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Jan 2, 2026

Under the radar winter festivals

There are some winter festivals that get a lot of hype, like the Sapporo Snow Festival, for instance. However, as someone who doesn't like crowds, I enjoy lower-key festivals a whole lot more. Do you have any favorite winter festivals that aren't really tourist-trappy? What makes them fun or unique?

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genkidesu

genkidesu

Love to travel, interested in J-beauty products and consider myself a convenience store snack aficionado. Navigating the ever-present challenges of expat life, particularly about my TCK's (third culture kids).

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  • BigfamJapan

    BigfamJapan

    on Jan 7

    I love all the New Year events in January, but they aren't festivals per se. There is a street performance festival in January annually in Saitama, but its not that under the radar - it gets very crowded, but its not tourist trappy either.

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  • TonetoEdo

    TonetoEdo

    on Jan 9

    I'm hanging on for February for robai and ume festivals. Like @Bigfamjapan, I'm not seeing much in the way of festivals in January and February in my region. However, there are some community events, mostly "marche" with food and drink vendors.

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  • BigfamJapan

    BigfamJapan

    on Apr 14

    Did you end up going to any quieter winter festivals in the end?

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  • genkidesu

    genkidesu

    on Apr 15

    @BigfamJapan no new ones that I hadn't already been to before, unfortunately! I had a pretty lazy winter, but in a way that was a nice thing!

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