33rd Ice Sculpture Festival at Matsumoto Castle

The 33rd annual Matsumoto Castle Ice Sculpture Festival will be held on Saturday 26 January to Sunday 27 January 2019. Entry is free.

The highlight of the event is the National Ice-Carving Competition which will be held in two parts; a pre-event followed by the championship.

Many artists across Japan and abroad take part in the event, creating gorgeous ice sculptures against a backdrop of Matsumoto Castle. The finished masterpieces are illuminated at dawn.

Welcome to the 33rd National Treasure Matsumoto Castle Ice Sculpture Festival. Our main event is the National Ice-Carving Competition and once again this year it will be held in two parts: The Championship and a Pre-event. Many artists gather from across Japan and abroad to participate, and working through the night, they create gorgeous ice sculptures in the foreground of Matsumoto Castle. The climax comes at the brink of dawn when the finished masterpieces are illuminated. Sure it's cold, but Matsumoto's chilly winters make this amazing event possible. We look forward to seeing you there.

Pre-event
Carving: Friday 25 January from 6pm to Saturday, January 26 at midnight

Exhibition: Saturday 26 January from midnight to Sunday, January 27, 2pm

Venue: Matsumoto Castle’s Ninomaru Palace Park

Championship

Carving: Saturday 26 January from 5pm to Sunday, 27 January at 5am
Exhibition: Sunday 27 January 3:30pm
Venue: Matsumoto Castle Park
Further information
Visit the official site
For enquiries email kankou@matsumoto.lg.jp