Sapporo Snow Festival 2027 Guide: Odori Site, Susukino Ice Sculptures, Dates and Getting There
The 77th Sapporo Snow Festival runs from February 4 to 11, 2027, with free admission at all three sites, making it Hokkaido’s biggest winter event.
What Is the Sapporo Snow Festival? Key Facts About the 77th Edition
The Sapporo Snow Festival began in 1950, when junior and senior high school students built six snow statues in a corner of Odori Park and about 50,000 people took part. Today it is Hokkaido’s largest winter festival, drawing more than 2 million visitors a year, and 2027 will mark its 77th edition.
The Odori site stretches about 1.1 km along Odori Park from West 1-chome to West 11-chome, and there are two more sites, Susukino and TSUDOME, all within walking distance of a subway station.
Three sites run at the same time, all with free admission
The 2027 Sapporo Snow Festival runs from February 4 to 11 at three sites at once: Odori, Susukino and TSUDOME. All three have free admission, and each has its own character, built around snow sculptures, ice sculptures and family snow activities respectively.
For access, the Odori site is about a 3-minute walk from Odori Station on the subway, the Susukino site is about 3 minutes from Susukino Station, and the TSUDOME site is about 5 minutes from Sakaemachi Station.
Who This Guide Is For and How to Use It
Whether you only have half a day on a layover or plan to spend the whole festival holiday in Sapporo, this guide covers everything from choosing a site and connecting transport to nearby sights and FAQs in practical, ready-to-use form, so you don’t have to piece together several articles yourself.
How to Get to the Sapporo Snow Festival Sites: Airport-to-City and Between-Site Transport
How to Get to the Sapporo Snow Festival: Transport Options and Costs at a Glance
htmlFrom New Chitose Airport to central Sapporo, the JR Rapid Airport train takes about 37 minutes and costs ¥1,150, a bus takes about 70 minutes, and a taxi takes about 60 minutes and works well when split among several people. After arriving at Sapporo Station, take the Namboku or Toho Line to Odori Station, or walk 10 to 15 minutes through the underground passage to blocks 3 and 4, out of the wind.
Odori and Susukino are about a 10 to 15 minute walk apart. To reach TSUDOME, take the Toho Line to Sakaemachi Station and walk about 5 minutes. The subway-only one-day pass costs ¥830 on weekdays, and on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays you can buy the Donichi Kippu for ¥520, a good fit for visitors who move around a lot.
Must-See Sights at the 2027 Sapporo Snow Festival: Odori, Susukino, TSUDOME and Nearby Attractions
Below are the highlights of the three sites and nearby attractions, ordered by importance.
Odori Site: The Main Stage of the Sapporo Snow Festival and Its Giant Snow Sculptures
The Odori site, along Odori Park from West 1-chome to West 11-chome, is the largest and most popular main site of the festival, with free admission. It stretches about 1.1 km and features large snow statues, small and medium snow statues and citizen-made snow statues, plus winter play facilities, and the night lighting runs until about 22:00. For the layout of works in each block and the actual 2027 opening hours, please check the official announcements.
Susukino Site: The Most Beautiful Ice Sculpture Light Show at Night
The Susukino site covers the area from South 4 to South 6 along Ekimae-dori and is themed around ice sculptures. Admission is free, the ice sculptures are lit until 23:00 (until 22:00 on the final day), and it is about a 3-minute walk from Susukino Station on the subway. After dark, neon light passes through the clear ice for a dreamy glow, and in past years the site has had an ice bar where you can warm up with a hot drink on a cold night. Please check the official announcements for the actual 2027 content.
TSUDOME Site: A Snow Playground for Families
The official name of TSUDOME is the Sapporo City Sports Exchange Facility, located in Sakaemachi, Higashi Ward, Sapporo, about a 5-minute walk from Sakaemachi Station on the Toho Line. It is open daily from 10:00 to 16:00 from February 4 to 11, 2027, with free admission, and has a large snow slide and snow play facilities. Some activities may charge a separate fee, so please check the official announcements for actual details. Some attractions may stop accepting visitors early during peak hours. Of the three sites, it is the best choice for visiting with children.
International Snow Sculpture Contest at West 11-chome: Teams From Around the World Compete Side by Side
West 11-chome at the Odori site is the home of the long-running International Snow Sculpture Contest, first held in 1974 with teams from 6 countries. Since then, teams from many countries have been invited each year to complete their works within a time limit, and visitors can admire the finished works in each country’s style. Please check the official announcements for the actual contest and judging schedule.
Behind the Scenes of the Large Snow Sculptures: The Scale and Schedule of Hauling Snow
The large snow statues are built jointly by Sapporo citizens and members of the Self-Defense Forces. The Ground Self-Defense Force has helped build them since 1955. According to the Hokkaido Shimbun, from 2027 the number of large snow statues built by the Ground Self-Defense Force will drop from two to one. Please check the official announcements for the actual layout of the statues.
Sapporo International Art Festival SIAF2027: An Art Festival Running Alongside the Snow Festival
The Sapporo International Art Festival (SIAF) 2027 runs from January 16 to February 21, 2027, under the theme “PLANET SNOW”, overlapping with the Snow Festival. In recent years SIAF has been linked with the Snow Festival, and in 2026 it showed a giant installation made of 77 wheelchairs at West 6-chome of the Odori site. For the locations and works within the 2027 Snow Festival sites, please check the official announcements.
Hokkaido Shrine: A Centuries-Old Shrine Worth a Visit During the Snow Festival
Hokkaido Shrine was founded in 1869 and enshrines the three Pioneer Deities and Emperor Meiji; it is the chief guardian shrine of Hokkaido. During the Snow Festival, the snow-covered approach and torii gate have a special winter atmosphere. From the Odori site, take the Tozai Line to Maruyama-koen Station and walk about 15 minutes. It is a popular half-day extension to a Snow Festival itinerary.
![[Hokkaido Half-Day Tour] Sapporo Shiroi Koibito Park, Hokkaido Shrine, Central Wholesale Market and Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium (Departs With 1 Person)](https://travel.williamlion.tw/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/10/jpg-20.jpg)
Otaru Canal Snow Light Path: A Romantic Stroll on a Snowy Night
Otaru is only about 30 to 35 minutes from Sapporo Station by JR. In winter the canal commonly hosts the Otaru Snow Light Path (Otaru Yuki Akari no Michi) lighting event, which runs from February 6 to 13 in 2027, roughly overlapping with the Snow Festival dates. The warehouses and gas lamps on both sides of the canal are especially romantic on a snowy night, and Kitaichi Glass crafts and seafood rice bowls near the canal are the things visitors most often buy and eat. It suits a half-day side trip.
Asahiyama Zoo: The Winter-Only Charm of the Penguin Walk
Asahiyama Zoo is Japan’s northernmost zoo. From Sapporo, take a limited express to Asahikawa in about 1.5 hours, then transfer to a bus. The winter-only Penguin Walk lets king penguins waddle along snowy paths, a sight you can only see in winter. The winter opening period runs from November 11, 2026 to April 7, 2027, with hours of 10:30-15:30 (last entry 15:00). Adult admission is ¥1,000 and junior high school students and younger enter free. Allow half a day to a full day, and check the official announcements for Penguin Walk times.
Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival 2027: A Dreamlike Ice World
The 2027 Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival runs from January 30 to February 23 and is open daily from 10:00 to 20:00. It uses clear ice frozen from the crystal-clear waters of Lake Shikotsu to build giant ice sculptures and ice tunnels, which glow in blue and purple after dark. The lighting runs from 16:30 to 20:00. Admission is ¥1,000 on weekdays and ¥3,000 on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays (free for elementary school students and younger), so going on a weekday is the better deal.
![[Departs With 1 Person] Hokkaido Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival Tour | Dreamy Ice Sculptures Glowing at Night (From Sapporo)](https://travel.williamlion.tw/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/10/jpg-22.jpg)
Noboribetsu Hell Valley: Hot Spring Steam Meets Snowy Scenery
Noboribetsu Onsen is known for its volcanic geothermal heat. In the snow season the Hell Valley trail is covered in white, and the drifting hot spring steam mixes with the smell of sulfur for a unique atmosphere, making it one of Hokkaido’s signature hot spring sights. From Sapporo, take a JR limited express to Noboribetsu Station and then a bus for about 15 minutes. We recommend staying one night at a hot spring inn, enjoying the snow views by day and soaking away the cold at night, the most popular extension beyond a Snow Festival itinerary.
How Much Does the 2027 Sapporo Snow Festival Cost? Tickets and Passes
The tickets below can be booked online in advance, saving you the time of queuing to pay in cash on site.
TSUDOME Tickets and Shuttle Packages: The Easiest Choice for Family Trips
TSUDOME admission is free, though some facilities may charge extra. If you want to skip paying cash on site and finding your way, check whether a tour that includes a shuttle is available. It is especially handy for families with children during the holiday crowd peaks.
Transport Passes From New Chitose Airport to Sapporo: Save Time and Effort
Buy a JR Rapid Airport ticket or a Sapporo subway one-day pass online in advance, and you can go straight through the gates after arriving at the airport without queuing for tickets. The subway-only one-day pass (¥830 on weekdays, the ¥520 Donichi Kippu on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) allows unlimited rides on the Namboku, Tozai and Toho Lines, a good fit for visitors going back and forth between Odori, Susukino and TSUDOME in a day.
Otaru Day Tours: The Most Popular Snow Festival Side Trip
Most Otaru day tours include a canal stroll, a Kitaichi Glass craft experience and lunch on Sushi Street, and some plans add pickup from hotels in central Sapporo so you don’t need to transfer by JR yourself. They suit travelers who want to spend half a day to a full day in Otaru photographing the snowy canal during a Snow Festival trip.
Asahiyama Zoo Transport Packages: Reach the Penguin Walk With Ease
Most Asahiyama Zoo transport packages combine round-trip bus transfers between Sapporo and Asahikawa with an entry ticket, saving you the hassle of transferring between a limited express and a city bus yourself. Winter services are less frequent, so booking your round-trip times in advance helps you avoid missing the afternoon Penguin Walk.
Hokkaido Internet eSIM/SIM Card: Do Your Homework on Rural Coverage
Hokkaido is about twice the size of Taiwan but has a low population density. Signal is stable in the city, but coverage is weaker in hot spring areas, Mount Moiwa and the outskirts of Asahikawa. Before you leave, choose an eSIM or SIM card plan that covers all of Hokkaido and can be activated on arrival at the airport, so you don’t find out at a rural sight that you have no signal.
Where to Stay Near the 2027 Sapporo Snow Festival: Strategies for Securing a Room
Rooms are in high demand during the Snow Festival, and the timing of your booking and your choice of location directly affect your budget.
The Race for Rooms: Why You Should Book Now
During the Sapporo Snow Festival (February 4 to 11, 2027), hotel demand across the city surges, room rates around Odori and Susukino are often higher than on ordinary days, and popular locations fill up early. We recommend booking as soon as you decide your dates, rather than waiting until the festival details are announced in December.
Stations Along the Namboku and Toho Lines: Affordable and Convenient Alternatives
If rates around Odori and Susukino are too high, consider staying at outlying Namboku Line stations such as Nakajima-koen and Hiragishi. From these stations it is mostly within 10 minutes by subway to Odori Station, and rates are usually cheaper, which suits visitors who don’t want to spend too much on accommodation.
Staying in Otaru or Near New Chitose Airport: Money-Saving Alternatives
Otaru is about 30 minutes from Sapporo by JR, and many hotels near New Chitose Airport offer free shuttles. Both have noticeably cheaper rates than the city center, and suit a plan of enjoying the festival by day and returning to the outskirts to sleep, especially for travelers leaving on an early flight the next day, for whom staying near the airport saves transit time.
FAQ
Q: What are the dates of the 2027 Sapporo Snow Festival?
The 77th Sapporo Snow Festival runs from Thursday, February 4 to Thursday, February 11 (National Foundation Day), 2027, for 8 days, with the Odori, Susukino and TSUDOME sites open at the same time.
Q: Do I need a ticket for the Sapporo Snow Festival?
Admission to the Odori, Susukino and TSUDOME sites is free. Some snow facilities at TSUDOME may charge extra; please check the official announcements for details.
Q: How many days should I plan for the Sapporo Snow Festival?
We recommend 1.5 to 2 days: on the first day, see the snow sculptures and lighting at Odori around dusk and then walk to Susukino for the ice sculptures, and on the second day, add TSUDOME or an Otaru side trip depending on your time.
Q: How late is the Odori site open?
The Odori site’s night lighting runs until about 22:00, and the Susukino site is lit until 23:00 (until 22:00 on the final day). Please check the official announcements for the actual 2027 hours at each site.
Q: Is the Sapporo Snow Festival suitable for children?
Yes. The TSUDOME site has snow slides and snow play designed for families, while Odori and Susukino focus on viewing snow and ice sculptures, so they are better visited with children during the day or early evening when it is less crowded.
Q: When are the snow sculptures taken down after the festival ends?
Dismantling of the sculptures begins late on closing night and from February 12, using excavators and chainsaws, so be sure to arrive before the festival closes on February 11 if you want to see the complete sculptures.
Q: What should I be aware of when visiting the Sapporo Snow Festival?
In Japan it is considered poor manners to eat while walking, so please eat stall food in the designated eating areas. The average temperature in February is about minus 8 to 2 degrees Celsius, so bring plenty of hand warmers to keep warm.
