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Preparations begin for Sapporo Snow Festival

13 Comments

Preparations have begun for the 61st annual Sapporo Snow Festival. On Thursday, snow to be used for sculptures was brought to the festival grounds at Odori Park.

A ceremony was held for the commencement with around 100 ice sculptors and the Self Defense Force team that is in charge of transporting the white cargo. The SDF pledged to drive safely and complete the process with no accidents.

The first shipment of 20 tons of snow will be used to create Germany's Dresdner Frauenkirche, or Church of Our Lady.

The festival runs Feb 5-11.

© News reports

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13 Comments
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I wAnna go this year. Is it fun to go there alone?

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We're going to Sapporo this year, but will arrive on the last day of the festival- hopefully there will still be something to see!

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I would like to go as well. I have heard that the best time to go is actually a couple of days BEFORE the festival actually starts. Most of the sculptures are finished by then and there are actual vacancies in the hotels etc and a lot less people. That is certainly appealing.

But I have yet to attend and find out the validity of what I was told yet. Maybe next year.

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yes - a couple of days before is best however, as it hasnt 'officially' started, most of the sculptures are roped off so you cant get too close

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I would love to go to this. I know one of my friends is. I just don't have the cash, unfortunately.

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What the heck... The "Self Defense Force." My tax dollars at work. What a operation. "Operation Snow Dump" While the west is fighting terrorism, international drug smuggling, whaling, and a host of serious problems in the world, the Japanese military are building snow castles. Got to love it.

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I've been twice and (in my opinion) the best time is a day or 2 before the festival actually begins... almost everything is on show but there are a lot less people!

If you're in the area, also try and make time for a visit to OTARU... that night view is beautiful!

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I thin security will be tighter this year. You are not allowed to bring blow torches nor cig lighters with you.

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I wAnna go this year. Is it fun to go there alone?

Should be fun. Lots of nightlife.

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I went to hokkaido in 1998 and visited everywhere fron Abashiri, noboribetsu, asahikawa, Otaru and supporro what a great 4 days.

Never forget that experence and photo`s to remember.

whether alone or in a group the experence is worth it.

Oh and Noborito I`d rather the Military playing with snow rather than in a war somewhere (The Military is a stupid invention anyway)

Whats the problem with using the Military for some good, Noborito would you rather they be fighting somewhere and causing distress to their families.

Maybe some other countries could learn from the Japanese Military.

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Isn't there also a "yukidaruma" - snowmen - building event as well? That would be fun to see. I hope that JT posts a lot of pictures of all the creative ice sculptures for those not able to make it to Sapporo this year.To all the ice sculpters: Gambatte!

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"The SDF pledged to drive safely and complete the process with no accidents."

Why did they need to pledge that, exactly? Some terrible snow-based terrorist ambush last year?

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I'll also be there to watch preparations for the festival a week or so in advance (which can be even more interesting than seeing the finished objects). Still no hotels in Sapporo or Otaru, though. I'll be staying in Hakodate.

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