Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How is the weather in Sapporo during the Snow Festival?

A. It is very chilly with occasional heavy snowfalls in Sapporo during the Snow Festival.  The average temperature in February 2008 was minus 3.4 degrees Celsius (25.6 degrees Fahrenheit). The snow that falls is dry and can be brushed off clothing.

Q. What clothes should I wear for the Snow Festival?

A. It is recommended to wear layers of clothes in order to keep you warm outdoors. As a bottom layer, wear thermal underwear. Over this you might wear a sweater and then a thick overcoat or something like a ski jacket. It is also necessary to wear a hat or ear-warmer and gloves.
Layers of clothes are also helpful to adjust yourself between freezing outdoors and (over-)heated indoors such as stores and trains.

Q. I am from where there is no snow.  Tell me what shoes to wear to walk on snowy roads.

A. Winter boots or shoes with skid-proof soles are ideal in order to avoid slipping on frozen sidewalks. If you do not have any of these, you may need rubber bands with little spikes around your shoes. They are about 1000 yen per pair and sold at Kiosks in JR and subway station, shoemakers and department stores. There are several names for this product, but once you say Suberidome (Soo-berry-dough-may) pointing at your shoes, the clerk should understand you.

Q. What time can I see the snow statues and sculptures?  When do you open and close the sites?

A. During the Snow Festival, you can see the statues and sculptures any time at the Odori and Susukino sites.  The statues are illuminated until 22:00 at the Odori site, and until 24:00 at the Susukino site.  The Tsudome site is open from 9:00 till 17:00.

Q. Can I still see the snow statues after the Snow Festival is over?

A. No. For safety reasons, all the snow statues and sculptures at each site will be destroyed the next day the Snow Festival is over.