Kitami Mid-Winter Barbecue Festival

This highly coveted event comes early February every year to Kitami City in Hokkaido, complete with cheery crowds and hot charcoal-grilled barbecues in the frigid cold. Hundreds of traditional charcoal grills (shichirin) line the parking area of Kitami Art and Culture Hall, drawing hungry guests in for a chance to huddle in for a cozy time around the grill.

The festival kicks off with the lighting of a giant charcoal grill beside the main stage. As hours progress you may even catch some of the karaoke competitions with highly coveted prizes, and a general festive cheer that plumes with smoky atmosphere. Across the venue you’ll find a super-sized thermometer and other photo props so you can snap the perfect shot for your accounts.

Admission tickets cost 10,000yen each, allowing entry for up to four people. Included in the ticket price is a barbecue set featuring beef sagari, pork offal, pork shoulder roast, and locally grown Kitami onions, along with an all-you-can-drink beverage service. Food stalls inside the venue also sell additional meats and local specialties, including venison and hearty beef soup.

Tickets are available by advance purchase only, typically going on sale around November each year. This event consistently sells out quickly, so plan to get your tickets early.