Yuki Matsuri さっぽろ雪まつり
Sapporo Snow Festival in Hokkaidō (early Feb)
Going since 1950, this is Japan’s best known and most popular snow festival. It features truly spectacular snow and ice sculptures (up to 25m wide and 15m high) and attracts more than 2 million visitors each year.
The International Snow Sculpture Contest has become legendary, with teams turning up from around the world to compete.
Accommodation in Hokkaidō’s main city is at a premium, so book early.