Sapporo Snow Festival

"The Sapporo Snow Festival, one of Japan's largest winter events, attracts a growing number of visitors from Japan and abroad every year. Every winter, about two million people come to Sapporo to see the hundreds of beautiful snow statues and ice sculptures which line Odori Park,the grounds at Community Dome Tsudome, and the main street in Susukino. For seven days in February,these statues and sculptures(both large and small) turn Sapporo into a winter dreamland of crystal-like ice and white snow." - http://www.snowfes.com/english/


I spent three days in Hokkaido enjoying the Snow Festival.  This trip was just another amazing Japan experience.  We took the tour the the base, so there was some herding around, but it was totally worth it.  We took a Japanese domestic flight to Hokkaido, which is the island of Japan north of my island.  It was a relatively quick flight only 90 minutes. Sorry a quick detour here:


Flying Domestic In Japan:
1. You can take liquid through security.
2. You can wear your shoes and jacket through security.
3. THEY DON'T CHECK IDs!


This is how I know I'm in a country that doesn't have crazies.


Anyway - back to my lovely trip. When we arrived in Hokkaido, it was FREEZING!! I mean I had layered up - leggings, thick socks, warm boots, the whole deal but nothing helped. The cold was still like a bullet - a cold bullet.  


After a lovely lunch in the airport we headed off to the city of Sapporo.  I love Sapporo, I wish there was a base up there! It's got great hustle and bustle.  Lots of shopping and a Starbucks!  Stephanie and I walked around in Odori Park where all of the snow sculptures were along with ice skating and huge snow monuments.  People come from all over the world to participate in the festival or just to experience it.