Amazing pictures from the Japanese snow festival that just drew more than 2 million visitors

The Sapporo Snow Festival is held in Sapporo, Japan and attracts about 2 million visitors every winter. The 2015 one just ended this week.

The first festival took place in 1950 when local high school students made six snow statues. Nowadays, the festival includes an international sculpture contest, ice rinks, air shows, and some of the most intricately detailed statues.

Here are some of the most creative and inspiring images from the this year's festival, courtesy of Rocket News 24.