The Sapporo Snow Festival is a major Japanese winter festival in Hokkaido and in the country, which started taking place in 1950.

In 2019 some 2.73 million people attended, the largest since 1993 (when the event first appeared as we know it today).

The festival features a lineup of powerful snow sculptures in the city's center, and the artistry, which is hard to believe is made of snow and ice, is also a feast for the eyes. In recent years, sound and light effects have been added to make the event all the more exciting. And with a skating rink and souvenir booths, visitors can enjoy themselves all day long at the venue.

The 75th Sapporo Snow Festival will take place across three venues: Odori, Tsudome, and Susukino. The main highlights will include five large snow sculptures, along with numerous medium and small ones, as well as sculptures created by local residents. Winter attractions and activities are also planned for the event.

Event Details
・Held from February 4–11, 2025 at the following venues:
・Odori Venue (From Nishi 1-chome to Nishi 11-chome)
・Tsudome Venue (Sapporo Community Sports Exchange Facility "Tsudome")
・Susukino Venue (From Minami 4-jo to Minami 6-jo, Nishi 3 and 4-chome along Ekimae-dori)

For details, please check the official website below.

Here are some recommended hotels near the Sapporo Snow Festival event site. Each is conveniently located and easily accessible on foot from public transit.

These hotels offer easy access to the Odori Park venue and other popular spots for an active trip. Enjoy many things during your stay, such as local food made with Hokkaido ingredients and delicious drinks in the lounge.

Opened in April 2018, Tokyu Stay Sapporo offers spacious rooms with a washer/dryer and microwave in all rooms, making them convenient for a longer stay. There is also a salad buffet with fresh Hokkaido vegetables and fruits and a rich breakfast menu, so you can get your fill before enjoying the Snow Festival.

Tokyu Stay Sapporo is conveniently located for sightseeing in Sapporo, as it is only a 1-minute walk from the subway exit as well as a short walk to the main Odori Park venue.

Centrally located, New Otani Inn Sapporo is popular for its modern Japanese-style guest rooms with a refined accent, including abstract ink paintings, creating a chic and relaxed atmosphere. The restaurant chef, a Hokkaido native, serves dinner using carefully selected local ingredients.

New Otani Inn Sapporo is a 5-minute walk from Odori Park and a 2-minute walk from the Clock Tower, making it ideal for sightseeing on foot in the center of Sapporo.

Fino Hotel Sapporo Odori is just a 3-minute walk from Odori Park and located near the popular Tanukikoji Shopping Street and Susukino, Sapporo's nightlife district. The 24-hour front desk has English-speaking staff for a worry-free stay.

One of the city's mainstays, the Keio Plaza Hotel Sapporo is celebrating its 40th anniversary. From the club lounge, you can relax with a drink while admiring the nighttime view of Sapporo. At the buffet, which was extensively refurbished in 2021, you can enjoy a variety of dishes incorporating seasonal Hokkaido ingredients and a nigiri-sushi demonstration.

Easily accessible, the ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Sapporo is just a minute's walk from Sapporo Subway Station. At the hotel's car rental desk, you can easily begin a road trip around Hokkaido right from the hotel. This is ideal for those who plan to enjoy not only the Snow Festival but also other trips within Hokkaido. The hotel offers a variety of restaurants to enjoy from morning to dinner, including French, Italian, and Japanese cuisine using the seasonal flavors of Hokkaido, as well as regional alcoholic beverages.

Mercure Hotel Sapporo is located in the heart of Sapporo's bustling Susukino area, just a two-minute walk from the Susukino Subway Station. Enjoy dinner on your way home from the Snow Festival in a town dotted with wonderful bars and restaurants. Mercure Hotel Sapporo also has a restaurant where you can enjoy a unique fusion of French cuisine and local Hokkaido ingredients.

At Quintessa Hotel Sapporo, guests can relax in spacious rooms with interiors decorated with the gentle tones of wood and snow motifs that evoke Hokkaido's rich natural beauty. The buffet, which incorporates a variety of local Hokkaido ingredients, is popular with guests, who can enjoy around 80 different dishes, including soup curry, salmon roe rice bowl, miso ramen, and more. Quintessa Hotel Sapporo is recommended for visitors looking to enjoy a rich Hokkaido experience, even at the hotel.

The Knot Sapporo is a 5-minute walk from Odori Park. The rooms are decorated in a way that evokes the spirit of Hokkaido, such as walls made of Donan cedar and night tables using soft Sapporo stone, as well as warm lighting inspired by nature. At the first-floor lounge, you can enjoy a three-tiered Japanese and Western-style meal filled with Hokkaido ingredients, as well as drinks specially prepared by the chef.

We have carefully selected hotels where you can enjoy traveling with your children, with spacious family rooms and other facilities. Parents can also enjoy a relaxing time as well, at a hot spring or massage in the accommodations.

Located a 4-minute walk from Odori Park, 41 PIECES Sapporo is equipped with many items to enjoy your stay, such as a kitchen, cooking utensils, speakers, and a projector. There are also family rooms that can accommodate up to 4 people, making it ideal for families. After enjoying the Snow Festival to the fullest, enjoy a relaxing stay at the hotel, making memories in a warm space.

Sapporo Grand Hotel was established in 1934 as the first Western-style hotel in Hokkaido, and it continues to be cherished today for its long history. During your stay, you can unwind with a massage or beauty treatment, enjoy fresh seafood and fine wines at the restaurant, and spend a quality relaxing time with family.

Odori Park is a 5-minute walk away, and Sapporo Grand Hotel is directly connected to the underground pedestrian walkway that leads to Sapporo Station, so you can stay without worrying about snow or cold weather.

Karakusa Hotel Sapporo is conveniently located just a 4-minute walk from Susukino Station, in the area's entertainment district. The hotel has a large public bath where you can enjoy waters from the famous Noboribetsu Karurusu Onsen hot spring - the perfect place to relax and unwind when returning from the Snow Festival. After taking a bath, how about relaxing on a massage chair while sipping one of Hokkaido's exclusive beverages - like Soft Katsugen, a lactic acid bacteria drink?

Sapporo Excel Hotel Tokyu offers spacious guest rooms and duvet-style beds for a relaxing stay. The buffet, which also sports live cooking demonstrations, is popular for its service of decorating sushi made by artisans and desserts made with Hokkaido ingredients according to your requests. Odori Park can be reached on foot, but a limousine bus departing from in front of the hotel makes the trip even easier.

Here are some hotels where you can enjoy a romantic atmosphere with beautiful views. You will be able to spend quality time in a relaxed atmosphere.

The Sapporo Prince Hotel is located only a 3-minute walk from Odori Park. Its restaurant and sky lounge offers a panoramic view of the city - including the Snow Festival site. You'll love kicking back with a drink in hand while enjoying various authentic Hokkaido cuisine. After a day of fun, we recommend that you relax and unwind in the hot springs, which are available only for hotel guests.

The Royal Park Canvas Sapporo Odori Park is conveniently located just a 3-minute walk from the Snow Festival site. Constructed using Hokkaido timber and incorporating Hokkaido decor, the hotel imparts an atmosphere of quiet warmth, perfect in the winter months. In the open lounge facing Odori Park, you can enjoy Hokkaido in various ways, such as a marché showcasing local products and ingredients, and events by local DJs and VJs.

Centrally located, Hotel Monterey Edelhof Sapporo is a 7-minute walk from Sapporo Station and a 5-minute walk from Sapporo Clock Tower and Odori Park. The in-house Karlovy Bali Spa offers a large public bath and relaxing sauna, and massage treatments are also available. Enjoy a healing moment in a natural hot spring bath with a panoramic view of Sapporo.

Located a 5-minute walk from Odori Park, Cross Hotel Sapporo offers spacious rooms with modern decor. Free Wi-Fi and rental PCs are provided to help keep you connected. The concierge service is available 24 hours a day, so you can get assistance with dry cleaning, restaurant and car arrangements, and much more. At night, enjoy a superbly relaxing time in the open-air bath with a view of the twinkling stars and the night sky. This is the perfect place for those who want to enjoy a comfortable stay with someone special.

Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Sapporo is a 7-minute walk from Odori Park. It offers an excellent view of the former main building garden of the Hokkaido Government Office. Rooms are themed using the nature of Hokkaido, with landscape colors such as Ezo squirrels and lavender, and inspired by a lodge in the wilderness. This gives a sense of openness as if you were in a park, allowing you to fully experience the uniqueness of Hokkaido. You can enjoy a wide sample of Hokkaido cuisine at the breakfast buffet, from seafood rice bowls to Jingisukan mutton BBQ.

Conveniently located, Century Royal Hotel is directly connected to JR Sapporo Station. Odori Park, the site of the Snow Festival, can be reached comfortably on foot or via subway. The revolving Sky Restaurant offers a 360-degree panoramic view of Sapporo, with seats circling once every three hours. No other place in Sapporo offers this view. You'll love enjoying fresh Hokkaido seafood and fine drinks with a beautiful view.

Experience the legendary powder snow at ski resorts in the Niseko and Rusutsu areas, accessible by public transportation from the Sapporo Snow Festival site. These hotels are directly connected to the slopes, making it super convenient for enjoying snowboarding and skiing.

Rusutsu Resort is one of the largest snow resorts in Hokkaido, offering skiing & snowboarding on a total of 37 courses across three mountains. Located 600 meters from the gondola, The Westin Rusutsu Resort offers ski-in ski-out access. After enjoying a day in the snow, relax your body and soul in the open-air baths overlooking the lush natural scenery.

Niseko Northern Resort Annupuri is located on the slopes of the Niseko Annupuri International Ski Area. Ski rentals are available on-site, and ski storage is available free of charge. The refined and modern guest rooms are comprised of white wooden walls and red brick materials, creating a warm and inviting space even in winter. The restaurant offers 180-degree views, has an open kitchen, and always offers a buffet of more than 30 dishes.

Hokkaido is a popular tourist destination loved by people from around the world. Superb cuisine, nature, hot springs, and snow activities are just some of its celebrated attractions. Please check the weather, clothing, and traffic information in advance to help you enjoy your winter trip to Hokkaido to the fullest.