Iiyama Snow Festival
Nagano, Japan • INR 9980.97 - INR 16430.56 approx.• 
Underrated
Underrated
Best months to visit
Jan
-8°C – 1°C, very cold with heavy, frequent snowfall; snow accumulation is significant and conditions are ideal for winter activities, medium crowds, peak season
-8°C – 1°C, very cold with heavy, frequent snowfall; snow accumulation is significant and conditions are ideal for winter activities, medium crowds, peak season
Walking required
Yes
Snowy city streets may be uneven and difficult for wheelchairs.
Snowy city streets may be uneven and difficult for wheelchairs.
Value for money
High
Free entry, plus great atmosphere and unique activities.
Free entry, plus great atmosphere and unique activities.
Highlights we curated for you
See what similar travellers think of this activity
C
Reviews from other travelers
Summarised by AI
Romantic Setting
Couples loved the illuminated snow sculptures and the magical atmosphere.
Charming Festival
Visitors felt the festival was a welcoming and enjoyable experience.
Community Spirit
Couples appreciated the local charm and the community-crafted sculptures.
Weather Concerns
Travelers should prepare for cold weather and potential snowfall.
Crowd Issues
Popular areas could get crowded, which impacted the experience.
Limited Amenities
Some couples noted a lack of seating and shelter from the cold.
How to book
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Hours of operation
Monday
09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Tuesday
09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Wednesday
09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Thursday
09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Friday
09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Saturday
09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Sunday
09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
In-depth experience
May contain spoilers
Watch curated videos from fellow travellers for a glimpse of what to expect.
Experience the captivating visuals of the Iiyama Snow Festival!
When to visit
We've analysed user reviews and geographical data, and identified the best and worst months to visit.
Month
Crowd Level
Weather
Availability
Our recommendation
December
MEDIUM
-3-6°C
Cold with increasing snowfall, especially in late December; winter conditions begin to set in.
Cold with increasing snowfall, especially in late December; winter conditions begin to set in.
Closed
The Iiyama Snow Festival is not held in December; ski resorts may be open, but festival activities are not.
The Iiyama Snow Festival is not held in December; ski resorts may be open, but festival activities are not.
Not recommended
December marks the start of winter and attracts skiers, but the Iiyama Snow Festival is not held until February. No festival-specific events or snow sculptures are available.
December marks the start of winter and attracts skiers, but the Iiyama Snow Festival is not held until February. No festival-specific events or snow sculptures are available.
January
MEDIUM
-8-1°C
Very cold with heavy, frequent snowfall; snow accumulation is significant and conditions are ideal for winter activities.
Very cold with heavy, frequent snowfall; snow accumulation is significant and conditions are ideal for winter activities.
Open
Limited hotel availability; early booking is strongly advised. Some venues may have winter-related accessibility constraints.
Limited hotel availability; early booking is strongly advised. Some venues may have winter-related accessibility constraints.
Recommended
January is a prime time for winter sports and snow viewing in Iiyama. The town is blanketed in deep snow, setting the stage for the Iiyama Snow Festival in early February. Local businesses operate on winter schedules, and public transport (including the Hokuriku Shinkansen) offers good access, though delays can occur due to snow.
January is a prime time for winter sports and snow viewing in Iiyama. The town is blanketed in deep snow, setting the stage for the Iiyama Snow Festival in early February. Local businesses operate on winter schedules, and public transport (including the Hokuriku Shinkansen) offers good access, though delays can occur due to snow.
February
LOW
-
Open
Not recommended
March
LOW
-
Open
Not recommended
How to get there
Taxi
Recommended
Taxis are readily available at Iiyama Station and provide a quick 5-minute ride to the Municipal Johoku Field, the main festival venue.
Train
Recommended
The Hokuriku Shinkansen Line provides direct access to Iiyama Station. From Tokyo Station, the Hakutaka Shinkansen takes approximately 100-110 minutes. From Nagano Station, it's an 11-minute ride.
Bus
Local bus services, including the Nagaden Bus, connect Iiyama Station with the surrounding areas, making it easy to explore the smaller snow sculptures and attractions spread throughout the city center.
Car
The festival is approximately a 15-minute drive from the Toyota-Iiyama Interchange on the Joshinetsu Expressway. Parking is available, but be aware of winter driving conditions.
Walking
The main festival locations are within a comfortable walking distance from Iiyama Station.
Additional info
Here's what you need to know about this experience
Mobility
Wheelchair Accessible
Walking Required
Stairs Present
Seating Available
Flat Terrain
Hiking Required
Elevator Available
Mobility Scooter Friendly
Ramps Available
Pregnancy
Suitable for pregnancy
Allowed during pregnancy
Pets
Pets not allowed
Driving
Driving License Required
Idp Required