If you’re a passionate traveler and a lover of snow and winter’s magic, this destination promises to be a remarkable experience for you and your family. Journey to the heart of Hokkaido for this Japanese winter tradition. The 74th Sapporo Snow Festival is a cherished annual winter extravaganza in Hokkaido’s capital city.
The 2024 edition of the festival will be held from Sunday 4th to Sunday 11th of February.
Table of Contents
Festival History
An early edition of the festival in 1972. (Photo by The Mainichi Newspapers/Aflo Images)
In 1950, the inaugural snow festival took place as local middle and high school students crafted six snow sculptures in Odori Park. The event, which included snowball fights, snow sculpture displays, and a carnival, exceeded expectations with over 50 thousand attendees. It has since established the week-long snow festival as an anticipated winter tradition hosted by Sapporo’s residents. The snow festival gained global recognition when Sapporo hosted the Winter Olympic Games in 1972. Annually, the Snow Festival draws over two million visitors from all over the globe.
Venues
You can enjoy the artistry of the Sapporo Snow Festival at three distinct venues – Odori park, Susukino and Tsudome – each free of charge!
Odori park
Projection mapping at Odori Park. (Phot by Masami Goto/Aflo Images)
The heartbeat of the festival, stands as the main site with an array of intricately detailed ice sculptures. This is the largest venue and hosts most of the sculptures. It also features projection mapping, Sapporo citizens’ snow sculptures and a snow slide. Amidst all this, there is a delightful assortment of food and warm drinks.
Susukino
Ice sculptures in Susukino. (Phot by Keisuke Iwamoto/Aflo Images)
Despite being the smallest venue, Susukino is not to be underestimated, boasting around 100 captivating ice sculptures. This site also marks the return of the International Snow Sculpture Competition after a four-year hiatus. Here, you can find character-inspired sculptures and ice sculptures with fish inside.
Tsudome
Kids playing in Tsudome. (Phot by Keisuke Iwamoto/Aflo Images)
This popular site will be making a return in 2024. Tsudome is loved by both children and parents since everyone can have fun on slides, snow rafts, and other attractions. The indoor space offers gourmet booths, rest areas and other attractions for children to play in.
All sites are accessible 24 hours a day and the illuminations last until approximately 22:00, creating a magical ambiance. Tsudome, however, will only go until 17:00 so be sure to plan carefully to get the most out of all three sites.
Getting There
Odori Park is conveniently a 10-minute walk from JR Sapporo Station. Susukino is situated one subway stop south of Sapporo Station on the Namboku line. For the Tsudome Site, shuttle buses depart every five to 10 minutes from both the Odori site and Sapporo Station. Alternatively, Tsudome is a 15-minute walk from Sakaemachi Station.
Things to Do
If you’re looking for other activities to enjoy in Sapporo during the festival, here are a few recommendations:
Sapporo White Illumination
A beatiful view of Sapporo at night from above. (Photo by Aflo Images)
This stands as one of Japan’s premier and enduring illumination events. Vibrant and romantic light displays are currently at multiple locations in Sapporo City, including Ekimae Street Site, Minami Ichijo Site, Sapporo Kita Sanjo Plaza, and JR Sapporo Station South Exit Plaza. The illuminations will run until March 14, 2024.
Enjoy traditional dishes
Soup Curry with vegetables. (Photo by Imagemart/ Aflo Images)
Sapporo offers an array of delightful cuisine to warm you up on cold days, including the growingly popular wild game dishes (known as Gibier) and a variety of uniquely crafted ramen creations. Don’t miss out on other must-try delights like Yaki-imo (roasted sweet potatoes), Jingisukan (grilled mutton dish), and soup curry.
Hot Springs and bathhouses
Jozankei Onsen, Sapporo. (Photo by Aflo Images)
There are numerous bathing facilities for a soothing and warm soak in Sapporo. Additionally, there are several hot spring towns nearby for those willing to venture a bit farther. Most hot springs and Sento bathhouses are accessible to both overnight guests and day visitors.
Skiing
View of Sapporo Teine ski resort from above. (Photo by Kenjiro Matsuo/Aflo Images)
Ski areas in Sapporo are easily reached by public transit, making it a favored winter activity for visitors. For beginners interested in trying skiing, Sapporo Teine, a venue that hosted the 1972 Winter Olympics, offers a popular program for people skiing for the first time. Ski competitions from January to March also provide an exciting spectacle, showcasing impressive skiing skills.
Sapporo awaits you with an unforgettable winter experience. Plan your visit today!