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 7â11 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.
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This article is compiled by the Tabitabi JAPAN editorial team from official and primary sources, including facility and shrine/temple websites, tourism information published by municipalities and tourism associations, and cultural-property records released by national and local governments. Prices, opening hours and event dates may change, so please also check the official information of each facility or local government before you visit.