Sapporo Snow Festival
Snow FestivalHigh crowdHokkaidoSapporo, Hokkaido
Date
Early February (7 days)
Region
Hokkaido
About this event
One of Japan's most famous winter events. Over 200 massive snow and ice sculptures fill Odori Park and Susukino — from replicas of world landmarks to anime characters.
Highlights
- ✓200+ snow sculptures
- ✓World-famous event
- ✓Ice sculptures at Susukino
- ✓2 million visitors
Getting There
Odori Station (SapporoPR Municipal Subway)
⭐ Why visit this spot
- ✓Japan's largest winter festival — 200+ massive snow & ice sculptures across 3 sites (Odori, Susukino, Tsudome).
- ✓Free 24h access to Odori site — daytime AND nighttime illumination both spectacular.
- ✓International ice-sculpture competition draws global pyrotechnic-style attention to the craft.
- ✓Hokkaido's seafood is at its winter peak — ikura, uni, crab — pair the festival with food adventure.
🚄 Getting there in detail
- Nearest station
- Odori (Sapporo Subway all 3 lines); Sapporo Station 1 stop away
- Walk from station
- Direct — Odori subway exits open into the park
- Train frequency
- All subway lines every 4–7 min; Rapid Airport (New Chitose) every 15 min
- Payment
- Subway IC + cash; ice-bar tickets at Susukino site cash + card
- 🧳 Luggage storage
- Sapporo Station hundreds of lockers; airport baggage delivery to hotels (Yamato Transport)
- ♿ Accessibility
- Odori park fully wheelchair accessible; Susukino sidewalks salted
⏰ Best time of day: 5–9 PM for illuminated sculptures; weekday afternoons for fewer crowds
📍 Location
Open in Google Maps →🍴 Nearby food & things to do
Click any item for details, ratings, and directions
🍴Food & Drink(7)
- Food
Nijo Market★★★★★4.1
Compact seafood market loved by Sapporo locals.
💡 Order a kaisendon (sashimi rice bowl) for breakfast — uni, ikura, scallops at half the price of Sapporo Central. English menus available.
⏱️ 10 min walk💴 ¥2,000–3,500🕒 7:00–18:00📍 Google Maps → - Restaurant
Soup curry restaurants★★★★★4.4
Sapporo-born hot soup curry with whole vegetables.
💡 Invented in Sapporo in the 1970s. Perfect winter food — clear spicy broth with tender chicken and roasted root vegetables. English menus common.
⏱️ Various locations💴 ¥1,200–2,000🕒 Most 11:00–22:00📍 Google Maps → - Restaurant
Menya Saimi (Miso Ramen)★★★★☆4.7
Sapporo's #1 miso ramen by local consensus.
💡 Thick fermented miso broth with corn, butter, and ground pork. Considered Japan's best miso ramen. Always lines — go before 11 or after 14. Cash + IC.
⏱️ 15 min subway💴 ¥900–1,500🕒 11:00–15:00, 17:30–20:30 (closed Mon)📍 Google Maps → - Restaurant
Genghis Khan Daruma Honten★★★★☆4.6
Hokkaido's iconic grilled lamb dome.
💡 Sapporo's most famous jingisukan. Cooked tableside on dome iron skillet. Atmospheric, English photo menu, casual. Reservations recommended winter.
⏱️ 10 min walk💴 ¥3,000–5,500🕒 17:00–23:00📍 Google Maps → - Restaurant
Sapporo Yakitori Yotteba★★★★★4.3
Local yakitori chain with Hokkaido chicken.
💡 Native Hokkaido chicken on binchotan. Pair with local Sapporo Classic beer (only sold in Hokkaido). Picture menu, English-OK, cards.
⏱️ Throughout city💴 ¥2,000–3,500🕒 17:00–24:00📍 Google Maps → - Restaurant
Sushi Zen (Sapporo)★★★★☆4.8
Top-tier Hokkaido seafood sushi.
💡 Counter sushi using only Hokkaido fish — uni, ikura, hokki clam, abalone. Higher end but unforgettable. Reservation essential. English OK.
⏱️ 10 min walk💴 Lunch ¥6,000; dinner ¥15,000+🕒 11:30–14:00, 17:00–22:00📍 Google Maps → - Restaurant
Sapporo Hokkaido Kaisendon★★★★☆4.6
Sashimi rice bowl with Hokkaido seasonal seafood.
💡 Multiple shops near Odori serve massive kaisendon — generous uni, ikura, scallop, salmon, crab. Half Tokyo prices. English menu standard.
⏱️ 5 min walk💴 ¥2,500–4,500🕒 10:00–21:00📍 Google Maps →
Plan your visit to Sapporo Snow Festival
Find hotels near Sapporo Snow Festival
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Browse tours in Sapporo
- ✓ Skip-the-line e-tickets
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- ✓ Free cancellation up to 24h
⏰ Popular tours sell out 1-2 weeks ahead
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Check Japan Rail Pass prices
- ✓ 7, 14, 21-day pass options
- ✓ Activate within 1 year
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⏰ Cheaper online than at Japanese stations
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