Sapporo Snow Festival 2026: Complete Guide

Held in early February (February 4 to 11 in 2026), the Sapporo Snow Festival (さっぽろ雪まつり, Sapporo Yuki Matsuri or Sapporo Ice Festival) in Hokkaido is one of the top snow festivals to join during your winter trip to Japan.

In the following Sapporo Snow Festival guide, we will show you a full insight into this attractive winter event, from each venue to see those creative snow and ice sculptures, to the top things to enjoy, and more latest news about the 2026 ice festival in Sapporo.

When Is the Sapporo Snow Festival 2026

The Sapporo Snow Festival of 2026 is scheduled from February 4 (Wednesday) to 11 (Wednesday), an 8-day winter event held at Odori Park, Tsudome (Community Dome), and Susukino venues.

Note: The date may be changed or canceled due to the weather, and most of the snow and ice sculptures are taken down the morning after the final day of the festival - visit Hokkaido early for more inspiring snow and ice sculptures! (while making progress starts at early January, which takes about a month to finish the stacking, laying, and carving.)

Ice Sculptures in the Sapporo Snow Festival

Why Is the Sapporo Snow Festival Worth Visiting

Along with Canada's Quebec Winter Carnival and the Harbin Ice Festival in China, the Sapporo Snow Festival is now counted as one of the three major snow festivals in the world, featuring inspiring snow and ice sculptures, various snow games, and activities to fulfill your winter holiday.

It is a wonderland where you can reverse to the Edo period with those delicate crystal castles, or dive into the fancy world with vivid character statues from Naruto to Nezuko, from Gundam to Titan, dotted with colorful neo-lights and shows, as well as those local food stores along the venue you can drop by.

Best of all, it's a free festival where everyone can join in the winter fun. And with the abundant hot springs to soak in, there is no need to worry about the chilly winter of Hokkaido. Nearby ski resorts around Sapporo are also easy to find, not to mention the well-known Niseko United, which is about 2 hours to reach.

Whether you're looking for some extra fun before or after your ski adventure or want to experience the real flavor of Hokkaido, a visit to the snow festival in Sapporo is a great opportunity to capture both winter fun and a glimpse of Japanese culture.

Where to Join the Sapporo Snow Festival Celebration

There will be three sites of the Sapporo Snow Festival: Odori Park, Susukino, and Tsudome.

Sapporo Snow Festival Sites Map

Odori Site: Odori Park

• Opening hours: All days, lit up until 10 PM
• How to get there: about a 5-minute drive or 10-minute train ride from Sapporo Station

Odori Park is a central park located near Odori Station. It serves as the main stage of the Sapporo Snow Festival, creating a fancy snow world that stretches about 1.5 km.

The park offers a lively atmosphere where you can enjoy various snow activities, marvel at life-sized and giant snow sculptures, and vote for your favorite one. If you're interested, you can also participate in snow sculpture-making competitions.

Susukino Site: Sapporo Ekimae Dori

• Opening hours: All days, lit up until 11 PM (until 10 PM on the last day)
• How to get there: about a 7-minute walk from Odori Park

Not far from Odori Park and with two stations nearby - Susukino Station and Nakajima Koen Station on the Namboku Line - Susukino is a venue that is easy to get to.

Featuring delicate ice sculptures made by the best ice sculpture artists from all over Japan, it is a good place to take a night trip on the illuminated streets, order a drink at the ice bar, and admire the colorful ice statues with a touch or ride.

Tsudome Site: Community Dome

• Opening hours: 10 AM to 4 PM
• How to get there: about a 20-minute drive or 30-minute train ride from Sapporo Station

Tsudome is a little far from the city center and can be reached via Sakaemachi Station on the Toho Line. It is a popular site with a large area where you can have a lot to do with the snow.

Apart from the snow sculptures, you can enjoy various snow games ranging from tube slides to snow rafting, as well as the large mazes and indoor gourmet food court. The Tsudome Site is highly recommended for a family visit.

Ice Slide

What to See & Do During the Sapporo Snow Festival

Marvel at the Snow & Ice Masterpieces

The snow and ice sculptures are always the highlight of the snow festival. Apart from the usual snowman, you can see some amazing things here, from realistic to fantastical.

From giant snow figures up to 40 meters wide that you can even climb on, to delicate ice decorations that you can put in your garden. You can find another white castle of Himeji-jo, as well as the Kaiju of Godzilla, who is going to fight with King Kong. After a walk around the exhibition, you will always find some things you know with high praise.

Sapporo Snow Festival

Enjoy Snow Sculpture Creation

When visiting a world with snow everywhere and all kinds of snow sculptures on display, it's hard not to get your creative juices flowing.

As well as making snowmen on the side of the road, there are also snow sculpture competitions to enter. From the local competition to the global race for every visitor to enjoy. Arrive early to witness the creation of giant snow sculptures and marvel at the incredible technique and creativity of the artist.

Try out the Various Snow Activities

There's no shortage of snow-related activities here. You can enjoy familiar favorites like building snowmen, sculpting, having snowball fights, sledding down gentle slopes, or ice skating.

In snowy Sapporo, you can also explore a giant maze made of snow walls, slide down a long snow-covered hill, stay in a traditional Kamakura snow house, or visit a bar built entirely from ice. Embrace winter fun with your family and friends!

Best Time to Join the Snow Festival in Sapporo

To avoid crowds, the best time to visit the Sapporo Snow Festival in Odori and Susukino venues is between 7 and 9 AM, when there are typically fewer visitors, and the sculptures glisten beautifully in the soft morning light.

Alternatively, Odori Park and Susukino sites tend to be relatively quieter from 9 PM to 10 PM, just before the light displays end, making it a great time to see the illuminated sculptures without the crowds.

For the Tsudome site, which is especially popular with families due to its wide range of winter activities, visiting on weekdays is recommended to ensure a more peaceful experience.

Sapporo in Winter

How to Get to the Sapporo Snow Festival Venues

Get to Sapporo, Hokkaido

The quickest way to reach Sapporo is by taking a direct flight to New Chitose Airport, the gateway to Hokkaido. Flights are available from major cities like Tokyo and Osaka. Typically, the journey takes around 1.5 hours. This is the most convenient option for traveling to the northernmost part of Japan.

Get to the Festival Site

A one-hour drive from the airport will take you to the vibrant city center of Sapporo, home to the festival's main stage at Odori Park and Sapporo Ekimae Dori.

Alternatively, taking a JR line rapid train from the airport is also a great option to avoid potential traffic, bringing you to Sapporo in just 30 minutes.

A 10-minute drive will take you to the Odori and Susukino sites, while reaching the Tsudome Site requires an additional 10-minute drive.

Where to Stay During Winter Holiday in Sapporo

The downtown Odori and Susukino sites of the Sapporo Ice Festival are not far from each other, so it is recommended that you choose a hotel near or in the middle of the Odori Park and Sapporo Ekimae Dori areas so that you can walk to the venues within 10 minutes.

Staying in the Odori or Susukino area is also convenient for taking the train to the Tsudome site. It is also advisable to secure a place early, as it is difficult to get a reservation just before or during the festival. If you're going to plan for your Japan tour to join the grand and popular snow event next year, it is recommended to start early, around September.

Sapporo Snow Festival Travel Tips

What to Pack Before Leaving for the Snow Festival

The average temperature in Sapporo in February is -6℃, which might be tough for tourists who are not used to cold weather, especially the long-term stays during these outdoor snow and ice events.

• Choosing clothes such as thick coats, scarves, hats, gloves, and earmuffs will always be a good decision (thick enough to prevent injury if you fall).
• Plenty of heat patches for your back, hands, feet, and cell phone.
• Yet pack clothes that are easy to take off, as there is plenty of air conditioning indoors.
• Thick and non-slip shoes, as well as a glasses defogger for your camera or glasses.

Ways to Walk on the Frozen Roads

• Follow the trails with no-slip sand
• Gear your shoes with anti-slip pads, or take a walking stick with you (both are easy to find at convenience stores)

Plan Your Japan Winter Holiday With Odynovo

The Sapporo Snow Festival is attractive to many people for several reasons, from the beautiful sculptures to the plentiful choices of entertainment that all types of visitors can enjoy. If you still have doubts about the decisions, feel free to contact us at [email protected] to customize your entire journey fully based on your preferences.