Famous for its annual snow festival and excellent skiing arenas, the North Japanese city of Sapporo is known as the winter sports capital of Japan. Surrounded by scenic mountains, Sapporo attracts many outdoor enthusiasts also during the summer and offers modern and comfortable surroundings for a Japanese city holiday.
Sapporo Snow festival, also known as Yuki Matsuri, is a week-long festival which is organized annually in the first week of February. During the last years this magnificent festival has annually gathered more than two million visitors together to enjoy the joys of Japanese winter wonderland. Sapporo Snow Festival is best known for its ice sculpture competition. The most monumental sculptures created here are more than 15 meters tall and form an incredible sight especially at night when the sculptures are lit up. Ice world of the Yuki Matsuri also includes constructions which form a magnificent playground for children and the child-minded alike.
Things to see. If you want to take a day off from winter sport activities, you might want to see for instance the Tokeidai clock tower that has become the symbol of Sapporo, or maybe take a tour in the famous chocolate factory or one of the famous Sapporo breweries. Shopping in Sapporo is also popular and the most popular items are all kinds of winter sport goods. Price level in Sapporo is quite high, but seasonal bargains are widely available.
Sapporo, Japanese winter sports city with famous snow festival
Sapporo is a modern city located in Northern Japan on the island of Hokkaido. Famous for its annual snow festival, Sapporo is considered to be the best winter destination in Japan. Sapporo is an enjoyable destination for not only those who want to participate in what is known as the one of the most enjoyable and eye-catching winter carnival of the world, but also for those who want to try the joys of snowboarding or skiing in Sapporo. The beautiful mountains surrounding Sapporo and the area of Odori National Park located inside the city create pleasant surroundings for hiking purposes, and spas in Sapporo are also available. Pleasing those who want to enjoy outdoor sports, courses for golf in Sapporo are offered.Sapporo Snow festival, also known as Yuki Matsuri, is a week-long festival which is organized annually in the first week of February. During the last years this magnificent festival has annually gathered more than two million visitors together to enjoy the joys of Japanese winter wonderland. Sapporo Snow Festival is best known for its ice sculpture competition. The most monumental sculptures created here are more than 15 meters tall and form an incredible sight especially at night when the sculptures are lit up. Ice world of the Yuki Matsuri also includes constructions which form a magnificent playground for children and the child-minded alike.
Things to see. If you want to take a day off from winter sport activities, you might want to see for instance the Tokeidai clock tower that has become the symbol of Sapporo, or maybe take a tour in the famous chocolate factory or one of the famous Sapporo breweries. Shopping in Sapporo is also popular and the most popular items are all kinds of winter sport goods. Price level in Sapporo is quite high, but seasonal bargains are widely available.
Practical information for your trip to Sapporo
Weather in Sapporo in changeable and in the average, the climate here is much cooler than at many more southern locations in Japan.
Photo: CliffordD, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)
Summers in Sapporo are usually hot and humid and winters cold and snowy. The best time to travel to Sapporo for the joys of winter is between December and March, but as summers here are not as hot as at many other locations in Japan, they are also pleasant time visit Sapporo.
How to get there. Flights to Sapporo are available from many countries. This winter sport city is also easily accessible by bus or train from elsewhere in Japan. Thanks to the efficient Japanese public transport, moving around in Sapporo is easy by a variety of ways. Car rental in Sapporo is a good way to get to the spots outside the city.
Visitor services. Hotels in Sapporo offer you a plenty of choice, and plenty of good restaurants in Sapporo are also available. Nightlife in Sapporo is rather lively. As most Japanese destinations, Sapporo is a safe city destination with no particular problems with crime. The more educated locals speak English, but if you are going to travel in Sapporo by your own, it is best to learn some phrases in Japanese in advance.
hint See also these nearby destinations: Niseko
