Sapporo Snow Festival 2001

I had mentioned the Yuki Matsuri, Snow Festival, before but had not posted any of my pictures. Back in 2001, on the initial trip, I was using a point and shoot film camera to snap images. Back then digital cameras were not as common place as they are today. Because of this, Costco had not begun to offer digital prints derived from film. Fortunately, I had a flat bed scanner that I could use to transfer the prints to the computer. We were staying at the Hotel Raffine. It was a place that our friend had recommended. Off the top of my head, I dont remember where this hotel was located. It was a very nice hotel with ample space in the rooms and a large luxurious bathroom to boot. The displays at Odori and Susukino are located in the same place every year. The third site usually moves around the Sapporo area. In 2001, it was set up at a military base.

With Japan being a food obsessed nation and regional areas beaming with pride with what they produce, its no surprise to find the the specialities of the region on display in most of the festival areas. With its icey cold water around the northern most island, a number of crab varieties are plentiful and easily accessible to Sapporo-ans(?)

Many a night was spent walking around the two main areas amidst the locals visitors alike. After the sun sets, the sculptures and displays are illuminated. Some are doused in colors while most have a white spotlight placed upon them. A few have lights that change color to really make them stand out and provide a show for the many onlookers. Along Odori are the larger sculptures of snow and/or ice

I was amazed by the detail found on this replica of Trevi Fountain. As I found later after many travels to Japan, they have a great attention to detail in many things they do

This is not Trevi at night but a structure of asian origin awash in blue lights. It seemed as if man made structures was the theme this year. However, in subsequent visits, they tend to have at least one bulding of some sort. There were just alot more on this first visit.

In the downtown area of Susukino, you will find primarily ice sculptures set up in the middle of a coordined off area open to pedestrians. The creations carved from ice run small and large. Most are about a few feet wide while some of the larger installations can span several yards. With many restaurants around, you can have a courtside seat to the view while enjoying a nice hot meal. This one depicts goldfish. The horizontal lines are present becuase blocks of ice are stacked upon one another to create the blank canvas for the artiste