Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
Sapporo Snow Festival
Giant snow sculptures the size of buildings, ice carvings under neon, and hot ramen in the snow.
The straight answer
The Sapporo Snow Festival runs for about a week in early February every year, filling Odori Park in the center of Sapporo with giant snow and ice sculptures.
The Sapporo Snow Festival is Japan's most famous winter festival: about a week in early February when the center of Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, fills with hundreds of snow and ice sculptures, from small works by local groups to giant snow buildings several stories tall. Around two million visitors come each year.
It started modestly in 1950, when local high school students built six snow statues in Odori Park. It grew into an international event, with sculpture teams from around the world competing, and some of the largest sculptures have long been built with help from Japan's Self-Defense Forces.
The timing is ideal for a wider Hokkaido winter trip: February is the coldest and snowiest time of the year, the powder snow at Niseko and the other ski resorts is at its best, and the Otaru Snow Light Path festival nearby usually runs at around the same time.
The event, explained
The Odori Park site is the main venue, a long strip of park in the city center lined with dozens of snow and ice sculptures, with the largest ones used as stages for projection mapping and performances in the evenings. The Sapporo TV Tower at one end has good views over the whole site.
The Susukino site, in Sapporo's entertainment district, focuses on ice sculptures, which are lit up at night against the neon of the bars and restaurants. It is a short walk from Odori.
The Tsudome site, a bit farther out, is aimed at families, with snow slides, snow rafting, and other snow play activities.
Food stalls throughout the site serve Hokkaido specialties: ramen, grilled seafood, corn, potatoes with butter, and hot drinks. Sapporo beer is never far away.
How to play it right
- 01Book lodging three to six months ahead. Sapporo hotels fill quickly during the festival, and prices climb, especially for the weekend.
- 02Go on the weekdays for smaller crowds; the weekends are very busy. Visit Odori in the evening when the sculptures are lit, and in the day to see the details.
- 03Dress for serious cold. Highs sit near 32F (0C), with lows well below freezing and frequent snow. Thermal layers, a warm coat, gloves, a hat, and boots with good grip are essential; the sidewalks are icy.
- 04Combine the festival with a day trip to Otaru for the Snow Light Path, if the dates line up, or a few days skiing at Niseko or another Hokkaido resort.
- 05New Chitose Airport has frequent flights to Tokyo and other Japanese cities; the train to Sapporo station takes about 40 minutes. Heavy snow can delay flights, so build in some buffer.
- 06Many sculptures are demolished right after the festival closes. Check the official dates and do not plan to arrive on the final evening.
With kids in tow
- The Tsudome site is the best for children, with snow slides and play areas. Odori's sculptures of popular characters are always a hit.
- The cold is the main challenge for kids. Plan short outdoor stints and warm up in the cafes, shopping arcades, and the underground walkways that connect central Sapporo.
- Pushing a stroller through snowy, crowded streets is difficult; a carrier is easier for small children.
Book your stay for Sapporo Snow Festival.
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- Hotels for February
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Sapporo Snow FestivalOpens a hotel search for Sapporo Snow Festival in February, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Sapporo Snow FestivalWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Sapporo Snow FestivalTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Sapporo Snow Festival for February. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Sapporo Snow Festival, quick answers
When is the Sapporo Snow Festival?
For about a week in early February every year. The city announces the exact dates in advance; check them before booking travel.
Is the Sapporo Snow Festival free?
Yes. The main sites at Odori, Susukino, and Tsudome are free to enter. Some activities and food cost money.
How cold is Sapporo in February?
Cold. Highs sit near 32F (0C), lows are well below freezing, and snow is frequent. Dress in warm layers with good winter boots.
What is the best time to see the sculptures?
Both day and evening. The detail is best in daylight, but the lighting and projection mapping in the evening are the highlight. Weekdays are less crowded.
What else can I do in Hokkaido during the festival?
Ski at Niseko or other Hokkaido resorts, visit the Otaru Snow Light Path if it runs at the same time, and soak in hot springs such as Jozankei, near Sapporo.
Make a trip of it: Hokkaido
The best time to visit Hokkaido
Best: Jan to Feb and Jul to Aug
The best time to visit Hokkaido is July to August for cool summer weather and lavender fields, or late January to February for powder snow, drift ice, and the Sapporo Snow Festival.
Also in February
Chinese New Year
China, plus Singapore, Hong Kong & Taipei
Late January or February, on the new moon that begins the lunar year; the date moves with the lunar calendar, and festivities run about 15 days to the Lantern Festival
Venice Carnival
Venice, Italy
Roughly two weeks ending on Shrove Tuesday, so usually within late January and February; the dates move with Easter
Humpback Whale Season in Maui
Maui, Hawaii
Roughly December to April, with the peak from January to March
The Great Migration
Serengeti, Tanzania and Masai Mara, Kenya
Year-round, with calving in the southern Serengeti from roughly late January to March and river crossings from about July to October
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