The Sapporo Snow Festival (さっぽろ雪まつり)
It’s on my bucket list! Is it on yours?
Of all the places I’ve been to in Japan, this is one place I have not made it to in the winter yet.
In 1950, students from local middle and high schools created six snow sculptures in Odori Park. Around 50,000 people showed up to see this event, and the rest is history. Since 1950, the citizens of Sapporo have put on this Sapporo Snow Festival for a week in February.
Every year, the snow sculptures got better and better. As a result, the number of visitors from around Hokkaido and the rest of Japan increased.
In 1972, the Snow Festival got international exposure because the Winter Olympics were held in Sapporo.
The Sapporo Snow Festival has evolved into a magnificent display of sculptures that attract a huge number of visitors to Hokkaido every winter. Not only are these sculptures beautiful during the day, the way they are illuminated at night is also a must-see.
Visiting Sapporo
Many airlines provide flights from Tokyo (both from Narita Airport and Haneda Airport) to Sapporo. Nonstop flights take about an hour and a half, but there is an additional 37-minute train ride from Shin Chitose Airport to Sapporo Station.
Food to Eat in Sapporo
Miso Ramen
Sapporo is known for its Miso Ramen. Interestingly, adding miso to ramen broth turns out to have been an accidental discovery that Aji no Sanpei customers liked.
You can find many ramen shops around Sapporo, but shops in Ramen Alley (ラーメン横丁) are best known. Aji no Sanpei is the original miso ramen shop and credited for making miso ramen popular. Some locals claim it’s the best.
Needless to say, there are numerous other ramen options in Sapporo.
Crab Hot Pot
I’ve eaten crab in Hokkaido during the summer and it was delicious. What better time than the winter season to enjoy crab in a delicious hot pot!
Shiroi Koibito
Of all the gifts I’ve received from people who visited Hokkaido, Shiroi Koibito is the gift I’ve received most often. The stylish package of white chocolate sandwiched between two light cookies makes a perfect gift (and a delicious snack). You should try them!
Sites to See in Sapporo
Besides the obvious Sapporo Snow Festival in Odori Park with the amazing snow sculptures, there are a few other sites you shouldn’t miss.
Sapporo TV Tower – If the sky is clear, you can see great views of Sapporo from the observation deck.
Sapporo Beer Museum – The only beer museum in Japan, you can learn about Hokkaido’s pioneering history and enjoy samples of Sapporo Beer. The Sapporo Beer Museum was designated a heritage site in 2004.
Susukino District – Popular among visitors for the night life, it is only one subway stop away from Odori Park.
Hokkaido Shrine – This Shinto shrine with its beautiful nature scenes and exquisite architecture is why it’s popular among visitors to Hokkaido. Spring is also a great time to visit to see the cherry blossoms.
What to Pack for Winter in Hokkaido
It’s a given that you need to pack warm clothes for winter weather since temperatures tend to range from freezing to -10 C. Warm hats, gloves or mittens, scarves, winter shoes with nonslip soles, multiple layers, and a heavy coat make the most sense for these subzero temperatures.
Japanese convenience stores and supermarkets sell disposable heating packs that can be attached to your inner layer of clothing. These heating packs usually last for 12 hours or more. This is a great way to keep warm.
Other Reasons to Visit Hokkaido in Winter
Winter sport enthusiasts come from around the world to ski and snowboard in Hokkaido. Although Niseko is the most popular for international tourists, there are many other great ski resorts in Hokkaido.
Hokkaido is also known for great hot springs. Noboribetsu is the largest hot spring town in Hokkaido, but there are so many hot springs to soak in. When visiting Sapporo, be sure to plan for some excursions to hot springs outside of Sapporo.
Soaking in various hot springs is definitely going to be my choice when I get to the Sapporo Snow Festival.
You can see many other great attractions in Japan if you want to visit during other seasons, but winter in Hokkaido is a great experience you shouldn’t miss.
What would you most like to see and experience if you could visit Sapporo in the winter? I can’t wait to hear your thoughts, so let me know with a comment below.