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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.
Large snow statues are built by many international teams. |
The ice sculptures are functional.
There is even an ice stage. |
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.
Ice sculptures line the street. |
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.
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Click on each picture to enlarge.
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Magic shows, mini concerts etc. are also part
of the festival. |
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Glossary of Terms |
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yuki |
snow |
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koori |
ice |
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setsuzou |
snow statue, sculpture |
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hyouzou |
ice statue, sculpture |
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Sapporo |
major city on Japan's northern-most island of
Hokkaidou |
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Hokkaidou |
Japan's northern-most island |
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