More than 120 teams participated in an intense snowball fight tournament in the mountainous city of Uonuma, Niigata Prefecture, braving the coldest air mass of the season. The 35th annual Koide International Snowball Fight, Japan’s largest event of its kind, transformed the city’s deep snowfall into an exciting competitive sport.
Teams of five players battled in two-minute matches on a court the size of a tennis court, earning points for direct hits with snowballs. The simple yet strategic game required participants to create and throw snowballs with precision to eliminate their opponents.
Snowball fighting, known in Japan as “Sports Yukigassen,” has gained popularity across the country’s snow-covered regions. While Uonuma’s event was not affiliated with the Japan Yukigassen Federation, the official governing body has actively promoted the sport, even campaigning for its inclusion in the Winter Olympics.
For participants, the competition was a mix of nostalgia and adrenaline. Masaki Nakakubo, 26, traveled from Tokyo to join the tournament and described the event as a high-energy winter sport. Fellow competitor Chizuru Ofuchi, 28, remarked that the game allows players to feel like kids again, reliving childhood memories through an organized, fast-paced match.
Located in Japan’s renowned “Snow Country,” Uonuma experiences some of the heaviest snowfall in the nation. By the time the tournament took place, more than three meters (nine feet) of snow had accumulated in the city. While heavy snow can be a challenge for residents, tournament judge and local native Takuya Kitsu explained that the event was created to turn the winter inconvenience into a source of joy.
The tournament’s grand prize was a 30-kilogram (66-pound) bag of rice, a prized local specialty. Beyond the competition, the event served as a celebration of winter sports and community spirit, drawing participants and spectators from across Japan.
With its growing popularity and strong competitive spirit, the tournament highlights how traditional winter games can evolve into dynamic sports, making the most of Japan’s snowy landscapes while bringing people together for an unforgettable experience.
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