Hokkaido Winter Festivals: Sapporo Snow Festival and Beyond

Sapporo Snow Festival: Hokkaido's Winter Festival Watched by the World

The "Sapporo Snow Festival," held every February, is Hokkaido's largest winter event and is famous around the world. Giant snow and ice sculptures line up centered on Odori Park, and many tourists visit from within Japan and abroad. The sight of works of art made of snow and ice shining on the snowfield is overwhelming, and together with the nighttime illumination a fantastical winter world unfolds.

A History That Began with a Single Snow Sculpture

The Sapporo Snow Festival began in 1950, when local junior and senior high school students built six snow sculptures in Odori Park. At first it was a small event, but it expanded in scale year by year, and once giant snow sculptures appeared with the cooperation of the Self-Defense Forces, its popularity surged. Today it has grown into a major event representing winter in Sapporo and one of Hokkaido's foremost tourism events, visited by more than 2 million people every year.

Giant Snow and Ice Sculptures at the Odori Site

At the Odori site, the heart of the festival, large snow sculptures more than ten meters tall appear. The snow sculptures, which precisely reproduce historic buildings and popular characters, overwhelm viewers with their power when seen up close. At night they are colored by projection mapping and lighting, showing an expression completely different from the daytime. Distinctive small and medium snow sculptures made by citizens and companies also line the site, so you never grow tired simply walking through the venue.

Enjoying the Susukino and Tsudome Sites

The Sapporo Snow Festival is held at several venues. At the Susukino site in the entertainment district, you can enjoy the "Ice Festival," where transparent ice sculptures stand in rows and polished ice figures glitter in the lights of the city. The suburban Tsudome site is a hands-on venue where you can play in the snow with giant slides, snow rafting, and more. It is designed so that families can enjoy a whole day there, and warm Hokkaido flavors can be sampled at the gourmet corner.

Best Season and Access

The festival is generally held for about a week in early February, with dates announced each year. For access, it is about 40 minutes by JR from New Chitose Airport to Sapporo Station, and the Odori site is a short ride away by subway or JR. Because temperatures drop far below freezing, winter clothing, gloves, and non-slip shoes are essential. Moving between venues is convenient by subway, and using the underground shopping arcades lets you get around while avoiding the cold. Accommodation is extremely crowded during the period, so early reservations are recommended.

Practical Information (2026 results and 2027 plans)

• Dates: The 76th festival in 2026 was held over eight days, Wednesday, February 4 to Wednesday (national holiday), February 11. The next edition is planned for Thursday, February 4 to Thursday (national holiday), February 11, 2027
• Venues: Odori site (Odori Park, West 1-chome to West 11-chome) / Susukino site (Ekimae-dori from Minami 4-jo-dori to Minami 7-jo-dori) / Tsudome site (Sapporo Community Dome "Tsudome," 885-1 Sakaemachi, Higashi Ward, Sapporo City)
• Hours: Illumination at the Odori site runs until 22:00. The Susukino site's pedestrian zone 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 runs 10:00-16:00
• Nearest station: The Tsudome site is a 15-minute walk from Sakaemachi Station on the Subway Toho Line
• Shuttle bus: Runs between Sakaemachi Station and the Tsudome site at roughly 5-10 minute intervals (from Sakaemachi Station 9:40-14:30 / from the venue 12:00-16:20). Adults 200 yen one way (cash only); free for elementary school students and younger, those 65 and over, and persons with disabilities
• Parking: There is no general parking at the Tsudome site (only 7 spaces for persons with disabilities, requiring presentation of the original certificate; no advance reservation). Using the subway and shuttle bus is the standard approach
• Admission: Free at all venues. Only the indoor Kids Park and some attractions at the Tsudome site charge a fee
• Food stalls and gourmet: Many food and merchandise booths open at the Odori site (such as "The Snow Lounge" in 1-chome). The Tsudome site has an indoor "Hokkaido & Sapporo Gourmet LIVE!! dining zone" and a hot cafe, plus a Chicken Ramen rest area outdoors
• Toilets: At the Tsudome site, visitors are advised that "the toilets inside the arena become very crowded, so please use the outdoor toilets where possible"
• Note on crowds: At the Tsudome site, attraction reception may close early depending on crowd conditions

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

Tips

Hotels fill up fast during the festival and prices rise sharply. Book well in advance. Dress extremely warmly.

📚 Sources

• Sapporo Snow Festival official website