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SapporoWinterSnow FestivalHokkaido
Sapporo Snow Festival 2026: Guide & Where to Stay
2026-04-26 ยท 5 min read
The Sapporo Snow Festival turns the city into a gallery of massive snow and ice sculptures. It's Japan's biggest winter event.
When is it in 2026?
Held in early February (around Feb 4โ11, 2026). Confirm exact dates on the official site closer to winter.
The three sites
- โOdori Park โ the main site: enormous sculptures, lit at night.
- โSusukino โ illuminated ice sculptures in the nightlife district.
- โTsudome โ family site with snow slides and activities.
Plan around the cold
- โDress for -5ยฐC and below: layers, boots with grip, gloves.
- โEvenings are best for illuminated sculptures.
- โCombine with a day trip to Otaru or Niseko (snow/onsen).
๐ฅ Hotels selling out for 2026
Find Sapporo hotels for the festival (book early!)
From ยฅ4,500/nightโขVia Booking.com
- โ Free cancellation on most rooms
- โ Compare 28M+ properties
- โ No booking fees
โฐ Prices update daily โ book early for peak dates
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โญ 50M+ travelers booked
Browse Hokkaido winter tours
From ยฅ2,800โขVia Klook
- โ Skip-the-line e-tickets
- โ Mobile voucher, no printing
- โ Free cancellation up to 24h
โฐ Popular tours sell out 1-2 weeks ahead
Affiliate link โ we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
FAQ
- โIs it free? Yes, the sites are free to walk through.
- โHow early to book hotels? 4โ6 months โ it sells out hard.
- โDay or night? Both โ sculptures by day, illumination by night.
Final tips
Book lodging very early, pack serious winter gear, and see Odori after dark.
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