Sapporo Snow Festival 2026: Complete Family Travel Guide & Tips

Hello! Can you imagine what winter in Hokkaido is like? A world of snow, ice art, and warm delicious food… that’s the Sapporo Snow Festival!
This guide is specially designed for international travelers without a car, covering everything from getting around by public transportation to essential clothing tips for your first Hokkaido winter. Let’s dive in!

Let’s Start with the Basics!

2026 Sapporo Snow Festival

• Dates: February 4 (Wed) – February 11 (Wed/Holiday), 2026
• Admission: FREE! (Some attractions charge fees)
• Venues: 3 different sites

The Sapporo Snow Festival attracts over 2 million visitors annually, making it one of Japan’s largest winter events. It started in 1950 when local junior high and high school students created six snow sculptures, and has now grown into a world-famous festival.

How Cold is Sapporo in February? Understanding the Climate

“Cold” might be an understatement… but don’t worry! With proper preparation, you’ll actually enjoy this cold weather.

Temperature Data

• Average Temperature: -3°C to -4°C (27°F to 25°F)
• High Temperature: Around 0°C (32°F) – often stays below freezing even during the day
• Low Temperature: -7°C to -10°C (19°F to 14°F) – quite cold at night
• Snowfall: Average 150cm per month (constant snow cover)

That’s more than 15°C (27°F) colder than Tokyo! So when Tokyo is at 10°C (50°F), Sapporo is at -5°C (23°F)… a completely different world!

But Here’s the Good News!

Sapporo’s city center has an extensive underground walkway system. If you get too cold, just head underground and take a break! The underground passages are heated, with plenty of cafes and restaurants where you can warm up and relax.

Weather Characteristics

Sapporo residents rarely use umbrellas when it snows. Instead, a coat with a hood is an essential item!

Clothing Guide: Perfect Cold Weather Gear for Maximum Enjoyment

Your first Hokkaido winter. What should you wear? This is crucial! With proper preparation, you’ll be comfortable.

【Layering is Key】Basic Layering Strategy

1. Base Layer (Underwear)

Heat-tech or Thermal Underwear

• Wear both top and bottom
• Thick type recommended
• Avoid cotton – it gets cold when wet!

2. Mid Layer

Fleece, Sweater, Cardigan

• Thick sweater or fleece
• Front-opening type is convenient (easy to put on/take off indoors)
• Wearing two layers is fine

3. Outer Layer (Coat)

Down Jacket or Heavy Coat

• Must-have features:
  • Hood (absolutely necessary on snowy days)
  • Waterproof and windproof
  • Long length (covering your hips)
• Should close securely with zippers or buttons

【Don’t Forget Your Lower Body!】

Bottoms

• Thick pants (jeans will be too cold)
• Wear fleece-lined tights or leggings underneath
• If wearing skirts, thick tights + leg warmers are essential

【Accessories Make the Difference!】Super Important Items

Protect the “Three areas”!

Cold weather experts all say the same thing: protect the “three areas”:

1. Neck – with a scarf or neck warmer
2. Wrists – with properly closing sleeves + gloves
3. Ankles – with long socks + boots

These three areas have blood vessels close to the skin and get cold easily. Protecting them makes a huge difference in how warm you feel!

Essential Accessories

1. Knit Hat/Ear Warmers – type that covers ears
2. Scarf or Neck Warmer – protect your neck well
3. Gloves – waterproof and insulated; touchscreen-compatible is convenient
4. Socks – thick wool material, fully covering ankles

【Most Important!】Choosing the Right Shoes to Avoid Slipping

Sapporo’s winter roads become ice rinks (compressed snow freezes into slippery ice). This is seriously slippery!

Recommended Footwear:

• Snow boots (waterproof, insulated, with anti-slip soles)
• Shoes with grooved rubber soles
• Taller boots (prevent snow from getting in)

What NOT to Wear:

• Regular sneakers (get wet and slippery)
• Heels or pumps (dangerous!)
• Shoes with flat soles

Anti-slip Solution: Attachable anti-slip devices for shoes are sold everywhere! You can buy them at convenience stores or drugstores, so it’s fine to purchase them after arrival.

Watch Out for Indoor/Outdoor Temperature Differences

This is a surprisingly important point. Indoor heating in Sapporo is extremely strong!

• Department stores, hotels, underground passages → 20°C+ (68°F+), can be hot
• Outdoors → -5°C (23°F)

A 25°C (45°F) difference! Therefore:

• Choose clothing that’s easy to remove/put on
• Front-opening jackets are convenient
• Use layers for adjustment

Packing Checklist

• Hand warmers (adhesive & pocket types)
• Lip balm (for dryness)
• Hand cream (hands get very dry)
• Sunscreen (snow reflection can cause sunburn)
• Moisturizing spray
• Thermos for hot drinks
• Mobile battery for smartphone (cold drains batteries quickly)

Complete Access Guide: Easy Transportation via Public Transit

No car? No problem! Sapporo has excellent public transportation.

From New Chitose Airport to Sapporo City

【Recommended】JR Rapid Airport

• Duration: About 40 minutes
• Fare: About ¥1,150
• Frequency: About every 15 minutes
• How to Ride: New Chitose Airport Station → JR Sapporo Station (Rapid Airport bound for Otaru)

Bus is Also Available

• Duration: About 70 minutes (possible traffic)
• Fare: About ¥1,100
• Boarding Location: Domestic Terminal 1F, International Terminal 1F
• Benefit: Some buses go directly to Odori Park

Getting Around Sapporo by Subway

Sapporo has 3 subway lines:

1. Namboku Line (Green)
2. Tozai Line (Orange)
3. Toho Line (Light Blue)

Money-saving Passes:

• Subway One-day Pass – ¥830 for unlimited rides
• Donichika Ticket – Only ¥520 on weekends/holidays (super deal!)

【Super Convenient】Sapporo Ekimae-dori Underground Walkway (Chi-Ka-Ho)

JR Sapporo Station and Odori Station are connected underground!

• Distance: About 520m
• Walking Time: 10-15 minutes
• Benefits: Warm! No snow! No cold wind!

This is the secret weapon for winter Sapporo sightseeing. The underground shopping area is also well-developed with lots of shops and cafes.

Three Venues, Each with Its Own Charm: Complete Breakdown

【Main Venue】Odori Site: Be Amazed by Massive Snow Sculptures!

Location: Odori Park, West 1-chome to West 12-chome
Hours: 24-hour viewing (illuminated 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM)
Access: Right by Odori subway station

Highlights

The Massive Snow Sculptures are Spectacular! 5 snow sculptures as tall as 4-5 story buildings (about 15m)! Each sculpture uses about 600 truckloads of snow. Can’t wait to see the 2026 themes!

Venue Map (West 1-chome to West 11-chome):

• 1-chome: Winter attractions, plenty of food booths
• 2-chome: Citizen snow sculptures
• 3-chome: Skating rink
• 4-chome: Large snow sculpture (great food area)
• 5-chome: Large snow sculpture (projection mapping at night!)
• 6-chome: Medium and small sculptures, famous “Toukibi Wagon”
• 7-chome: Large snow sculpture
• 8-chome: Large snow sculpture (projection mapping)
• 9-chome: Citizen snow sculptures
• 10-chome: Large snow sculpture, food booths
• 11-chome: International Snow Sculpture Contest

Don’t miss the Projection Mapping! Images are projected onto the snow sculptures, bringing them to life. Shows run every 30 minutes, so check the schedule.

Time Needed: About 2-3 hours (taking photos and enjoying food)

Note: During the festival, it becomes one-way traffic, so viewing from 1-chome onwards is smooth. The total length is about 1.5km, so round trip is 3km walking.

【Family-Friendly】Tsudome Site: Snow Play Paradise

Location: Sapporo Community Dome “Tsudome”
Hours: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Access:

• 15-minute walk from Sakaemachi Station (Toho subway line)
• Shuttle bus from Sakaemachi Station (¥100 one-way, free for children/seniors/disabled)

What to Enjoy

Outdoor Area:

• Tube Slider – Giant snow slide! Thrilling
• Snow Rafting – Rafting pulled by snowmobile (Fee: Adults ¥1,000, Children ¥600)
• Snow Ball Strike Out – Throw snowballs at targets
• Snow Strider – Bicycle experience on snow

Indoor Area:

• Food booths (eat in a warm place)
• Rest areas (heating provided)
• Children’s attractions

Clothing Tip: Ski wear or snowboard wear – clothing that’s easy to move in and well-insulated is best. Hats and gloves required for some attractions.

Time Needed: Half day to full day (plenty to enjoy)

【Magical】Susukino Site: Enchanted by Ice Art

Location: Ekimae-dori from Minami 4-jo to Minami 6-jo
Hours: 24-hour viewing (illuminated from sunset – 11:00 PM, until 10:00 PM on last day)
Access: Right by Susukino Station (Namboku subway line)

Highlights

About 60 Ice Sculptures The transparency and delicate carving of ice is beautiful! Especially the nighttime illumination is magical – ice sculptures lit by neon lights look like jewels.
Food Booths Hokkaido gourmet food corner expected at E Block.
Time Needed: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Recommendation: Visit at night! The collaboration of neon lights and ice sculptures is amazing.

Efficient Touring: Model Plans

【One-Day Plan】Odori Site Focus

10:00 Travel from JR Sapporo Station to Odori via Chi-Ka-Ho (underground walkway)
10:30 Start at Odori Site 1-chome (mornings are less crowded)
12:00 Lunch at 4-chome or 5-chome (food booths)
13:30 Continue viewing large sculptures, take photos
15:00 Cafe break & warm up
16:30 Head to Susukino Site before sunset
17:00 View illuminated ice sculptures at Susukino Site
18:00 Dinner at Susukino – Jingisukan or Soup Curry
19:30 Return to Odori Site for nighttime projection mapping
21:00 Back to hotel

【Two-Day Plan】Complete All Venues

Day 1

• Morning-Afternoon: Tsudome Site for snow play (half to full day)
• Evening-Night: Odori Site for nighttime projection mapping

Day 2

• Morning-Afternoon: Leisurely tour of Odori Site
• Evening: Susukino Site
• Night: Enjoy Sapporo gourmet

💡 Useful Tips & Important Notes

Smartphone Protection

Cold weather drains batteries rapidly!

• Carry a mobile battery
• Use while keeping it warm in your pocket
• When not using, keep it inside your clothing

Photography Tips

• Gloves that work with touchscreens are convenient
• A tripod is best for nighttime projection mapping
• Protect camera/smartphone if it’s snowing

Restroom Information

• Portable toilets at each venue
• Also use subway stations, department stores, convenience stores
• Can get crowded, so plan ahead

Avoiding Crowds

• Weekday mornings are relatively empty
• First day morning is also a good time
• Expect heavy crowds on weekends/holidays
• After 8:00 PM crowds thin out

How to Walk Without Slipping

1. Take small steps
2. Land with your entire foot (don’t land heel-first)
3. Don’t rush – allow plenty of time
4. Don’t put hands in pockets – you can’t catch yourself if you fall
5. Extra caution on stairs and slopes

Free Services to Utilize

• Rest areas – Heated rest areas at each venue
• Welfare Volunteer House – For those needing assistance

Finally: To Enjoy the Snow Festival 100%

Your first Hokkaido winter, and the snow festival. You might initially worry “It might be too cold…” But don’t worry! With proper preparation, you’ll enjoy it incredibly.

Remember These Points:

1. Clothing prep is 80% of success – Perfect your hooded down jacket, snow boots, and accessories
2. Use the underground – Move around avoiding the cold
3. Enjoy warm gourmet – Hokkaido food eaten in the cold is exceptional
4. Don’t miss nighttime projection mapping – The highlight of the snow festival
5. Be careful not to slip – Take small steps and go slowly

Pure white snow world, fantastically illuminated snow sculptures, piping hot Hokkaido gourmet… this is Sapporo winter. You’ll forget about the cold with all the wonderful experiences awaiting you.

So, are you ready? See you at the 2026 Sapporo Snow Festival!

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Have a wonderful snow festival experience! 🎉❄️

*Information in this article is current as of January 2026. Please check the official website for the latest information.