Our next excursion is to the 1983 Sapporo Snow Festival. Ok, Ok, quit laughing. I told you when I started this that these stories would be from years past - So - get with the program. Hokkaido is the northern most island of Japan, which is located a few short miles from what was then the USSR. Each year in early February, the city of Sapporo hosts the Snow Festival which is a huge international draw. People come from all over the world to visit and compete in this festival. It starts with the local Japanese Defense Force loading tons and tons of snow into huge forms, based on the size requirements of the carving. They may form several blocks and set them together for the larger and more detailed structures. The snow is tightly packed and left to sit for awhile until it hardens enough for the carving to begin. It may take a month or so of trucks hauling snow before all the forms are filled in preparation for carving. Then teams of snow carvers converge on these preformed blocks to carve their entry for the festival competition. I'm not sure but I believe that 1983 was the first year that the USA entered a team but forgive me if I'm wrong.
Actually I didn't go - Cathy and her friend, Maddy, flew up to Sapporo and stayed about 3 days to tour this event.
They stayed at the Sapporo Luna Hotel in downtown Sapporo, which is right where the action is. This is Cathy standing at the hotel entrance. This festival actually occupies three different sites - the Odori site is right downtown and close to all the hotels.
Maddy, Cathy's friend, is standing in front of an advertisement for a Hong Kong something-or-other.
This is one of the main streets in Sapporo during the evening. I' not sure if this is normally a sidewalk only or if it's closed to vehicle traffic only during the festival.
Now remember - these things are huge. You may be able to judge their size based on the people standing in front of the structures. This structure is at least 2 stories tall.
This is a cathedral but I'm not sure of its name. It stands about 3 stories high.
This carving is of Osaka castle and it's really detailed. Next I'll show this castle after dark:
Almost all of these large sculptures are lighted as soon as it gets dark. People are touring almost round the clock.
Not all the sculptures are gynormous (huge). These are traditional Japanese figures carved from smaller snow blocks.
This was the USA's entry and it just had to be football. The Japanese liked it and it was quite detailed.
Not all the sculptures or carvings are made from snow. There are many smaller ice carvings lining the walkways and they are just as detailed as the larger sculptures.
Nothing like a locomotive to pike your interest!!!
And here we have Cathy showing off and wasting film. Yup - this was before the era of digital cameras. Cathy is standing in front of a Japanese Brown bear which is native to the Northern Hokkaido island area. They're comparable with the American Brown bear and can stand over 7' tall, weigh over 1,000 lbs and have claws up to 4inches.
This is an interesting concept. Sapporo has an underground mall for shopping during really inclement weather. They're exactly like the main street shops but are located underground for easier access.
And that just about does it for this adventure. Ah nope. Not quite. I found a neat photo that we took while touring around the Misawa area in 1983.
This is the Hirosaki castle located in Tohoku in northern Japan near the US Air Force Base at Misawa. This castle was originally built in 1611 but was reconstructed in 1810. There are numerous castles through out Japan and many are more elaborate than this one. Very traditional architecture. And that will end it. Until next time - - - Ta Ta
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