The Sapporo Snow Festival, a world-famous event that colors Hokkaido's winter, will be held at three venues in Sapporo for eight days from Tuesday, February 4th, 2025 to Tuesday, February 11th (national holiday)! There are plenty of attractions, such as the impressive large snow sculptures that unfold mainly in Odori Park, snow sculptures handmade by locals, and fantastic ice sculptures that are illuminated at night. Projection mapping and the latest activities will also be available, making it enjoyable for a wide range of people from families to couples. Here is a comprehensive guide to the attractions of the 2025 Snow Festival, useful for first-time visitors and repeat visitors alike!

The 75th Sapporo Snow Festival will be held for eight days from Tuesday, February 4th to Tuesday, February 11th, 2025. The Sapporo Snow Festival originally started in 1950 when local junior and senior high school students erected six snow sculptures in Odori Park, and has now become one of the world's three largest snow festivals, a major winter event that attracts approximately 2 million tourists from Japan and abroad.

There are three main venues: Odori Venue, Susukino Venue, and Tsudome Venue. At Odori Venue in the center of Sapporo city, there is a wide variety of snow sculptures, including impressive large snow sculptures and snow sculptures made by local residents, and at night, they are lit up and some of the snow sculptures have projection mapping. In addition, Susukino Venue is lined with fantastical lit-up ice sculptures, and Tsudome Venue, located on the outskirts of Sapporo, has attractions such as tube sliders and giant slides that the whole family can enjoy.

■ Odori Venue (Odori Park West 1-chome to West 11-chome) Date and time: February 4th (Tuesday) to February 11th (Tuesday, national holiday), 2025. Illumination will be until 22:00.

Various snow sculptures are exhibited from Nishi 1-chome to Nishi 11-chome in Odori Park in the center of Sapporo. There are five large snow sculptures at the center, as well as small and medium-sized snow sculptures, citizen snow sculptures, and winter attractions.

■Susukino Venue - Susukino Ice World 2025 (Around Minami 4 Nishi 4 to Minami 7 Nishi 4, Chuo Ward, Sapporo City) Date and time: February 4th (Tuesday) to February 11th (Tuesday, national holiday), 2025. Illumination will be until 23:00 (lights will be turned off at 22:00 on the final day)

With the theme of "Enjoy and touch ice," once you pass through the welcome gate, you will find yourself in a fantastical world of large and medium-sized ice sculptures shining with the neon lights of "Susukino." 60 ice sculptures will be on display, including the popular ice sculptures containing fish, as well as ice sculptures from the ice sculpture competition venue. This year, food and drink booths will also be set up within the venue.

■Tsudome Venue (885-1 Sakaemachi, Higashi-ku, Sapporo) Date and time: February 4th (Tue) - February 11th (Tue, holiday), 2025, 10:00-16:00

The "Tsudome Venue" is popular for its slides and snow rafts that parents and children can enjoy together. In the indoor space, there are gourmet booths, rest areas, and attractions for children to play in. This is a venue where you can enjoy an experience unique to Hokkaido, interacting with and playing in the snow. *Shuttle buses will be available from Sakaemachi subway station to the venue.

©J:COM

Experience snow activities at Odori 1-chome! At "Natural Island presents Aroma Footbath," experience the "Aroma Footbath" that will warm up your body when it gets cold. Formulated with calendula oil from our own farm, it will moisturize your skin and warm your body.

Other activities you can enjoy include the snowball activity "Whatasaba★Strike," the hugely popular "Whatasaba★Into the Snow" spot where you can get stuck in a human-shaped hole dug into the snow wall and take a photo, and the "Snow Board Experience Activity supported by Upcycle Hokkaido" experience corner, where you can try your hand at surfing and skateboarding in snow boots.

2024 Citizen Snow Sculpture Popularity Poll 1st Place "Yubaba and Friends"

One of the main attractions of the Sapporo Snow Festival is the "Citizen Snow Sculptures." Citizen groups create humorous works and various snow sculptures that reflect the times. There will also be a "Citizen Snow Sculpture Popularity Vote." A total of 80 citizen snow sculptures are planned to be created in 2-chome and 9-chome.

2024 Citizen Snow Sculpture Popularity Poll 2nd Place: "Boys, be ambitious!"

2024 Citizen Snow Sculpture Popularity Poll 3rd Place: "Let's play baseball!"

"Smile Rink Sapporo" is a place where anyone, both adults and children, can enjoy ice skating. It was held at Sapporo Kita 3-jo Square (Akapla) in 2023 and 2024, but in 2025 it will move to Odori Park 3-chome and be held within the Sapporo Snow Festival. Skates will also be provided for rent, so you don't have to worry! Please enjoy the skating experience in the city of Sapporo in winter.

Smile Link Sapporo Supported by Shin Ramen

■Date and time: February 1st (Sat) to 11th (Tue, holiday), 2025, 10:00-21:00 *Last admission 20:30 ■ Venue: Odori Park 3-chome West (3-chome West, Chuo-ku, Sapporo) ■Price: <General> Advance tickets: 2,500 yen for adults / 800 yen for high school students and younger ・On the day: 3,000 yen for adults / 1,000 yen for high school students and younger <Sapporo Citizen> Advance tickets: 1,200 yen for adults / 300 yen for high school students and younger ・On the day: 1,500 yen for adults / 500 yen for high school students and younger *Tax and skate rental fees included * Available at Lawson Ticket (L code: 11881) For details and map information of "Smile Link Sapporo Supported by Shin Ramen" please click here

The 3rd Street East Site will be developed as a clean site that uses only environmentally friendly energy sources that do not emit carbon dioxide, such as hydrogen and solar power. In the free rest area, hydrogen-fueled stoves will be used, electricity generated by hydrogen fuel cell vehicles will be used, and there will be an exhibition related to the Green Transformation (GX) initiative of Sapporo City, Hokkaido, as well as a special photo spot with a hydrogen-fueled flame.

©Taiki Kawakami, Fuse, Kodansha / TenSura Production Committee

"That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime," commonly known as "Tensei Slime," is an entertainment work about reincarnation in another world in which the protagonist is reincarnated as a slime and uses the skills he has acquired to increase the number of his companions with his wisdom and courage. The large snow sculpture expresses "Sapporo has been reincarnated into Tempest."

The protagonist Rimuru reminisced about Sapporo, a place he visited when he was still a human before his reincarnation, and recreated Sapporo in Tempest, the town where they live! His best friend, the Storm Dragon Veldora, was also curious and came to check it out. Be sure to take a look at the Sapporo Rimuru has created, which can only be seen at the Sapporo Snow Festival. In addition, original TenSura goods, including new products, will be on sale at the venue.

In addition, on the first day of the event, a special event will be held on the special stage in front of the snow sculpture, where voice actresses Miho Okazaki, who plays Rimuru, and Megumi Toyoguchi, who plays the King of Wisdom (Raphael), will appear. This event is also scheduled to be streamed live on the YouTube channel "isekai channel @Bandai Namco Filmworks."

©The Hokkaido Shimbun Press

At the 5th-chome venue, a large snow sculpture of a thoroughbred galloping through the clock tower, a symbol of Sapporo, towards the finish line at the JRA Sapporo Racecourse, another Sapporo tourist spot, will be on display. At night, a projection mapping will be performed in which the thoroughbred will travel around Hokkaido's famous sites towards the finish line.

As a new initiative, surround sound will be introduced this time, and the projection mapping will be displayed from 360° speakers in the venue, creating entertainment that can be enjoyed not only by watching, but also by listening.

Five artists and craftsmen active mainly in Sapporo will be appearing at the Sapporo Snow Festival from the Hongo Shin Memorial Sapporo Sculpture Museum, which disseminates sculptural art rooted in the local area through events such as the "Sapporo Snow Sculpture Exhibition." Enjoy authentic snow sculptures that are a little different from other snow sculptures and are full of originality, making use of the characteristics of snow.

The popular monster "Black Magician Girl" used by the main character Yugi Muto from the anime "Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters" will be appearing as a snow sculpture at the Sapporo Snow Festival! Please enjoy the adorable figure that has fascinated duelists for a long time.

©HBC Hokkaido Broadcasting 2025

The "Red Brick Government Building," which appears as a large snow sculpture in the 7th-chome venue, was built in 1888. Made of brick in what is known as an American Neo-Baroque style, it was designed by engineers who worked at the Hokkaido prefectural government office at the time. It has served as the center of Hokkaido for over 80 years, and in 1969 its value as a Meiji era Western-style building was recognized and it was designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan.

It has now become a representative Hokkaido spot, visited by over 700,000 people annually. It has been closed since October 2019 for renovations, but is scheduled to reopen on July 25, 2025.

©HTB

At the 8th block venue, "Snow HTB Square," Otaru's Ginrinso appears as a large snow sculpture. Ginrinso is a herring fisherman's house built in the late Meiji period by Inomata Yasunojo, who prospered through herring fishing. It was originally located in Yoichi Town, but was moved to Otaru City in 1938 to mark the 70th anniversary of the opening of the road. As one of the few remaining herring palaces, and a rare herring palace where you can stay overnight, it still conveys the glorious history of the northern seas.

Ginrinso will be registered as a national tangible cultural property (structure) in 2023, and is a valuable building that allows visitors to learn about the culture of the former Yoichi and Otaru areas.

At the 9th block venue, "Citizens' Square," there are a variety of unique snow sculptures made by local citizens. The motif of the snow sculpture called "Good Harvest" is sumo. Sumo has been performed as a festival ritual to predict the harvest of the year. Everyone prays for a good harvest this year, giving thanks for being able to eat delicious food all year round.

Following the 2-chome venue, a number of citizen snow sculptures will be made at the 9-chome venue. A total of 80 citizen snow sculptures are planned for the 2-chome and 9-chome venues.

©CAPCOM

The "Monster Hunter" series is a hunting action game in which you face off against giant monsters in a majestic natural environment. The latest title in the series, "Monster Hunter Wilds," is scheduled to be released on February 28, 2025! The ultimate hunting experience with evolved hunting action and uninterrupted immersion awaits you.

At the 10th block venue, the signature monster from "Monster Hunter Wilds," the Chain Blade Dragon Archveld, and the "Otomo Airou" that supports the hunter will appear as large snow sculptures! Archveld, also known as the "White Solitary Shadow," will be dynamically depicted as a pure white large snow sculpture. Experience the world of "Monster Hunter Wilds" with this impressive large snow sculpture.

2024 winning entry: Mongolia "THE LEE/Warmth"

The International Snow Sculpture Competition, which began in 1974 for the 25th time, is a competition in which teams from countries, regions, and cities around the world participate and compete in creating snow sculptures. The unique snow sculptures, full of international flavor, are created during the Snow Festival. This is the only popular event in the Odori venue where you can see the snow sculptures being made up close.

2025 International Snow Sculpture Competition (49th)

■Date and time: February 2nd (Sun) to 7th (Fri), 2025 ■ Venue: Odori Site 11th Street International Plaza (11th Street, Chuo Ward, Sapporo) ■Participants: Daejeon Metropolitan City (Korea), Hawaii, Indonesia, Lithuania, Mongolia, Poland, sister city Portland (USA), Singapore, Thailand. (Total of 9 teams) ■Schedule: February 2nd (Sunday): Opening Ceremony and Welcome Party February 3rd (Monday): Production begins (until the 6th) February 7th (Friday): Judging and award ceremony For details and maps about the 49th International Snow Sculpture Competition 2025, please click here.

©Crypton Future Media, INC. www.piapro.net piapro Good Smile Company

A snow sculpture of "Snow Miku (Hatsune Miku)", a character that supports Hokkaido and serves as a tourism ambassador for Sapporo. This time, she appears in an outfit based on the theme of "sparkling snow material"! Her pet character "Rabbit Yukine" is also designed. Since 2010, a different design has been made into a snow sculpture every year, and this will be the 16th consecutive year of the exhibition.

In addition, there will be a nighttime illumination event to coincide with the theme song of "SNOW MIKU 2025," "Crystal Snow." The illumination will be carried out using the "COUGEN" system, a PC application developed by Crypton Future Media, Inc. that uses music (MIDI) to directly control lighting (DMX).

"Susukino Ice World" held at the Susukino venue has the theme of enjoying and touching ice. Once you pass through the welcome gate, you will enter a fantastical world of large and medium-sized ice sculptures lit up with the neon sign of "Susukino". 60 ice sculptures, including the annual ice sculptures containing fish, from the ice sculpture competition venue, will be lined up in front of Sapporo Station.

■ Main events Opening Ceremony: Tuesday, February 4th, 18:00~ @ Minami 4-jo Nishi 4, Kokonosukino (in front of the main ice sculpture) Ice Sculpture Competition: February 4th (Tuesday) 14:30 to February 5th (Wednesday) 9:30 Closing Ceremony: Tuesday, February 11th (National Holiday) 21:45~ @ Minami 4-jo Nishi 4 Kokonosukino (in front of the main ice sculpture)

The Tsudome site is very popular every year with slides and snow rafts that parents and children can enjoy together! In addition, the indoor space has gourmet booths, rest areas, and attractions for children to play in, so you can enjoy the unique Hokkaido experience of interacting with and playing in the snow throughout the site.

*Details of the attraction will be announced at a later date.