By the JapanToVisit team · Checked November 9, 2026
Sapporo Snow Festival 2027 runs from Thursday, February 4, through Thursday, February 11. Admission to all three festival sites is free. Go to Odori Park for the giant snow sculptures, Susukino for ice carving, and Tsudome for snow play. If you have one evening in Sapporo, start at Odori and finish in Susukino. If you’re bringing children and want time at Tsudome, give the festival a full extra morning. Official 2027 announcement · Organizer’s admission FAQ
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1. Confirm the Sapporo Snow Festival 2027 dates and admission
The 77th festival takes place over eight days, and all three venues run on the same dates. The first weekend is February 6–7, and the last day, February 11, is a Japanese public holiday. If your itinerary is flexible and you prefer a quieter walk, a weekday morning gives you an alternative to the opening weekend or a peak evening. Check the organizer’s latest notices before setting your daily schedule.
There is no general admission ticket. Budget separately for transport, meals and any activities or purchases with their own charges. The organizer has confirmed the dates and Odori’s planned layout. Its venue page says detailed 2027 updates are due to start in mid-December 2026. Verify activity times, night lighting and shuttle details there before your trip, especially if you are reading an English page that still shows an earlier edition. 2027 event outline · Official venue updates
2. Pick the right venue for what you want to see
Giant snow sculptures and evening illumination. Start at Odori subway station.
Ice sculptures along Ekimae-dori, between South 4 and South 6 in the 2027 outline.
Daytime snow play at the Sapporo Community Dome. Use Sakaemachi Station on the Toho Line.
Odori Park for giant snow sculptures
Odori is the best first stop. The organizer’s 2027 plan lists five major sculptures at West 4, 5, 7, 8 and 10, with the international contest planned for West 11. If you are short on time, focus on West 4–8 instead of walking every block. Visit in daylight for carved details, then revisit a few favorites after dark. Sapporo tourism lists illumination until 10 p.m. at Odori. Check the 2027 venue schedule for any changes. Official block-by-block plan · Sapporo tourism festival guide
Susukino for ice sculptures after dinner
Susukino is a separate venue, a short hop south of Odori. The street displays use clear ice, so they look quite different from the giant white sculptures in the park. It’s a good second stop after a meal. If you want to photograph the ice, try framing it against the darker street rather than aiming straight into the brightest signs. Confirm the 2027 light-up and pedestrian access times before committing to a late visit. Official venue boundaries
Tsudome for a family snow morning
Pick Tsudome if your group wants to play in the snow. Take the Toho Line to Sakaemachi, then allow about 15 minutes to walk from the station under the organizer’s usual guidance. The FAQ gives typical hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and notes that activity entry can close early when busy. Check the 2027 activity rules, queues and shuttle timetable before you go. Treat it as a separate half day if you’re also visiting central Sapporo. Organizer’s access and hours FAQ
3. Choose where to stay in Sapporo
Odori is the simplest base for a first festival visit. Stay near the park if you want to pop back to your room between a daytime walk and the evening lights. Compare the hotel’s nearest subway exit as well as the map distance. An extra few blocks feels longer on ice, especially with luggage.
Susukino suits an evening-focused trip. Choose it if you want restaurants near your hotel and an easy walk back after the ice sculptures. JR Sapporo Station is more convenient for rail connections, especially if you arrive late, leave early or plan to take a separate train to Otaru. For a family planning one morning at Tsudome, a central base near a Toho Line stop lets you reach the site without giving up the two evening venues. Sapporo tourism’s station and walking guide
4. Get from New Chitose Airport to the festival
From New Chitose Airport, take a JR Airport train to JR Sapporo Station. JR Hokkaido lists fastest scheduled journeys of 33 minutes on Special Rapid and 37 minutes on Rapid services. Add time for baggage, waiting and the final walk to your hotel. For Odori and Susukino, continue on the subway or use the central underground passages for part of the journey. JR Hokkaido Airport train guide · Central Sapporo walking routes
If you’re flying from Tokyo for the festival, put your main Odori visit on a full day in Sapporo when possible. That gives you another chance to see the sculptures if winter weather delays your arrival.
5. Use this two-day festival itinerary
Day 1. Odori in daylight and Susukino after dark
Start around Odori Station, walk toward the large sculptures, and stop at West 11 if you want to see the international contest area. Take an indoor break in the late afternoon. After dark, return to the two or three sculptures you most want to see lit up, then head south for dinner and the Susukino ice displays.
Day 2. Tsudome in the morning or more time at Odori
If you’re traveling with children, make Tsudome your first stop and keep the afternoon flexible. If you’re mainly here for the sculptures, stay in the city center, revisit Odori at a slower pace, and use the second evening as a weather backup. With only one evening, keep it simple and do Odori and Susukino on the same outing.
6. Dress for standing outdoors after dark
Wear warm layers, a hat, gloves and boots with grippy soles. A short walk between displays can involve a lot of standing still. Take small steps on icy pavement and build in warm indoor breaks. Sapporo tourism has a practical guide to winter footwear and slippery streets. For a broader packing checklist, see our Japan packing list. Sapporo winter clothing guide
7. Check the most common festival questions
Is the Sapporo Snow Festival 2027 free?
Yes. The organizer lists free admission at Odori, Susukino and Tsudome. Check the specific activity listing for any separate charges. Official FAQ
Can I see all three sites in one day?
Yes, if you start at Tsudome in the morning, continue to Odori in the afternoon and finish in Susukino. If you’re arriving after lunch, focus on the two central sites.
What if I arrive after February 11?
The main festival ends on February 11. The organizer lists a separate snow sports event at the Daiwa House Premist Dome for February 12–14. Check that event’s own details if your trip falls after the festival. Official 2027 event outline
