Must-see Snowscape! Snow Lantern Festival！

The Uesugi Snow Lantern Festival is held annually on the second weekend of February in Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture. In 2026, the main festivities will take place on February 14 and 15, 2026, with a special pre-lighting event on the evening of Friday, February 13.

The Uesugi Snow Lantern Festival, one of the snow festivals in the Tohoku region, attracts more than 100,000 visitors every year. It takes place at Uesugi Shrine and Matsugasaki Park. Here, approximately 200 hand-carved snow lanterns and over 1,000 snow lanterns transform the area into an ethereal wonderland. At night, the candlelight casts a fantastical glow over the snowy landscape creating a magical atmosphere, which is without a doubt - a photographer’s dream.

山形県米沢市で毎年 2 月の第 2 土曜・日曜に開催される「上杉雪灯篭まつり」。
2026 年は 2 月 14 日(土)、15 日(日)に開催します。約 200 基の雪灯篭と 1,000 個以上の雪ぼんぼりが上杉神社・松が岬公園周辺に並び、夜になるとろうそくの灯りが雪景色を幻想的に照らし出します。東北の雪のお祭りの一つで、毎年 10 万人を超える人々を魅了しています。
2 月 13 日（金）の夜にはプレ点灯イベントがあり、雪灯篭の灯り＋雪景色＋静けさが織り
なす雰囲気は、非日常的です。

Simultaneous lighting at 5:30 PM both days. The candlelight floating above the snowy landscape is breathtakingly beautiful.

両日 17:30 に一斉点灯。白銀の景色上に浮かび上がるろうそくの光は息をのむ美しさです。

Throughout the day, local performers showcase powerful Wadaiko (Japanese drumming),Hanagasa dance, and other performances. The “tent village” offers local gourmet treats like Yonezawa beef skewers, Yonezawa ramen, and imoni stew, all available until nightfall.

昼間は地元の方による和太鼓、花笠踊り、ダンスなどのパフォーマンスが行われます。
テント村は夜まで米沢牛串焼き・米沢ラーメン・芋煮など地元グルメが楽しめます。

Enjoy unique local flavors like pork miso soup, konjac balls, and sweet rice wine, all served right in front of the station. Your festival experience begins the moment you step off the train at Yonezawa Station starting at 2:00 PM.

2026年2月14日14:00～豚汁や玉こんにゃく、甘酒など、地元ならではの味を駅前で楽しめます。米沢駅に到着した瞬間から、お祭り気分を満喫してください！

◆Snow Lantern Crafting Experience （10:00 AM - 4:00 PM）

Join JR East employees to create your very own snow lantern.

雪ぼんぼり作り体験（10:00～16:00）

JR 東日本の社員と一緒に、自分だけの雪ぼんぼりを作ってみましょう。

The Uesugi Snow Lantern Festival is more than just a winter event. It transforms the
historic streets of Yonezawa into an ethereal landscape of snow and light, whisking
visitors away to another world. The unique harmony of tranquility, warmth, and
Japanese traditional culture found only here creates a special experience that will
stay with you for a lifetime.
Plan your trip to Yonezawa and experience the Uesugi Snow Lantern Festival for an unforgettable winter adventure.

上杉雪灯篭まつりは、ただの冬のイベントではありません。歴史ある米沢の街並みに、雪と灯りが織りなす幻想的な光景が広がり、訪れる人々を非日常の世界へと誘います。ここでしか味わえない静寂と温もり、そして日本の伝統文化が融合した特別な体験は、一生の思い出になるでしょう。
ぜひ米沢への旅を計画し、忘れられない冬の冒険として上杉雪灯籠まつりを体験してみてください。

Detail

【When】
The second Saturday and Sunday of February each year (February 14–15, 2026; preview lighting on the evening of February 13)

【Where】
Uesugi Shrine & Matsugasaki Park Area (Address: 1-4-13 Marunouchi,Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture)

【Admission】
Free

【Best Time to Visit】
Evening to night on February 14 and 15

【Recommended Access】
◆Shinkansen + Bus
From Tokyo, take the Shinkansen to Yonezawa Station (approx. 2 hours)
→ Get off at JR Yonezawa Station. From the station, take the “City Loop Bus (Clockwise Route)” for about 7 minutes and get off at Uesugi Shrine Mae. The one-way fare is approximately 210 yen.
◆Shuttle Bus
For the two days of the festival only, a paid shuttle bus (adults ¥200 / children ¥100 / infants free) will run every 20 minutes between the Yonezawa City Hall parking lot ⇄ venue and Yonezawa Station ⇄ venue.
14th: 10:30 AM - 9:30 PM
15th: 10:30 AM - 8:30 PM
◆Taxi
About a 10-minute taxi ride from JR Yonezawa Station.

【Clothing】
Warm gear, non-slip shoes, and waterproofing are essential.