Sapporo Snow Festival in Hokkaido
One of the most famous festivals in Japan takes place during the winter, on the northern island of Hokkaido. In winter, this mountainous island becomes a snowy wonderland.
The festival has been held in Sapporo since the 1950's. Competing artisans from around the world carve huge, fantastic designs in ice and snow, recreating landmark buildings, historical figures, and cartoon characters. Lights illuminate buildings and carvings alike. Other towns and ski resorts in the region have their own snow and ice shows during the winter season — some are an easy day trip from Sapporo itself. Dates for the 2011 Sapporo Snow Festival are February 7-13.
There's plenty to do just during the festival: take an ice sculpture class, slide down a snow chute, take a hot air balloon ride, or help make the 10k+ snowmen needed to break the world record from the previous year. This is in addition to all the typical outdoor snow activities such as downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling. Stay at a luxury city hotel, or in a traditional ryokan (inn or guest house), ending each day with a soak in a Japanese onsen (hot spring bath).
Sapporo is a former Winter Olympics site, and world-class skiing can be found throughout Hokkaido, including Niseko and Tomamu — both are known for their outstanding quality of powder. The city also produces beer and chocolate (even a chocolate beer!).
Nagano, the Japanese Alps
Further south, on the main island of Honshu, in the mountains northeast of Tokyo, there's plenty of great skiing also. Nagano hosted the Winter Olympics in 1998.
This region is also famous for its Snow Monkeys (Japanese Macaque). The best viewing of these monkeys is at the wild monkey park, where they enjoy lounging around in the outdoor hot springs, which is especially striking in the winter with the snow around (and on) the monkeys.
A visit to Sapporo or Nagano may be easily added to our Private Journey Treasures of Japan. Our Asia & Pacific product manager Denise Gogarty (1-800-999-1758) will help you customize your personal tour.
More on the Sapporo Snow Festival on Wikipedia
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