Discover the enchanting Sapporo Snow Festival, an annual celebration that attracts visitors from around the world. Held in Hokkaido every February, it has become one of the most beloved tourist attractions in the region.
Welcome to my blog! In this post, I’m excited to introduce you to the Sapporo Snow Festival, a wonderful event held right in the midst of winter. I’ve visited Sapporo on several occasions and enjoyed it, but unfortunately, I’ve never been able to align my trips with the timing of this beloved festival. Nevertheless, I’ve gathered extensive information through research and I’m excited to share it.
Tourist Attractions and Activities
Hokkaido boasts magnificent natural landscapes and historic landmarks that enchant travelers, and among them, the Sapporo Snow Festival has become a winter tradition and celebration featuring snow and ice in Sapporo City, Hokkaido, held annually in early February.
The Sapporo Snow Festival is the largest snow and ice festival in Japan, attracting over 2.5 million domestic and international tourists each year, with three main venues at Odori Park, Susukino, and Tsudome.
The Main Venue of The Sapporo Snow Festival
Firstly, Odori Park, the main venue of the Sapporo Snow Festival, is located about a 10-minute walk from Sapporo Station or just a few steps from Odori Station.
The park stretches about 1.5 km from east to west along the main street, and features large snow sculptures, as well as small and medium-sized snow sculptures, citizen-made snow sculptures, winter attractions, and a night-time illumination display that runs from sunset to 10 pm.
The illuminated sculptures create a dreamy atmosphere and offer a different perspective from the daytime experience. Visitors can also enjoy winter activities, including an outdoor skating rink, and savor delicious food from many food stands.
The Susukino Venue
Next, the Susukino venue, located in the downtown area of Sapporo, can be accessed by taking the Nanboku Subway Line from Sapporo Station and getting off at the second stop, Susukino Station.
The venue showcases artistic and fantastic ice sculptures, and visitors can touch and experience the icy world of the sculptures. The illuminated ice sculptures are also lit up until late at night.
The Tsudome Venue
Lastly, the Tsudome venue, which is popular with families, offers winter activities such as a giant tube slide and an ice slide. The nearest station is Sapporo’s Toyohira Subway Line’s sixth stop, Sakaemachi Station.
The venue has plenty of snow play areas for children and families, and visitors can easily spend hours enjoying the fun.
Please note that the festival may be scaled down or the number of venues reduced due to factors such as snowfall amounts and other circumstances, so it is recommended to check the website beforehand before visiting.
As the Sapporo Snow Festival takes place during the cold season, it is essential to prepare warm clothing and protective gear. Visitors should also research transportation options and time slots in advance, as the festival can get very crowded.
Culture, History, and Traditions
The History of Hokkaido
In Japan, the Jomon culture developed in various regions, including Hokkaido, from around 10,000 BCE to 500 BCE. The Ainu people, who migrated northward to Hokkaido, brought with them their unique culture in the 12th century, leaving behind fascinating place names, such as the city of “Sapporo,” which derives from the Ainu language.
Moreover, in the mid-16th century, people from various regions of mainland Japan settled in Hokkaido, creating distinct dialects, cuisines, and cultural traditions in each area. Consequently, Hokkaido is one of the historically rich regions in Japan, rich in diverse cultural heritage.
The History of Sapporo Snow Festival
The Sapporo Snow Festival had humble beginnings in 1950, when local junior and senior high school students constructed six snow sculptures in Odori Park. By 1959, the festival had gained immense popularity, with 2,500 people participating in the creation of the snow sculptures and drawing tourists from all over Japan to Hokkaido.
Today, the Sapporo Snow Festival is one of Japan’s most celebrated winter festivals, attracting visitors from all corners of the globe with its stunning snow sculptures and delightful winter activities.
Travelers can experience the region’s unique dialects and cuisines and participate in many festivals and ceremonies. They can catch a glimpse of the locals’ daily lives, which can be a highlight of their trip.
Dining Guide
Hokkaido is famous for its delectable fresh seafood, dairy products, and ramen with miso flavoring. Sapporo, in particular, boasts of up to 1,000 ramen shops, making it a food lover’s paradise.
The city is also the birthplace of soup curry, a delicious thin curry dish with a soup-like consistency that has gained popularity.
Sapporo offers a diverse range of seafood restaurants that serve freshly caught seafood from the nearby waters. The quality of the sashimi and sushi is exceptional, even at affordable conveyor belt sushi restaurants.
Apart from these popular dishes, Sapporo has a myriad of restaurants that serve other soulful dishes that are guaranteed to tantalize your taste buds. For vegetarians and those who prefer halal options, there are also plenty of choices available, and they are easy to find online.
Accommodation
Sapporo is a vibrant urban metropolis and a popular tourist destination, offering a wide range of accommodation options to suit any budget and preference. From the trendy UNWIND HOTEL & BAR to traditional ryokans, modern hotels, and cozy guesthouses, there are numerous choices available.
However, during the Sapporo Snow Festival, the city can become extremely crowded, making it difficult to secure reservations and resulting in price increases. To ensure availability and avoid high costs, it is recommended to book at least three months in advance.
If you are unable to find suitable lodging in Sapporo, consider exploring accommodations in nearby cities like Otaru or Chitose, which are easily accessible by train.
Transportation
Hokkaido boasts an extensive public transportation system, including trains, buses, and subways.
Coming from Afar
For the best access to Sapporo, fly into New Chitose Airport and take a train or bus to the city. Trains and buses have similar fares, but trains can get crowded during rush hour with commuters. If you have a lot of luggage or prefer a more spacious ride, taking the bus is recommended.
Getting Around the City
Once in Sapporo, you can get around using the subway or local buses. While the Snow Festival is known for heavy snowfall, you can easily reach your destination by using the extensive underground passageways throughout the city when taking the subway.
In addition, there are paid shuttle buses that operate during the Snow Festival to transport visitors to and from event venues. As the operation details change every year, it is advisable to check the Sapporo Tourism Association’s website in advance.
Budget and Transportation Tips
There is no admission fee for any of the venues at the Sapporo Snow Festival. To save on costs, consider taking advantage of discounted tickets depending on your travel plans:
The “Hokkaido Rail Pass” is a great deal for traveling around Hokkaido for about a week, covering all JR Hokkaido lines and JR Hokkaido Bus.
The “JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass” offers discounted travel on the Shinkansen from Honshu to Hokkaido.
The “Sapporo-Noboribetsu Area Pass” allows for unlimited travel on regular trains (including rapid trains) with free seating in ordinary cars within the free area, which includes Sapporo, for one day.
Weather Guide
February, when the Sapporo Snow Festival takes place, is characterized by Hokkaido’s cold climate and snow-covered ground. The average temperature drops to -0.9℃, with the highest temperature reaching only about 2.1℃. The lowest temperature falls to -4.1℃, making it a bitterly cold time of year.
To counter the severity of the cold, indoor spaces and public transportation tend to have strong heating. However, you may experience significant temperature differences between indoor and outdoor environments during your travels.
To adjust to these temperature changes, I recommend dressing in layers that can be added or removed as necessary.
Additionally, snow or sleet that falls during the day can freeze overnight, creating slippery conditions like an ice-skating rink the next day. To ensure your safety, I suggest wearing shoes with deep grooves on the soles or snow boots.
