New Delhi: February reshapes Sapporo into a city carved by cold, patience, and imagination. The Sapporo Snow Festival stands as Hokkaido’s most awaited winter moment, where snow blocks turn into monumental art and frozen streets glow after sunset. Drawing millions each year, the festival combines craft, scale, and climate in a way few global events can match. For travellers seeking immersive winter culture, this celebration offers beauty that exists briefly yet leaves a strong, lasting impression.

Held every February, the festival takes place across three distinct venues, each designed for a different pace of exploration. Visitors move between landmark sculptures, refined ice artistry, and family-focused snow play while using Sapporo as a base for ski trips and hot spring retreats. The result is a winter journey that feels layered rather than rushed.

Three festival sites that define the winter experience

1. Odori Park: Monumental snow showcases

Odori Park forms the visual core of the festival, stretching through central Sapporo with massive snow installations. These large-scale sculptures often recreate global landmarks, historic scenes, and cultural icons, rising several storeys high. Construction takes weeks and involves teams of volunteers and defence personnel. After sunset, projection lighting and colour washes add movement, turning static snow into theatrical displays that draw the largest crowds.

2. Susukino: Precision ice artistry after dark

Susukino focuses on ice rather than snow, creating a sharper, jewel-like aesthetic. Clear ice blocks are carved into detailed forms, ice bars, and competition pieces displayed along the streets. Neon reflections and internal lighting give the area a distinctly urban mood. Evening visits work best here, paired naturally with local ramen shops, seafood counters, and late-night dining.

3. Tsudome: Interactive snow playground

Located outside the city centre, Tsudome is designed for participation rather than observation. Snow slides, tubing areas, children’s activities, and indoor rest zones make it ideal for families. The venue operates mainly during daytime hours and connects to central Sapporo through shuttle services, offering a relaxed counterpoint to the crowded city sites.

Winter travel around Hokkaido beyond Sapporo Snow Festival

1. Niseko: World-famous powder terrain

Roughly two hours away, Niseko attracts skiers and snowboarders with its dry, light snowfall. Interconnected resorts provide long runs, off-piste zones, and varied difficulty levels. English-friendly services and diverse accommodation options make it accessible even for first-time visitors to Japan.

2. Furano: Scenic slopes and quieter towns

Furano combines skiing with open landscapes and a slower rhythm. Snow-covered fields, forest runs, and mountain backdrops appeal strongly to photographers and intermediate skiers. The surrounding countryside offers winter activities such as snowshoeing and ice fishing.

3. Onsen culture during peak winter

Hokkaido’s volcanic landscape supports numerous hot spring towns. Outdoor baths surrounded by snow provide physical relief and visual calm after long days outdoors. Jozankei and Noboribetsu rank among the most popular near Sapporo, while ski resorts often include onsen facilities on-site. Basic bathing etiquette applies, with clear guidance usually available.

Weather planning and winter dressing

February temperatures remain well below freezing, especially after dark. Layered clothing, insulated footwear, gloves, and wind protection are essential for comfort. Heat packs sold locally offer extra warmth during extended outdoor viewing. Sunglasses or goggles help during snowfall and reflective daylight conditions.

Where to stay during festival week

Accommodation demand peaks sharply during festival dates, with bookings made months ahead. Central hotels near Odori Park offer convenience at higher prices, while subway-connected neighbourhoods provide better value. Many travellers split stays between Sapporo and nearby ski towns.

• Villa Sapporo Seiga


• Guest House Earth – The Moon


• Guest House Earth – The Sun


• Old Garden House Sapporo

Sapporo Snow Festival 2026 captures winter at its most expressive, blending scale, skill, and seasonal rhythm. Sculptures melt, lights fade, and streets return to normal, but the memory of walking through a city shaped by snow lingers long after the thaw.