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4 minutes readContent
- Dates and locations for the Sapporo Snow Festival
- What to see and do at each site
- Recommended 3-day itinerary
- How to get to the Festival
- Accommodation tip
Dates and locations for the Sapporo Snow Festival
The Sapporo Snow Festival 2026 is being held from February 4 to 11, 2026, across its usual three sites – Odori Park, the main street in Susukino, and the community dome at Tsudome. Although Sapporo is just a 90-minute flight from Tokyo, tourists will want to arrive at least a day before to see the sculptures being finished.
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What to see and do at each site
The Sapporo Snow Festival is held across three sites, each of which offers something slightly different. The Odori and Susukino sites are just a 10-minute walk from each other, making them ideal for visiting on the same day, while Tsudome is a 30-minute shuttle ride away.
Odori Park – giant snow sculptures
Odori Park is considered the main site for Yuki Matsuri and offers night illuminations and snow sculptures. It’s open 24/7, but you’ll find an influx of visitors just before sunset to enjoy the sculptures as they light up at night. Look out for giant snow sculptures inspired by popular franchises like Pokémon and One Piece and street food vendors serving classic Japanese cuisine.
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Susukino – ice sculpture wonderland
The Susukino site is located in the entertainment district and focuses on ice sculptures, which are lit daily from sunset to 11 pm. You can expect to see over 100 ice sculptures, although the ice bar is the most popular attraction here.
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Tsudome – snow play for families
The Tsudome site is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM and is the focus of the event’s family-friendly activities. Visitors can take part in interactive snow games and try to make their own snow sculptures.
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Recommended 3-day itinerary
Day 1: Explore the local area and acclimatize to the colder temperatures in Sapporo
You’ll want to wrap up warm and wear comfortable, non-slip shoes for navigating the snow. Invest in a JR Hokkaido rail pass if you’d like to visit the nearby countryside or the Sounkyo Onsen Ice Waterfall Festival as part of your itinerary.
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Day 2: Spend the day exploring both the Odori and Susukino sites
Although they’re just a 10-minute walk away, you can also take the subway for one stop from Odori Park Station. Start at the Odori site before heading to Susukino before sunset to visit the bar and see the ice sculptures lit up. Pace yourself, as you’ll get the best experience after the crowds depart around 10 PM.
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Day 3: Visit the Tsudome site
If possible, aim to do this on a weekday as you can expect crowds to be lighter when local children are in school. Head back to Odori to experience the main site at sunset.
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How to get to the Festival
Yuki Matsuri is easy to navigate, even for a first-time visitor to Sapporo. The Odori Park and Susukino are located in the city center, while the Tsudome Site is a 15-minute walk from Sakaemachi Station. It’s a good idea to get a pre-paid card to access Sapporo’s public transport to easily move between the 3 sites.
Accommodation tip
Book accommodation early, as the Sapporo Snow Festival is one of Hokkaido’s biggest tourist attractions. The good news is that there are budget-friendly hotels, as well as hostels, available throughout Sapporo. The connectivity of the subway means it’s also possible to stay a little further out of the city center if you need to find cheaper accommodation.
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