Snow festival hokkaido 2009 - 19Pics+video

The first Sapporo Snow Festival was held in Odori Park in 1950, with only six snow statues made by local high school students. Since then the Snow Festival has constantly expanded, gaining worldwide recognition.

The Snow Festival has developed its international aspect year by year. Snow statues with motifs of places around the world, including Shenyang (China), Alberta (province in Canada), Munich (Germany), Portland (Oregon, U.S.A.), each of which has a close relationship with Sapporo, were made.
The Sapporo Snow Festival has grown from the humble beginnings to become the biggest and most well-known of Hokkaido's winter events and a snow festival of international caliber.