By KOKI FURUHATA/ Staff Writer
February 5, 2024 at 18:57 JST
Snow statues of Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani and his beloved dog, Dekopin, are featured at the Sapporo Snow Festival in Sapporo on Feb. 4. (Takayuki Kakuno)
SAPPORO--For the first time in four years, the Sapporo Snow Festival finally returned in full scale on Feb. 4, showcasing 196 snow and ice sculptures across its three traditional sites.
The Odori venue features sculptures depicting popular figures such as Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani and characters from “Golden Kamuy,” a renowned manga series set in Hokkaido during the Meiji Era (1868-1912).
Towering 12 meters high and spanning 20 meters wide, the Golden Kamuy sculpture was built by teams of Ground Self-Defense Force troops over months of preparation and meticulous attention to detail to re-create the features of the iconic characters.
The characteristic facial scars of Saichi Sugimoto, the fearless protagonist of the manga, were re-created as dramatically as possible, maintaining realism while avoiding an overly frightening appearance.
Another trick that brings the statue to life are the 5-centimeter plastic-foam balls nestled in its pupils, representing light shining in the character’s eyes.
About 80 snow statues created by amateur snow artists are also displayed at the site. Using an app, spectators can vote to crown the most popular statue of the year.
The Odori venue also features exhibits from the Sapporo International Art Festival, which is being held for the first time in six and a half years.
The Tsudome venue offers family-friendly attractions including snow slides, while 60 ice sculptures are showcased at the Susukino venue.
The festival drew 1.75 million visitors last year, after two years of virtual exhibition due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
During those two years, sculptures built in suburban locations were exhibited via an online streaming platform.
With international tourists returning to the city, festival organizers hope to attract 2 million visitors this year, matching pre-pandemic levels. The event will run through Feb. 11.
Sapporo Snow Festival returns after 2-year COVID-19 hiatus
February 4, 2023
Dinosaur, baseball park among designs for snow festival
January 16, 2023
Sapporo snow fest to be held on-site for 1st time in 3 years
October 10, 2022
Sapporo snow fest organizers fretting over very low snowfall
January 8, 2020
Sapporo Snow Festival to return in February on a reduced scale
December 24, 2021
Sapporo Snow Festival to scale down sculptures due to COVID-19
June 17, 2020
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