
Sometimes the best part of a festival is the clean up!
The Sapporo Snow Festival is winding down and that means it’s time to tear down all those gorgeous snow sculptures. Sad as we are to see them go, we have to admit that it’s actually quite a bit of fun to watch them being demolished!
A member of our Japanese writing staff, the always energetic P.K. Sanjun, happened to be in town for the Sapporo Snow Festival last week. Though he had quite a good time in the chilly city, we have to say the footage he caught of a Komatsu excavator ripping apart the Snow HTB Square sculpture was the highlight.
It’s a bit melancholy watching a symbol of a popular event being torn down…but it’s also a heck of a lot of fun! Especially if you’ve always harbored a secret desire to steal one of those excavators and terrorize the populace with the powerful digging shovel. Just a “for instance,” of course. We’d never even dream of doing something like that.
▼ Not until now, at least…
So, with sad hearts, we say good-bye to the 2016 Sapporo Snow Festival. Fortunately, there’s always next year! And in the mean time, you can always head to Japan’s largest “naked festival” if you’re in need of some wintry cheer.
Featured image © RocketNews24

Check out some of the cool, weird, and funny sculptures featured at Sapporo’s Snow Festival
Sapporo Snow Festival moves to effectively cancel event for first time in history
Sapporo Snow Festival reveals upcoming ice sculptures and displays for 2018
The 2014 Sapporo Snow Festival【Photo Gallery】
Darth Vader to be featured in large-scale Star Wars snow sculpture at 2015 Sapporo Snow Festival
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
How lucky are the themed retro video game lucky bags from this shop in the Tokyo boonies?
Yoshinoya adds first-ever chain-wide ramen with new beef and pork-broth noodle hot pot meals
Yoshinoya’s new ramen doesn’t smell like it tastes【Taste test】
Japan has only one time zone, and sunset comes a lot earlier in Tokyo【Photos】
Japanese Men and Women Rank Which Countries They’d Look to for a Mate
Four Shinto shrines to pray for love at in Japan to start the New Year
Say hello to Japan’s new stationmaster cat!【Video】
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Top Japanese cosplayer Enako returns to Comiket after 6 years, creates mayhem with admirers
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Human washing machine pods coming to Japanese hotels【Photos】
The 2015 Sapporo Snow Festival! 【Pics & Video】
Sapporo Snow Festival now officially open online!
Amazing Spirited Away sculpture wins visitors’ choice award at Sapporo Snow Festival【Videos】
Sapporo Snow Festival 2019 opens in Japan
Giant-sized Dragon Ball sculpture created for Sapporo Snow Festival 【Photos】
The 2013 Sapporo Snow Festival Photo Gallery 【You, Me, And A Tanuki】
Final Fantasy VII projection mapping is dazzling guests at Sapporo’s Snow Festival【Video】
Snow sculpture of anime girls with soulless eyes is bone-chilling in two different ways
Japanese curry bread achieves new Guinness World Record at Sapporo Snow Festival
Snow Miku is back, and this time she’s collaborating with μ’s from Love Live!
Amazingly creative sculptures appear on streets around the country as heavy snowfall hits Japan
Sapporo gears up for Snow Miku with itasha train, ‘Snow Miku Sky Town’
Leave a Reply