2025年2月6日、第66回旭川冬まつりがついに開始。一年ぶり2回目の旭川。会場をぐるっとひと回りした様子をお届けします。雪像はもちろん、地元グルメ、楽しいアクティビティもたくさんありました。
※旭川冬まつりとは（公式HPより）
2月の平均気温が氷点下（氷のできる温度）と､厳しい寒さに包まれる旭川｡
暦の上では春が始まる“立春”を迎えた2月上旬､“雪と氷とあかりの祭典”をテーマに旭川冬まつりを開催しています｡
豪雪地帯の旭川は､『ドアを開けると雪がいっぱい！』と､一晩で驚くほどの積雪も珍しくありません｡そんな大量の雪を “困った～” “大変だ！” ではなく､子どもたちにも大人にも夢と希望のつまった､元気で力のある雪の像を作ろう！という声から､旭川冬まつりが始まりました｡
1960年(昭和35年)から60年以上続く北海道の冬を代表する大イベントのひとつとなり､会場には世界最大級の大雪像（メイン雪像は幅140m×高さ20m）をはじめ､市民が有志で作った雪像が並びます｡
On February 6, 2025, the 66th Asahikawa Winter Festival finally begins.This is the second time in a year that I have been to Asahikawa.Here is a report on my visit around the festival site.There were not only snow statues, but also local delicacies and many fun activities.
※About Asahikawa Winter Festival
Asahikawa is surrounded by severe cold, with the average temperature in February falling below freezing (the temperature at which ice forms).
In early February, which marks the beginning of spring according to the calendar, the Asahikawa Winter Festival is held under the theme "Festival of Snow, Ice and Light".
Asahikawa, an area of heavy snowfall, is known for its "snow on the doorstep!It is not unusual to see such a large amount of snowfall in one night. The idea was to make a snow sculpture that would give children and adults dreams and hopes, instead of "Oh, no!This is how the Asahikawa Winter Festival began.
The festival has been held for more than 60 years since 1960 and has become one of the major winter events in Hokkaido, with the world's largest snow sculpture (the main snow sculpture is 140m wide x 20m high) and other snow sculptures made by citizens on a voluntary basis.