Hokkaido Winter Festivals: Sapporo Snow Festival and Beyond
Hokkaido Winter Festivals
The Sapporo Snow Festival, held every February, is Hokkaido's most famous winter event and draws around 2 million visitors from Japan and abroad to Odori Park.
Sapporo Snow Festival
- Odori Venue: Giant snow and ice sculptures from 1-chome to 10-chome - Susukino Venue: Ice sculptures illuminated beautifully at night - Dates: Usually 7β11 days in early February - Admission: Free
Other Winter Events in Hokkaido
- Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival: Illuminated ice formations in a gorge - Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival: Ice structures made from lake water - Lake Akan Ice Festival: Fireworks and ice activities on the frozen lake
Getting There
- From New Chitose Airport by JR: about 37 minutes to central Sapporo
Tips
Hotels fill up fast during the festival and prices rise sharply. Book well in advance. Dress extremely warmly.
π Location & Access
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