Soaking in an event as elaborate as the annual Sapporo Snow Festival in Hokkaido's largest city over a single weekend means getting off on steady footing in more ways than one.
For festival-goers, there is the danger of slipping on the icy roads as they travel from place to place, with a multitude of attractions, activities and delicious fare spread over three locations across the city.
With 208 snow and ice sculptures to take in, visitors are in for a heady experience.