Text by: Little Traveler
A snowfall in Hong Kong is a big deal, but in Hokkaido, winter is the golden season for snow fun. February is when the region’s biggest annual snow events take place. Cities pull out all the stops to impress visitors—if just the sight of snow-covered landscapes gets you excited, you might need to ask your boss for a full month off. These four major snow festivals are truly spectacular, and missing any would be a pity.
1. The Colossal Attack – Sapporo
The Sapporo Snow Festival is the crown jewel among all the snow events, attracting over 2 million visitors in recent years. This year’s festival will once again be held across three venues: Odori Park, Susukino, and Tsudome Community Dome. The Odori Park venue, featuring massive snow and ice sculptures, also showcases the incredibly popular "Attack on Titan." 15
Photo by Meredith P.
In addition to Attack on Titan, there are also other cute character displays around the venue.
The 67th Sapporo Snow Festival
Venue: West 1-12 Chome, Odori Park, Sapporo City (Odori Site)
885-1, Rokkatei, Higashi-ku, Sapporo City (Tsudome Community Gymnasium Site)
4-chome Minami, Chuo-ku, Sapporo City (Susukino Site)
Website: www.snowfes.com
Dates: February 5 to 11 (Tsudome runs until February 18)
2. Adorable Snow Sculptures — Fun for All Ages
Not into violent giants? Check out the adorable and charming Asahikawa Winter Festival instead. Famous for its massive snow sculptures, this year features colossal figures like an ultra-large Ultraman and Transformers that can be built several stories high without any internal supports. There are also...
Photo by ?ravis Rigel Lukas Hornung
The 57th Asahikawa Winter Festival
Dates: February 5 to 18
Time: 9am–5pm
Venue: Along the Ishikari River at Asahi Bridge, and at the Peace, 7-chome Dori, and Miyashita Dori shopping park venues in Asahikawa City, Hokkaido
Transportation: A 20-minute walk from JR Asahikawa Station
Website: www.city.asahikawa.hokkaido.jp
3. Otaru Snow Light Path – A Must for Couples
In terms of scale and grandeur, Otaru can’t quite compare with major snow festivals like those in Sapporo and Asahikawa, but it still has a strong appeal. With candles lit all over the city, centered around the canal venue and spreading into streets and alleys, there are as many as 140,000 candles, creating an incredibly romantic atmosphere. Couples can stroll along the 300-meter stretch of the canal to admire floating candles and handcrafted snow lanterns.
Photo by ?uwu ?/p>
The 18th Otaru Snow Light Path
Dates: February 5 to 14
Venue: 21, 1-chome Midori, Otaru City, Hokkaido
Transportation: An 8-minute walk from JR Otaru Station
4. Ice Sculpture Stalactites & a Fantastical Ice Waterfall
Seeing a snow cave that looks like stalactites, you might almost think the staff have Elsa’s ice powers. These towering ice formations are created in a frigid environment, and while they may look like they were made in minutes, they actually take about three months to complete. The site also features an ice castle, an ice waterfall, and an ice bar, all set against colorful lighting. Even if it’s freezing cold, you’ll be too busy taking photos of these artworks to feel the chill.
Shirahige Falls Ice Festival
Dates: January 23 to March 27
Address: Sounkyo Onsen, Kamikawa Town, Hokkaido
Transportation: About 30 minutes by bus from JR Kamikawa Station to Sounkyo, then a 5-minute walk
Website: www.sounkyo.net
What else is worth seeing and doing in Hokkaido? Fever Travel has rounded up nearly 60 selected attractions in Hokkaido—check them out now!
http://www.dcfever.com/travel/world.php?id=2084