Sapporo Yuki Matsuri / Sapporo Snow Festival « February

‘snow mean feat to build ice sculptures on this scale!

Sapporo Snow Festival 2009 by paulbanday, on Flickr

When: Early February every year.
Where: Sapporo, Japan.

The Sapporo Snow Festival is one of Japan’s most impressive winter events with huge glittering ice sculptures transforming the city of Sapporo into a magical winter wonderland.

Every winter, about two million people come to see the hundreds of beautiful snow statues and ice sculptures ranging in scale from the mini to the magnificent. These amazing frozen masterpieces are created by professional artists from around the globe and are displayed in Odori Park, the grounds at Community Dome Tsudome, and the main street in Susukino, There is also a snow theme park at the Satorando site, complete with huge slides and mazes.

The festival began back in 1950 when some students left six snow sculptures in Odori Park and from that day on, the event has literally snowballed!

For seven days in early February, these statues and sculptures turn Sapporo into a winter dreamland of crystal-like ice and white snow. The dates of the following year’s festival are decided immediately after each festival finishes.

For more information visit the official Sapporo Snow Festival webiste.

Have you been to the Sapporo Snow Festival in Japan yourself? If so, please tell us all about it! You can share your pics and videos on our facebook page too! Or if you just want to say hi, or leave a comment for any other reason, we’d love to hear from you.

Food & Drink

In true Japanese festival style, stalls line the streets selling hot, sweet chicken and other tempting local culinary delights. Sekihan rice is often served on special occasions, holidays and festivals in Japan. Its red colour is considered the colour of happiness. Try our Sekihan recipe. Drink warm Sake.