iReport: After dark at the Sapporo Snow Festival

In a CNNGo iReport assignment at the end of January, we asked readers to share their images of their favorite Asian nighttime travel destinations, as well as the reasons they picked them.

Alan Cook, living in Funabashi, near Tokyo, sent us his photos along with a word or two on what made him pull out his camera at one of Japan’s most popular after-dark festivals last week.

There's no escaping the mouse, even in Japan's frozen north.

iReporter Cook has lived in Japan for 10 years and he finally made it to the annual Snow Festival in Sapporo, Hokkaido, this year on the 63rd running of the winter fiesta, which concluded at the weekend.

Taiwan's National Palace Museum somehow looks even better in ice.

“Every year, artists use snow and ice to carve the most amazing things,” says Cook. “In the photos you can see the biggest of the sculptures -- Mickey Mouse, various sea animals, The National Palace Museum in Taiwan, the Taj Mahal, Tsuruga Castle in Fukushima and scenes from ‘One Piece,’ the popular Japanese manga.”

The Taj Mahal was one of Sapporo's biggest draws this year.

As for what inspired him to file his stunning iReport, Cook explains: “I’ve been wanting to see the Snow Festival ever since I came to Japan but never really had any time.

“So, now that I got the chance to see it, I really want all CNNGo's readers to get the chance to catch a glimpse of it too.”

Tsuruga Castle popped up to represent the stricken Fukushima Prefecture.

Now that he’s been once, Cook hopes to repeat the trip in future. “It was really fantastic, I really enjoyed it,” he says. “I want to go back next year and spend more time and take lots of friends.”

Bonus fact: In years when the festival is short on snow, Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force bring in extra from the hills outside Sapporo. The event is considered part of the training regime for Force members.

The cast of Japan's number-one manga comic, "One Piece," put in an appearance.

More on CNNGo iReport: My favorite Japanese holiday spots

These images were submitted to CNNGo by iReporter Allan Cook as part of an iReport assignment asking readers to share their favorite after-dark travel destinations. Interested in submitting your own stories, photos and videos? Visit our iReport page.