The Sapporo Snow Festival (さっぽろ雪まつり, Sapporo Yuki Matsuri) is held during one week every February in Hokkaido's capital Sapporo. It is one of Japan's most popular winter events.
The Sapporo Snow Festival was started in 1950, when high school students built a few snow statues in Odori Park. It has since developed into a large, commercialized event, featuring spectacular snow and ice sculptures and attracting huge numbers of visitors. The festival is staged on three sites: the Odori Site, Susukino Site and Tsu Dome Site.
The main site is the Odori Site in Sapporo's centrally located 1.5 kilometer long Odori Park. The festival's famous large snow sculptures, some measuring more than 25 meters wide and 15 meters high, are exhibited there. They are lit up daily until 22:00. Besides about a dozen large snow sculptures, the Odori Site exhibits more than one hundred smaller snow statues and hosts several concerts and events, many of which use the sculptures as their stage.
A good view over the Odori Site can be enjoyed from the Sapporo TV Tower at the site's eastern end. The tower has extended hours (8:30 to 22:30) during the festival. Admission to the top observatory costs 1000 yen. A 1500 yen ticket allows for a day visit and a night visit.
The Susukino Site, located in and named after Sapporo's largest entertainment district, exhibits about one hundred ice sculptures. Susukino is located only one subway stop south of Odori Park. The ice sculptures are lit up daily until 23:00 (until 22:00 on the festival's final day).
The less centrally located Tsu Dome Site is a family-oriented site with multiple snow slides, snow rafting and more snow sculptures. Inside the dome, there is a playground and some food stands. The Tsu Dome Site is open daily from 10:00 to 16:00.
Getting there and around
While the Odori and Susukino sites are in central Sapporo, the Tsu Dome Site is located outside the city center, a 15 minute walk from Sakaemachi Station along the Toho Subway Line (10 minutes, 250 yen from Sapporo Station or 15 minutes, 290 yen from Odori Station). There are also shuttle buses operating between Sakaemachi Station and the Tsu Dome Site for 100 yen one way. Parking is not available near the Tsu Dome Site.
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Links and Resources
Hotels around Sapporo
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Ocho Guest HouseFeaturing 1-star accommodation, Ocho Guest House is set in Sapporo, 3.8 km from Sapporo Station and 13 km from Shin-Sapporo Station. Among the facilities at this property are a shared kitchen and luggage storage space, along with free WiFi throughout the property. Otarushi Zenibako City Center is 21 km away and Otaru Station is 37 km from the guest house. At the guest house, units are equipped with a shared bathroom. A continental breakfast is available every morning at the guest house. Guests can also relax in the shared lounge area. Susukino Station is 1.7 km from Ocho Guest House, while Odori Park is 2 km from the property. Okadama Airport is 11 km away.View on Booking.com -
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Guesthouse OYADO SAPPOROSet 6.2 km from Sapporo Station, 10 km from Shin-Sapporo Station and 23 km from Otarushi Zenibako City Center, Guesthouse OYADO SAPPORO offers accommodation situated in Sapporo. Featuring a bar, the 1-star guest house has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. Susukino Station is 4.1 km from the guest house and Sapporo TV Tower is 4.5 km away. Each unit comes with a safety deposit box and some rooms come with city views. The units are equipped with heating facilities. There is a coffee shop and lounge. Otaru Station is 39 km from the guest house, while Sapporo Convention Centre is 4 km away. Okadama Airport is 14 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Shabby HouseShabby House, a property with a garden, is set in Sapporo, 4.7 km from Sapporo Station, 14 km from Shin-Sapporo Station, as well as 20 km from Otarushi Zenibako City Center. With free WiFi, this 1-star guest house offers a 24-hour front desk and free shuttle service. The accommodation offers full-day security and luggage storage space for guests. At the guest house, units are equipped with a shared bathroom. There is a snack bar and lounge. The area is popular for cycling, and free use of bicycles is available at the guest house. Otaru Station is 36 km from Shabby House, while Susukino Station is 3.1 km from the property. Okadama Airport is 12 km away.View on Booking.com -
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The Base Sapporo SusukinoWell located in the Sapporo City Centre district of Sapporo, The Base Sapporo Susukino is located 12 km from Shin-Sapporo Station, 20 km from Otarushi Zenibako City Center and 36 km from Otaru Station. Each accommodation at the 3-star hotel has city views and free WiFi. The property is 2.7 km from Sapporo Station, and within 700 metres of the city centre. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a microwave, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV, a balcony and a private bathroom with a bidet. At The Base Sapporo Susukino each room has bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Susukino Station, Odori Park and Odori Station. Okadama Airport is 9 km away.View on Booking.com -
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BEACH AND FIELD INNOffering quiet street views, BEACH AND FIELD INN is an accommodation set in Sapporo, 3.9 km from Sapporo Station and 10 km from Shin-Sapporo Station. This 2-star guest house offers luggage storage space and a shared lounge. Sapporo Convention Centre is 1 km away and Naebo Station is 1.5 km from the guest house. With a shared bathroom fitted with a bidet and slippers, units at the guest house also feature free WiFi. At the guest house, units are fitted with bed linen and towels. Otarushi Zenibako City Center is 22 km from the guest house, while Otaru Station is 38 km from the property. Okadama Airport is 8 km away.View on Booking.com -
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VILLA KOSHIDO kotoniVILLA KOSHIDO kotoni is situated in Sapporo, 15 km from Otarushi Zenibako City Center and 17 km from Shin-Sapporo Station. With free WiFi, this 2-star hotel offers a shared lounge and a 24-hour front desk. The property is non-smoking and is set 5.1 km from Sapporo Station. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a microwave, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV, a balcony and a private bathroom with a bidet. The units feature a wardrobe. Otaru Station is 31 km from VILLA KOSHIDO kotoni, while Hokkaido University is 5 km away. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 8 km from the accommodation.View on Booking.com -
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41 PIECES SapporoWell situated in the Sapporo City Centre district of Sapporo, 41 PIECES Sapporo is set 12 km from Shin-Sapporo Station, 20 km from Otarushi Zenibako City Center and 36 km from Otaru Station. This 4-star hotel offers luggage storage space and free WiFi. The property is 1.9 km from Sapporo Station, and within 100 metres of the city centre. All rooms in the hotel are fitted with a kettle. Complete with a private bathroom equipped with a bidet and free toiletries, the units at 41 PIECES Sapporo have a flat-screen TV and air conditioning, and certain rooms will provide you with a terrace. At the accommodation every room includes bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near 41 PIECES Sapporo include Susukino Station, Odori Station and Odori Park. Okadama Airport is 9 km away.View on Booking.com -
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Hotel Emion SapporoBoasting a bar, Hotel Emion Sapporo is situated in Sapporo in the Hokkaido region, 1.4 km from Sapporo Station and 13 km from Shin-Sapporo Station. This 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk, an ATM and free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is located 20 km from Otarushi Zenibako City Center. Guests at the hotel can enjoy a buffet breakfast. Popular points of interest near Hotel Emion Sapporo include Hokkaido University, Kita-Juni-Jo Station and Sapporo Clock Tower. Okadama Airport is 7 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Pirka SapporoOffering quiet street views, Pirka Sapporo is an accommodation located in Sapporo, 2.7 km from Sapporo Station and 12 km from Shin-Sapporo Station. Featuring a shared lounge, the 1-star guest house has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. At the guest house, all units have a tatami. At the guest house, all units are fitted with bed linen and towels. Otarushi Zenibako City Center is 22 km from the guest house, while Otaru Station is 38 km away. Okadama Airport is 5 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Guesthouse Erimo ApartmentGuesthouse Erimo Apartment, a property with a shared lounge, is set in Sapporo, 11 km from Shin-Sapporo Station, 23 km from Otarushi Zenibako City Center, as well as 40 km from Otaru Station. Among the facilities at this property are a shared kitchen and full-day security, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The property is non-smoking and is situated 5.3 km from Sapporo Station. The air-conditioned aparthotel consists of 1 bedroom, a living room, a fully equipped kitchen with a microwave and a kettle, and 1 bathroom with a bath and slippers. Towels and bed linen are available in the aparthotel. For added privacy, the accommodation has a private entrance and soundproofing. Susukino Station is 3.3 km from the aparthotel, while Sapporo Convention Centre is 3.4 km from the property. Okadama Airport is 10 km away.View on Booking.com
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Experiences around Sapporo
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Shiroi Koibito Cookie Making Class at Shiroi Koibito FactoryVisit Shiroi Koibito Park (Ishiya Chocolate Factory) and make a big and original cookie with your own drawing.View on Klook -
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Sapporo City, Wonderland Sapporo Tour with Genghis Khan BBQ BuffetExplore Hokkaido’s unique ice and snow world, Wonderland Sapporo Snow ParkView on Klook -
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Noboribetsu, Lake Toya, & Asahikawa Customizable Chartered Car TourNo shopping, pure play journey, no mandatory shoppingView on Klook -
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Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort English Ski & SnowboardThe coaching service is professional and the technical styles are diverse (please click on the cover video first to enjoy the visual feast of the coach’s skiing skills)View on Klook -
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Hoshino Resort Tomamu Ski Resort 1-day lift ticket & round-trip bus ticketA great value pack that includes a round-trip bus ticket and a one-day lift pass!View on Klook
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