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 About 1 hour and 30 minutes by airplane from Tokyo lies Sapporo, the largest city in northern Japan and home to the nation's largest winter festival, the world-famous Sapporo Snow Festival. The festival, which has a history of over 50 years, is dominated by 300 elaborate ice sculptures that line O-dori Park, located in the center of the city.
In 2007, the festival will be held from February 6th (Tue) through the 12th (Mon). Sunrise Tours offers a special Sapporo Snow Festival tour departing from Tokyo. The tour is a great way to join the two million people who flock to Sapporo for the event.
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 The Sapporo Snow Festival takes place in several sites throughout the city, but O-dori Park is the main site. The ice sculpture competition held in this area is the heart of the festival, drawing artists from all over Japan as well as around the world.
At night, the sculptures are illuminated. At O-dori Park, the sculptures are lit up from 5pm until 10pm, and at the Susukino site, the illumination lasts until midnight.
Susukino is one of Sapporofs hot spots and a great place to dine on local delicacies while enjoying the sculptures. One dish not to miss is the local style of ramen (noodle soup).
It would be prudent to note, though, that February is the coldest month of the year in Sapporo; the average temperature in February 2005 was -3.9C (25F). Be sure to bring warm clothes and shoes with non-skid soles.
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 Sapporo (New Chitose Airport) can be reached by an 1 hour and 30 minute flight from Tokyo (Haneda Airport). There are regular flights to New Chitose Airport from other major domestic cities as well. From New Chitose Airport to JR Sapporo station, it is another 36 minutes by train.
Since more than 2 million people visit the festival, hotel room and flight reservations are especially difficult. Sunrise Tours will help facilitate these arrangements, as well as assist foreign visitors who may encounter difficulties with the language barrier. |
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