Sapporo Snow Festival 2027: Dates, Events & Itinerary Ideas

Held from February 4-11, 2027, the Sapporo Snow Festival in Hokkaido is one of the world's largest winter events. During the festival, giant snow sculptures and ice artworks are displayed across the city, with some towering more than 15 meters high. In this guide, you'll find out what to see and do, where to stay, what to wear, and how to fit the Sapporo Snow Festival into your Japan tour itinerary.

Quick Facts about Sapporo Snow Festival 2027

Date: February 4 (Thu) - 11 (Thu), 2027

Festival Sites: Odori Park, Tsudome, and Susukino

Cost: Admission is free, but we still recommend bringing some cash for food, hot drinks, and souvenirs.

Best time to visit: To see the snow sculptures in their best condition, visit during the first few days of the festival; to avoid crowds, visit on weekday mornings from 7 to 9 AM, or early afternoons from 12 to 1 PM.

Note: The sculptures are dismantled the morning after the festival ends, so plan your visit within the festival dates to make sure you don't miss them.

Ice Sculptures in Sapporo Snow Festival

Is the Sapporo Snow Festival Worth Visiting?

Yes. The giant sculptures are genuinely impressive, especially when you see them in person. Located in northern Japan, Sapporo may seem like a detour on a first trip to Japan. But it's actually easy to combine with a classic Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka itinerary. New Chitose Airport has frequent direct flights to both Tokyo and Osaka that take only 1.5 to 2 hours.

Beyond Sapporo, February is one of the best months to explore Hokkaido's winter landscapes. Niseko is in its peak powder-snow season. In Noboribetsu, you can enjoy an outdoor hot spring surrounded by snowy scenery, while in Abashiri you can take an icebreaker cruise through the frozen sea. Whatever destinations or experiences you have in mind, Odynovo can bring them all together into a comfortable, seamless Japan tour tailored to you.

Good to know: Hotels and flights get more expensive during the festival. So it's worth going in with clear expectations. If you love snow and ice, or if you're traveling with kids, the festival can be a memorable and fun experience. But for seniors or anyone with mobility concerns, the slippery paths and dense crowds may feel overwhelming. If you're still not sure whether it's right for you, keep reading to get more information about the Sapporo Snow Festival, or reach out to our travel experts for personalized advice.

Sapporo Snow Festival Sites

Sapporo Festival Sites

Odori Park: Main Venue of the Snow Festival

Odori Park is the most popular and largest venue of the Sapporo Snow Festival, and the essential one to visit if you want to see the festival's biggest snow sculptures.

The Odori Site stretches from Nishi 1-chome to Nishi 11-chome through central Sapporo with convenient transportation. For 2027, officials have confirmed that five giant snow sculptures will be built in the 4th, 5th, 7th, 8th, and 10th chome, with smaller sculptures and art projects filling the sections in between. 1st chome has some winter attractions and food stalls, while the 11th chome hosts the International Snow Sculpture Contest.

We recommend visiting Odori Park once during the day and again in the evening. Daytime is ideal for seeing the details of the sculptures, while returning after dark gives you a different experience when the snow sculptures are illuminated. Some sculptures may also feature projection mapping or special nighttime programs, which are announced closer to the festival.

• Opening Hours: All days; illumination until 22:00
• Getting There: Take the Namboku, Tozai, or Toho Subway Line to Odori Station, next to Odori Park.

Susukino: Ice World & Night Fun

Susukino is the ice sculpture venue. In addition to delicate works created by some of Japan's top ice sculptors, you'll also find unique creations made by chefs from nearby hotels. Many of them use the same skills they apply to carving ice and vegetables for culinary presentations. Some sculptures even have seafood frozen inside the ice.

Susukino takes on a different atmosphere after dark. As one of Sapporo's most popular entertainment districts, the area becomes a pedestrian-friendly zone where you can enjoy a drink at an ice bar, see the sculptures illuminated in colorful lights, or head to Ramen Yokocho for a steaming bowl of noodles.

• Opening Hours: All days, illumination until 23:00 (until 22:00 on February 11)
• Getting There: Take the Namboku Subway Line to Susukino Station, right by the venue; from Odori Park, it's about a 10-minute walk to the Susukino Site.

Tsudome: Family-Friendly Snow Activities

Tsudome is the most family-friendly site of the festival. If you don't want to just look at snow sculptures and take photos, it's worth a visit for its hands-on snow activities. There is a large snow area where you can play in the snow and build snowmen, as well as facilities such as giant snow slides and a snow maze that are especially popular with children.

Tsudome also has an indoor area where you can warm up, take a break, or grab some food and drinks. On February 4, local art club students also hold a snow sculpture contest, offering another fun activity to watch.

• Opening Hours: 10:00 to 16:00
• Getting There: Take the Toho Subway Line to Sakaemachi Station, then take another 5-minute shuttle bus ride to the venue.

Ice Slide

Can I Visit the Three Venues in One Day?

Yes. Odori and Susukino are especially easy to combine, as they are only about a 10-minute walk apart. Tsudome requires a short ride, but it's not far either

The most efficient route is Odori - Tsudome - Susukino - Odori.

• Morning: Start at Odori. Visit the main snow sculptures early, when the site is quieter. Stay until around noon and have lunch at the festival stalls or restaurants nearby.
• Around noon: Head to Tsudome. It takes about 30 minutes from Odori. Spend a few hours on snow activities before the site closes around 4 PM.
• Late afternoon: Visit Susukino. Return to central Sapporo and have dinner. Then explore the ice sculptures when they are lit up.
• Evening: Walk back to Odori. End your day at Odori Park to see the giant snow sculptures illuminated at night.

Where to Stay for the Sapporo Snow Festival?

If convenience and comfort are your priorities, we recommend staying around Odori Park or along Sapporo Ekimae-dori, where you can easily walk to both the Odori and Susukino sites.

This makes it easy to return to your hotel for a break, which can be especially helpful when traveling with kids and seniors who may need some time to warm up and rest. It's also convenient for heading out in the evening to see the illuminated sculptures. Odori Station nearby also provides convenient access to the Tsudome venue.

Keep in mind that hotel prices around the festival venues can rise to 2 or 3 times their usual rates during the festival, and rooms fill up quickly. To give you a clearer idea of the cost, a centrally located four-star hotel within walking distance of the Snow Festival venues can cost around $300-$400 per room per night for two people during the festival, with prices potentially rising much higher when demand is at its peak. If you plan to attend, we recommend booking your hotel around six months in advance, ideally by September, to have more choices in both price and location.

Insider Tip: Look for hotels near a subway station with direct access to Odori Station. Staying just a few stops outside the festival area can often get you better accommodation for the same price, while adding only 10-15 minutes of subway travel to your trip.

Weather during the Sapporo Snow Festival

It is still the heart of winter, so snow and ice are common, and temperatures can stay below freezing for much of the day. Average temperatures are usually around -7 to 0°C (20 to 32°F), similar to what you might experience in Montreal, Scandinavia, or Chicago.

Sapporo's city center has an extensive network of underground shopping malls and walkways where you can warm up between outdoor activities. Taking a break for a hot meal or drink can also help you stay warm.

What to Wear

• Thermal inner base layers, removable sweaters or fleece as mid-layers, and a heavy, thick water-resistant winter coat (indoor spaces in Japan are usually well-heated).
• Waterproof and non-slip winter boots with warm socks and heat patches. Consider buying a pair of slip-on snow cleats at convenience stores, which add extra grip on icy sidewalks (usually cost around $7).
• Thick gloves, scarf, mask, and hat to cover your exposed skin in the wind, and prepare hand warmers in your pockets.
• Glass defogger for your camera or glasses, and power banks for your cell phone (extreme cold can drain your phone battery surprisingly quickly).

How to Plan a Japan Tour With the Sapporo Snow Festival?

If you can find a suitable direct international flight to Sapporo, starting your trip there and traveling south is the most efficient way to experience a well-rounded Japan tour.

Start with Sapporo and spend one or two days around the Sapporo Snow Festival, then head to Niseko for powder skiing and Noboribetsu for a snowy onsen experience. Return to New Chitose Airport and take a convenient domestic flight to Tokyo, then continue to Mt. Fuji, Kyoto, and Osaka.

A 15-Day Itinerary for Reference:

Sapporo→Niseko→Noboribetsu→Tokyo→Mt. Fuji→Koyoto→Osaka

If Tokyo is a more convenient arrival point for you, consider placing the Sapporo Snow Festival toward the second half of your trip:

Tokyo→Mt.Fuji→Koyoto→Osaka→Sapporo→Niseko→Noboribetsu→Tokyo

The routes above are just samples. Japan is incredibly rich in nature, culture, and diverse experiences. If you're looking for a journey that's built entirely around you, reach out to our travel experts, and we'll handle every detail, from route planning to accommodations and transportation.

More FAQs about the Sapporo Snow Festival

Is the Sapporo Snow Festival Crowded?

Yes, the festival attracts more than 2 million visitors from Japan and abroad every year. The Odori and nearby Susukino sites are usually the busiest, but they still feel much more manageable than the huge summer festivals or fireworks events thanks to the stretched-out layout of the venues.

Here are a few tips to help you beat the crowds:

• Visit on a weekday morning, rather than on weekends.
• If you're taking the subway, be sure to avoid 8-9 AM weekday rush hour.
• If you want to see the illuminations, have dinner early and arrive at the venue before the crowds peak. Nights are when the festival gets most crowded.
• Consider the Asahikawa Winter Festival as an alternative, which is less crowded.

How Many Days is Enough for the Snow Festival in Sapporo?

Usually, one full day and one night is enough to experience most of the festival's highlights. You can spend a full day visiting the three main venues: starting with Odori and Susukino, then heading to Tsudome for snow activities, and returning to Odori Park in the late afternoon to catch the night illumination, which is arguably the festival's visual highlight.

If you're traveling with kids, consider adding an extra day: one day for a slower-paced exploration of the Odori and Susukino areas, and another full day for snow fun in Tsudome.

How to Get to the Festival Venues?

Public transportation: Most recommended. It is the easiest option, with all three venues conveniently located near subway or bus stations.

By taxi: It depends on the venue. For Odori and Susukino, there are often traffic restrictions around. Even if you take a taxi, you may need to get out near the edge of the festival area and walk the rest of the way.

For Tsudome, taking a taxi or Uber can be a convenient alternative. Taxis can drop you off directly at the venue, saving you the hassle of taking the subway and then transferring to a bus, but it also costs more.

Private transfer: Not recommended. It's very expensive and hard to book during the festival. Parking can also be difficult to find as the festival draws large crowds.

More Japan Snow & Ice Festivals You May Also Like

• Asahikawa Winter Festival, Feb 6 to 11, 2027: 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.
• Otaru Snow Light Path Festival, Feb 5 to 12, 2027: 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-long drive or train ride to Otaru Canal.
• Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival, Feb 6 to Mar 1, 2027: This lakeside "ice museum" offers a longer celebration period to fulfill your winter Hokkaido journey. From the frozen cave to nearby steaming hot springs, these can be your ideal family trip highlights.