Sapporo Snow Festival

A miso-flavored ramen originating from Sapporo, Hokkaido, reportedly created around 1955 at Aji no Sanpei restaurant. It features a rich miso-based broth often topped with butter and corn, reflecting Hokkaido's dairy and agricultural heritage. The thick, curly noodles pair perfectly with the robust soup, making it one of Japan's three major ramen styles.

Traditional customs and culture related to Japan's winter. Many practices root in seasonal change, such as eating pumpkin on winter solstice and year-end rituals. Winter enjoyment culture developed through snow festivals and onsen hot spring culture. Traditional crafts utilizing winter materials like ice and snow exist. Seasonal consciousness based on ancient agricultural calendars remains embedded in daily life.

Japan's most representative winter festival held annually in February in Sapporo, Hokkaido. Characterized by large-scale snow and ice sculptures filling the city. Though first held in 1950 (relatively recent), it has high international recognition, attracting over 2 million visitors annually.

A major winter event held every February in Sapporo. Over 200 snow and ice sculptures are displayed mainly in Odori Park, attracting more than 2.5 million visitors from Japan and abroad. Begun in 1950 when local students built six snow sculptures, it is now internationally known as one of the world's largest snow festivals.

Traditional customs and culture related to Japan's winter. Many practices root in seasonal change, such as eating pumpkin on winter solstice and year-end rituals. Winter enjoyment culture developed through snow festivals and onsen hot spring culture. Traditional crafts utilizing winter materials like ice and snow exist. Seasonal consciousness based on ancient agricultural calendars remains embedded in daily life.

One of Japan's three greatest festivals, held at Kyoto's Yasaka Shrine with over 1,100 years of history. Spanning the entire month of July, its highlight is the grand procession of ornate yamaboko floats. Inscribed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, it draws vast numbers of visitors from Japan and abroad each year.

A traditional Japanese spring custom of appreciating cherry blossoms during their blooming season. Originating among aristocrats in the Nara period, it spread to the general public during the Edo period. As the cherry blossom front moves northward, the entire Japanese archipelago enjoys hanami season, making it an iconic cultural tradition.

A festival of Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto, one of Japan's Three Great Festivals. Held throughout July, the spectacular Yamahoko Junko parade of ornate floats through the city streets is the main highlight. Begun in 869 as prayers to ward off plague, it was inscribed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2009, with over 1,150 years of history.