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73rd Sapporo Snow Festival
Sapporo Snow Festival 2023 |
The Sapporo Snow Festival is a seven-day winter festival held annually every February in different venues in Sapporo City, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.
Sapporo Snow Festival Details
The Sapporo Snow Festival, a dazzling winter spectacle, began in 1950 with a modest yet memorable event. Local middle and high school students kicked off the festival by crafting six snow sculptures in Odori Park. What started as a charming display accompanied by snowball fights and a carnival drew over 50,000 visitors, far surpassing initial expectations and establishing the festival as a cherished annual tradition.
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| Sapporo Snow Festival - Sapporo City, Hokkaido Prefecture |
By 1953, the festival had gained momentum, showcasing its first monumental snow sculpture, "Ascension," standing an impressive 15 meters (49 feet) tall. The festival’s prominence continued to grow, and in 1955, the Japan Self-Defense Forces joined the event, contributing their own large-scale snow sculptures. The festival’s 10th anniversary in 1959 marked a significant milestone, with 2,500 participants and its first media coverage on television and in newspapers. This exposure significantly boosted the festival's profile and attracted tourists from Honshu, further cementing its reputation.
Sapporo Snow Festival Odori Park Venue
Sapporo Snow Festival has evolved over the decades, with major venue changes reflecting its growth. The Makomanai venue, known for hosting the largest sculptures and providing play areas for children, was a key site from 1965 until its closure in 2005. The festival then moved to Sapporo Satoland from 2006 to 2008, before relocating to the Tsudome in 2009. The Tsudome, a versatile sports dome near the former Satoland site, continues to serve as a major festival venue, demonstrating the festival’s adaptability and ongoing innovation. In years of low snowfall, the Self-Defense Forces, treating their participation as a training exercise, transport snow from outside Sapporo to ensure the festival’s grandeur.
Sapporo Snow Festival Susukino Venue
The festival also includes unique sites like Nakajima Park, which served as a festival location from 1990 until it was removed in 1992. Additionally, the Susukino Ice Festival, located in Sapporo's vibrant nightlife district, showcases intricate ice carvings. Since its inclusion in 1983, the Susukino site has been known for its stunning ice sculptures and the annual "Susukino Queen of Ice" beauty contest.
Various photos from Sapporo Snow Festival 2023
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| “Hope” by Takeo Yamauchi and the Sapporo TV Tower |
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| Sapporo Snow Festival 2023 |
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| Sapporo TV Tower |
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| Embley House Hampshire |
With its rich history and continual evolution, the Sapporo Snow Festival remains a must-visit winter event, offering visitors a magical experience filled with impressive snow and ice artistry, vibrant festivities, and a deep sense of tradition.
Team Nicerio at Sapporo Snow Festival
My family and I were able to see and experience the 73rd Sapporo Snow Festival for the first time last February 4-5, 2023, which were my 460th and 461st days here in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme. We were lucky to be able to time our visit as Sapporo City was also celebrating its 100th anniversary.
Sapporo Snow Festival 2023 Day 1
Sapporo Snow Festival 2023 Day 2
During our visit, there were thousands of locals and foreign tourists in Sapporo City. I’m thankful that my wife was able to book a hotel months in advance making our stay in the city very convenient. It was also very cold but we were able to manage as we probably already got used to the severe cold of Rumoi City.
Overall, it was a very memorable experience for us. I can still clearly remember watching videos of this winter festival on YouTube years back. Now, I’m here with my family. Something that I’d remember forever.
How to Get to the Venues of the Sapporo Snow Festival:
The Sapporo Snow Festival, a highlight of winter in Japan, features multiple venues across the city, each offering unique attractions.
Here's how to navigate to the main festival sites:
1. Odori Park
Address: Odori Nishi 1-chome to 12-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
By Subway: Take the Sapporo Subway to Odori Station (Namboku Line, Tozai Line, or Toho Line). Odori Park is directly accessible from the station via the underground walkway.
By Bus: Several city buses stop near Odori Park. Check local bus routes for the most convenient option.
2. Tsudome (Sapporo Community Dome)
Address: 1-1 Tsudome, Higashi-ku, Sapporo
By Subway and Bus: Take the Sapporo Subway to Kanjo Line’s "Higashi-Kuyakusho-Mae" Station. From there, transfer to the "Tsudome" shuttle bus, which operates frequently during the festival period.
By Car: There are parking facilities at the Tsudome, but it's advisable to use public transportation due to high traffic during the festival.
3. Susukino Ice Festival
Address: Susukino, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
By Subway: Take the Sapporo Subway to Susukino Station (Namboku Line). The ice festival site is within walking distance from the station.
By Bus: Numerous city buses serve the Susukino area, making it accessible from various parts of the city.
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