Japan's Sapporo will host its renowned Snow Festival from February 4 to 11, showcasing over 200 snow sculptures in Odori Park. This 76th edition builds on a tradition started in 1950 by local high school students. The event draws crowds to the snowy city, highlighting winter charm amid cold weather.
Sapporo, Japan's northernmost prefectural capital, ranks among the world's snowiest cities. Its winter highlight, the Sapporo Snow Festival, unfolds in early February, drawing visitors to experience the city's frosty allure.
The 76th edition runs from February 4 to 11. It traces back to 1950, when a group of high school students crafted snow sculptures in Odori Park, a 1.5-kilometer strip slicing through central Sapporo. This simple start evolved into the festival's hallmark: enormous snow and ice creations.
Recent years feature around 200 sculptures, some towering over a dozen meters. They pay tribute to historical and cultural figures, such as the city's former Red Brick Building, Nintendo's Mario, and baseball star Shohei Ohtani with his dog Dekopin.
With snow, biting cold, and throngs of people, the event stands as a must-see for travelers worldwide.