Sapporo Snow Festival is the largest winter festival in Hokkaido but don’t waste a trip to Japan’s largest without seeing some of the others as well! Conveniently, there are FOUR winter festivals that all occur around the same time. Explore more of northern island’s winter wonderlands.
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How to best enjoy Sapporo’s Snow Festival
At 71 years strong as of 2020, as well as the largest, Sapporo Snow Festival (さっぽろ雪まつり, Sapporo Yuki Matsuri) is a must, and if you only have time for one, definitely make Sapporo your priority. In 2020, it is running from February 4th to 11th for the main events. There are three main sites for the festival: Odori Park, Susukino, and Tsudome.
The event site is always open and there is plenty to see. The most magical views are after sunset. Don’t miss the projection mapping on some of the sculptures! But don’t let that deter you from the day time, there are plenty of events to keep you occupied. How about a spin on the ice rink? Or one of my favorites, the ski and snowboard jump competition. Yup, in a completely flat park they erect a make shift hill for this competition!
International Snow Sculpture Contest
At what I call the far end of Odori Park is where the International Snow Sculpture Contest takes place. Why is it the far end? It’s the end opposite the Sapporo TV Tower. Sapporo’s own baby “Eiffel tower”, built in 1957 and 147.2 m high. For reference, the real deal is just over twice that! Don’t worry, there’s an observation deck.
When they say international, they mean it. I’m particularly impressed by the countries that don’t have snow but I suppose most definitely have beaches! It’s very cool to see all the different countries work. Many culturally inspired pieces to enjoy!
Susukino Area
Where as Odori Park is meant for snow, the Susukino area is all about ice and you can see some great works of art carved. Oh, there’s usually an ice bar so watch for that!
All the food
While you are walking around in the cold, you’re definitely going to work up an appetite. Never fear, there are plenty of food stands to go around! It’s also a favorite of mine to have amezake, a warm drink made from sake lees. It’s delicious, give it a try and let me know what you think!
Don’t forget to check out some of the local favorites as well. Sapporo is the birthplace of miso-style ramen, or so they say. Don’t miss it!
Check out the romantic Otaru Snow Light Walk
Otaru is cute harbor town about 30 km from Sapporo, with a lot to do! 小樽雪あかりの路, Otaru Yuki Akari no Michi, or Otaru’s Snow Light Path is super romantic and since it coincides with Sapporo Snow Festival. Well, sort of. In 2020, it is from February 9th to 16th, it makes a great side trip if you are in Sapporo for the latter part of the festival.
This is the youngest of the four festivals in this article that started in 1999 has grown to 40 venues around the city. The most stunning being the 200 or so small candles strung across the canal waters. And this is Japan, so there is a stamp rally at each of the venues! So look out to add to your collection.
If you just walk around at night time, you’ll find the different areas all lit up. It’s truly magical.
Getting to Otaru
Otaru is the last major stop on the train line before they neck down to a “one-man” situation (read more about that here). They run about twice an hour so it’s easy to commute between Sapporo and Otaru!
See Japan’s Largest Snow Sculpture at Asahikawa Winter Festival
2020 marks the 61st Asahikawa Winter Festival (旭川冬まつり, Asahikawa Fuyu Matsuri). While China holds the Guiness World Record for largest snow sculpture in the world, Asahikawa must certainly have the largest in Japan. Fun fact: The festival that beat out Asahikawa (they held the record in the 1990s)? Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, Harbin and Asahikawa are celebrating 25 years of friendship in 2020! And perhaps a bit of competition?
The venue events revolve around the main snow sculpture that doubles as a stage next to the river in town. For 2020 the main snow sculpture is call “With one heart in mind” and features the Olympics (who’s surprised with 2020 coming up fast?!). At 140 m wide x 40 m deep x 20 m high, it will be a sight. When I last went in 2019, the main display featured a Japanese castle and doubled as not only a stage but also a slide.
Snow activities to keep you busy
Along with the slide, Asahikawa features a lot of other snow activities including a zip line, snow rafting behind a snow mobile, a snow maze and more. Probably the cutest is you can decorate your own snow man!
Don’t miss the International Ice Sculpture Competition that happens in conjunction with the winter festival. Located along Heiwa Dori near the train station, the 1 km long stretch of road has around 50 ice sculptures to check out.
Getting to the festival itself is a bit longer of a trek, but don’t worry, there is free shuttle that runs from the station during the festival.
Asahikawa side trips
You made the trek up, what’s there besides the two festivals? I recommend checking out the Asahiyama Zoo. It’s one of the best I’ve seen in Japan. The animals in the snow are super cute, you can even see a penguin march!
Getting to Asahikawa
Not as difficult as the next. Take the limited express trains that run from Sapporo Station to Asahikawa Station. They are your best bet for travelling to the festival and most efficient!
Blue ice at Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival
Reaching its 40th year in 2018, the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival is from January 24 till February 16 for the 2020 season, in Shikotsu-Toya National Park. It’s the longest running of the festivals I’ve mentioned so you have the most time to play with it. Which is a good thing, because you’ve got to want to get to this one.
This would be one of the few times that I might suggest renting a car in Japan, and I’ve got some tips on that here. However, there are many tours offered from Sapporo and Chitose that will get you there as well as the option to take a bus. Perhaps the best option is to combine the trip with staying in a Ryokan (Japanese traditional hotel) as the area is known for its onsens. If you go with that option, many of them have shuttles from the airport which also helps with the getting there option.
The ice sculptures themselves are made by spraying water from Lake Shikotsu and have a blue tint to them called, rather unimaginatively “Lake Shikotsu Blue”. The lake was formed by a volcano and is considered some of the purest water in Japan. The sculptures are illuminated up at night time and there are ice slides, rinks and horse drawn carriages to keep you busy as well.
On Saturdays and Sundays during the event at 1830 there are firework displays and Wadaiko drum performances.
Dressing for the Snow Festival
Hokkaido is COLD. Especially during the snow festivals. You will want all of your winter gear – hat, scarf, gloves and a thick jacket. If you want to go full Japanese, I suggest some heat tech gear from Uniqlo – one of my favorite Japan shops to shop in.
Also note that the roads can definitely get slippery, especially if it was sunny all day but still wet – i.e. black ice conditions. The paths at the festivals can be slippery too – I’ve fallen my fair share of times! They don’t call me AP for no reason.
At the Tsudome area, it is also a good idea to have full snow playing gear on (think ski pants!).
Where to Stay
Sapporo is a great jumping ground for each of the above festivals, if you want to spend more time in Hokkaido’s capital. There is plenty to do besides just the snow! But that’s also valid in the other areas as well and each has hotel options available.
Other Side Trips
If you are a skier, don’t miss Niseko! It’s a great resort, while busy, there is enough terrain to keep even a crowded day not too crowded. Plus, you made it all the way to the Northern Island, you should take advantage! And don’t forget there are some of the 100 finest castles up this way too!
Access to Hokkaido
Taking the shinkansen is definitely an option (and you know how I love taking the train), especially if you’d like to hit some of northern Honshu, like Aomori. However, if time is of the essence, the best bet most likely to take a plane up to the New Chitose Airport.
From there you can take a JR train to Sapporo Station. There are local options but if you take the high-speed “Rapid Airport” train, the ride only takes about 37 minutes. Faster than a car – I love Japan’s public transportation!
That lovely cold air I was mentioning? You won’t have to deal with it right away as the JR New Chitose Airport Station is directly connected to the airport’s basement floor.
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