The 76th Sapporo Snow Festival is now open in northern Japan, with Sapporo, Hokkaido’s capital, hosting the event, which is known for its impressive ice and snow art and is one of Japan’s most well-known winter events. The festival started on Wednesday and runs through February 11, and the people running it expect more than two million people to come during those eight days. The festival is held across three locations in the city, featuring 210 snow and ice sculptures. Visitors will see detailed works that blend art, history, and current trends, as well as large winter art installations that fill the entire city.
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Big Art in Three Famous Places
The central area of Odori Park features five large snow sculptures, each over 10 metres tall. Some of the cool things to see are a fantastic sculpture of the chuku dogu clay figure from Japan’s Jomon period – the first national treasure from Hokkaido, and a copy of Hokkaido University’s Furukawa Memorial Hall, which is a cultural place built in 1909.
In addition to the significant pieces, about 80 additional miniature sculptures by local artists are on display, and these community works add a special touch to the festival. People can even vote for their favorites using their phones.
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Art From Around the World and Fun for Families
The festival is a hit worldwide because of the International Snow Sculpture Contest, which is taking place at Odori from February 4 to February 11. This year, 10 teams from Austria, Finland, Poland, Mongolia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Hawaii, and the cities of Daejeon and Portland are competing, each bringing its own art style.
At the Susukino location, ice sculptures are the star attraction in the entertainment area, and they are lit up at night, creating a sparkling winter feel. The Tsudome spot is all about family fun, with snow slides and places where kids and their parents can play in the snow.
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From Local Idea to Big Winter Event
The Sapporo Snow Festival began small in 1950, when local students created snow sculptures in Odori Park. About 50,000 people attended the first event, which featured snowball fights and felt like a carnival, marking the start of a national tradition.
Over time, support from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force enabled the creation of larger sculptures, and media attention made the festival more well-known. Now, artists, volunteers, community groups, and teams from around the world work together to make the event happen. The 76th Sapporo Snow Festival demonstrates how art, culture, and community thrive, even when it’s cold.
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