Susukino Site
Susukino is the center of nightlife in Sapporo, and Susukino Ice World is the setting for a sparkling display of illuminated ice sculptures. The event runs from early to mid-February, and the main avenue in Susukino is closed to traffic during that time. Sixty elaborate ice sculptures carved by chefs from local hotels and restaurants line the center of the street. Many of the sculptures are entered in a contest that occurs soon after the venue opens in early February. Everyone can vote for their favorite at one of the five ballot boxes onsite.
Some of those sculptures are massive, and virtually all of them have delicate details that take great skill and patience to carve. Creatures real and imagined are a favorite theme, and past works have ranged from giant bottles of whiskey to Japanese courtly figures in traditional dress. The sculptures are bright and dazzling during the day, but take on a totally different aspect when illuminated at night.
Susukino is just south of Odori Park, and the sculptures line the street from Susukino Station in the north towards Nakajima Park to the south. Sculptures are divided into six “blocks” designated A through F.
The first thing to greet visitors is an enormous ice pagoda. Next are Block A and Block B, where the main ice sculptures are located.
Block C is where the ice sculptures entered in the contest are displayed, while Block D has an information center and the Ice Bar. The Ice Bar is built of translucent bricks of ice and serves hot beverages.
At Block E is the canopy of lights called Illumination Road, as well as the site for ice-carving demonstrations.
Block F is the place to actively engage with some of the sculptures. Visitors can go down an ice slide and climb into ice cars. Also in this block are carvings of popular TV characters.
