Sapporo Snow Festival (Feb)

The Sapporo Yuki Matsuri or Snow Festival is one of the highlights of the winter in Japan. People flock in their tens of thousands from all over Japan to see the huge ice and snow sculptures which fill the squares of Odori Park in the centre of the city. This is truly a winter wonderland. The snow sculptures are carved from snow brought down from the mountains surroudnig the city. From these white blocks grow the pyramids of Egypt, huge prehistoric animals, the famous sights of Japan such as Matsumoto castle and Kyoto's Golden Pavilion.

As dusk falls the sculptures are lit up with an array of colourful spot lights and twinkling fairy lights. Hot sake and mulled wine warms the visiting crowds and of course, all the usual Japanese festival food is available with yakitori chicken skewers, okonomiyaki pancakes, yakisoba noodles, takoyaki octopus balls and much more besides.

Outside of the centre of Sapporo is the second site with a snow maze, ice bar, toboggan rides and organised snow ball fights! - A fantastic place to visit with kids or to go and see Japanese families out for the day.

Sapporo Yuki Matsuri really is one of the highlights of the winter season.