Text by MOOK Editorial Department
With winter break approaching, the number of people traveling to Japan for Chinese New Year has been increasing year by year. (Photo provided by Sapporo Tourism Association)
Every early February, when heavy snow falls, the Odori Park in Sapporo unveils the fantastical "Sapporo Snow Festival." During the festival, the park is divided into two sections, with a major avenue on each side and a central area showcasing a variety of giant snow sculptures. At the theme square, there are colorful laser light projections, super-large snow sculptures as tall as five stories, and regularly scheduled performance programs that attract thousands of visitors to stop and admire.
This tourism festival, which attracts two million visitors to Hokkaido’s capital every year, originally started in 1950 when a few high school students spontaneously created five snow sculptures in Odori Park. Unexpectedly, this ignited the enthusiasm of the citizens of Sapporo, with tens of thousands of people coming not only to admire the snow sculptures but also to enjoy playful snowball fights. By 1955, with the participation of the Self-Defense Forces and heavy machinery, snow sculptures as tall as 20 meters began to appear. It wasn’t until the 1972 Winter Olympics that the Sapporo Snow Festival finally gained international fame and became synonymous with the winters of Hokkaido and Sapporo.
The annual Snow Festival held in February is one of the largest celebrations in Japan and best represents the international appeal of Hokkaido. (Photo provided by Monocle Editorial Department)
Today, the Sapporo Snow Festival has three venues: Odori Park, Tsudome, and Susukino in Sapporo. Among them, the Odori venue in the city center is the most accessible. In summer, it’s a green promenade, but in winter, it transforms into a white corridor of ice sculptures. The park is divided into two sections, with a major avenue on each side and a central area displaying various giant snow sculptures. The International Square is an area where ice sculptors from around the world showcase their skills, allowing visitors to see the creativity of teams from different countries.
The theme square is the highlight of the Snow Festival. Each year, a specific theme is chosen, and massive snow and ice sculptures as tall as five stories are created, enhanced by colorful laser lights to produce vivid light and shadow effects. Various performances keep the festive atmosphere lively from day to night. As for the Susukino and Sato Land venues, they mainly feature large snow slides and a variety of snow activities, ensuring all visitors can enjoy playing in the snow together.
Please search on the App Store"Sapporo Japan Stroll"
Fans of oysters must not miss the Miyajima Oyster Festival, held on the second weekend of February. The Seto Inland Sea, nestled between Hiroshima Prefecture and Miyajima, is known for its calm waves and abundant migratory species, making it the homeland of oysters and the top oyster-producing region in Japan. Its oysters are known for their plump texture and rich, delicious flavor. Hiroshima’s oyster season runs from November to March — the cold weather is the best time to enjoy their deliciousness. During the peak season, Hiroshima is filled with a joyful atmosphere of oyster feasting, with restaurants offering a variety of oyster-based dishes to celebrate.
Please go to the App Store"San'in & San'yō Japan Stroll"
"San'in & San'yō Japan Stroll" is now available. Please search for it on the App Store. (Photo provided by Monocle Editorial Department)
Kifune Shrine, a popular spot in Kyoto, implements a special snow illumination from January 1 to February 28. Against a silver-white world, the vermilion lanterns lining the shrine approach shine brightly at night, complementing the snowy scenery for an especially moving sight. Netizens have even praised illuminated Kifune Shrine as “the most dreamy shrine in Japan when it snows.” The “Special Snow Illumination” runs from sunset until 8:00 PM each day. Whether the illumination will be on each day is announced on the official website by 3:00 PM. If you’re visiting Kyoto during this period, consider adding Kifune Shrine to your itinerary.
Please go to the App Store"Kyoto Japan Stroll"
"Kyoto Japan Stroll" is now available. Please search for it on the App Store. (Image source: Kifune Shrine official website)
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