Sapporo Snow Festival Guide: Japan's Biggest Winter Festival (3 Venues, Dates & Tips)

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HokkaidoOdori Parksnow sculpture

The Sapporo Snow Festival (さっぽろ雪まつり, Sapporo Yuki Matsuri) is the biggest winter festival in Japan!Sapporo is the capital of Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost prefecture—one of the coldest regions in the country, famous for heavy snowfall each winter.

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So what do you do with all that snow every year? Snow sculptures, of course! Held every February since 1950, the festival has grown into one of Japan's top winter attractions, once welcoming over 2 million visitors before 2020. The 76th Sapporo Snow Festival will be held from February 4 to 11, 2026.

The Three Venues

The Sapporo Snow Festival spans three venues: Odori Site, Susukino Site, and Tsudome Site.

The main venue is Odori Site, a 1.5 km-long park where visitors can admire impressive snow sculptures—some over 10 meters tall—alongside food and drink stalls, dance shows, and shops. At night, many sculptures are illuminated, and some feature illumination shows.

The Susukino Site, in Hokkaido's entertainment district, is home to the ice sculptures. You can even step inside one of the ice bars to take a break.

The Tsudome Site is the most family-friendly venue, offering snow attractions like snow slides and a snow maze—a favorite among children (and the young at heart).

Tips from Our Visit

Between the impressive snow sculptures, you'll find energetic yosakoi dance performances by students from various schools and universities—a lively, unique Japanese dance style often seen at matsuri (festivals).

Don't miss the food stalls serving hot Sapporo-style ramen—perfect for warming up when it starts to snow.

For a panoramic view of the entire festival, climb the Sapporo TV Tower overlooking Odori Site.

After dark, the giant sculptures at Odori Site host a nighttime illumination show—a highlight many first-time visitors don't expect.

Festival Information (2026)

Date: February 4–11, 2026

Venues: Odori Site, Susukino Site, Tsudome Site

Access: 2 minutes on foot from Odori Station, or 10 minutes from Sapporo Station

Hours: All day (light-up until 22:00)

Admission: Free

Official Website: http://www.snowfes.com/english/

Nearby: Otaru Snow Festival

If you have extra days, visit the Otaru Snow Festival (Otaru Snow Light Path Festival, 小樽雪あかりの路), held in the harbor city of Otaru. It typically starts right as the Sapporo Snow Festival ends, drawing about 500,000 visitors—making it a perfect add-on to your Hokkaido winter trip.

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