Snow sculptures are made knowing they will vanish in days. In February, giant sculptures rising more than ten meters line Sapporo's central park, temples, foreign landmarks, and figures from the year's news, all carved from nothing but snow and ice. Citizens, military teams, and international groups prepare for months and carve for days. The festival began in 1950, when local students built six snow statues in Odori Park. It has since grown into the largest winter event in the north, drawing millions of visitors from around the world. At night, lights play over the sculptures and projection mapping turns their white walls into screens for stories of light. And when the festival ends, everything melts away. People build these works fully aware that nothing will remain. One of Hokkaido's defining winter celebrations.