2015 Sapporo Snow Festival in Hokkaido

Overview of the 2015 Sapporo Snow Festival

In 1950, six high school students made snow sculptures in Sapporo’s Odori Park. These simple roots in Hokkaido have expanded over the years to become one of Japan’s most popular winter events with over 2 million visitors attending every year.

Today there are sculptures of all sizes by teams of artists from around the world displayed in three separate venues, Odori Park, Community Dome Tsudome, and Susukino Main Street, all of which are accessible by the Sapporo Subway.

In addition, there are concerts and special events held throughout the entire city, and special souvenirs related to the festival are available during that time. Sapporo crowns an Ice Queen and holds contests for the most popular sculptures.

Sapporo Snow festival- Dinosaurs of Sapporo (photo: arcreyes/flickr)

            The 66^th annual Sapporo Snow Festival will be held from Thursday, February 5 through Wednesday, February 11, 2015. This year, more than 200 sculptures in various sizes will be on display. Be aware that this is the most crowded time of year in Sapporo, so make reservations for hotels, transportation, and other activities as early as possible.

Sapporo Snow festival- Temple (photo: arcreyes/flickr)

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Sapporo Snow festival- It is a Small World Snow Sculpture (photo: enggul/flickr)

Sapporo Snow Festival Locations and Venues

2015 Sapporo Snow Festival: Odori Park

            The main venue of the Snow Festival, Odori Park is transformed into a sparkling crystal wonderland of snow and ice. The park, which runs east and west through town, is especially magical at night when lit up with glittering lights of all colors. The 113 sculptures range in size, but many tower above the spectators in an impressive show.

Visitors of all ages can enjoy a wide variety of activities in addition to looking at snow sculptures, such as ice skating in an outdoor rink or borrowing free skis and poles for a test run around a special course. There is an international food corner as well as the main food court, which is open from 10 am to 8 pm.

Some of the sculptures include:

• The large ice sculpture ‘The Town of Toys’ is an image of the world popped out of a toy box which symbolizes happiness
• Snow Star Wars is the world’s first snow sculpture approved by Lucas Film Ltd. & TM!
• A large snow sculpture, ‘Alice’s Adventures in Snowland’ is based on the story of ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’
• Xingtian Temple, situated in the heart of Taipei City is one of the most popular temples in Taiwan and makes a great snow sculture!
• Snow sculpture, ‘The Manila Cathedral’ of Philippines will appear at the HBC International Goodwill Square
• A large sculpture of a UNESCO World Heritage, ‘The Middle Gate and Hall of Kasuga Taisha Shrine’ in Nara Prefecture, Japan, is appearing at the Snow HTB Square
• For some homegrown amateur creations, check out the snow sculptures made by the citizens of Sapporo at Citizens’ Square

Sapporo Snow Festival at Odori Park

Odori Park is the site of the International Snow Sculpture Contest held concurrently with the Sapporo Snow Festival. This year marks the 42nd year of the Contest with 12 teams competing from Australia, Daejeon Metropolitan City in Korea (sister city to Sapporo), Finland, Hawaii, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, New Zealand, Poland, and Portland, USA (sister city to Sapporo).

Contest Schedule is as follows:

• February 4 Opening Ceremony (Each team starts working on their snow statue)
• February 7 All snow statues for the contest to be completed
• February 8 Judges decide the prize winners and Award Ceremony

Odori Park is at the Odori Subway Station, which is the Tozai Line #9 stop, Namboku Line #7 stop, or the Toho Line #8 stop.

2015 Sapporo Snow Festival: Tsudome

            The Tsudome Community Dome is set up as an interactive center where visitors can learn about Hokkaido, its products, and experience some fun winter activities. There are indoor and outdoor sections, so this is a good place to go in inclement weather. Outside there are 26 snow sculptures and a ramp for snow sliding and rafting. Indoors there is a rest area and food court.

Sapporo Snow Festival Tsudome

There are booths selling Hokkaido souvenirs and a stage for entertainment during the festival. Kids will enjoy an area with rides such as miniature bullet trains and a helicopter. There is also an indoor ice rink. The Tsudome venue is an excellent choice for families. It is about an 8 minute walk from the Sakaemachi Station, which is #1 on the Toho Subway line.

2015 Sapporo Snow Festival: Susukino Main Street

            There are 60 snow sculptures on display on Ekimae-dori, which is the main street in front of the station of Susukino, which is not far from the Odori Park venue. There is an ice sculpture contest where visitors can vote for their favorites, and they can also see the Ice Queen.

The 30th Susukino Ice Festival (Photo credit: David McKelvey)

This is the smallest venue of the 2015 Sapporo Snow Festival, but worth a visit if you have the time.

Take the Namboku Subway Line to stop #8, Susukino.

Sapporo Snow Festival – Susukino Ice Displays

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Sapporo is offering free Wi-Fi internet access at Odori 6 chōme venue (Citizen’s Square) and Odori 11 chōme venue (International Square) during the Sapporo Snow Festival as well.

Check out the official website of the Sapporo Snow Festival for even more great information!

photos by: David McKelvey & David McKelvey, David McKelvey