The Sapporo Snow Festival is a festival celebrated each year in Japan from February 4-11. The purpose of this festival is to celebrate art, winter sports and their relationship with other cities across the globe. It is celebrated each year for a week to enjoy the festival and to spend time with family and practice traditions.

This festival started in 1950 when many middle and high school students began to create snow sculptures at Odori Park. After many people saw the sculptures, the art and the creativity in these kids, it became a festival ever since. Each year there are new sculptures displayed and seen by the whole population in Japan.

Some of the main things done during the first two days of the festival are exchanging gifts with friends and family, decorating homes, creating sculptures with snow and even getting to enjoy giant slides. It is similar to Christmas because of the snow, but it is considered one of Japan’s main festivals. Some other activities include making smaller sculptures and displaying them in the center of the city.

Some of the usual food eaten during the festival include yakitori, which are chicken pieces grilled on a skewer, okonomiyaki pancakes, which are a mix of meat, vegetables and sauces. Lastly, takoyaki octopus balls are made of wheat flour-based batter. These types of dishes are great for cold weather considering they are hot and very delicious. 

“Although my family and I didn’t celebrate it in my hometown, we still went to look at the snow sculptures and ice sculptures. It was fun to look at since they were big and detailed. I also liked some of the sculptures which were Japanese temples, anime characters, signs and other creative sculptures,” junior Ayame Kuroda said.

While most of the people in Japan make time to celebrate this festival, many foreigners visit Japan because of the snow festival, which is great because many think it is worth the long trip. 

From snow sculptures becoming a one-day holiday to a full week festival, it is worth the money and the trip to view such creativity from many high school students.