Sculptures made from snow and ice wow visitors in Japan

Video caption, A snow and ice festival in Northern Japan

Some pretty impressive sculptures made out of snow and ice have been created for an annual winter festival in Northern Japan.

This year, the 67th Sapporo Snow Festival features over 250 sculptures, including iconic Asian buildings, carved out of snow and ice.

Image source, EPA

Image caption, Final touches on snow sculptures resembling the "ruins of St Paul in Macao"

Organisers hope that over two million people from all over the country and abroad will come to see the sculptures.

The sculptures are lit up at night time with colourful lights.

Image source, EPA

Image caption, Purple lights make the sculptures glow at night time.

The Sapporo Snow Festival is a seven-day event.

It started in 1950, when high school students built a few snow statues in Odori Park.

Image source, EPA