Yubiso Snow Festival - March 11

Yubiso is a little township that is part of Minakami. You will have passed through it if you have been to the Tanigawadake Ropeway. It is also home to many of the rafting and outdoor adventure companies that have made Minakami a mecca for outdoor sports enthusiasts.

Sunday March 11th is the Yubiso Snow Festival held in Yubiso Park on the way to Mount Tanigawa.

Giant snow sculptures of popular cartoon characters, a sledging zone for the kids and plenty of delicious local food are all there for you enjoyment. It runs from 10 to 3 on Sunday so pop along, and why not take in one of the famous onsen nearby? Or spend some time at one of Minakami's ski resorts that are all within a short drive from Yubiso. Work on the sculptures starts tomorrow so if you are heading up to Tenjin before the weekend you can get a sneak preview.

Right next to Yubiso Park is the Melody Road. Drive at 40 km per hour and grooves in the road play a famous Japanese tune. A pretty ingenious way to get people to keep their speed down.