Civic Plaza

*You can make snowmen outside of these hours.

Candle lights to decorate the snowman will be lent to those who create a snowman during the event hours. (The service will end when all the candles are gone.)

Candles will be lit after February 9.

50th Special Program] "Chanbara Kassen: Hirosaki Castle Winter Campaign

The "Chanbara Kassen," a popular hands-on event for children, will be held.

What is "Chambara Kassen"?

This is a hands-on activity that reminds one of the battles of the Warring States period, where participants fight in large groups with sponge swords that do not hurt even if they are hit and colored balls attached to their arms! Feel free to join in with your family or friends, even if you are alone! You can enjoy the most peaceful battle in the world.

Date & Time: Wednesday, February 11, 2026 (National Holiday)

　　　　　Part 1: 11:00-12:00, Part 2: 13:00-14:00

Venue ：Hirosaki Park Recreation Plaza

Participation Fee ：Free of charge

Target ：5 years old and up, up to 100 people for each part

Application Date ：February 10, 2026 (Tue.)

Application ：From this URL

　　　　 https://hirosakijyo.peatix.com/

Chanbara Kassen Inquiries:

IKUSA Corporation 03-5960-5193 (Office hours: 10:00-18:00)

Chanbara Kassen

The 50th Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival flyer

Map of the 50th Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival venue

Events around Hirosaki Castle

Winter Blooming Cherry Blossoms Light Up】】

Snow piled up on the branches of cherry trees is lit up. Enjoy the fantastic sight of cherry blossoms that look as if they are in full bloom.

Venue: Hirosaki Park Outer Moat (near Hirosaki City Hall)

Date & Time: Sunset to 21:30 until Saturday, February 28, 2026

　　　*Visibility may vary depending on weather and snow conditions.

Winter Blooming Sakura Light-up