Sapporo's Snow Festival

Asia » Japan » Hokkaido » Sapporo
February 4th 2006

Published: February 9th 2006

http://www.travelblog.org/gmaps/map_Ih.html DAY 1: Saturday, February 4th The adventure started bright and early (6am!) when I rolled off my futon at Ryokan Casey (a.k.a Casey Hotel... a.k.a Casey's apartment where I spend every weekend). Out of excitement I jumped up and shouted "We're going to Hokkaidooooo!!!" only to be shot down by Casey who quickly reminded me that it was still only 6am... Read Full Entry

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Lisa Van Muyen

"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it solely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime." -Mark Twain Hey everyone! I have started this journal in order to keep you informed of my adventures in Japan, as well as my travels throughout Asia. ... full info

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The first of our Ice Sculpture sightseeing, too bad we were distracted by the nightlife.

Kenji and Ryousuke

After picking these guys up from a Hostess Bar (I can't even explain) we had them guide us to a good bar, they were sooo much fun!

Too much fun!

Talk about entertainment!

A little challenge... too bad I lost.

I was pretty good, for about the first 3 seconds.

57th Annual Sapporo Snow Festival!!!

Japanese lesson of the day: "uki matsuri" = "snow festival"

Sapporo Snow Festival

After a late night, this was a pretty rough morning, but these fat-headed mascots cheered us up.

I think this snow sculpture appealed to most people!

"Pop the trunk! This one's a keeper!"

Casey and I

Uki Matsuri!!! (Snow Festival)

Casey, me, Jeff, Jody, and Jason

"The Golden Pavilion of Horyuji Temple"

This snow sculpture is 13 meters high and 24 meters wide with a depth of 25 meters! It took approximately 450 six-ton dump trucks of snow to create! From Jan.6 to Feb.30, 4,600 sculptors worked their butts off to create this breathtaking snow sculpture. So amazing!

Enjoying the festival and sculptures!

Snow Festival sculpture

"Happy Taiwan"

15m x 18m x 24m

Sculpture Contestants hard at work

Every year there is a competition between a handful of countries to see who can create the best sculpture in a certain period of time, with limited tools.

Canada's contribution to the snow sculpture contest

The Canadian sculpture was of a northern hunter being surprised by a large walrus. Unfortunately I did not get to see the finished product (so much to see, too little time).

Well, isn't this pretty

"Royal Exhibition Building (Melbourne, Australia)"

Height: 12 meters; Width: 18 meters; Depth 16 meters

"Dream Ai-land Okinawa" Ice Sculpture

Height: 15 meters; width: 25 meters; depth: 20 meters! This sculpture took 800 truck loads of snow, 27 days of hard work, and 3,600 people to complete.

Sapporo's Snow Festival: "The Chronicals of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe"

Height: 12 meters; depth: 15 meters, width: 22 meters

9th February 2006

Mom
non-member comment

WOW
WOW! The snow sculptures are absolutely amazing what a sight! But the funniest thing I’ve ever seen is you guys playing with the crab legs I laughed right out loud explain that to the Boss!

10th February 2006

AUNT MARY
non-member comment

AMAZING
THEY ARE THE MOST AMAZING SNOW SCULPTOR'S I'VE SEEN SO MUCH TIME PUT INTO EACH ONE. PUTS THE ORILLIA'S WINTER CARNIVAL SCULPTORS TO SHAME.

10th February 2006

Lauren
non-member comment

Looks like a GREAT time!
Hi Darling, As much as I miss you, it looks like you are still having a blast! Do they need anymore teachers there? ha. In the one picture beside a snow sculpture it almost looks like you are doing the "dead frog" pose. haha. I am off to see the Ottawa carvings this weekend, but nothing will compare to your picts!!!

11th February 2006

DAD
non-member comment

sapporo trip
But where are all the snowmobiles with all that beautiful snow.I'm glad to see you are having an interesting,fun, educational experience on your busy socializing week-ends..???? excellent pictures..

15th February 2006

Casey Lary
Casey Lary

Lets go back!!
What fun we had! way to write about the little things like the crab lighters...those were classic! As your dad mentioned- our educational weekends seem to be going over quite well. Next up...naked man festival!!

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Sapporo's Snow Festival

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