Sapporo Snow Festival

The Sapporo Yuki Matsuri or snow festival has taken place since 1950, when local high school students built a few snow statues in Odori Park.  These days the festival spans seven days and takes place over three sites with the most impressive sculptures exhibited in Odori Park. Teams from across Japan and throughout the world spend weeks carving sculptures from snow brought down from Sapporo’s surrounding mountains. As dusk falls the sculptures are lit up with an array of colourful spotlights and popup ice bars sell a range of food and drink. The less central Tsu Dome Site is a family-oriented venue with snow slides, snow rafting, a snow maze, and organised snowball fights just some of the events available. The Snow Festival takes place at the beginning of February each year and accommodation can book up early so it is recommended to try and book early.