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Sapporo Snow Festival: Art in Snow and Ice, with a Digital Touch

  • With a guitar shaped like the island of Hokkaidō, Hatsune Miku, the world-famous virtual pop singer, teams up with Toyama Kasumi from the “Bang Dream! Girls Band Party!” smartphone game. (© BDP © CraftEgg © Bushi © CFM. All rights reserved. Cosponsored by Hard Rock Japan, Inc. Snow sculpture planning by STV.)

    With a guitar shaped like the island of Hokkaidō, Hatsune Miku, the world-famous virtual pop singer, teams up with Toyama Kasumi from the “Bang Dream! Girls Band Party!” smartphone game. (© BDP © CraftEgg © Bushi © CFM. All rights reserved. Cosponsored by Hard Rock Japan, Inc. Snow sculpture planning by STV.)

  • After dark, the duo bursts out in color and puts on a light and sound show for the audience, thanks to projection mapping. (© BDP © CraftEgg © Bushi © CFM. All rights reserved. Cosponsored by Hard Rock Japan, Inc. Snow sculpture planning by STV.)

    After dark, the duo bursts out in color and puts on a light and sound show for the audience, thanks to projection mapping. (© BDP © CraftEgg © Bushi © CFM. All rights reserved. Cosponsored by Hard Rock Japan, Inc. Snow sculpture planning by STV.)

  • Fully 98% of Japanese thoroughbred horses are bred and raised in Hokkaidō. Many of the area’s stables are located in the eastern part of Iburi, in the south center of the island, which was also the site of a major earthquake in September 2018. This sculpture was made to express the sentiment that the breeders will overcome these hardships and keep on going. Projection mapping shows these thoroughbreds racing hard by night. (© Hokkaidō Shimbun Press)

    Fully 98% of Japanese thoroughbred horses are bred and raised in Hokkaidō. Many of the area’s stables are located in the eastern part of Iburi, in the south center of the island, which was also the site of a major earthquake in September 2018. This sculpture was made to express the sentiment that the breeders will overcome these hardships and keep on going. Projection mapping shows these thoroughbreds racing hard by night. (© Hokkaidō Shimbun Press)

  • This large snow sculpture is a faithful reproduction of Helsinki Cathedral, a landmark in the Finnish capital. The sculpture was made to commemorate the centenary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Finland. (© 2019 Hokkaidō Broadcasting Co., Ltd.)

    This large snow sculpture is a faithful reproduction of Helsinki Cathedral, a landmark in the Finnish capital. The sculpture was made to commemorate the centenary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Finland. (© 2019 Hokkaidō Broadcasting Co., Ltd.)

  • This sculpture is modeled on a Japan Freight Railway Company engine, pulling freight cars laden with containers. The sculpture of this model DF200 engine, known popularly as the “Red Bear,” was intended to appear as though it was surging right off its stage. At night, the sculpture appears to be transporting foods from Hokkaidō, thanks to projection mapping. (© HTB)

    This sculpture is modeled on a Japan Freight Railway Company engine, pulling freight cars laden with containers. The sculpture of this model DF200 engine, known popularly as the “Red Bear,” was intended to appear as though it was surging right off its stage. At night, the sculpture appears to be transporting foods from Hokkaidō, thanks to projection mapping. (© HTB)

  • The Sapporo TV Tower overlooks an open-air skating rink, a popular place for family outings and dates alike. Ice-skating classes are also available.

    The Sapporo TV Tower overlooks an open-air skating rink, a popular place for family outings and dates alike. Ice-skating classes are also available.

  • Set against a backdrop of neighborhood buildings, this ski jump is 24 meters in height and 60 meters in length, giving skiers and snowboarders alike the space to show off their moves. (© HTB)

    Set against a backdrop of neighborhood buildings, this ski jump is 24 meters in height and 60 meters in length, giving skiers and snowboarders alike the space to show off their moves. (© HTB)

  • Citizen’s Square is the stage for distinctive snow sculptures made by local residents. The sculpture at 9-chōme is of Japanese professional tennis player Ōsaka Naomi, while 12-chōme sports a sculpture of Chiko-chan, a character from a variety TV show on NHK.

    Citizen’s Square is the stage for distinctive snow sculptures made by local residents. The sculpture at 9-chōme is of Japanese professional tennis player Ōsaka Naomi, while 12-chōme sports a sculpture of Chiko-chan, a character from a variety TV show on NHK.

  • The Susukino venue sports ice sculptures along Ekimae-dōri from Minami 4-jō-dōri to Minami 7-jō-dōri.

    The Susukino venue sports ice sculptures along Ekimae-dōri from Minami 4-jō-dōri to Minami 7-jō-dōri.

  • This “sushi galore” ice sculpture appears to contain fish and shellfish used in sushi frozen in mid-swim.

    This “sushi galore” ice sculpture appears to contain fish and shellfish used in sushi frozen in mid-swim.

  • The Illumination Street, with its passage of dazzling decorative lights made by laying a tunnel arch upon blocks of ice, is a perennially popular place for selfies and other photography.

    The Illumination Street, with its passage of dazzling decorative lights made by laying a tunnel arch upon blocks of ice, is a perennially popular place for selfies and other photography.

  • The Ōdōri venue by night as seen from the TV Tower.

    The Ōdōri venue by night as seen from the TV Tower.

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