Highlights
- Giant snow sculptures along ~1.5 km of Odori Park, illuminated until 22:00
- Susukino 'Ice World' detailed ice sculptures, one subway stop south
- Tsudome family site with snow slides and a snow maze (~10:00–16:00)
Background & story
The festival started in 1950 when local students built six snow statues in Odori Park; it now draws around two million visitors, and since 1955 the Japan Self-Defense Forces help build the largest sculptures.
Plan early: the 77th Sapporo Snow Festival runs February 4–11, 2027 — the dates are now officially confirmed. For one week each February, Sapporo fills with giant snow sculptures, glittering ice carvings and snow-play attractions, all free to attend. This is the season-ahead go-info page: the dates, the three sites and exactly how to get there. For more winter and seasonal planning, browse the [Japan-Event](/) calendar.
2027 dates (confirmed)
- February 4 (Thu) – February 11 (Thu, national holiday), 2027 — eight days, the 77th edition. Confirmed on the official site (snowfes.com).
The three sites
The festival spreads across three free sites:
- Odori Site (Odori Park): the flagship, a ~1.5 km strip through central Sapporo lined with the giant snow sculptures (some over 25 m wide and ~15 m tall), a skating rink and food. Sculptures are illuminated until 22:00.
- Susukino Site ("Susukino Ice World"): in the Susukino entertainment district, one subway stop south of Odori — a concentration of detailed ice sculptures you can get close to, lit until 23:00.
- Tsudome Site (Sapporo Community Dome): the family snow-play site further out — tube slides, a sled slope and a snow maze, plus a warm indoor area. Open roughly 10:00–16:00.
(Per-site themes and sculpture line-ups for 2027 are announced closer to the date — these descriptions are from the most recent edition.)
How to get there
- To Sapporo: from New Chitose Airport (CTS), the JR Rapid Airport train reaches Sapporo Station in about 37 minutes, ~¥1,150, every ~15 minutes.
- Odori & Susukino sites: both are in the city centre on the Sapporo subway — Odori Station for the Odori Site, Susukino Station for the Susukino Site; they're a short walk apart and from Sapporo Station.
- Tsudome site: take the subway Toho Line to Sakaemachi Station, then a short walk or the festival shuttle bus (~¥200 one-way); no public parking, so use transit.
Practical notes
- Free at all three sites; the big sculptures are best after dark when lit.
- February in Sapporo is genuinely cold — typical highs around -1°C and lows near -7°C, with packed snow and ice underfoot. Bring winter boots with grip and warm layers.
- Weekends and the holiday (Feb 11) are the most crowded; weekday evenings are calmer.
Origin
The festival started in 1950, when local students built six snow statues in Odori Park; it now draws around two million visitors, and since 1955 the Japan Self-Defense Forces have helped build the largest sculptures.
Official: snowfes.com (English: snowfes.com/english). The 2027 dates are confirmed; per-site details are published closer to February — check the official site before you travel.
Good to know for visitors
- Getting there
- From New Chitose Airport, JR Rapid Airport to Sapporo Station ~37 min / ~¥1,150. Odori Site = Odori subway station; Susukino Site = Susukino station (one stop south); Tsudome Site = Toho Line to Sakaemachi + short walk or shuttle (~¥200). Open directions in Google Maps ↗
- Booking & entry
- Free to attend — details on the official page (button above).
- Language
- Mostly in Japanese — a translation app on your phone helps.
- Good for
- culture seekers, families
Good to know
The big sculptures are best after dark when lit; February in Sapporo is very cold (highs ~-1°C, lows ~-7°C) with icy footing — bring winter boots with grip.
Getting there
Odori Park (Odori Site), with Susukino and Tsudome sites, Sapporo — Odori Park, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido