alexx_c 0 Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 Anyone from Oz, been to the Snow Festival earlier this year? I wonder if my current plan to stay one night in Sapporo, will be sufficient to see all this festival has to offer? With very young ones, and photo opportunities were the only attraction I can think of. Don't know if there is a street parade? I've been put off for staying more than one night, as the travel agent has quoted the hotel rates at nearly double the normal winter rates in that town. Link to post Share on other sites
foreversnow 5 Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 Hi Alx We went to the Snow Festival this year. We also nearly died at the hotel prices during the festival. We stayed 2 nights but I think you can probably do it all in the one day. We got up bright and early and headed out. I enjoyed it during the day but think that it had WAY more atmosphere at night when they are all lit up. Early in the day they tend to be cleaning the sculptures and readying it for later on (around 9am), it didn't sort of get going until around 11am, there are also heaps of school children during the day, which we found fun as they all stopped us to do there questionnaires. We didn't go out to the surrounding Ice Festival Activities we just did the ones at Odori Park and then the surrounding ones that we could walk to. Go onto the official Sapporo Snow Festival Website that will give you heaps of information. Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 We haven't been (school is back in session by then-so we have to be home), but the eldest son is going this year (Uni term starts later the lucky bugger!) - he is doing a day trip from Niseko, and the bus comes back at night so you still get to see the Ice Sculptures lit up at night before heading back. Link to post Share on other sites
Greenroome 0 Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 One night will easily be enough. You can freeze to death waiting around for the shows to start so better to do one big lap and take pot luck on which stages are firing. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 Greenroome, you left Sapporo? Where you at now? Link to post Share on other sites
SHORYUKEN2 0 Posted October 31, 2009 Share Posted October 31, 2009 Going to the new one. Really looking forward to it, been saying that for years now. Link to post Share on other sites
Greenroome 0 Posted October 31, 2009 Share Posted October 31, 2009 Thursday - I'm back in rural West Australia. Good waves, amazing wildflower season, easy work, but no snow. I'm getting very sentimental now looking up the JMA weather page for Sapporo. I used to be glued to it. And tonight I see the first (I think) snowman icon looming. I remember seeing the first snowman icon pop up on my Mac with free Leopalace internet last year in my flat near Mount Moiwa. Very exciting stuff after a long summer and beautiful autumn. To anyone in Sapporo or elsewhere in Japan getting revved up for the season, good luck and God speed. Link to post Share on other sites
alexx_c 0 Posted November 11, 2009 Author Share Posted November 11, 2009 Thanks all ... reaffirming my plan to only do one night .. on the way back to Narita then Sydney. Link to post Share on other sites
I'm Sexy 0 Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 I will be there. One of my best friend is now living in Sapporo so I hope to visit and enjoy Hokkaido for a few weeks. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 cool, when will you be going? Link to post Share on other sites
alexx_c 0 Posted November 20, 2009 Author Share Posted November 20, 2009 Snowhuntress ... or anyone else who had previously organised their accommodation at Sapporo ... can you help me with a useful url to a travel aggregater? I'm struggling to locate a website where I can book and enquire on accommodation at Sapporo ... especially for the week of the SnowFestival. Thanks in advance. Link to post Share on other sites
foreversnow 5 Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 Hey Alx - I am a bit lazy I went through my travel agent and got the accomodation. We are staying at the Sapporo Grand 2010 and stayed at the Century Royale this year. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 The Fest is Feb 5 to 11. Try Google Rakuten travel Link to post Share on other sites
alexx_c 0 Posted December 21, 2009 Author Share Posted December 21, 2009 Thanks all for your tips ... I've settled & booked with the Washington Hotel ... a small little place, a few mins walk from the JR station. The rate is a little higher than normal due to the snow festival, but only by about 20% ... not the 200% premium that my travel agent was saying! If only I knew that it was more sensible I would have scheduled two nights at Sapporo instead of the short 20 hours that I'll be there. Feb can't come around soon enough. :-) Link to post Share on other sites
Go Native 70 Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 20 hours should be more than enough. Not that much to do in Sapporo really (that you can't do in any other city in the world) especially with a family in tow. Now if you were on your own there are some places in Susukino I could suggest.... Link to post Share on other sites
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