One of the most famous festival in Japan.
Every year, more than 2 millions people come to Odori Park to see hundreds of snow statues. The festival started in 1950 - at that time, only local high school students where building the snow monuments. In 1955, they were joined by the Self-Defense Force, which started to build huge structure. The festival became especially famous when it was held during the Olympic Games in 1972.
pictures from the official web site :
www.snowfes.com