TrekUnity
When
February
Attendance
~2,000,000
Admission
Free
Setting
Outdoor
The Sapporo Snow Festival (Yuki Matsuri) is Japan's most famous winter event — a week each early February when Odori Park and the streets of Sapporo fill with hundreds of enormous, intricately carved snow and ice sculptures (some the size of buildings), illuminated at night, drawing over two million visitors to Hokkaido.
It pairs the dazzling frozen artistry with Hokkaido's legendary food, powder skiing, and hot springs, making it a magical northern-Japan winter trip.
Want to go? Turn Sapporo Snow Festival into a trip you plan with your group.
Creates an editable trip seeded with a starter itinerary, hotels & eats.
Event details
Typical dates
A week in early February
Admission
Free
Parking
Use Sapporo's subway — the sites (Odori, Susukino) are right on the lines; central and walkable.
Nearest airport
New Chitose Airport (CTS) — ~40 min by train
Typical weather
Cold Hokkaido winter — often 20s °F and snowy; serious winter layers and warm boots essential.
Official website
Location
Sapporo, Japan
Where to stay
JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo
Convenient tower hotel over the station.
Cross Hotel Sapporo
Stylish hotel near Odori Park.
Susukino hotels
In the nightlife-and-ice-sculpture district.
Where to eat & drink
Sapporo miso ramen
The rich, hearty local ramen style.
Hokkaido seafood
Crab, uni, and salmon roe from the cold seas.
Soup curry & jingisukan
Sapporo soup curry and grilled lamb.
Nearby attractions
Odori Park sculptures
The main site of the giant snow statues.
Susukino ice sculptures
The illuminated ice-carving district.
Otaru (day trip)
A romantic canal town ~40 min away.
A sample itinerary
1Arrive + Odori
- •Train from CTS
- •Afternoon: Odori Park snow sculptures
- •Evening: miso ramen
2Festival day
- •Day: more sites + Susukino ice sculptures
- •Evening: illuminations + seafood
3Otaru + depart
- •Morning: Otaru canal town
- •Head to CTS
Make it yours — an editable trip you can share with your group.
Travel tips
- See the sculptures both by day and lit up at night.
- Eat your way through Sapporo — ramen, seafood, and soup curry.
- Wear proper winter boots for icy, snowy streets.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Sapporo Snow Festival?
A week in early February in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.
Is it free?
Yes — viewing the sculptures across the sites is free.
How cold is it?
Very — it's Hokkaido winter, often around freezing or below, so dress in serious layers with warm, waterproof boots.
Going with friends?
TrekUnity keeps the whole group on the same page — vote on plans, split costs, and see who's arriving when.
Start planning freeTrekUnity is an independent travel guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Sapporo Snow Festival or its organizers. Dates, prices, and details are provided for informational purposes and can change — always confirm on the official event website before booking.