A towering rendition of Sazae-san, Japan’s most beloved manga family.
Around two million tourists from across the world come to Yuki-matsuri each year.
Anime characters are a popular theme.
Twelve international teams took part in a snow sculpture contest.
This was the Malaysian team’s entry.
Team Malaysia’s Kenyah tribesman.
Weapon of choice: the blowpipe.
But the team from Thailand took the win with their sculpture of “The Ubiquitous Tuk-Tuk.”
A traditional Hokkaido family harvesting wheat.
This sculpture gives the impression of a cross between a Thai deity and Richard Simmons.
Some Indonesian frogs jamming out.
What’s a snow festival without a big air jump?
Some of Sapporo’s local delicacies on display.
An exact replica of the Kasuga Grand Shrine, a Shinto shrine in the Japanese city of Nara.
The Kasuga shrine by daylight.
Yuki-matsuri’s version of the Manila Cathedral.
The Manila Cathedral by daylight.
This is Hatsune Miku, a Sapporo-born anime idol.
Don’t get scared by this guy walking home at night.
Everywhere you look in Odori Park there are beautiful sculptures of all shapes and sizes.
Come in the evening and you’ll get to see an awesome light show choreographed to the Imperial March.
The minions grovel before the might of the Empire.
And if you do, verify to dress warm, wear sturdy winter boots, and watch your step!
The Matsuri’s millions of visitors trample the snowy festival pathways into sheets of gleaming ice.
That’s not exactly the kind of sake bomb you want to enjoy in Sapporo.
