Sapporo Snow Festival: Dates & Highlights

Every February, Sapporo becomes the stage for one of the world's most extraordinary winter celebrations — the Sapporo Snow Festival (Yuki Matsuri). For roughly a week, the city's central Odori Park, Susukino entertainment district, and Tsudome community dome fill with hundreds of massive snow and ice sculptures, drawing over two million visitors from Japan and around the globe. From towering replicas of world landmarks to intricate ice carvings illuminated at night, the festival transforms winter's harshest element into breathtaking art.

Highlights

Odori Park hosts the festival's grandest sculptures — some reaching 15 meters tall and requiring thousands of tons of snow transported from the surrounding mountains. Teams from the Japan Self-Defense Forces, international sculpture groups, and civilian artists compete and collaborate to produce works of astonishing detail and ambition. Recent years have seen reproductions of European cathedrals, Japanese castles, and original fantasy scenes.

The Susukino Ice Festival features transparent ice sculptures illuminated from within, turning the entertainment district into a glittering winter gallery. At Tsudome, interactive snow attractions — giant slides, snow rafting, and family activities — make it a beloved destination for children and families.

Night illumination of the sculptures is a highlight not to miss: backlit snow and glowing ice create an entirely different, magical atmosphere from the daytime spectacle.

Getting There & Tips

Fly into New Chitose Airport and take the express train to Sapporo (about 40 minutes). Odori Park is directly accessible from Odori Subway Station. Book accommodation months in advance — the festival is one of Japan's most attended events. Dress in proper winter gear; temperatures often drop below -10°C.

Best Time to Visit

The festival runs for approximately one week in early February. The exact dates change annually — check the official website for current year schedule. Evening hours offer the most magical illuminated atmosphere.

Practical Information for the Festival (2026 as held, and 2027 plans)

• Dates: the 76th festival in 2026 ran for eight days, from Wednesday 4 to Wednesday 11 February. The next one is planned for Thursday 4 to Thursday 11 February 2027
• Venues: the Odori site (Odori Park, from West 1-chome to West 11-chome) / the Susukino site (Ekimae-dori between Minami 4-jo and Minami 7-jo) / the Tsudome site (the Sapporo Community Dome "Tsudome," 885-1 Sakaemachi, Higashi Ward, Sapporo)
• Opening times: the Odori site is lit up until 22:00. The pedestrian zone at the Susukino site runs either 15:00-23:00 or 10:00-23:00 depending on the day (10:00-22:00 on the final day). The Tsudome site is open 10:00-16:00
• Nearest station: the Tsudome site is a 15-minute walk from Sakaemachi Station on the Toho subway line
• Shuttle bus: runs between Sakaemachi Station and the Tsudome site roughly every 5 to 10 minutes (from Sakaemachi Station 9:40-14:30, from the site 12:00-16:20). 200 yen one way for adults (cash only); free for elementary school children and younger, people aged 65 and over, and people with disabilities
• Parking: there is no general car park at the Tsudome site (only 7 spaces for disabled visitors, for which the original disability certificate must be shown and which cannot be reserved). The subway and shuttle bus are the intended way to get there
• Admission: free at all sites. Only the indoor kids' park and some attractions at the Tsudome site are charged
• Food stalls: many food and retail booths open at the Odori site (including "The Snow Lounge" in 1-chome). At the Tsudome site there is a "Hokkaido and Sapporo Gourmet LIVE!! dining zone" and a hot cafe indoors, and a Chicken Ramen rest area outdoors
• Toilets: at the Tsudome site, visitors are asked to use the outdoor toilets where possible because the toilets inside the arena get very crowded
• A note on crowds: at the Tsudome site, registration for the attractions may close early depending on how busy it is

(Source: Sapporo Snow Festival official website)