The snow festival takes place in three main locations in Sapporo, one of which is the military base. It's a pretty strange feeling to walk right into a military base to look at snow statues - I can't really imagine that happening in Britain. Or anywhere except Japan really. Anyway, the Japanese Self-Defence Force (SDF) have been taking part in the festival every year, helping to build the giant snow statues and even taking photos for tourists. In fact, we got the chap in earmuffs below to take our picture. Unfortunately, this is the last year the SDF will be participating in the event, as the government has decided they should use the army for something other than building giant snowmen. Shame.