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 HouseOcho Guest House is located within a 10-minute walk to Horohirabashi subway station and a 5-minute walk from Nakajimakoen Dori tram station. The dormitory rooms are furnished with simple yet stylish interior, and guests have access to the shared kitchen. Free WiFi is available throughout the property. Bunk beds come with reading lights, USB ports, power outlets, personal lockers and curtains to secure privacy. Bathroom facilities are shared with other guests. The kitchen is equipped with an electric kettle, toaster and a coffee maker. There is also a washing machine on site. A simple breakfast consisting of toast, coffee and tea is provided for free. The lively Susukino area can be reached with a 10-minute tram ride, while popular attractions including Odori Park and Sapporo Clock Tower are a 10-minute drive away. The nearest airport is New Chitose Airport, a 60-minute drive from the property.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. Otaru Station is 39 km from the guest house and Sapporo Convention Centre is 4 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. Susukino Station is 4.1 km from the guest house, while Sapporo TV Tower is 4.5 km away. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 14 km from Guesthouse OYADO SAPPORO.View on Booking.com -
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Shabby HouseShabby House is a 60-year old traditional Japanese home that is situated in Sapporo. Nishisenjuyojo Station is a 3-minute walk away from the property. The accommodation offers a free shuttle service to the home upon prior request. Shabby House features free WiFi. Guests will find a coffee machine in the room. Bathroom facilities are shared. Free bicycle and umbrella rentals are available on site. There is a 24-hour supermarket behind the property. Sapporo Clock Tower is 2.9 km from Shabby House, while Former Hokkaido Government Office is 2.9 km from the property. Shabby House is 2.5 km from Odori Park. The nearest airport is New Chitose Airport, 40 km from the property.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 offering 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. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 9 km from The Base Sapporo Susukino.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 from the guest house and Naebo Station is 1.5 km away. 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. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 8 km from BEACH AND FIELD INN.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. With 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. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 5 km from Pirka Sapporo.View on Booking.com -
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41 PIECES SapporoSet in the Sapporo City Centre district in Sapporo, 41 PIECES Sapporo offers 4-star rooms with free WiFi. The property is close to several well-known attractions, 800 metres from Sapporo TV Tower, 800 metres from Sapporo Clock Tower and less than 1 km from Former Hokkaid? Government Office. The property is 100 metres from the city centre and 1.9 km from Sapporo Station. 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. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 9 km from the hotel.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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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. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 7 km from the accommodation.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 1-bedroom aparthotel features a living room with a flat-screen TV, a fully equipped kitchen with a microwave and a fridge, and 1 bathroom with 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. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 10 km from Guesthouse Erimo Apartment.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 Morning Tour】Shiroi Koibito Park & Central Wholesale MarketFrom the Okurayama Ski Jumping Stadium in Sapporo, you can overlook the city of Sapporo.View 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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