Enthusiastic dancers parade down the street in the afternoon dressed in colorful traditional dress (Photo: Chris Barnes)

Kutchan Jagamatsuri 2025

A Colourful Summer Celebration

Chris Barnes   - 1 min read
Venue : Kutchan Station Street When : Early Aug 2025

The Kutchan Jagamatsuri, or Potato Festival, is a lively summer festival held in Kutchan in early August each year. The festival is a celebration of summer, culture, tradition and life as it showcases the area's agricultural industry and promotes a safe and active community.

The festival is held for two days and features dozens of local food stalls, entertainment vendors, beer gardens and food from surrounding villages. There is an impressive array of activities including a jumping castle, rock climbing wall and numerous win-a-prize games.

There is also an impressive schedule of regional and local school Taiko drumming performers, hip-hip dance groups and traditional dance groups. The Kutchan Jagamatsuri is known to be one of the most colorful and enjoyable festivals in Hokkaido.

It's usually held the first weekend of August each year on Kutchan Ekimae Dori.

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Chris Barnes

Chris Barnes @chris.barnes

A little while ago i began exploring the world. I started in Japan, and after 29 countries of amazing adventures, i find myself back in Japan fully absorbed in its culture, its people and its beauty.