The number of foreign tourists visiting the city of Sapporo is increasing. In addition to various events held throughout the year, such as the Snow Festival and the YOSAKOI Soran Festival, the city has many other tourist attractions.
Here, one of our local writers introduces sightseeing spots in the Sapporo city area that you can visit in a single day!
- 1.10:00 – Visit the Sapporo Clock Tower
- 2.11:00 – Stroll around Odori Park
- 3.12:00 – Visit Sapporo TV Tower
- 4.13:00 – Gourmet seafood lunch at Nijo Market
- 5.14:30 – Go to the Shiroi Koibito Park, a good place for Instagram photos
- 6.16:30 – Tea time at the popular cafe FAbULOUS in Soseigawa East
- 7.18:30 – Take in the night view from Mt. Moiwa
- 8.20:00 – Enjoy Hokkaido delicacies & local sake in Susukino
1.10:00 – Visit the Sapporo Clock Tower
The Clock Tower, a proud historical Sapporo landmark, was built in 1878 as a demonstration hall of Sapporo Agricultural School, which was the predecessor of Hokkaido University. Three years after its construction, the clock was added for signaling the start and end of lessons.
In the exhibition room on the first floor, materials on clock towers around the world, and materials on cultural properties and buildings in Sapporo and Hokkaido are displayed. On the second floor, which can be rented, events such as concerts are held. Within walking distance of Sapporo Station and Odori Station, it is always lively with tourists.
Sapporo Clock Tower
Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido north 1 west 2
Odori
011-231-0838
2.11:00 – Stroll around Odori Park
Odori Park is just a 5-minute walk away from the Clock Tower. Extending about 1.5 km east and west, it has lawns, flower beds, fountains, and sculptures dispersed throughout its 7.8 ha.
The air is filled with the aroma of corn from that being sold in wagons in various corners of the park. Around June each year, a switch is made from frozen corn to fresh corn being sold. These wagon vendors are open from spring to autumn and may be open for a limited time during winter, such as during the White Illumination period.
Odori Park hosts big events throughout the year. A typical example is the Sapporo Snow Festival, which is held every year from early to mid-February. At that time the entire Odori Park is lined with more than 200 snow sculptures. At night, it becomes an illuminated fantasy land, and in recent years, shows using projection mapping have been held.
The “YOSAKOI Soran Festival”, held in June every year, is a new local performing art created by mixing the Yosakoi Festival in Kochi Prefecture with the Soran Bushi of Hokkaido folk songs. About 280 teams, dressed in colorful costumes, participated in the event in 2019.
White Illumination is an event that lights up Sapporo from late autumn to early winter. Lighting is usually from 4:30 to 10:30 p.m., but during the Christmas period (December 23 to 25) it is extended to midnight.
Odori Park
Odorinishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido 1-12 chome
Nishi hatchome
011-251-0438
Guide to Central Sapporo: Highlights Of Odori Park & Sapporo TV Tower
3.12:00 – Visit Sapporo TV Tower
kwanchai.c / Shutterstock.com
The Sapporo TV Tower, majestically situated at Odori 1-chome, was completed in 1956 and has been watching over the city's development for more than half a centu…
