Sapporo Snow Festival

The Sapporo Snow Festival is a week-long winter celebration held every February in Sapporo, Japan. Across Odori Park, Susukino, and Tsudome, visitors encounter hundreds of snow and ice sculptures, lively performances, and a showcase of Hokkaidō’s regional foods.

• Over 400 snow and ice sculptures are displayed each year
• Odori Park, Susukino, and Tsudome are the main festival sites
• International Snow Sculpture Contest held since 1974
• Regional Hokkaidō foods are served at festival stalls
• Panoramic views from Sapporo TV Tower during the event

What it is

The Sapporo Snow Festival is one of Japan’s most celebrated winter events, drawing millions to the city each year. For seven days, Sapporo’s central parks and streets are filled with intricate snow and ice sculptures—some towering several stories high—crafted by local artists, international teams, and even the Japanese Self-Defense Forces. The festival is a source of pride for Sapporo, transforming the winter landscape into a vibrant outdoor gallery and gathering place. It is both a showcase of creativity and a celebration of the region’s snowy climate, inviting people of all ages to marvel, play, and enjoy the season together.

Where it comes from

The festival began modestly in 1950, when six high school students built snow statues in Odori Park for a one-day event. Its popularity quickly grew, especially after 1955 when the Japan Self-Defense Forces contributed massive sculptures that became a hallmark of the festival. Over the decades, the Snow Festival has adapted to changes in the city and the weather, including moving sites and bringing in snow from outside Sapporo when needed. The International Snow Sculpture Contest, started in 1974, brought a global dimension, with teams from around the world joining the creative competition.

How it is celebrated

Celebrations center around three main sites: Odori Park, Susukino, and Tsudome. Odori Park features the largest and most elaborate snow sculptures, often depicting famous buildings, cultural icons, or notable events from the past year. Susukino, Sapporo’s nightlife district, hosts the Susukino Ice Festival, where ice carvings glisten under city lights and the annual Queen of Ice contest takes place. At Tsudome, families enjoy snow slides, mazes, and play areas. Throughout the festival, visitors can sample Hokkaidō specialties such as fresh seafood, potatoes, corn, and dairy products from food stalls. Musical performances and events on snow-built stages add to the festive atmosphere.

Joining in

Visitors can experience the festival at its three main sites, all easily accessible within Sapporo. Odori Park is the heart of the event, with panoramic views from the TV Tower. Susukino offers a lively evening scene with illuminated ice sculptures, while Tsudome is ideal for families seeking interactive snow activities. Expect large crowds, especially on weekends, and dress warmly for the cold Hokkaidō winter. The festival is open to all, and wandering among the sculptures with locals and travelers alike is a memorable way to enjoy Sapporo’s winter spirit.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article Sapporo Snow Festival, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• Sapporo Snow Festival on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Official websiteOfficial site
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

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