Sapporo Snow Festival has become one of the biggest and most famous winter festivals in Hokkaidô and even in Japan. The first festival was organized in 1950, inspired from a festival taking place in a primary school in Sapporo since 1935, which stopped because of World War 2.

1950’s festival was such a success that the city of Sapporo decided to keep it going on. The first had 6 statues made by high school students: this year, there are 228, with giant statues and smaller ones, made by Sapporo citizens, students, companies and also foreigners.

In 1974, by organizing an international snow sculpture contest, foreign cities took part in the festival. In 2012, teams from Chile, Switzerland, India, Finland, New Zealand, Thailand… present their sculptures during the contest. In the last years, the festival attracted more than 2 million visitors a year, come from Hokkaidô, from the whole of Japan and from all over the world.

The festival is going on right now: it started on Monday and lasts until Sunday, February 12. Tons of snow have been delivered in January to the sites of Odori Park, Tsudome and Susukino which hosts the most impressive snow statues as well as ice statues and tracks for ski and other winter sports. The festival also highlights the culture of the region, with shows, and Hokkaidô cuisine such as Miso Râmen or curry soup.

Keep dreaming on the festival website and with pictures.

Sapporo Snow Festival - From February 6 to 12, Hokkaidô, Japan - www.snowfes.com

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