Odori Park is located in the heart of Sapporo. Once you reach the city center, you can't miss it. It divides the city into two sides, north and south, stretches about 1.5 kilometers, and covers 12 blocks of the city. In summer, the park becomes a green oasis filled with flowers of many varieties. In winter, it serves as the main venue for the Sapporo Snow Festival.
Besides the park's cool, relaxing atmosphere, there's the Sapporo TV Tower at its eastern end. Standing 150 meters tall, it has an observation deck at a height of 90 meters, offering a 360-degree view of the park and the surrounding city. At night, the tower is lit up beautifully, making it another must-see spot in Sapporo.
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Sapporo TV Tower
Visiting Information
Admission: Adults ¥1,000, Students ¥500, Children (ages 0–5) free
Hours: 9:00–20:00 (last admission 21:30)
Closed: Open every day
Photo from https://pixabay.com/photos/hokkaido-sapporo-tv-tower-boulevard-516149/
Photo by Takanori Nakanowatari from flickr.com/photos/ope/834783919/ [CC by 2.0]
Photo by MIKI Yoshihito from flickr.com/photos/mujitra/8130623373/ [CC by 2.0]
Photo by Sam Sheffield from flickr.com/photos/jss/4348192649/ [CC by-sa 2.0]
Photo from https://www.flickr.com/photos/dgmckelvey/13630352183
Major Festivals at Odori Park
Sapporo Snow Festival
- Period: Every February
- Details: One of Japan's most famous festivals, the Sapporo Snow Festival takes place every February. It features snow and ice sculptures created by artists from around the world. Visitors can walk among illuminated sculptures at night and take part in various activities held throughout Odori Park.
Cherry Blossom Festival
- Period: Late April to early May
- Details: From late April to early May, Odori Park transforms into a sea of blooming cherry blossoms. This is when visitors and locals gather to admire the flowers and enjoy picnics beneath the trees, a tradition known as "hanami."
Sapporo Summer Beer Garden
- Period: Mid-July to mid-August
- Details: Held from July to August, the Sapporo Summer Beer Garden fills Odori Park with beer booths from various countries. There is live music and local food to try, making it a great festival for anyone who enjoys beer and relaxing outdoors.
Sapporo City Jazz
- Period: Throughout July
- Details: This music festival takes place in July and features performances by leading jazz musicians from Japan and abroad. Visitors can enjoy jazz music in the beautiful setting of Odori Park and experience high-quality performances.
Autumn Festival
- Period: Early to late September
- Details: The Autumn Festival at Odori Park is held in September, when the park turns golden with changing leaves. The festival features local cultural performances, delicious food, and activities suitable for the whole family.
- Access: About a 10-minute walk from JR Sapporo Station.
- Address: Nishi 1-12-chome Odori nishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
- Hours: Open 24 hours daily
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://odori-park.jp/en/
- Coordinates: https://maps.app.goo.gl/XpS61FPYbVmQpjjX7