Sapporo snow fete opens to public with 312 snow, ice statues

Sapporo snow fete opens to public with 312 snow, ice statues

SAPPORO, Japan - Tourists view the snow sculpture of South Korea's historic Gwanghwamun gate on the opening day of the Sapporo Snow Festival in Odori Park on Feb. 4. The weeklong festival features 312 snow and ice sculptures and more than two million visitors from home and abroad are expected.

Preparations for Sapporo Snow Festival go into full swing

Preparations for Sapporo Snow Festival go into full swing

SAPPORO, Japan - Trucks of the Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) unload snow at Odori Park in Sapporo, Hokkaido, on Jan. 9 to prepare for the 53rd Sapporo Snow Festival on Feb. 5 to 11. Some 7,000 trucks will be mobilized until Jan. 16 to deliver snow from outside Sapporo which will be used by about 25,000 volunteers from civic groups and GDSF personnel to build 312 sculptures made from snow and ice.

Preparations for Sapporo Snow Festival go into full swing

Preparations for Sapporo Snow Festival go into full swing

SAPPORO, Japan - Trucks of the Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) unload snow at Odori Park in Sapporo, Hokkaido, on Jan. 9 to prepare for the 53rd Sapporo Snow Festival on Feb. 5 to 11. Some 7,000 trucks will be mobilized until Jan. 16 to deliver snow from outside Sapporo which will be used by about 25,000 volunteers from civic groups and GDSF personnel to build 312 sculptures made from snow and ice.

Sapporo snow fete opens to public with 312 snow, ice statues

Sapporo snow fete opens to public with 312 snow, ice statues

SAPPORO, Japan - Tourists view the snow sculpture of South Korea's historic Gwanghwamun gate on the opening day of the Sapporo Snow Festival in Odori Park on Feb. 4. The weeklong festival features 312 snow and ice sculptures and more than two million visitors from home and abroad are expected.