The Sapporo Snow Festival 2026 in Hokkaido, Japan, is scheduled for February 4th to 11th, 2026.
This festival occurs every February in Sapporo. It includes massive snow and ice sculptures, night illuminations, and fun winter activities, such as snow sculpture competitions and ice skating.
When Is the Sapporo Snow Festival in 2026?
Sapporo Snow FestivalThe 2026 Sapporo Snow Festival will take place on Wednesday, February 4th, and continue to Wednesday, February 11th. The event lasts for 8 days. The festival date is always the same each year.
Activities start the day before the festival. On February 3, you will see workers building up sculptures and admire the impressive small sculptures made by locals. Very impressive to see!
It is best to visit during the first two or three days as the sculptures will gradually wear down in the upcoming days. On the first day, you will see the team carve the large sculptures. On the final night, you could see the sculptures being taken down.
We recommend booking your hotels and tours at least 3 months in advance. This festival season is expected to be busy, with large crowds and higher travel costs.
Where to Enjoy Sapporo Snow Festival: 3 Festival Locations
The Sapporo Snow Festival is held in Sapporo City in Hokkaido, in northern Japan. It is about a 1.5-hour flight from Tokyo. The Festival has three venues: Odori Park, Susukino, and Tsudome.
- Odori Site: impressive snow sculpture; night illuminations
- Susukino Site: ice sculptures; night illiminations
- Tsudome Site: interesting snow activities for kids.
Odori site and Susukino are close to each other, within a 10-minute walk. But Tsudome Site is a bit farther and you could reach it by shuttle bus from the other two sites. All three sites are large and you would need about 1–2 hours to explore each one.
Odori Site: Main Venue with Snow Sculptures
A snow sculpture- Open: 24 hours
Odori site, located along Odori Park, is the primary venue of the Sapporo Snow Festival, known for its giant snow sculptures. You could admire a variety of sculptures, such as Pikachu, One Piece, Japanese castles, and more, created by professional teams from Japan and abroad, as well as snow sculptures crafted by citizens.
Moreover, the Odori Site provides night illuminations from sunset to 10 pm. It is suggested to arrive at the site before sunset so that you could experience the snow sculptures in both daylight and at night, each offering their unique charm
Nearby, you'll find many restaurants and food streets. You could sample a variety of dishes that represent Hokkaido's winter flavors like ramen, seafood,
Susukino Site: Ice World
An ice sculpture- Open: 24 hours
Susukino Site is known for its ice sculptures. One of the standout features of this site is the ice bar, where you could enjoy a cold beer or cocktail served in an ice glass.
You could also enjoy evening illuminations from sunset to 11pm, with lighting available until 10pm on the last day. It makes the ice sculptures look transparent and fairy-tale under the light. For the best experience, you're highly recommended to visit this site at night.
Susukino is a 10-minute walk from Odori Park, so you can visit both for a day trip.
Tsudome Site: Various Snow Activities
- Open: 9 am to 5 pm
Tsudome Site offers many interactive snow activities, making it perfect for families with kids. However, it is a little far from the other two sites, with a 15-minute subway ride needed to get there from Odori Site.
At this site, you could have fun with snow games, such as long snow slides, snow mazes, ski slopes, and making snow sculptures.
It's open from 9 am to 5 pm so it's better to explore it during the daytime.
Ready to attend the Sapporo Snow Festival but unsure how to start? No worries! We're here to help you customize your Japan trip based on your preferences, ensuring you have a great time exploring the country.
Where to Stay for the Sapporo Snow Festival
Odori Site at the festivalIt's better to stay in the center of Sapporo so that you are close to the festival venues and other attractions. Both Odori Site and Susukino Site are downtown, so being in the middle of Sapporo lets you walk to both venues within 10 minutes.
However, hotels in the city center get booked up quickly during the Sapporo Snow Festival. You're highly recommended to make your reservations 3–6 months in advance to secure good prices and locations.
How to Get to the Sapporo Snow Festival
The easiest and quickest way to get to Sapporo is by flying. It takes about 1½ hours to fly from major cities like Tokyo or Osaka to New Chitose Airport in Sapporo. Most international flights to Sapporo also require a transfer in both cities.
After arriving at New Chitose Airport, you could reach downtown Sapporo in about 30 minutes by taking the subway. If you'd rather avoid the hassle of navigating roads and trains and prefer going straight to the hotel, a private transfer is a better option.
Wondering whether to have a private car and guide to maximize your trip in Sapporo? Our Japan travel advisors could handle all of the arrangements for you if you book with us.
Weather and What to Wear for the Sapporo Snow Festival
Sapporo in FebruaryThe weather in Sapporo in February is cold. Temperatures range from -11 to -1°C (12 to 30°F), with snowfall almost every day. Fortunately, most of the time the snowfall wouldn't affect your journey.
Dressing warmly is a must for this outdoor festival in Sapporo in February.
As you would be outdoors for a long time, it's best to wear a down jacket, a sweater, thermal underwear, gloves, and a woolen hat. What's more, the road could be slippery when it gets icy, so wearing non-slip shoes could be a big help.
Travel Tips for Enjoying the Sapporo Snow Festival
A giant snow sculpture- The Festival is free to entry.
- Book your hotels, flights, and tours at least 3 months in advance for good prices and locations. Prices would be double the usual rate, and hotels around major attractions could be quickly sold out. Booking tours early could secure excellent private guides.
- Visit the festival between 8 and 9 am for fewer crowds. The two venues showcasing ice and snow sculptures are open 24 hours. If you want to avoid the crowds, visiting them early in the morning is a great choice.
- Avoid visiting the festival during the weekend (February 8th–9th). More Japanese visitors would visit the event during these two days, leading to larger crowds.
Plan Your Japan Winter Trip Now!
Skiing in JapanReady to explore the Sapporo Snow Festival and enjoy a variety of activities in Japan's major cities? Let our Japan travel advisors customize your trip to match your preferences, creating a memorable journey for you. Or explore our best Japan ski tours to begin your ski journey:
- 14-Day Japan Highlights and Skiing in Hokkaido
- 12-Day Japan Classics and Hakuba Skiing Winter Tour
- 8-Day Tokyo Highlights and Nagano Skiing Tour
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