The following are some of events and festivals held at Asahikawa and Sounkyo.
| The opening of Mt. Daisetsuzan to climbers (on the last
Saturday and Sunday of June) |
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 The opening ceremony of Mt. Daisetsuzan to climers is held at the following four locations: Aizankei, Kurodake, Akadake, and Kougen-Onsen. Each year, a great number of people show up to join this event. The Daisetsuzan National Park offers beautiful, untouched nature, covering an area equivalent to that of the Kanagawa prefecture.
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| Sounkyo Fire Festival (last Saturday
and Sunday of July) |
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| The Sounkyo Fire Festival is held to honor and pray to the god of fire and mountains. Ainu tribal dances, religious services, and the perfomance of Himatsuri drums are the highlights of the festival that lead up to the fireworks finale in the canyon. |
| Angus Beef Festival (first Sunday of August) |
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 The Angus Beef Festival, held at the Taisetsu Angus-no-sato, offers plenty of attractions for visitors of all ages. Visitors are invited to taste the famous "Taisetsu Angus Beef" all day during the festival.
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| Sounkyo Ice Festival (early Febuary to early March) |
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Photos of the Sounkyo Ice Festival Click below to view the pictures.
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| A festival of ice and lights, the Sounkyo Ice Festival is held during the coldest period of winter. Giant ice statues are sculputed and lined up along the Ishikari river through the canyon, to celebrate the natural beauty of ice. This festival is extremely popular amongst foreign tourists and Japanese visitors alike.
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| Asahikawa
Summer festival "Asahikawa Natu-Matsuri" |
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The Asahikawa Summer Festival is a big event aimed at enjoying the short summer of Hokkaido. With the concept of "Sun" and "Green" this festival represents the customs of Asahikawa.
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| Kotan-Matsuri |
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In antiquity, numerous ships were swallowed up by the local river in Kamui-Kotan, and was said by the locals that it was the works of evil spirits. According to Ainu epic tales, the hero Samaikurukamui once fought a battle with the evil Nikkamui. It is said that the heads and bodies of the defeated evils transformed into rocks, which remain at the bottom of the river to this day. "Inau-shiki" is a traditional religious service of the Ainu, which prays for happiness and safety on the road. |
| Asahikawa Winter Festival "Asahikawa
Fuyu-Matsuri" (Feburary) |
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Enjoy the huge scale artwork of snow and ice at the Asahikawa Winter Festival. The main concepts of snow, ice and lights make this festival a beautiful attraction. Some of the giant snow and ice sculptures carved during this festival are recorded in the Guiness Book of Records. "Asahikawa Yuki Akari" is another attraction, in which artworks made out of now are illuminated.
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| Asahikawa International Vasa Ski Festival (March) |
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 The Asahikawa International Vasa Ski Festival marks the end of winter, and the signals the arrival of spring. Skiers of all ages, from small children to senior citizens enjoy their last minute skiing before the season is over. A large scale cross-country ski race is also held, in which top-ranking skiers take part.
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