The iconic winter event in Hokkaido, Japan, the Sapporo Snow Festival, kicked off in grand style on Tuesday, February 4th, with over 200 large and small snow and ice sculptures on display, attracting a large number of domestic and international visitors for sightseeing.
According to Japanese media reports, the annual Sapporo Snow Festival, considered the most romantic winter feast in Japan, takes place in early February, the coldest time of the year. This year marks the 75th edition of the festival since its inception in 1950. This grand winter entertainment event attracts around 2 million domestic and international tourists each year. The festival will run for 8 days, until next Tuesday, February 11th.
As usual, this year’s festival locations are spread across three venues in Sapporo’s central district of Chuo: Odori Park, TSUDOME, and Susukino, each with its own unique charm that captivates visitors.
The main venue, Odori Park, not only showcases 5 large ice and snow sculptures, including a model of the former Hokkaido Government Office Building known as the “Red Brick Hall,” but also features 124 medium and small-sized sculptures. These intricately designed ice and snow artworks, stretching about 1.5 kilometers long, transform the heart of Sapporo into a mesmerizing ice and snow world.
Of special mention is the International Plaza in Odori Nishi 11-chome, which hosts a “International Snow Carving Competition Zone,” where teams from around the world participate in the annual competition, continuing the tradition this year.
The bustling Susukino district displays 60 ice and snow sculptures, which beautifully complement the vibrant streets of Susukino with their colorful lights, creating a delightful sight! Meanwhile, the TSUDOME venue in the eastern part of Sapporo offers ice slides, snowmobile rides, and various children’s play facilities, along with food stalls and rest areas, making it a perfect spot for parents to enjoy with their kids.