The “Sapporo Snow Festival Executive Committee,” formed by the city of Sapporo and the Sapporo Tourism Association, announced at a meeting on the 10th that the 76th edition of the festival next year will be held over eight days from February 4 to 11. In preparation for reducing the number of large snow sculptures created by the Ground Self-Defense Force from two to one starting in 2027, next year the Self-Defense Force will still produce two sculptures, but the burden of snow transportation will be reduced from the equivalent of two sculptures to one.
Sapporo Snow Festival Executive Committee
The Sapporo Snow Festival Executive Committee organizes the annual Sapporo Snow Festival, one of Japan’s most famous winter events, held in Hokkaido since 1950. The festival features massive snow and ice sculptures, attracting millions of visitors each year. The committee oversees event planning, sculpture contests, and cultural activities, preserving the festival’s legacy as a symbol of Sapporo’s vibrant winter culture.
Sapporo Tourism Association
The Sapporo Tourism Association is an organization dedicated to promoting tourism in Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, Japan. It provides information on attractions like the Sapporo Snow Festival, Odori Park, and local cuisine, while also supporting visitors with travel resources. Founded to boost regional tourism, it highlights Sapporo’s history, from its development in the Meiji era to its modern reputation for winter sports and vibrant culture.
Ground Self-Defense Force
The **Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF)** is the land-based branch of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces, established in 1954 following the post-World War II dissolution of the Imperial Japanese Army. As a strictly defensive military force under Japan’s pacifist constitution, the GSDF focuses on disaster relief, national defense, and international peacekeeping operations. It plays a key role in Japan’s security while maintaining a civilian-controlled, non-aggressive stance.
