Foreign Friday

By -
Sapporo Snow Festival
Sapporo, Japan
February 1981

Every year Hokkaido, the northern island of Japan, hosts a seven day Snow Festival. If you ever have the chance to attend, do not hesitate. Dress for the cold and plan to be awed by the detail of the nearly 400 snow sculptures.

I don't know how many people viewed the sculptures the year I attended, but it is estimated over 2 million people attended in 2007.

The larger sculptures like the one shown in the photo had attached ice slides. The kids were having a ball.

Soldiers offered assistance to the children and kept the lines moving efficiently. Everyone in my group tried the slides and discovered the reason why the children were able to zip down so easily: their snow suits. Trust me, blue jeans and wool pants do not work well for sliding.

In front of every sculpture is an area for photos. My friends and I stopped for a Kodak moment. Shown are fellow teachers Margo Harper, Rae White, me, and Wendy Barry.

More Snow Festival photos will be featured in future Foreign Fridays.

Comments

  1. Changes in the windJanuary 21, 2011 at 6:25 AM

    Wow...this is amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  2. KathyJanuary 21, 2011 at 6:28 AM

    NANCY THAT IS JUST BEAUTIFUL. I KNOW THE KIDS HAD A BALL ON THE SLIDES. WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING LIKE THAT AROUND? NOT ME! THANKS FOR SHARING.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Tracy BatchelderJanuary 21, 2011 at 6:40 AM

    Wow, those sculptures are impressive! I'm glad there are going to be more photos.

    ReplyDelete
  4. fancystitchingJanuary 21, 2011 at 8:20 AM

    How wonderful!! Thanks for sharing. I hope Wyoming is not packed with snow and ready for their own festival.

    Kat

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousJanuary 21, 2011 at 10:00 AM

    Wow! What gorgeous pictures, Nancy! Thank you for sharing them and your experiences with us!

    How long did you teach in Japan?

    ReplyDelete
  6. hakuchoJanuary 21, 2011 at 1:27 PM

    That snow slide looks like fun!

    ReplyDelete
  7. DianeJanuary 22, 2011 at 3:00 PM

    Hi Nancy,
    These are beautiful sculptures. I am so glad to have your blog address again.I was worried about you.Glad to see you are still blogging.
    (((((Big Hugs)))
    Diane R

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

I love comments!

If you are going to ask a question make sure you have your profile set to allow me to respond back by email or email me directly - my address is in upper right hand column.