InsideJapan News Network

Don't forget to pack your winter woollies if you're jetting off to Japan this winter, which is set to host its 63rd Sapporo Snow Festival from February 6th for a whole week of icy fun.

One of the nation's biggest winter events, the festival based in Hokkaido prefecture's Sapporo draws up to two million visitors from around the world every year.

Ice sculptures line the main street in Susukino, while guests can admire many more situated in Odori Park and the Community Dome Tsudome.

The festival first kicked-off in 1950 when local secondary school students banded together to create six snow statues, sparking an event that would later gain worldwide recognition.

In fact, the event was such a success that the Self Defense Force got together to build the first oversized snow sculpture the festival had ever seen, propelling it to widespread fame.

True snow sculptors compete in the International Snow Sculpture contest to take the title for building the most impressive design, with contenders arriving from all corners of the earth.

It is one of Hokkaido's most well-known winter events and promises to be a special seven days of snowy excitement.

Posted by Mark Smith  


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