Sapporo Snow Festival 2027 Highlights | Guide to the 3 Sites, Access, and What to Wear

If you’re looking for an event that captures the essence of winter in Japan, the Sapporo Snow Festival is a must. The streets of Sapporo are lined with gigantic snow sculptures and crystal-clear ice sculptures, and at night, the festival sites come alive with dazzling illuminations. The 2027 festival is scheduled for February 4–11, with three sites centered on Odori Park welcoming visitors.

In this article, we’ll introduce the highlights of each site, how to get there from Sapporo Station, what to wear in midwinter Sapporo, and tips for booking hotels. Be sure to read it before planning your trip.

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The Sapporo Snow Festival is one of Japan’s premier winter events, held every year in early February in Sapporo, Hokkaido. It began in 1950, when local junior high and high school students built six snow sculptures in Odori Park, and it has since grown into a major festival that draws more than two million visitors from Japan and around the world. The sites are filled with impressive large snow sculptures and intricate ice sculptures, along with experiences you can only have in snow country.

In 2027, all three sites are scheduled to be open for eight days, from February 4 to February 11. Admission is generally free at every site (except for some paid attractions). Opening hours and programs vary by site, so be sure to check the official website before your trip.

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The Sapporo Snow Festival is divided into three sites: the Odori Site, the Susukino Site, and the Tsudome Site. The Odori Site features snow sculptures of all sizes, the Susukino Site showcases crystal-clear ice sculptures, and the Tsudome Site is all about playing in the snow.

Each site has its own atmosphere and its own ways to enjoy it, so planning the order of your visits around your travel schedule will help you get around efficiently, even with limited time. Below, we introduce the highlights of each site based on the exhibits and activities of previous years. Please check the official website for details on the 2027 program.

The Odori Site is the festival’s main venue, set in Odori Park, which stretches about 1.5 km (roughly 1 mile) from east to west through the heart of Sapporo. Its biggest draw is the large snow sculptures, which reach heights of around 15 m (about 50 feet). Depicting subjects such as historic buildings and popular characters, they are carved from snow over several weeks by members of the Japan Self-Defense Forces and local volunteers. Standing in front of one, you’ll be amazed by its sheer scale, which photos simply can’t convey, as well as by the beauty of its fine details.

In some years, viewing platforms are set up in front of the large snow sculptures, allowing you to photograph an entire sculpture from a high vantage point. The themes change every year, so keep an eye out for announcements on the official website to see which sculptures will appear.

In addition to the large snow sculptures, Odori Park is lined with small and medium-sized ones. Created by local community groups and companies, these works incorporate the year’s trending topics and motifs unique to Hokkaido, and each one has its own personality. Strolling around in search of your favorites is one of the true joys of the Snow Festival.

At the International Snow Sculpture Contest, teams from around the world carve their works from identical blocks of snow. Since you can compare the ideas and carving techniques of different countries, it’s a great choice for anyone who wants to fully appreciate the art of snow. The judging results are announced during the festival.

After sunset, the Odori Site takes on a look completely different from its daytime appearance. The snow sculptures are lit with colorful lights, and their white surfaces glow magically as they catch the light. Especially popular is the projection mapping, which uses the large snow sculptures as screens. As images play across a sculpture in sync with music, stories come to life in a show that draws large crowds.

The nighttime illuminations usually continue until 10:00 p.m., so you’ll have plenty of time even after a day of sightseeing around the city. Seeing the sculptures by both day and night lets you discover how the same sculpture can leave a completely different impression.

The Susukino Site is located in a bustling entertainment district just a short walk south of the Odori Site. Instead of snow sculptures, this site features sculptures carved from crystal-clear ice. You can view masterful craftsmanship up close, from works with flowers and fish frozen inside the ice to sculptures etched with intricate patterns.

An ice sculpture competition is also held here, and one of the site’s highlights is the rows of works created by professional sculptors competing against one another. The site covers only about two blocks, so you can see everything even if you’re short on time. Hold your hand near the surface of the ice to feel its chill and experience a presence that photos alone can’t capture.

Susukino is Sapporo’s liveliest nightlife district. At night, the neon signs along the streets light up, and their glow illuminates the ice sculptures. Lights are also built into the sculptures themselves, which shimmer as they shift between blue and red, creating a magical atmosphere different from that of the Odori Site. The sight of the city lights blending with the sparkle of the ice makes for a perfect evening stroll.

With so many restaurants in the area, you can also plan to enjoy a warm meal after viewing the ice sculptures. The Susukino Site at night is highly recommended for anyone who wants to make the most of a winter evening in Sapporo.

The Tsudome Site uses the Sapporo Community Dome (Tsudome), an indoor facility, and the open grounds around it. Here, you can do more than just look at the snow; you can get active and play in it. One popular attraction is the tube slide, where you ride a large inner tube down a snowy slope.

Other snow country experiences, such as snow rafting and sledding, are also available. In some years, there’s even a snow play area for young children, making this a site where families can have fun all day long. Since you’ll come into contact with the snow on the slides, it’s a good idea to pack waterproof gloves and a spare pair of socks in your bag.

Tsudome’s indoor space offers food booths and seating areas where you can rest. After getting chilled from playing outside, warm up indoors while enjoying a meal. In some years, Hokkaido specialties such as Jingisukan (grilled mutton or lamb, a Hokkaido classic), soup curry (a spicy, broth-based curry that originated in Sapporo), ramen, and fresh seafood are on offer, making it worth a visit for the food alone.

Music performances and shows take place on stage, and in some years, play equipment for children is set up as well. Since you can spend time indoors even if the weather turns bad, it’s a reassuring option for those who don’t handle the cold well and for families with young children.

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The Odori Site is about a 10-minute walk south of JR Sapporo Station. By subway, it’s just one stop (about 2 minutes) from Sapporo Station to Odori Station on the Namboku Line. Sapporo Station and Odori Station are connected by an underground walkway, so walking underground is a comfortable option on cold days. The Susukino Site is about a 10-minute walk south of the Odori Site, or one stop from Odori Station to Susukino Station on the Namboku Line.

The Tsudome Site is located away from the city center.Take the Subway Toho Line from Sapporo Station to Sakaemachi Station (about 11 minutes), then walk for about 15 minutes. In 2026, a shuttle bus also operated, with a one-way adult fare of ¥200. Please check the official website for the 2027 shuttle schedule and fares.

If you plan to visit all three sites in one day, we recommend seeing the Odori and Susukino Sites back to back and visiting the Tsudome Site at a different time of day.

Odori Site

Susukino Site

Tsudome Site

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Many people aren’t sure what to wear in Sapporo in February. Daytime temperatures can stay below 0°C (32°F), and at night they can drop to nearly -10°C (14°F). Wear a thick down jacket, and bundle up with a hat, gloves, and a scarf to keep your head, ears, hands, and neck covered. Wear thermal underwear underneath as well, and take a break indoors whenever you start to feel cold.

Since the roads become icy as the snow gets packed down, choose winter shoes with non-slip soles. If you can’t get a pair beforehand, you can buy slip-on traction cleats for your shoes at stores in the city. Also, hotels in Sapporo fill up early during the festival period, so book your accommodation, flights, and train tickets as early as possible.

The Sapporo Snow Festival is one of Sapporo’s biggest winter events. The 2027 festival is scheduled to run from February 4 to 11, and each site offers its own unique appeal: large snow sculptures at the Odori Site, ice sculptures at the Susukino Site, and snow activities at the Tsudome Site. Admission to all sites is generally free. Pack warm clothing and non-slip shoes, book your hotel early, and make the most of winter in Sapporo!

*This article is based on information as of September 2026.