Sapporo Snow Festival 2026 Complete Guide — February, Odori Park + Susukino + Tsudome: 3 Venues
A complete guide to the 2026 Sapporo Snow Festival, one of the world's 3 major snow festivals held annually in early February in Sapporo. Featuring giant snow sculptures at Odori Park, the Susukino Ice World, hands-on events at Tsudome, sightseeing plans, accommodation, and cold-weather precautions.
Apr 10, 2026·✍️ olablog·⏱ 5 min read
A complete guide to the 2026 Sapporo Snow Festival, one of the world's 3 major snow festivals held annually in early February in Sapporo. Featuring giant snow sculptures at Odori Park, the Susukino Ice World, hands-on events at Tsudome, sightseeing plans, accommodation, and cold-weather precautions.
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The Sapporo Snow Festival began in 1950 (Showa 25) and has grown into one of the world's 3 major snow festivals, attracting approximately 200万人 visitors from around the world. Held across 3 venues in Sapporo, it is Hokkaido's biggest winter event, featuring giant snow and ice sculptures, illuminations, and snow activities. As usual, the 2026 festival will take place over 1 week in early February.
Event Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Festival dates | 2026 February 3 (Tue)〜11 (Wed・holiday) ※As usual |
| Odori venue | 9 days (2/3〜11) |
| Susukino venue | 9 days (2/3〜11) |
| Tsudome venue | Approximately 2 weeks (late January〜2/11) ※The event period is slightly longer |
| Illuminations | 〜22:00 |
| Typical attendance | Approximately 200万人 across all 3 venues |
| Admission | Free at all venues |
Features of the 3 Venues
Odori Venue — Main Venue
More than 200 snow sculptures of all sizes line the approximately 1.5km stretch of Odori Park from Nishi 1-chome to Nishi 12-chome in central Sapporo.
- Giant snow sculptures (Nishi 4-chome, Nishi 8-chome, and others): Around 15m tall. Each year, they recreate world-heritage-caliber structures—such as Tokyo Tower, the Taj Mahal, and famous anime characters—based on a different theme
- Community snow sculptures: Small- and medium-sized sculptures created by local residents, companies, and the Japan Self-Defense Forces
- Illuminations & projection mapping: 18:00〜22:00, with dynamic video projections displayed on the giant snow sculptures
- Ice sculptures (Nishi 2-chome): An ice-sculpture competition
Susukino Venue — Focused on Ice Sculptures
Approximately 60 ice sculptures are displayed along the station-front street from Minami 4-jo to Minami 7-jo. This popular nighttime spot is especially beautiful when the illuminations highlight the sculptures' crystal-clear appearance. There is also an “Ice Queen” contest.
Tsudome Venue — Hands-On Activities
Held at the Sapporo Community Dome (a 15-minute walk from “Sakaemachi Station” on the Toho Subway Line), this hands-on venue is popular with families with children.
- Tube slides (free options and paid options available)
- Snow rafting
- Snow Strider (a snow bike for children)
- Indoor facilities with full heating
Suggested Itineraries
1-Day Plan
- Morning: Tsudome venue (2-3 hours of snow activities)
- Lunch: Eat around Sapporo Station → Odori venue
- Afternoon: Walk through the Odori venue from Nishi 1-chome to Nishi 12-chome in order (2-3 hours)
- Evening: Odori illuminations (from 18:00) → Susukino ice sculptures
2-Day Plan
- Day 1: All areas of Odori Park + illuminations + Susukino
- Day 2: Tsudome venue + sightseeing (Shiroi Koibito Park, a day trip to Otaru, and more)
Access
From Outside Hokkaido
- New Chitose Airport → Sapporo Station (JR Rapid Airport, 35 minutes)
- Numerous direct flights from Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka
Within Sapporo
- Odori venue: Directly connected to “Odori Station” on the Namboku and Tozai Subway Lines
- Susukino venue: 1-minute walk from “Susukino Station” on the Namboku Subway Line
- Tsudome venue: “Sakaemachi Station” on the Toho Subway Line + free shuttle bus, or “Kanjodori Higashi Station” + shuttle bus
By Car Not recommended for anyone unaccustomed to driving on snowy roads. The subway + walking is the best option.
Cold-Weather Gear (Essential)
In February, Sapporo's high temperatures are around -2℃〜0℃, with lows of approximately -10℃. Spending 2-3 hours outdoors requires serious protection from the cold.
| Gear | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Down jacket | Essential |
| Waterproof, windproof outerwear | Essential |
| Waterproof gloves | Essential |
| Knit hat and scarf | Essential |
| Non-slip shoes (for snowy roads) or anti-slip gear | Essential (regular leather shoes are dangerous) |
| Hand warmers | Recommended (both adhesive and handheld types) |
| Heattech base layers, top and bottom | Recommended |
| Waterproof socks | Recommended |
Accommodation
During the Snow Festival, hotel prices in Sapporo surge to 2-3 times their usual rates, and rooms fill up 6 months〜1 year in advance.
Alternatives:
- Chitose City (near the airport, 30 minutes to Sapporo by JR Rapid)
- Otaru City (32 minutes to Sapporo by JR Rapid and an appealing destination in its own right)
- Tomakomai City (1 hour by JR Rapid)
- Shiroishi and Atsubetsu areas of Sapporo (25 minutes to Odori on the Tozai Subway Line)
Related Events — Held Around the Same Time
Ice and snow festivals are held throughout Hokkaido during and around the Snow Festival period:
- Otaru Snow Light Path (around February 8-15): Candlelit illuminations along the canal
- Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival (late January-mid-February): Turquoise-blue ice sculptures
- Sounkyo Onsen Ice Waterfall Festival (late January-mid-March): Ice pillars in the Daisetsuzan area
Recommended Food
- Sapporo ramen (miso is the classic choice): Sumire, Junren, Keyaki
- Jingisukan (grilled mutton): Daruma, Fukurou
- Soup curry: GARAKU, SAMURAI
- Seafood (Sapporo Central Wholesale Market Outer Market and Nijo Market): Great for an early-morning outing
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