Sapporo Snow Festival 2026: Guide to Japan Best Winter Event

Held in early February, 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 in Japan, from each venue to see those creative snow and ice sculptures, to the top things to do, and more latest news about the 2026 ice festival in Sapporo.

When Is the Sapporo Snow Festival 2026

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

Note: most of the snow and ice sculptures are taken down the morning after the final day of the festival, while the making process starts in early January, which takes about a month to finish the stacking, laying, and carving. Visit Hokkaido in late January or early February for more inspiring snow and ice sculptures!

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 in Japan.

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, this Hokkaido winter festival is a free event for everyone to join in the 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. Start your Hokkaido winter adventure today - contact our Japan experts for a personalized Sapporo Snow Festival tour plan.

Where to Join the Sapporo Snow Festival Celebration

There are three sites of the Sapporo Snow Festival: Odori, Susukino, and Tsudome. However, since it is a popular festival with limited parking or without a parking area, taking advantage of Sapporo's convenient subway lines and shuttle buses would be more helpful.

Sapporo Festival Sites

Odori Site: Main Stage of the Snow Festival

• Opening hours: All days, illumination is until 22:00
• How to get there: Namboku, Tozai & Toho Subway Lines at Odori Station

Famous for its various snow sculptures in huge sizes, the Odori Site (at Odori Park) is the main venue of the Sapporo Snow Festival. Nearby the Odori Station on three subway lines, it is quite easy to get and find this central park of Sapporo.

This fancy snow world is about 1.5km long, stretching from areas 1 to 12, with interesting statues and all kinds of snow activities. There is plenty to enjoy at Odori Park.

Such as the 1st chome, is also the site for snow and ice activities, with a snowboarding area for everyone to try. The 2nd and 9th chomes, Citizens' Square, are popular areas to see snow sculptures made by local citizens. If you are a Japanese animation or game fan, the 6th, 10th, and 11th chomes are good places to capture those fancy cartoon scenes. Don't forget to vote for your favorite one!

If you are interested, the 11th chome, where the International Snow Sculpture Contest (February 2 to 7) is held, also offers the opportunity to watch the sculpture-making process and even participate in creating statues with other visitors, which attracts participants from all over the world.

Susukino Site: Ice World & Night Fun

• Opening hours: All days, lit up until 11 PM (until 10 PM on the last day)
• How to get there: Namboku Subway Lines at Susukino Station, or a 10-minute walk from Odori Park

Susukino is the ice venue of the festival, where ice sculptures are the centerpiece of the exhibition. There are two nearby stations to get there, Susukino Station and Nakajima Koen Station on the Namboku Line.

Apart from delicate ice sculptures made by the best ice cut artists from all over Japan, many of these creations were crafted by chefs from nearby hotels, who used their skills in carving ice and vegetables to enhance their culinary presentations. Some of the unique ice sculptures even with seafood sealed inside.

The ice sculptures under the sunshine that shine like diamonds are gorgeous. But when the evening comes, Susukino, Sapporo's popular entertainment area, becomes an ideal pedestrian zone.

You can enjoy drinks at the bar made of ice, watch the ice sculptures that are lit up colorfully, or drop by the Ramen Yokocho for a cup of steaming noodles.

Tsudome Site: Family-Friendly Snow Activities

• Opening hours: 10 AM to 4 PM
• How to get there: Toho Subway Lines at Sakaemachi Station, with another 15-minute walk

The Sapporo Community Dome, commonly known as Tsudome, is located in the north of Sapporo. It is a participatory venue, a little away from the city center, but with a wide snow area where you can actually touch the powdery snow and enjoy many snow activities, always popular with families.

Apart from experience making snowmen and snow rafting, don't forget to try the famous activities at the Tsudome: the snow slides and mazes, which are a bit more exciting.

After enjoying the activities, it is also possible to enter the dome to grab some food and use the seats of the dome to rest a little while enjoying some snow sculptures and snowmen displays that can also be seen at Tsudome Site.

Ice Slide

Where to Stay During the Winter Travel to 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. Most importantly, staying in the Odori or Susukino area is also convenient for a quick arrival at the Tsudome venue.

It is also advisable to secure your rooms early (about 3 to 6 months in advance), as the rising prices and limited rooms make it difficult to get a reservation just before or during this popular Sapporo winter feast. If you're going to plan a winter Japan tour to join the grand and popular snow event next year, make your early start around September to secure the ideal price and location.

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, making the creative statue collection the top thing to do in Sapporo in winter. Apart from the usual snowman, you can see some amazing things here, realistic and 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 at this winter event. You can enjoy familiar favorites like building snowmen, sculpting, having snowball fights, sledding down gentle slopes, or ice skating.

In snowy Sapporo, another top thing to do here is to 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 kids, 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

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)

More Japan Snow & Ice Festivals You May Also Like

• Otaru Snow Light Path Festival, Feb 7 to 14, 2026: a February winter event you can combine with the Sapporo Snow Festival. With lovely snow lanterns and candlelit streets, enjoy the peace and romance after an hour drive or train ride to Otaru Canal.
• Asahikawa Winter Festival, Feb 4 to 11, 2026: famous for its record-breaking giant snow sculpture, Asahikawa Winter Festival is another ideal option for your snow and ice sculpture collection with fireworks shows and performances.
• Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival, Jan 31 to Feb 23, 2026: this lakeside "ice museum" offers a longer celebration date to fulfill your winter Hokkaido journey. From the frozen cave to nearby steaming hot springs, which can be your ideal family trip highlights.

Plan Your Japan Winter Trip 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.