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This Weekend
The UCI Gran Fondo World Championships roll into Niseko this weekend — first time in the race's history it's ever been held in Asia. Roads close, riders from dozens of countries show up, and Sunday's granfondo race turns a town that's usually thinking about snow into the center of the global cycling world for one day.
Reader Photo of the Week
“This is the iconic Mt Yotei located in the Niseko area of Hokkaido. It's almost symmetrical shape and wide based-cone, it was compared with Mt Fuji's shape and given the nickname - Ezo Fuji - aka Hokkaido Fuji (Ezo being the old name of Hokkaido). Majestic in any season, this was taken just a few days ago to show case the rich summer/green beauty.” -Submitted by a reader, shot just days ago.
THE MOST COMPELLING REASON TO GET OUT THIS WEEKEND
The UCI Gran Fondo World Championships roll into Niseko this weekend — first time in the race's history it's ever been held in Asia. Roads close, riders from dozens of countries show up, and Sunday's granfondo race turns a town that's usually thinking about snow into the center of the global cycling world for one day. Aug. 26-30
SAPPORO
Featured
North JAM Session
Sat Aug 29 & Sun Aug 30 · Sapporo Art Park Outdoor | Sapporo City Jazz's flagship event returns for two days as the Art Park's outdoor stage reopens after a year of renovation. Saturday's local — trumpeter Tomoaki Baba, drummer Shun Ishiwaka, SOIL&"PIMP" SESSIONS. Sunday's genuinely international: Blue Note Japan curated the lineup themselves, and it's headlined by the Akiko Yano Trio and the Mike Stern Band. Stern played guitar behind Miles Davis. That's not a booking Sapporo gets every year.
Stage Info: https://sapporocityjazz.jp/event/njs2026/ (Sat) · https://www.bluenote.co.jp/jp/lp/north-jam-session-2026/ (Sun))
Sun 8:30 AM Hokkaido Marathon (Odori Park) ~20,000 runners, partly on the Tokyo 2020 Olympic course. Big enough to affect traffic and hotel availability around Odori that weekend. Info: https://hokkaido-marathon.com/overview-en/
Sat Benin Cafe — pop-up (Chuo Ward) A Beninese food pop-up — couscous chicken, tilapia, alloco, plus drinks like bissap and baobab juice. Second and apparently final August date, so more a discovery pick than an established fixture. Info: Instagram @riseandshineonline
Sat Kroi — "JUNGLE" Live Tour 2026 (Zepp Sapporo) Five-piece from Tokyo blending funk, soul, and R&B with a genuinely jazzy edge — their newest single, a collaboration with acid jazz veterans INCOGNITO, is currently charting on Apple Music Japan's Jazz chart. One stop on a 10-show tour, so a real headline date, not a filler gig. Info: https://kroi.net/live_information/detail/32192
Closes Sun "Poses in Art" (Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art) Genuinely its final weekend — good last-chance framing. Works by Hokkaido artists with disabilities alongside the permanent collection, themed around process and making. Info: https://artmuseum.pref.hokkaido.lg.jp/knb/english/exhibition/program
BEYOND SAPPORO
Featured
UCI Gran Fondo World Championships (Niseko Classic) ⭐
Aug 26–30 · Niseko & Kutchan Info: https://nisekoclassic.com/en/ | First time ever held in Asia. Time trial and team relay earlier in the week, granfondo race day Sunday the 30th. Free to spectate, genuinely a big deal.
NISEKO
NOBORIBETSU
Fri & Sat Hirafu Matsuri - Info: https://hirafu-matsuri.com/
Sat–Sun Jigoku Matsuri (Hell Festival) Torch-lit demon parade through the onsen town, taiko drums, a 6-meter mechanical Enma float. Strong visual pick. Info: https://www.visit-hokkaido.jp/en/event/detail_11444.html
Nightly thru Oct Lake Toya Long-Run Fireworks Standing pick, not tied to this weekend specifically. Info: same tourism site, Lake Toya listing
~Sept 1 Niseko Hirafu Green Park Outdoor movies, farmers'-market vibe, skate park — last week of the season. Info: https://www.niseko.ne.jp/en/news/nisekos-vibrant-summer-festivals-events-this-green-season/
ASAHIKAWA
Fri QUATERNITY — debut show (NOW'S THE TIME jazz bar) New quartet led by saxophonist Susumu Suzuki — sax, guitar, bass, drums, no piano. Billed as a departure from straight-ahead jazz. Info: https://nowsthetime-asahikawa.com/articles/2026年8月28_金__QUATERNITY_1st
Sun RED SPIDER — 47 Prefecture / 60-Venue Solo Tour (Casino Drive) One-man dancehall reggae sound system — selects and MCs simultaneously, solo, backed by his own dub plates. 20+ years in the scene, sold out Osaka-jō Hall. Info: https://www.casinodrive.info/複製-2026-7
Current exhibition Hokkaido Asahikawa Museum of Art Worth a direct check for what's currently on display. Info: https://artmuseum.pref.hokkaido.lg.jp/abj/english
HAKODATE
FURANO
Sat JAGG into the night — Disco Night Four DJs, a genuinely wide mix — disco classics through house, hip-hop, city pop. Info: https://www.instagram.com/p/DcS9L24R5DK/
Ongoing Farm Tomita — late-season blooms Lavandin, ageratum, dahlia now — not lavender season anymore. Info: https://www.farm-tomita.co.jp/en/
Ongoing Sportpia Furano — river rafting Runs the Sorachi River right through town, thrilling white-water down to a leisurely paddle. Standing seasonal pick. Info: https://www.spfurano.com/en/rafting.html
See you out there. · 今週末も楽しんで。
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