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Tokachi Sairinka Festival – Winter Light and Music Show at Tokachigawa Onsen

Tokachi Sairinka Festival – Winter Light and Music Show at Tokachigawa Onsen
The Tokachi Sairinka Festival is a winter illumination event held each year on the snowy fields around Tokachigawa Onsen in Hokkaido. Hundreds of glowing light objects synchronize with music to create a dream-like night scene, complemented by natural winter phenomena, snow activities and hot local food stalls. This guide explains the main highlights, event period, what to wear in the extreme cold, access and nearby sights so you can enjoy a Tokachi winter trip in comfort.

Highlights

Sairinka Festival Overview

Sairinka Festival is a winter event held on the snowy fields of Tokachigawa Onsen, featuring illuminated installations and sound effects.

Sairinka Light Displays

About 600 light objects line the venue, creating an atmospheric scene across the snow-covered landscape.

Tokachi Winter Natural Phenomena

Winters in Tokachi can be very cold, and you may be able to see natural phenomena like diamond dust or frost-covered trees, depending on the weather.

Sairinka Winter Activities

Winter activities such as snow rafting are offered, though programs may change or be canceled depending on snowfall and weather.

Sairinka Dates and Illumination Hours

The festival is typically held from late January to mid-February, with lighting times roughly 19:00–21:00 (dates and times vary by year, so check official updates).

Sairinka Venue and Admission

The venue is Tokachigaoka Park (Tokachigawa Onsen Kita 14-chome, Otofuke). A maintenance cooperation fee is about 500 yen for junior high school age and above as a guide, and free for elementary school age and under.

Sairinka Access and Nearby

It’s about a 30-minute drive from JR Obihiro Station as a guide, and parking is free. After the festival, you can also enjoy Tokachigawa Onsen and Obihiro’s well-known butadon (pork rice bowl).

For the latest information, please refer to official announcements or check on site.

What Is the Sairinka Festival? A Winter Illumination Event at Tokachigawa Onsen

“Otofuke Tokachigawa Swan Festival Sairinka” is a fantastical light-and-sound show held every winter in the Tokachigawa Onsen area of Otofuke Town, Kato District, Hokkaido.

Inspired by the swans that migrate to Tokachigawa Onsen, this event has grown richer in production year after year and is now loved as a winter tradition that attracts many visitors from inside and outside Hokkaido.

Tokachi has one of the highest rates of clear winter skies in Hokkaido, which is a major attraction because you can enjoy the beautifully lit snowfield under a crisp night sky.


Highlights of the Sairinka Festival

1. A Fantastical World Created by Around 600 Light Objects

About 600 light objects installed across the snowfield illuminate in sync with music, creating a magical show.

The triangular pyramid-shaped objects use agricultural insulating materials, producing a soft, warm glow across the snow.

The lights changing with the rhythm look almost like an aurora in the snow.

2. Beautiful Natural Phenomena Unique to Extreme Cold

In winter, temperatures in Tokachi can drop to nearly -20°C.

This severe cold is exactly what makes mystical natural phenomena such as diamond dust and frost-covered trees possible.

If you are lucky, you may be able to see these beautiful sights at the Sairinka Festival venue.

3. Snow Activities to Enjoy

The festival venue may also offer snow activities that both children and adults can enjoy.

There may also be hands-on content such as stamp rallies around the venue.

4. Warm Drinks and Hokkaido Gourmet Food

At the “Ice Promenade,” which uses a greenhouse inside the venue, you can enjoy Sairinka-exclusive menu items in a warm indoor space.

Warm dishes and sweets made with Tokachi ingredients are perfect for warming up while enjoying Hokkaido winter flavors.

5. A Fantastical Light and Music Show

About 600 light objects illuminate in time with music, creating a magical performance.

The show runs in 30-minute cycles and consists of two parts: Part 1 “Light Fantastical Show” and Part 2 “Light Electro Dancing Show.”

You can enjoy a space where music flowing over the quiet snowfield harmonizes with the light production.

Its romantic atmosphere also makes it popular as a date spot for couples.


Event Information

  • Official name: Otofuke Tokachigawa Swan Festival Sairinka®
  • Event period: Late January to mid-February
  • Illumination hours: 19:00-21:00
  • Venue: Tokachigaoka Park Hanakku Square (Tokachigawa Onsen Kita 14-chome, Otofuke Town, Kato District, Hokkaido)
  • Admission (event maintenance cooperation fee):
  • Junior high school students and older: 500 yen
  • Tokachigawa Onsen guests (Tourism Association member facilities), Otofuke residents, and elementary school children and younger: Free
  • Access:
  • By car: About 20 minutes from Otofuke-Obihiro IC on the Doto Expressway
  • By bus: Take a bus bound for Tokachigawa Onsen from Obihiro Station Bus Terminal, get off at “Garden Spa Tokachigawa Onsen,” then walk about 10 minutes
  • About 25-30 minutes by car or taxi from JR Obihiro Station
  • Parking available

Useful Information for Travelers

1. What to Bring and What to Wear

Tokachi winters are extremely cold, and nighttime temperatures can drop below -10°C.

Be sure to prepare proper cold-weather gear.

The following items are especially recommended.

  • Down jacket or ski wear
  • Warm gloves, scarf, and knit hat
  • Innerwear such as Heattech
  • Non-slip winter boots (essential for walking on snowy paths)
  • Pocket warmers (camera batteries drain quickly in the cold, so a spare battery is also recommended)

2. Tips to Avoid Crowds

Weekends and the first day of the event tend to be crowded.

If you aim for weekdays or a later time slot, you can enjoy the festival more comfortably.

3. Nearby Tourist Spots

1. Tokachigawa Onsen: After the Sairinka Festival, warming up at Tokachigawa Onsen is highly recommended.

The “moor hot spring,” which contains plant-derived organic matter, is a rare type of hot spring water in the world and is expected to leave your skin feeling smooth.

2. Kōfuku Station: A former station site on the old JNR Hiroo Line, it is a popular sightseeing spot because the name “Kōfuku” (happiness) is considered lucky.

The photogenic station building is perfect for commemorative photos.

3. Obihiro specialty Butadon (pork rice bowl): A classic Hokkaido gourmet dish featuring thick slices of charcoal-grilled pork coated in a sweet-savory sauce.

There are many famous butadon restaurants in Obihiro City.


Summary

The “Sairinka Festival” is a special winter event where Tokachi’s great nature and light come together.

About 600 light objects illuminate the snowfield in sync with music, creating a fantastical world.

Dress warmly and experience this beautiful winter night.

At the “Sairinka Festival,” where you can fully enjoy the charm of winter in Hokkaido, be sure to experience the fantastic show of light and snow!


Frequently Asked Questions

A. Sairinka is a winter night event held at Tokachigawa Onsen where you enjoy light and sound installations. The glowing objects lined up on the snowfield are the highlight. Because the venue is dark, slightly lowering your phone’s brightness can help prevent blown highlights and keep colors looking vivid.
A. It’s usually held from late January to mid-February, lighting up Tokachigawa Onsen at night. Even if snow melts during the day, temperatures can drop quickly after dark, so arriving in the daytime and doing onsen → dinner → Sairinka is comfortable. If you’re not used to snowy roads, shoes with anti-slip soles or simple spikes can help.
A. Admission is a cooperation fee: 500 yen for junior high students and older, 300 yen for hotel guests, and free for elementary students and younger. Lighting is typically 19:00–21:00. Shows run multiple times in the 19:00–20:00 range, so even if you arrive late, you can still catch highlights. Gloves that allow smartphone use are handy.
A. From Obihiro Station, take a local bus bound for Tokachigawa Onsen to the hot spring area, then walk from the nearest stop into the venue. By car, it’s about 20 minutes from the Otofuke-Obihiro IC on the Doto Expressway. At night, parking queues can happen, so getting into the onsen area before the lights turn on is smoother.
A. The venue is an open snowfield with wind, so it can feel colder than you expect. A down jacket plus a windproof outer layer, a hat, and a neck warmer help. Waterproof footwear is essential, and doubling up thick socks keeps feet warmer. Hand warmers work well if you bring both “stick-on” and “pocket” types for different uses.
A. Including a person helps show scale. If you shoot with bright lights behind your subject, faces can go too dark, so move to a spot where a little light hits the face. Snow can blow out easily, so setting exposure around −0.3 to −1.0 can deepen colors. Warming your lens in a pocket can also help reduce fogging.
A. Payment of the cooperation fee is usually at the venue entrance, and hotel guests may qualify for a discount (300 yen). Some hotels may handle tickets at the front desk, so asking at check-in can save time. It can get crowded, so bringing coins and checking whether cashless payment is accepted in advance can help the line feel smoother.
A. A recommended flow is to warm up in the onsen first, then go to Sairinka at night—going to the event first can leave you chilled through dinner. The venue involves a fair amount of walking, so it can feel easier to rest a bit after eating before heading out. On the way back it’s dark, so a smartphone light that can illuminate your footing is more useful than a handheld flashlight.

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