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Thursday 23 May 2013

In Pictures: Sapporo Snow Festival in Japan

People admire small-sized snow sculptures at the opening of the annual snow festival in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 5, 2013. Some two million people are expecting to visit the week-long festival which has over 200 snow sculptures.
People admire small-sized snow sculptures at the opening of the annual snow festival in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 5, 2013. Some two million people are expecting to visit the week-long festival which has over 200 snow sculptures.
Taiwanese dancers perform in front of a large snow sculpture of Taipei's Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall at the opening of the annual snow festival in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 5, 2013. Some two million people are expecting to visit the week-long festival which has over 200 snow sculptures.
Taiwanese dancers perform in front of a large snow sculpture of Taipei's Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall at the opening of the annual snow festival in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 5, 2013. Some two million people are expecting to visit the week-long festival which has over 200 snow sculptures.
A girl enjoys a snow slide at the opening of the annual snow festival in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 5, 2013. Some two million people are expecting to visit the week-long festival which has over 200 snow sculptures.
A girl enjoys a snow slide at the opening of the annual snow festival in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 5, 2013. Some two million people are expecting to visit the week-long festival which has over 200 snow sculptures.
Traditional Thai dancers perform in front of a large snow sculpture of Thailand's Wat Bendamabophit temple at the opening of the annual snow festival in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 5, 2013. Some two million people are expecting to visit the week-long festival which has over 200 snow sculptures.
Traditional Thai dancers perform in front of a large snow sculpture of Thailand's Wat Bendamabophit temple at the opening of the annual snow festival in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 5, 2013. Some two million people are expecting to visit the week-long festival which has over 200 snow sculptures.
Taiwanese dancers perform in front of a large snow sculpture of Taipei's Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall at the opening of the annual snow festival in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 5, 2013. Some two million people are expecting to visit the week-long festival which has over 200 snow sculptures.
Taiwanese dancers perform in front of a large snow sculpture of Taipei's Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall at the opening of the annual snow festival in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 5, 2013. Some two million people are expecting to visit the week-long festival which has over 200 snow sculptures.
People walk through heavy snowfall as they take in the various snow sculptures at the opening of the annual snow festival in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 5, 2013. Some two million people are expecting to visit the week-long festival which has over 200 snow sculptures.
People walk through heavy snowfall as they take in the various snow sculptures at the opening of the annual snow festival in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 5, 2013. Some two million people are expecting to visit the week-long festival which has over 200 snow sculptures.
People admire a large snow sculpture of Thailand's Wat Bendamabophit at the opening of the annual snow festival in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 5, 2013. Some two million people are expecting to visit the week-long festival which has over 200 snow sculptures.
People admire a large snow sculpture of Thailand's Wat Bendamabophit at the opening of the annual snow festival in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 5, 2013. Some two million people are expecting to visit the week-long festival which has over 200 snow sculptures.
Traditional Thai dancers perform in front of a large snow sculpture of Thailand's Wat Bendamabophit temple at the opening of the annual snow festival in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 5, 2013. Some two million people are expecting to visit the week-long festival which has over 200 snow sculptures.
Traditional Thai dancers perform in front of a large snow sculpture of Thailand's Wat Bendamabophit temple at the opening of the annual snow festival in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 5, 2013. Some two million people are expecting to visit the week-long festival which has over 200 snow sculptures.
People admire a large snow sculpture at the opening of the annual snow festival in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 5, 2013. Some two million people are expecting to visit the week-long festival which has over 200 snow sculptures.
People admire a large snow sculpture at the opening of the annual snow festival in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 5, 2013. Some two million people are expecting to visit the week-long festival which has over 200 snow sculptures.
A Taiwanese dancer performs in front of a large snow sculpture of Taipei's Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall at the opening of the annual snow festival in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 5, 2013. Some two million people are expecting to visit the week-long festival which has over 200 snow sculptures.
A Taiwanese dancer performs in front of a large snow sculpture of Taipei's Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall at the opening of the annual snow festival in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 5, 2013. Some two million people are expecting to visit the week-long festival which has over 200 snow sculptures.
Traditional Thai dancers perform in front of a large snow sculpture of Thailand's Wat Bendamabophit temple at the opening of the annual snow festival in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 5, 2013. Some two million people are expecting to visit the week-long festival which has over 200 snow sculptures.
Traditional Thai dancers perform in front of a large snow sculpture of Thailand's Wat Bendamabophit temple at the opening of the annual snow festival in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 5, 2013. Some two million people are expecting to visit the week-long festival which has over 200 snow sculptures.
People admire a large snow sculpture of cartoon characters at the opening of the annual snow festival in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 5, 2013. Some two million people are expecting to visit the week-long festival which has over 200 snow sculptures.
People admire a large snow sculpture of cartoon characters at the opening of the annual snow festival in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 5, 2013. Some two million people are expecting to visit the week-long festival which has over 200 snow sculptures.
Traditional Thai dancers perform in front of a large snow sculpture of Thailand's Wat Bendamabophit temple at the opening of the annual snow festival in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 5, 2013. Some two million people are expecting to visit the week-long festival which has over 200 snow sculptures.
Traditional Thai dancers perform in front of a large snow sculpture of Thailand's Wat Bendamabophit temple at the opening of the annual snow festival in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 5, 2013. Some two million people are expecting to visit the week-long festival which has over 200 snow sculptures.
Visitors enjoy a ride on a scale model of a steam locomotive at the opening of the annual snow festival in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 5, 2013. Some two million people are expecting to visit the week-long festival which has over 200 snow sculptures.
Visitors enjoy a ride on a scale model of a steam locomotive at the opening of the annual snow festival in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 5, 2013. Some two million people are expecting to visit the week-long festival which has over 200 snow sculptures.
Visitors enjoy a ride on a scale model of a steam locomotive at the opening of the annual snow festival in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 5, 2013. Some two million people are expecting to visit the week-long festival which has over 200 snow sculptures.
Visitors enjoy a ride on a scale model of a steam locomotive at the opening of the annual snow festival in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 5, 2013. Some two million people are expecting to visit the week-long festival which has over 200 snow sculptures.
Japanese self defense force soldiers build a huge snow sculpture for the upcoming annual Sapporo Snow Festival in Sapporo on January 30, 2012. The 63rd Sapporo Snow Festival will be held between February 6 and 12 which attracts some 2.4 million visitors last year.
Japanese self defense force soldiers build a huge snow sculpture for the upcoming annual Sapporo Snow Festival in Sapporo on January 30, 2012. The 63rd Sapporo Snow Festival will be held between February 6 and 12 which attracts some 2.4 million visitors last year.
A Thai competitor shaves snow to make a snow sculpture for the international competition at the annual snow festival in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 5, 2012. Some two million people are due to attend the week long festival which has over 250 snow sculptures.
A Thai competitor shaves snow to make a snow sculpture for the international competition at the annual snow festival in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 5, 2012. Some two million people are due to attend the week long festival which has over 250 snow sculptures.
A Russian competitor saws through snow to make a snow sculpture for the international competition at the annual snow festival in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 5, 2012. Some two million people are due to attend the week long festival which has over 250 snow sculptures.
A Russian competitor saws through snow to make a snow sculpture for the international competition at the annual snow festival in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 5, 2012. Some two million people are due to attend the week long festival which has over 250 snow sculptures.
Japanese self defense force soldiers build a huge snow sculpture for the upcoming annual Sapporo Snow Festival in Sapporo on January 30, 2012. The 63rd Sapporo Snow Festival will be held between February 6 and 12 which attracts some 2.4 million visitors last year.
Japanese self defense force soldiers build a huge snow sculpture for the upcoming annual Sapporo Snow Festival in Sapporo on January 30, 2012. The 63rd Sapporo Snow Festival will be held between February 6 and 12 which attracts some 2.4 million visitors last year.
A South Korean competitor shaves snow cube to make a snow sculpture for the international competition at the annual snow festival in Sapporo, Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 6, 2012. Some 2 million people are due to attend the week long festival which has over 250 snow sculptures.
A South Korean competitor shaves snow cube to make a snow sculpture for the international competition at the annual snow festival in Sapporo, Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 6, 2012. Some 2 million people are due to attend the week long festival which has over 250 snow sculptures.
People admire a large snow sculpture of India's world heritage Taj Mahal at the annual snow festival in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 5, 2012. Some two million people are due to attend the week long festival which has over 250 snow sculptures.
People admire a large snow sculpture of India's world heritage Taj Mahal at the annual snow festival in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 5, 2012. Some two million people are due to attend the week long festival which has over 250 snow sculptures.
People admire a large snow sculpture of Japanese cartoon character One Piece at the annual snow festival in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 5, 2012. Some two million people are due to attend the week long festival which has over 250 snow sculptures.
People admire a large snow sculpture of Japanese cartoon character One Piece at the annual snow festival in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 5, 2012. Some two million people are due to attend the week long festival which has over 250 snow sculptures.
A couple poses for a photograph in a heart shaped illumination on the eve of the annual snow festival in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 5, 2012. Some two million people are due to attend the week long festival which has over 250 snow sculptures.
A couple poses for a photograph in a heart shaped illumination on the eve of the annual snow festival in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 5, 2012. Some two million people are due to attend the week long festival which has over 250 snow sculptures.
Indian Bollywood style dancers perform in front of a large snow sculpture of India's world heritage Taj Mahal at the opening of the annual snow festival in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 6, 2012. Some two million people are due to attend the week long festival which has over 250 snow sculptures.
Indian Bollywood style dancers perform in front of a large snow sculpture of India's world heritage Taj Mahal at the opening of the annual snow festival in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 6, 2012. Some two million people are due to attend the week long festival which has over 250 snow sculptures.
Indian Bollywood style dancers perform in front of a large snow sculpture of India's world heritage Taj Mahal at the opening of the annual snow festival in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 6, 2012. Some two million people are due to attend the week long festival which has over 250 snow sculptures.
Indian Bollywood style dancers perform in front of a large snow sculpture of India's world heritage Taj Mahal at the opening of the annual snow festival in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 6, 2012. Some two million people are due to attend the week long festival which has over 250 snow sculptures.
Indian Bollywood style dancers perform in front of a large snow sculpture of India's world heritage Taj Mahal at the opening of the annual snow festival in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 6, 2012. Some two million people are due to attend the week long festival which has over 250 snow sculptures.
Indian Bollywood style dancers perform in front of a large snow sculpture of India's world heritage Taj Mahal at the opening of the annual snow festival in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 6, 2012. Some two million people are due to attend the week long festival which has over 250 snow sculptures.
Workers build a huge snow sculpture for the upcoming annual Sapporo Snow Festival in Sapporo on January 30, 2012. The 63rd Sapporo Snow Festival will be held between February 6 and 12 which attracts some 2.4 million visitors last year.
Workers build a huge snow sculpture for the upcoming annual Sapporo Snow Festival in Sapporo on January 30, 2012. The 63rd Sapporo Snow Festival will be held between February 6 and 12 which attracts some 2.4 million visitors last year.
A worker builds a snow sculpture for the upcoming annual Sapporo Snow Festival in Sapporo on January 30, 2012. The 63rd Sapporo Snow Festival will be held between February 6 and 12 which attracts some 2.4 million visitors last year.
A worker builds a snow sculpture for the upcoming annual Sapporo Snow Festival in Sapporo on January 30, 2012. The 63rd Sapporo Snow Festival will be held between February 6 and 12 which attracts some 2.4 million visitors last year.
A girl enjoys a snow sled at the annual snow festival in Sapporo, Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 6, 2012. Some 2 million people are due to attend the week long festival which has over 250 snow sculptures.
A girl enjoys a snow sled at the annual snow festival in Sapporo, Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on February 6, 2012. Some 2 million people are due to attend the week long festival which has over 250 snow sculptures.

The 64th Sapporo Snow Festival at Odori Park on February 5, 2013 in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. The festival is until February 11.

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