Sapporo Snow Festival: A Winter Wonderland Experience

Every February, the city of Sapporo in Hokkaido, Japan, is turned into a snowy paradise thanks to the world famous Sapporo Snow Festival. It is one of Japan‘s largest and most famous winter festivals, which draws thousands of visitors from all over the world to its spectacular snow sculptures, ice sculptures, and a host of exciting winter activities. This is an event that is perfect for art lovers, adventure seekers, or simply someone looking to enjoy the beauty of winter. The Sapporo Snow Festival offers something for everyone. While the pictures in this guide are taken in 2024, the festival is held every year in February (dates are usually announced before the event)  and is truly an event not to miss!

Here’s everything I know about this frosty festival, including the three main sites, the stunning sculptures, and some of the fun activities you won’t want to miss!

Odori Site: The Heart of the Festival

The Odori Site is the largest and most famous of the three festival locations. It’s a venue stretching over a 1.5 kilometer park in the heart of Sapporo, filled with big and small snow sculptures, these sculptures are mostly by talented artists all over the world. Big snow sculptures are massive works of art that tend to tower above the visitors. This can include scenes from history and pop culture down to anime. It‘s amazing how artists do such detailed work in the snow and ice, making them into towering masterpieces.

One of the highlights of the Odori site is project mapping on these sculptures. At night, the sculptures are lit up and brought to life with beautiful light displays that make the breathtaking sculptures even more magical. Being a huge anime fan, my personal favorite sculptures are the anime characters. I was particularly awestruck by the Snorlax sculpture last year. These anime sculptures are just so finely made; it‘s always a sight to behold as to which characters feature every year.

Susukino Site: Ice Sculptures and Winter Fun

From the Odori Site, a walking distance away is the Susukino Site, which houses some of the most beautiful and fragile ice sculptures. This area is dedicated to just ice, where sculptures are crafted from enormous blocks of ice. The ice sculptures are often much more intricate and delicate compared with the snow sculptures at Odori, and the way they catch the light turns them into an absolute must when viewed in the evening under their illumination.

Other than the sculptures, Susukino is also well-known for its Ice Bars and fun winter atmosphere. It‘s a perfect place to enjoy heating up with a drink in an ice glass while appreciating the beauty of the sculptures around you. There are also international competitions held on the Susukino site in which ice sculptors from all over the world take part, showing off their skills.

Tsudome Site: Snow Activities and Family Fun 

While Odori and Susukino sites are the most famous spots, there is a hidden gem of a location few really know well: the Tsudome Site. It is a bit farther out of the city center but well worth the visit, especially if one is looking for some hands-on winter fun. Besides having activities like tube sliders and snow rafting, Tsudome can be just ideal for a family or a trip.

Unfortunately, we missed the Tsudome Site when we went last year, but that’s on my list for next time. By all accounts, the tube slides are a heap of fun, racing down a hill on inflated tubes is great fun whatever your age. Another very exciting activity is snow rafting, as it will surely give your adrenaline a run for its money as you get pulled along an inflated raft behind a snowmobile.

Ice Skating and More

Besides the different sculptures and winter sports, Sapporo Snow Festival also offers other winter activities like ice skating, and a few of them offer one-day equipment rentals. It is magical to slide on the ice amidst the frozen beauty around during the festival!

Winter Wonderland You Shouldn‘t Miss

The Sapporo Snow Festival is a true celebration of winter, offering a mix of art, culture, and outdoor fun. For an anime enthusiast like myself, the festival offers a special treat in the incredible snow sculptures of often beloved characters. And finally, do not miss the experience of the fantastic project mapping in the night, adding a completely different level of magic to this festival.

Whether a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, the Sapporo Snow Festival has to be that winter event of the year. So, bundle up, grab your camera, and get ready for some amazing shots. And remember, while this guide features the incredible 2024 experience, the Sapporo Snow Festival is held each year, and it is indeed an event not to miss!

Written and Photos Taken by Lucy from Australia

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