Japan Prep Guide
Sapporo Snow Festival 2027: Dates, Venues, Getting There and What to Book
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Book this before anything else
A Sapporo hotel for festival week
- The 77th Snow Festival runs February 4–11, 2027
- Odori Park and Susukino are free to walk around
- Plan at least two nights to see the sculptures by day and lit up at night
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The Sapporo Snow Festival (Sapporo Yuki Matsuri) is Hokkaido's biggest winter event: giant snow sculptures along Odori Park, glowing ice carvings in the Susukino nightlife district, and snow slides for kids at Tsudome. It's also the busiest week of the year for Sapporo hotels, which is why planning starts now.
The 77th Sapporo Snow Festival runs Thursday February 4 to Thursday February 11, 2027 (the 11th is a Japanese public holiday). Odori Park and Susukino are free to walk around and best after dark; Tsudome is a daytime family venue. Book your Sapporo hotel as early as you can, then add flights, a data plan and any day tours. Plan at least two nights so you can see the sculptures both by day and lit up at night.
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Sapporo Snow Festival 2027 dates and what's new
The organizing committee (the City of Sapporo, the Sapporo Tourism Association and others) confirmed the dates in July 2026, and the official site now lists February 4–11, 2027 for all three venues. According to the Hokkaido Shimbun, the 2027 budget is about ¥885 million, roughly 47% more than the previous festival's initial budget, partly funded by Sapporo's new accommodation tax and aimed at more hands-on experiences. A 7-meter snow slide below the Sapporo TV Tower has also been reported as a planned new feature.
The detailed 2027 program (which sculptures, stage events, opening hours) is due around mid-December 2026, according to the official site. Until then, use the 2026 details below as a guide to how each venue works, and check the official site before you go.
The three venues compared
| Venue | What you'll see | Hours (2026 festival) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Odori (Odori Park, central Sapporo) | Large snow sculptures, citizen sculptures, international snow sculpture contest, food and drink stalls, a skating rink | Open-air park; illumination until 22:00 | Everyone; go once by day and once after dark |
| Susukino (Sapporo Ekimae-dori, Minami 4–6) | Ice sculptures lit against the neon of Sapporo's entertainment district, ice sculpture contest | Weekdays 15:00–23:00; weekends from 10:00; last day until 22:00 | Evening walks after dinner |
| Tsudome (Higashi-ku, out of the center) | Snow tube slide, snow rafting, an indoor giant slide and play area | 10:00–16:00 | Families with children |
Odori: the main event
Odori Park runs east to west through the city center, and the festival fills it block by block (the blocks are called "chome"). In 2026 there were five large sculptures, around 80 citizen-made sculptures and an international contest with 10 teams. Walking the whole site takes about 1.5–2 hours with photo stops. The Sapporo TV Tower at the east end gives a good view down the park. Weekday mornings are the quietest time; evenings and the weekend of February 6–7, 2027 will be the busiest.
Susukino: ice sculptures at night
A short walk south of Odori (or one subway stop), Susukino's ice carvings look best lit up after dark, and the area is full of ramen shops and izakaya for a warm-up afterward. Sidewalks here get very icy, so walk slowly.
Tsudome: snow play for kids
Tsudome is about a 15-minute walk from Sakaemachi Station on the Toho subway line, and a shuttle bus also runs from the station. In 2026, snow rafting cost ¥1,200 for adults and ¥600 for children (elementary school age and under), and the tube slide was free but used numbered tickets when busy. No kids with you? Skip it.
Getting there: New Chitose Airport to Sapporo
Most visitors fly into New Chitose Airport (CTS). The JR Rapid Airport train reaches Sapporo Station in just under 40 minutes; the fare was ¥1,230 in 2026 (check the current fare with JR Hokkaido). From Sapporo Station, Odori is one stop on the Namboku subway line or about a 10-minute walk through the underground passage, which is a real advantage when it's snowing.
You don't need a car for the festival itself: the venues are all on the subway and central parking is limited. A car makes sense if you're continuing to ski resorts or rural Hokkaido afterward; see our Hokkaido car rental guide for winter driving rules before you book.
Arriving with big bags and checking in later? There are lockers at Sapporo Station, but they can fill up during festival week. You can reserve luggage storage in central Sapporo (opens in a new tab) in advance instead.
Where to stay and when to book
- Around Odori or Sapporo Station: the most convenient, walkable to the main venue and close to the airport train.
- Susukino: often slightly cheaper and right next to the ice sculptures and nightlife.
- Nakajima Koen or along the subway lines: a few stops out, usually better value with an easy ride in.
Festival week is peak season, and prices rise as rooms sell out. Book with free cancellation now and recheck prices later. Note that Sapporo now charges an accommodation tax per person per night, usually added at the hotel.
Compare Sapporo hotels for festival week on Klook (opens in a new tab)
Day trips and tours during festival week
Festival week pairs well with other winter sights:
- Otaru Snow Light Path: the canal town lights candles and snow lanterns each February. The 2026 event ran February 7–14, 17:00–21:00, free entry; 2027 dates had not been announced as of October 2026. Otaru is under an hour from Sapporo by JR.
- Skiing: Sapporo Teine and Sapporo Kokusai are day-trippable from the city.
- Guided day tours: winter routes to Lake Toya, Noboribetsu, Biei and Furano run from Sapporo.
Tours around festival dates sell out, especially small-group ones, so book once your hotel is fixed.
See Sapporo winter tours and day trips (opens in a new tab)If you want to ski, you can also compare Hokkaido ski tours and lift packages (opens in a new tab).
Practical tips: cold, crowds and staying connected
- Dress for well below freezing. Expect daytime highs around 0°C in February and colder nights. Shoes with good grip matter more than anything; see our Japan winter packing list.
- Use the underground walkways. Sapporo Station, Odori and Susukino are linked underground, so you can move between venues out of the wind.
- Keep your phone charged and online. Cold drains batteries quickly, and you'll be using maps and train times all day. An eSIM set up before you fly means you have data the moment you land at New Chitose; check Saily's Japan eSIM plans (opens in a new tab), or read our eSIM vs pocket WiFi comparison first.
- Carry some cash. Not every food stall or small shop takes cards, so keep a few thousand yen on you.
Snow Festival questions
When is the Sapporo Snow Festival 2027?
February 4–11, 2027, according to the official organizer. It's the 77th festival.
Is the Sapporo Snow Festival free?
Walking around the Odori and Susukino venues is free. Some attractions, such as the skating rink at Odori and snow rafting at Tsudome, charged a fee in 2026.
How many days do I need?
One full day plus an evening covers Odori and Susukino. Two or three nights in Sapporo lets you add Tsudome, a day trip to Otaru or a ski day without rushing.
When should I book my hotel?
As early as possible. Festival week is the busiest week of the year for Sapporo hotels, so book a refundable room now and recheck prices closer to the date. Our guide to what to book in advance for winter in Japan covers the rest of the list.
Can I see the sculptures before the festival starts?
The sculptures are built in the weeks before opening, so you may see them under construction, but the venues, lighting and events only fully open on February 4.
Hotel first, everything else after
The dates are set: February 4–11, 2027. Book a central Sapporo hotel now, plan at least one evening at Odori and Susukino, and check the official site in mid-December for the 2027 sculpture lineup and opening hours.
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