Very nice summary of the Sapporo Snow Festival which closely matches my experience about 6 years ago. And I agree, definitely take the opportunity to go to Otaru and Asahikawa for their festivals since they overlap the Sapporo festival. The one thing I missed was the Lake Shikotsu festival due to lack of time. Oh well, next time. For the trip to Asahikawa, I didn't buy a reserved seat going there (sold out). The train was absolutely jam packed and I spent the trip standing or sitting on the train floor with others who didn't have a reserved ticket. The one thing I would like to emphasize is that it gets really cold at night, especially when the wind blows. It's usually a comfortable cold during the daytime as long as you are dressed warmly, but it's a different level of cold at night. I thought I was dressed warmly with thermal underwear (if you don't have any, Uniqlo has a variety of winter wear), wool cap, thermal gloves, waterproof ski parka, weatherproof insulated boots, and even brought insulated ski overalls. I was still cold walking through the snow/ice sculptures at night, or walking to a nearby restaurant. For lodging, I stayed near Susukino station for a couple of days, but had to move close to Nakajima park for the last couple days of my trip because I couldn't get a reservation for my entire trip. Book hotels early because hotels nearer to Sapporo station and Odori Park sell out faster. BTW, some of the streets by Nakajima park (or most of the streets off the main arterial streets that don't get cleared and don't have lots of traffic)) can be very slippery and icy, so maybe consider buying a pair of ice cleats/traction devices for your shoes. I saw several people take a tumble on the ice, and was a little lucky to not fall myself.
Thanks for sharing your experience! I especially recommend ice cleats when visiting Otaru. So many people fall in the icy sidewalks there! And I agreed that Sapporo is super cold in the evening/ at night. We’ve had to duck into the underground walk way to warm up. 🥶
Thanks for the informative video 🤙🏼 I'll be going to Japan for the first time mid January for a whole month so I'll definitely spend a couple days in Sapporo
Can’t wait to see your upcoming videos, we are thinking about doing this snow festival in 2025. But doing a tour from Hawaii, kinda interested on the train ride back from Sapporo to Tokyo cause we may extend our trip after the tour is done. Stay a few days in Tokyo to visit friends.
We hope to share our Snow Festival videos soon! ❄️ We’ve been filming like crazy and also constantly on the go. We went to 3 winter festivals within a 2 week span, and just finished a ski trip in Niseko. 🌸 Heidi
Thanks, this makes planning a trip easier. I think you will have to do some careful packing since you need more layers. Maybe it’s not possible with just a carry on
We have our packing almost figured out. I will pack clothes for myself and my daughter in one carry on suitcase. Then clothes for my husband and two boys in another carry on suitcase. Our weekender carry on bag will have puffy jackets and rain jackets. We will also have one checked suitcase with blankets, laundry items, tumblers, some spring clothing, and a few extras that don’t fit in the carry on bags. Here are the clothes we are bringing: th-cam.com/video/c7BoHPiHhro/w-d-xo.htmlsi=R-7WqZYB7AUdPzzV
Thanks for sharing another great video. Would you recommend to buy winter clothing and accessories (i.e. snow boots, neck Scarf) from Aeon mall ( nearest to Chitose airport) instead from outlet.
Aeon mall might be another good option. I haven't been to that Aeon location, so I'm not sure what the selection is as far as winter clothing and snow boots. There are lots of shoe stores selling snow boots in the Susukino shopping arcade. I visited the Mitsui Outlets for the Ugg store. 🌺 Heidi
Great video! I went back in 2019 but when I got there (about 5 days after start) all the sculptures were completed. I am going back this February and would like to see some of the actually sculpting process. Do I need to be there before the actual festival starts to see this?
Hi, yes! come at least a couple of days prior. Also, at night they do a lot of repairs. You might also want to check out the Asahikawa festival, very unique in its own way.
![ตีสิบเดย์ [FULL] | นางเอกหมอลำเงินล้าน "อุ๋งอิ๋ง เพชรบ้านแพง" & ไฮโซสาวสุดฮอต "ลิลลี่ เหงียน"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/jPxQS_EgrJ4/mqdefault.jpg)
Very nice summary of the Sapporo Snow Festival which closely matches my experience about 6 years ago. And I agree, definitely take the opportunity to go to Otaru and Asahikawa for their festivals since they overlap the Sapporo festival. The one thing I missed was the Lake Shikotsu festival due to lack of time. Oh well, next time.
For the trip to Asahikawa, I didn't buy a reserved seat going there (sold out). The train was absolutely jam packed and I spent the trip standing or sitting on the train floor with others who didn't have a reserved ticket.
The one thing I would like to emphasize is that it gets really cold at night, especially when the wind blows. It's usually a comfortable cold during the daytime as long as you are dressed warmly, but it's a different level of cold at night. I thought I was dressed warmly with thermal underwear (if you don't have any, Uniqlo has a variety of winter wear), wool cap, thermal gloves, waterproof ski parka, weatherproof insulated boots, and even brought insulated ski overalls. I was still cold walking through the snow/ice sculptures at night, or walking to a nearby restaurant.
For lodging, I stayed near Susukino station for a couple of days, but had to move close to Nakajima park for the last couple days of my trip because I couldn't get a reservation for my entire trip. Book hotels early because hotels nearer to Sapporo station and Odori Park sell out faster. BTW, some of the streets by Nakajima park (or most of the streets off the main arterial streets that don't get cleared and don't have lots of traffic)) can be very slippery and icy, so maybe consider buying a pair of ice cleats/traction devices for your shoes. I saw several people take a tumble on the ice, and was a little lucky to not fall myself.
Thanks for sharing your experience! I especially recommend ice cleats when visiting Otaru. So many people fall in the icy sidewalks there! And I agreed that Sapporo is super cold in the evening/ at night. We’ve had to duck into the underground walk way to warm up. 🥶
Thanks for the informative video 🤙🏼 I'll be going to Japan for the first time mid January for a whole month so I'll definitely spend a couple days in Sapporo
Are you dreaming of visiting Sapporo, Japan?
Yes but no money
Yeeesss, I'll be there this February 🙏🙏
Can’t wait to see your upcoming videos, we are thinking about doing this snow festival in 2025. But doing a tour from Hawaii, kinda interested on the train ride back from Sapporo to Tokyo cause we may extend our trip after the tour is done. Stay a few days in Tokyo to visit friends.
We hope to share our Snow Festival videos soon! ❄️ We’ve been filming like crazy and also constantly on the go. We went to 3 winter festivals within a 2 week span, and just finished a ski trip in Niseko. 🌸 Heidi
Thanks for the snow festival updates! We have been thinking of going for the past 5 years , maybe next year!
I’m going for the first time this year too! Thanks for this informative video. 🤗
Exciting! 🎉❄️
Thank you for this video! Our whole family will be there this year! Caaaan’t wait….
Yay! 🎉 We're super excited too!
Wooow
Que buenos videos gracias❤
Cool. No pun intended. But it has been 0 F, -17c this past week. Anywhere else is warmer!🥶
We've heard! Crazy! Bundle up ☃️!
Please make a video about visiting Japan in Spring, I plan to visit in April 2024. Love your videos. Sooooo helpful
Thanks! We will make lots of videos while we're in Japan in the spring. Is there a planning type video you'd like us to make in advance? 🌸 Heidi
Thanks, this makes planning a trip easier. I think you will have to do some careful packing since you need more layers. Maybe it’s not possible with just a carry on
We have our packing almost figured out. I will pack clothes for myself and my daughter in one carry on suitcase. Then clothes for my husband and two boys in another carry on suitcase. Our weekender carry on bag will have puffy jackets and rain jackets.
We will also have one checked suitcase with blankets, laundry items, tumblers, some spring clothing, and a few extras that don’t fit in the carry on bags.
Here are the clothes we are bringing: th-cam.com/video/c7BoHPiHhro/w-d-xo.htmlsi=R-7WqZYB7AUdPzzV
@@KenshoQuest I watched that video too. Thanks for all the research. I’ll see what I can manage. I need the puffy jacket layer and merino wool layers
we went to Sapporo last winter but missed the Snow Festival, we are excited to be goint in 2025
We also missed the Snow Festival last winter. ❄️ Enjoy your 2025 trip!
Great video. Thanks ☺️
You're welcome! We had a wonderful time at the Sapporo Snow Festival.
Mahalo for the info! 🤙
Thanks for sharing another great video. Would you recommend to buy winter clothing and accessories (i.e. snow boots, neck Scarf) from Aeon mall ( nearest to Chitose airport) instead from outlet.
Aeon mall might be another good option. I haven't been to that Aeon location, so I'm not sure what the selection is as far as winter clothing and snow boots. There are lots of shoe stores selling snow boots in the Susukino shopping arcade. I visited the Mitsui Outlets for the Ugg store. 🌺 Heidi
My wife and will be there as well thanks
Have fun! ❄️
Great Video, i`ll be at the Sapporo snow festival this year as well for the first time traveling solo. if i bump into you there i`ll say hi.
Please do say "hi"! We're really looking forward to the Snow Festival. We've never seen anything like it before. ❄️
I'll be there too, hello from Indonesia
Can we also see snowfall at the same time? Is it very cold? Thank you.
Yes! ❄️ It will likely snow and be freezing cold.
Great video! I went back in 2019 but when I got there (about 5 days after start) all the sculptures were completed. I am going back this February and would like to see some of the actually sculpting process. Do I need to be there before the actual festival starts to see this?
Hi, yes! come at least a couple of days prior. Also, at night they do a lot of repairs. You might also want to check out the Asahikawa festival, very unique in its own way.