Japan Photo of the Week: Sapporo Snow Festival

Let’s be honest. A lot of festivals in Japan are really hyped up and not as fun as they are made out to be. Maybe it is just from my experience, but I have heard wonderful things about every festival I have been to in Japan, and I have been to a ton, and most of the time they just don’t live up to the expectations. The Sapporo Snow Festival however, is one that does.

Held every year towards the beginning of February, The Sapporo Snow Festival is a great festival because there are so many things to do and see in Sapporo at this time. Really the snow sculptures are usually pretty amazing but the other events, activities, and especially the food make it awesome. Also it helps that Sapporo is a great city with wonderful restaurants (Sapporo Ramen is another thing that lives up to its hype, you gotta try the miso butter corn ramen) and nightlife. Actually, I went last year when the weather was not only cloudy and rainy everyday I was there but also as you can tell from the word “rainy,” it was unusually warm and almost ruined the sculptures, but I still really enjoyed it anyway. So much in fact, that while I was writing this post I just decided I am going to try and go back this year even though I detest cold weather. Next week I will post about the Susukino (the nightlife area) Ice Festival.

Anyway, for more photos and information see the Japan Photo Guide or to see larger and more photos take a peak at the Gallery.

This photograph was taken by Evan Pike.