Every year in February, a large ice sculpture festival takes place in Sapporo. It is held on 3 sites in the city: on the street near the Susukino subway station, the Odori park and the base of the Japanese self-defense forces of Makomanai, Tsudome. This began in 1950 when local mild and high school students exhibited 6 ice sculptures in Odori park. Today, the event brings together one of the largest international ice sculpture competition and more than 2 million visitors each year.
Tsudome is the second largest site of the Sapporo Snow Festival. It is located in the Japanese self-defense base in Makomanai in northeastern Sapporo. It is a very family-oriented site where there are many activities for children and adults. There are, for example, very large snow slides and a snowrafting area outside the dome. There is even a place where you can bury yourself with snow hahaha ! And there are also different events that are organized around the snow sculpture. You can participate and enjoy them with your family. And inside, the dome is composed of several food stalls and attractions for children.
It is the most important event on the island of Hokkaido and also the most visited of the North. And it is definitely worth a look. The sculptures are enormous and truly impressive. The snow, the cold and the illuminations make the scenery magical and the city magnificent. It is a dazzling sight for the eyes and invigorating for the soul :)