The 63rd Sapporo Snow Festival （第63回 さっぽろ雪まつり） Feb. 6th (Mon.) through Feb. 12th in 2012

The Sapporo Snow Festival, one of Japan's largest winter events, attracts a growing number of visitors from Japan and abroad every year.
Every winter, about two million people come to Sapporo to see the hundreds of beautiful snow statues and ice sculptures which line Odori Park, the grounds at Community Dome Tsudome, and the main street in Susukino.
For seven days in February, these statues and sculptures (both large and small) turn Sapporo into a winter dreamland of crystal-like ice and white snow.

I visited the festival today, one day before the opening!

I'll show you some of my favorite snow statues and ice sculptures in Odori Park venue.

■1 chome

❄Skate Rink

The highly popular skate rink from years past has returned to this block!

Smoking Space is also made of ice bricks! Wow!

■2 chome
❄The Castle of the Dream for Animals
A student from Tohoku designed this ice sculpture!

■3 chome
❄Snowboard Jump Platform
Japan's top-level snowboarding and ski jumping are performed at a giant 60-m jump ramp, and maximum slope angle of 39 degrees.

Cool!

■4 chome

❄Snow Aquarium-Treasures from the Sea

The snow sculpture is expressed our deep appreciation for the beautiful blue ocean and marine life!

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It is lit up like this at night! Fantastic!!!

■5 chome
❄Let The magic Reach Everyone
We celebrate the 10th anniversary of Tokyo Disney Sea!

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It is lit up like this at night! Wonderful!!!

❄National Palace Museum (Taiwan)
The museum is located in Shrin, the northern part of Taipei, Taiwan, which we visited last year! I really recommend this museum, which holds as many as 608,985 artifacts!!!

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 It is lit up like this at night! I'm sure this is the best ice sculpture at night!

■6 chome
❄Hokkaido Winter Food Park
Please enjoy the delicious dishes from Hokkaido!

I love this rice with sea urchine!!!

Do you know "Snow Miku"?

If you are interested in this character, please read it↓

■7 chome
❄Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal was chosen as this year's large sculpture in this block in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Japan.

If you feel cold, please drink amazake sweet drink made from fermented rice!

We can buy some original goods of the festival!

■8 chome
❄Aizu Tsugruga Castle
This castle located in Fukushima prefecture has a five layer castle tower!

 At night TV touwer is lit up like this and

our downtown becomes more beautiful and romantic!

On the way back to JR station, I've found this poster!

Look at the Cokes!!! We can buy Snow Festival-version Coke only in Hokkaido!

Why don't you come to Sapporo and enjoy one of the most famous winter festivals in the world!

■Where is Odori Park?

View Larger Map

■Tour guide information■

Do you need a nationally-licensed English-speaking tour guide when you travel to Hokkaido?

I'll guide you! Plz click here!