Frosty Fun of Sapporo Snow Festival

2025年2月10日
讀畢需時 2 分鐘

Being the fifth-largest city in Japan, Sapporo is the prefectural capital of Hokkaido. Ainu first called this area “Sari-poro-pet”, which literally means a river on a plain lined with reeds. While the dry summers draw hikers and campers, cold fronts from Siberia bring huge dumps of light and powdery snow, earning Hokkaido a reputation as a paradise for skiers and snowboarders.

Designed by Western architects in the late 19th century, Odori Park was created to separate the city originally, which was a government area in the north, and a commercial and residential area to the south. The 13-block stretch was remodelled and shaped as a haven in the heart of Sapporo, with flower gardens and green lawns to relax on, giving the city a high level of livability.

At the eastern end of the Odori Park, the 147m Eiffel Tower-shaped Sapporo TV Tower is awaited. From its observation deck one will be impressed by the view of the park from the 90 m height. Before browsing the stores and restaurants in Tanuki-köji Shopping Arcade, no one can leave Sapporo without snapping a photo with its landmark, the Sapporo Clock Tower of 1878.

Despite the bitter cold, the population of the city doubles during the magnificent Sapporo Snow Festival (さっぽろ雪まつり). Major events will take place in February, drawing more than two million visitors. It all began in 1950, when high-school students building ice statues in the Odori Park, the festival hosts an international snow-sculpture contest for teams around the world.

Hidden gems varied from every corner. One of the most impressive ones was “A Thoroughbred Galloping Toward Sapporo”. Since the Meiji era, Hokkaido has been a premier region for horse breeding. To dedicate people who nurture and support these horses, this sculpture portrayed the story of a thoroughbred travelling landmarks with the marvellous projection mapping.

Apart from the snow sculpture from the Hongo Shin Memorial Museum of Sculpture, visitors have chances to witness the masterpieces from the global community. For example, the Lithuania team highlighted how happiness should be maintained with perfect distribution of weight, while the Hawaii team showcased how our dreams reach the stars and will be answered with smiles.

Summer turns the Odori Park into a massive beer garden, drizzling around with the “liquid gold” Sapporo beer. Winter, on the other hand, is the best season for a bowl of ramen under the bitter cold. Miso Ramen is a famous dish in Sapporo. In Asahikawa, one must try the Shoyu Ramen in soy sauce-seasoned soup; while Shio Ramen in a salt-seasoned broth is a signature in Hakodate.

To protect the reclamation of Hokkaido, 3 gods, i.e. Okunitama, Onamuchi, and Sukunahikona were selected in 1869. The fourth enshrined was Emperor Meiji himself. Except for the southern Matsumae and Hakodate, every reclamation decision began from Hokkaido-jingu Shrine. One could simply write the wish on a wooden plaque or buy a lucky charm to dive into the spirit.