Update-date: Dec 30 2023
The Sapporo Snow Festival sees the city of Sapporo transformed by colossal snow and ice sculptures, creating a thrilling outdoor midwinter gallery. It boasts a history spanning over 50 years and stands proudly as one of the world’s greatest snow festivals. This article will guide you through the history and ways to enjoy the Sapporo Snow Festival, guaranteeing the ultimate Hokkaido winter experience!
A Japanese Winter Spectacle With Over 50 Years of History
Each year, the Sapporo Snow Festival draws in huge numbers from across Japan and abroad. Its history can be traced back to 1950, starting with local students constructing six snow sculptures in Odori Park. With snowball fights, snow sculpture exhibits, carnivals, and events, it captured the attention of around 50,000 people. Over the decades, it has developed into a winter extravaganza and secured its spot alongside the Quebec Winter Carnival in Canada and the Harbin Ice Festival in China as one of the world's three major snow festivals.
The Sapporo Snow Festival is held annually in February, and the 2024 rendition will span eight days from February 4–11. For the first time in four years, the International Snow Sculpture Contest will also take place, allowing visitors to see the building of snow sculptures up close.
Explore the Festival Across Three Distinct Venues
The Sapporo Snow Festival is separated between the Odori Site, situated along Odori Park running east-west through the heart of Sapporo; the Susukino Site in the bustling Susukino entertainment district; and the Tsudome Site, a roughly 20-minute drive from Sapporo Station. Each venue features its own massive snow statues, ice sculpture installations, and a variety of events and attractions.
The Odori Site will have snow sculptures depicting world-famous buildings and people, dinosaurs, and characters from anime and video games. The Susukino Site will be adorned by intricate ice sculptures alongside the snow sculptures, creating an enchanting atmosphere. Both locations are illuminated at night, weaving together a magical ambiance distinct from the daytime scene.
The Tsudome Site offers a variety of attractions, including large tube slides and snow rafts, letting both children and adults play to their hearts' content. If it’s your first experience in the snow, Tsudome is a great place to visit!
Recommended Hotels With Convenient Access to the Venues
Given the high influx of tourists during the Sapporo Snow Festival, it's best to secure hotel reservations in advance. Here are some hotels offering easy access to the sites.
The Century Royal Hotel boasts a 50-year history and stands as one of Sapporo's premier accommodations. Its direct underground connection to Sapporo Station ensures convenient access, while its location near the Odori Site makes it a breeze to explore the festival.
The hotel presents a diverse range of room types, from reasonably priced standard floors to luxury exclusive floors, full of lavish detail in each room. On the 23rd floor is Sky Restaurant Rondo, Hokkaido’s sole revolving restaurant, where you can enjoy a sophisticated dining experience as the city slowly rotates around you, presenting captivating 360-degree scenery. The restaurant also serves a breakfast buffet featuring nutritious Hokkaido ingredients like vegetables and brown rice, promoting a healthy start to the day.
The Century Royal Hotel boasts a 50-year history and stands as one of Sapporo's premier accommodations. Its direct underground connection to Sapporo Station ensures convenient access, while its location near the Odori Site makes it a breeze to explore the festival.
The hotel presents a diverse range of room types, from reasonably priced standard floors to luxury exclusive floors, full of lavish detail in each room. On the 23rd floor is Sky Restaurant Rondo, Hokkaido’s sole revolving restaurant, where you can enjoy a sophisticated dining experience as the city slowly rotates around you, presenting captivating 360-degree scenery. The restaurant also serves a breakfast buffet featuring nutritious Hokkaido ingredients like vegetables and brown rice, promoting a healthy start to the day.
The Sapporo Tokyu REI Hotel is conveniently located near the Susukino Site. Inside is Restaurant Plaza Sapporo, boasting over 15 of Hokkaido's finest restaurants. The bustling Susukino is also Hokkaido's busiest shopping district, making the hotel ideal for those seeking to explore both the Sapporo Snow Festival and Sapporo City itself. Additionally, the famous Ramen Yokocho is just 8 minutes away on foot.
Indulge in the Culinary Delights of Gourmet Kingdom Hokkaido!
Blessed with a bountiful natural environment, Hokkaido is a gastronomic paradise of delicacies from both the sea and land. If you find yourself fatigued during the Sapporo Snow Festival, a hearty meal is sure to rejuvenate you!
Susukino Sushi Main Branch (Susukino / Sushi)
Surrounded by the ocean, Hokkaido is a natural haven for fresh seafood, making it a prime destination to indulge in high-quality sushi. Susukino Sushi Main Branch is at the pinnacle of this, aligning its opening days with the market to ensure the availability of select ingredients for their expertly crafted dishes. Its menu is centered around omakase, where each helping is based on the day's freshest offerings. The [Omakase Nigiri] (8,000 JPY) course features 7 pieces of in-season sushi, 3 seasonal dishes, and sparkling wine. For such high quality, its price is surprisingly reasonable.
Despite being on the second floor, the restaurant is designed to be a tranquil, hidden nook enveloped in a refined atmosphere. The elegant counter is carved from a single piece of wood, accentuated by ambient lighting. With an extensive array of sake from all over Japan, plus champagne, wine, and whiskey harmonizing perfectly with the premium seafood, a moment of blissful flavor and warm hospitality awaits.
Susukino Sushi Main Branch
Open: [Monday-Thursday, Saturday, Day before National Holidays] Dinner 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 11:00 pm)
Closed: Sunday, National Holidays
Average price: [Dinner] 10,000 JPY
Access: 2 minutes walk from Susukino Station on the Sapporo Municipal Subway Namboku Line
Address: 2F, Social Keiwa Bldg., 5-11-3, Minamigojo-nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido Map
More Details Reservation
Closed: Sunday, National Holidays
Average price: [Dinner] 10,000 JPY
Access: 2 minutes walk from Susukino Station on the Sapporo Municipal Subway Namboku Line
Address: 2F, Social Keiwa Bldg., 5-11-3, Minamigojo-nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido Map
More Details Reservation
Charcoal-grilled Yakiniku -shintan- (Susukino / Yakiniku)
The charcoal grills here bring out the full deliciousness of every inch of tongue meat, a Japanese delicacy. Diners can grill the meat themselves while chatting away with friends, ensuring a lively atmosphere. Begin with the [Thick Tongue Slices] (1,870 JPY), which flaunt beautiful fine cuts from the chef's skillful knife work. Other tasty offerings include the [Green Onion Tongue Sandwich] (1,980 JPY), served with a mouthwatering green onion salt sauce, and plenty more. Conclude with the [Cold Noodles] (825 JPY), popular for their flavorful dashi (broth), promising an unforgettable finish.
The interior is an aesthetically pleasing fusion of industrial vents and a soothing brown interior, striking a balance between the sleekness of metal and the warmth of wood. This inviting space is further adorned by gorgeous trimmings like traditional tableware made of Kyushu's Imari pottery and more.
Charcoal-grilled Yakiniku -shintan-
Open: [Monday-Saturday, Day before National Holidays] Dinner 5:00 pm - 3:00 am (L.O 2:30 am) / [Sunday, National Holidays] 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (L.O 11:30 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 6,000 JPY
Access: 3 minutes walk from Susukino station. Go south on Sapporo Ekimae-dori. It is the street-level store on the left-hand corner of Minami 7-jo dori
Address: 1F, Seven Bldg., 3 Minami-nanajo Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido Map
More Details Reservation
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 6,000 JPY
Access: 3 minutes walk from Susukino station. Go south on Sapporo Ekimae-dori. It is the street-level store on the left-hand corner of Minami 7-jo dori
Address: 1F, Seven Bldg., 3 Minami-nanajo Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido Map
More Details Reservation
Given Sapporo's average February temperature is -3°C, make sure you come well-protected against the cold when enjoying the Sapporo Snow Festival. After your fun, indulge in the culinary delights of Hokkaido to make your trip up north even more memorable!
Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.
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