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The Sapporo Snow Festival is Japan’s biggest winter event, attracting more than two million visitors from Japan and overseas every year. Held across three venues in central and eastern Sapporo, the festival is famous for its enormous snow sculptures, illuminated ice sculptures and a huge range of winter activities.
Sapporo Snow Festival 2027 – Quick Facts
Dates: 4–11 February 2027
Venues: Odori, Tsudome and Susukino
Duration: 8 days
Next festival: 77th Sapporo Snow Festival
Official website: Sapporo Snow Festival
The festival is an easy addition to a Hokkaido ski trip, with straightforward public transport connections from around the island. From Niseko, it is possible to visit Sapporo for the day or stay overnight and combine the festival with some time exploring the city. There is a range of Niseko accommodation close to Hirafu Welcome Center, with direct buses running to Sapporo during the winter season.
How it Started
The festival began in 1950 as a modest local event in Odori Park, with six snow sculptures created by students from three high schools and two junior high schools. Snowball fights, a carnival and other activities were also held, and more than 50,000 people turned up, far exceeding expectations. The event proved so popular that it became an annual winter tradition.
In 1955, the Japan Self-Defense Forces joined the festival and began helping to create much larger snow sculptures. Snow has also been transported in from outside Sapporo when local supplies are insufficient, a practice that continues today.
National attention followed in 1959, when the festival was introduced on television and in newspapers across Japan. International exposure arrived with the 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics, helping establish the Snow Festival as an event known well beyond Hokkaido.
Attractions
The centrepiece of the festival is the enormous snow sculptures, with the largest rising more than 15 metres above the ground. The festival uses around 30,000 tonnes of snow for its sculptures and attractions, with roughly 200 snow and ice sculptures spread across the three venues.
Most visitors start at Odori Park, which stretches for around 1.5km through the centre of Sapporo. The main festival area runs from around 1-chome to 11-chome (the area directly next to Sapporo Tower stretching out west), with giant sculptures, smaller works, food stalls and winter attractions spread throughout the park.
Allow yourself two hours to stroll through, although it is also worth taking your time and returning after dark when the sculptures are illuminated. For a bird’s-eye view of the festival, head up the Sapporo TV Tower at the eastern end of Odori Park.
For the Family
Families should make a beeline for the Tsudome Site, which features giant snow slides, snow tubing, snow rafting and other activities for children and adults. There is also a large indoor area with food stalls, rest areas and attractions for children, making it a useful place to warm up between outdoor activities.
Weather & What to Wear
Sapporo in February is cold, with average temperatures around or below freezing. Snow and ice can also make walking around the city particularly challenging, especially after fresh snow has been compacted or temperatures drop and the surface freezes.
Dress in warm layers, with a good winter jacket, gloves and a warm hat. Most importantly, wear proper winter footwear with good grip and some degree of waterproofing. Snow-covered streets will make short work of trainers and can quickly turn a day at the festival into a cold and uncomfortable experience.
Getting Around
The Odori Site sits in the heart of central Sapporo, between Sapporo Station and Susukino. The area is well connected by the subway, while the underground pedestrian network makes it possible to travel between Sapporo Station, Odori and Susukino without spending too much time outside navigating the snow-covered streets.
The Tsudome Site is further out in eastern Sapporo, but is accessible by subway and shuttle bus from Sakaemachi Station every 5-10 minutes. Parking is not a practical option for most visitors, so public transport is strongly recommended.
Sapporo City
Make the most of your time in Sapporo by staying a night and exploring the city. Food stalls around the festival are great for grazing, but Sapporo itself offers everything from piping hot miso ramen to Hokkaido crab and sashimi. Head to Susukino for bars and restaurants ranging from casual izakayas to fine dining.
Beer lovers shouldn’t miss the Sapporo Beer Museum, where you can learn about the history of one of Japan’s best-known beer brands before heading to the neighbouring Sapporo Beer Garden for Hokkaido-style “Genghis Khan” lamb BBQ.
What’s Happening in 2027?
The 2027 Sapporo Snow Festival will be the 77th edition, taking place from 4–11 February 2027. All three main venues, Odori, Tsudome and Susukino, will operate throughout the eight-day festival.
Odori will feature five giant snow sculptures alongside smaller sculptures and winter attractions, while 2-chome will also host activities connected with Sapporo International Art Festival 2027.
After the main festival, Sapporo Snow Sports Park 2027 will take place at the Daiwa House Premist Dome from 12–14 February, giving visitors another opportunity to experience winter sports and activities.
Further details on individual sculptures, events and activities will be announced as the festival approaches. Check the official Sapporo Snow Festival website for the latest information.
Planning Your Visit
The Sapporo Snow Festival is held every February and is one of the easiest major winter events in Hokkaido to add to a ski holiday. A day trip from Niseko gives you enough time to see the main Odori sculptures, although staying overnight gives you more opportunity to explore Susukino and enjoy Sapporo after dark.
For 2027, the festival runs from Thursday 4 February to Thursday 11 February, giving visitors eight days to experience the three venues. It can also work well as part of a longer Hokkaido itinerary. You could spend a few nights in Rusutsu, take a bus directly from your Rusutsu accommodation into Sapporo for some sightseeing and the Snow Festival, then continue north to Furano and stay in Furano accommodation. This gives you the chance to combine several of Hokkaido’s best-known ski areas with a few days exploring Sapporo.
Sapporo Snow Festival FAQ
When is the Sapporo Snow Festival?
The Sapporo Snow Festival takes place every February. The 2027 Sapporo Snow Festival runs from 4–11 February 2027, with events held across the Odori, Tsudome and Susukino sites.
How long do you need at the Sapporo Snow Festival?
You can see the main Odori Site in around 2 hours, although staying until after dark is worthwhile to see the sculptures illuminated. A full day gives you time to visit Odori and Susukino, while families may want additional time for the snow activities at Tsudome.
How do you get to the Sapporo Snow Festival from Niseko?
Sapporo is easily accessible from Niseko by bus, with seasonal services connecting the two destinations. For a day trip, check the latest bus timetable and allow plenty of time for the journey in winter conditions.
Which Sapporo Snow Festival site is best?
Odori is the main site and the best choice for first-time visitors, with the festival’s famous giant snow sculptures. Susukino is particularly good in the evening for its illuminated ice sculptures, while Tsudome is the best option for families with children wanting to take part in snow activities.
Is the Sapporo Snow Festival free?
Yes. The main Sapporo Snow Festival sites are free to visit. Some attractions and activities, as well as nearby facilities such as the Sapporo TV Tower, have separate admission charges.
What should you wear to the Sapporo Snow Festival?
February in Sapporo is cold, so warm layers, a winter jacket, gloves and a hat are essential. Proper winter boots with good grip are especially important, as snow and ice can make the streets slippery and wet.
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