Beat the Winter Blues At Japan's Sapporo Snow Festival
Published by Catherine O'Halloran, Writer
Country: Japan 
The Experience
When you hear the word “Sapporo” you might think of a delicious glass of beer. However, for many people in Sapporo, Japan, that word often precedes “Snow Festival”. The Sapporo Snow Festival is a yearly event taking place for a week in February. The main attractions at the Sapporo Snow Festival is the snow and ice sculptures which turn parts of of the city into a veritable winter wonderland. Glistening ice and pristine white snow are used to create beautiful and elaborate sculptures that amaze tourists and locals alike.
The Sapporo Snow Festival is huge now, but came from very humble beginnings. In the year 1950, a group of high school students built six snow sculptures in Odori Park: a local, central park. The festival gained popularity very quickly as it began when parts of Japan were still reeling from the after-effects of the Second World War. The Sapporo Snow Festival gave people a sense of optimism with an event to look forward to in the future. In 1955, the newly formed Self-Defense force decided to join the fun, and they built a massive snow sculpture on their base at Makomanai. Many say that it is their assistance which guaranteed the Sapporo Snow Festival success as they built the first massive sculpture for which the festival is now famous.
Odori Park is the main area for the Sapporo Snow Festival, and in 2006, a new site called Satorando (also called Satoland) joined the festival. In addition to sculptures, this site also has an ice bar, hot air balloons, and a snow maze. For those who are nighthawks, Susukino is the area to visit. The snow and ice sculptures of Susukino are carved with chainsaws. and are best enjoyed at night. Some depict famous individuals or cartoon characters. Other, more ambitious sculptors, will make life-size buildings out of snow and ice.
So, bundle up, charge your camera and take in the amazing sights of the Sapporo Snow Festival.
The Sapporo Snow Festival is huge now, but came from very humble beginnings. In the year 1950, a group of high school students built six snow sculptures in Odori Park: a local, central park. The festival gained popularity very quickly as it began when parts of Japan were still reeling from the after-effects of the Second World War. The Sapporo Snow Festival gave people a sense of optimism with an event to look forward to in the future. In 1955, the newly formed Self-Defense force decided to join the fun, and they built a massive snow sculpture on their base at Makomanai. Many say that it is their assistance which guaranteed the Sapporo Snow Festival success as they built the first massive sculpture for which the festival is now famous.
Odori Park is the main area for the Sapporo Snow Festival, and in 2006, a new site called Satorando (also called Satoland) joined the festival. In addition to sculptures, this site also has an ice bar, hot air balloons, and a snow maze. For those who are nighthawks, Susukino is the area to visit. The snow and ice sculptures of Susukino are carved with chainsaws. and are best enjoyed at night. Some depict famous individuals or cartoon characters. Other, more ambitious sculptors, will make life-size buildings out of snow and ice.
So, bundle up, charge your camera and take in the amazing sights of the Sapporo Snow Festival.
When to Go to Sapporo Snow Festival
The Sapporo Snow Festival takes place for a week in February. The date for the following year is decided at the end of the festival, and you can find these dates online. As you can tell by the name, the Sapporo Snow Festival takes place in the winter and it will be chilly. Make sure to pack a winter coat, hats and mitts. Bundle up, pack a thermos of a hot drink and book a flight to Sapporo!
Odds n' Ends
Sapporo's TV tower is a great place to view the entirety of the Sapporo Snow Festival, standing over 300 ft tall.
Be sure to book your Sapporo hotel well in advance during the Sapporo Snow Festival as they tend to book up during this busy time.
Be sure to book your Sapporo hotel well in advance during the Sapporo Snow Festival as they tend to book up during this busy time.
Places to Stay Nearby
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It is a popular spa resort hotel. There are also recreation facilities such as Karaoke room, an indoor pool, etc. The aesthetic salon offering massages ...
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The Chisun Inn Sapporo, fully renovated in December 2004, features 203 rooms on 5 floors and is located in the center of Sapporo across the ...
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More Experiences Nearby
- Balance Bamboo Poles at the Akita Kanto Festival
- When you travel to the Tohoku region of Japan in the summer season, you can witness several cultural festivals that display the beauty and heritage of Japan. One of four large festivals, the Akita Kanto Festival in Tohoku, Akita City, is celebrated yearly to pray for a good harvest and for divine protection from illnesses and evil spirits. It started in the 19th century when men marched through the streets, each of them balancing a kanto (bamboo pole) to display their strengths. At present, the Akita Kanto Festival is considered a “national important intangible folk cultural heritage” where hundreds fly ...240 miles away.
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Elsewhere on the Web
- Sapporo Snow Festival - snowfes.com
- The Sapporo Snow Festival, one of Japan's largest winter events, attracts a growing number of visitors from Japan and abroad every year.
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