Sapporo Snow Festival
A Must See Event
The Sapporo Snow Festival, one of Japan's largest winter events, teams from many countries gather in Sapporo's Odori Park, the grounds of the Self Defense Force Base in Makomanai and the main street in Susukino to an array of ice sculptures and even ice buildings.
About two million people came to the annual event last year to see the hundreds of beautiful snow statues. For seven days every February these statues and sculptures, both large and small, turn Sapporo into a winter dreamland of crystal-like ice and white snow.
During the festival, you might be lucky to see an up and coming J-pop music group or teeny bop idol give a mini concert. Magic shows, quiz games etc. are also a part of the entertainment.
History
The Festival began in 1950, when some high school students made six snow statues in Odori Park. In 1955 the Self Defense Force joined in and built the very first massive snow statues, for which the Snow Festival has become famous. The Festival has grown from these humble beginnings to become the biggest and most well-known of Hokkaido's winter events and a snow festival of international caliber.
Large snow statues are built by many
international teams.
Ice sculptures
line the street.
Click on each picture to enlarge.
Magic shows, mini concerts etc. are also part
of the festival.
button to listen.