February is your chance to visit one of Japan's largest winter events, the Sapporo Snow Festival. Ice sculptures and snow statues dominate the event which is spread along Odori Park, Satoland, and Susukino. The 2009 event will be held from February 5th to the 11th.

The festival began in 1950 with sculptures created by six high school students. Since then it has grown into one of Hokkaido's largest events, attracting nearly two million visitors from Japan and around the world. Lasting seven days, the event can be found in three main areas: Odori Park, where ice sculptures stretch east to west through downtown Sapporo and music acts perform on snow stages in front of gigantic snow backdrops; Satoland Park, where you can stumble through an ice maze, go snow rafting, or slide down a slippery ice flume; and Susukino, where the Ice Sculpture Contest is held and the Ice Queen is available for photographs. Susukino is also where the opening and closing ceremonies are held and is beautiful for visiting in the evening when the sculptures are illuminated. For seafood fans eager to sample Hokkaido's famous delicacies, the Hokkaido Winter Food Park offers crab and other Hokkaido specialties all day and night. Ice bars also feature liquors and beer 'on ice'.