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HOME > Japan’s Local Treasures > Sapporo Snow Festival
Be amazed by the giant snow and ice sculptures in Hokkaido’s capital
Sapporo City, Hokkaido Prefecture
When it comes to winter in Hokkaido Prefecture, the fantastic Sapporo Snow Festival is one of the first things that comes to mind. The origins of this annual event lie in 1950, when local middle school students made snow sculptures in the city’s central Odori Park. In recent years, the Sapporo Snow Festival has grown into one of Japan’s most popular winter festivals, attracting around two million visitors from across the world during the festival week in early February.
During the festival, a variety of snow sculptures of all shapes and sizes are lined up across the main event site of Odori Park, turning the area into a winter wonderland. From massive replicas of castles and World Heritage sites to anime characters, you are sure to be amazed by the stunning array of sculptures finely crafted from beautiful pure-white snow. At night, the snow sculptures are brought to life by colorful projection mapping displays, creating a fantastical world of snow and light.
Meanwhile, Sapporo bursts into life with a diverse range of fun snow-based attractions. Head to the Susukino site to view intricate ice sculptures which are illuminated at night, and to the family-oriented Tsudome site to try giant slides made from ice.
How to get there
From Sapporo Station, either walk to Odori Station (about 15 minutes) or take the subway there (about 1 minute). The main Odori Park site is 1 minute on foot from Odori Station.
2 Odorinishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido
