Tag: November
Sapporo White Illumination
Dates | November 24 - December 25 |
Opening Hours | 16:30 - 22:00 |
Contact | 011-281-6400 (Sapporo White Illumination Executive Committee) |
Location / Getting There | Odori Park (1~4-chome) Ekimae dori (Kita 4-jo ~ Minami 4-jo) |
Sapporo White Illumination is an event held every winter which sees Odori park and the main street through Sapporo draped with hundreds of thousands of Christmas lights. Sapporo was the first city in Japan to start this tradition in 1981, since then other cities throughout Japan have followed suit with their own illumination events. Some 520, 000 lights are draped through trees and objects set up through Odori park creating a beautiful landscape of color in the evenings. A beautiful area to wander around in the snow and get some great photos!
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The Odori Park venue goes for 7 blocks, which spreads from the TV tower all the way west through Odori park. The German Christmas Market festival, which is also in Odori park, runs concurrently with the Sapporo White Illumination, so there is quite a lot to see, especially around Christmas! There are spots for photo opportunities in the park. Each year sees new additions to the event to check out. During the chilly evenings, there are stalls set up to grab something hot to drink, or eat. So, rug up, grab your family or friends and enjoy the Sapporo White Illumination display!
German Christmas Market
Admission | Free entry |
Opening Hours | 1 month November 25th to December 26th 11:00 – 21:00 |
Closed | – |
Contact | 011-222-4894(Sapporo City Call Center) |
Notes | - |
Getting There | Odori Park |
This event started in 2002 to honor the 30th anniversary of its sister city ties with Munich, Germany. Set up in sight of the TV Tower this small village is the perfect spot to take in a white winter and experience the Christmas cheer. There are a few dozen stalls set up selling handmade Christmas gifts, beer, hot chocolate and mulled wine to keep the hands and belly warm. There are also an array of food stalls selling traditional German cuisine. Over the years this has expanded to other European foods.
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For the kids, there is an indoor workshop to make decorations and there are performances and concerts outdoors. This event also coincides with the Sapporo White Illumination, which runs next to the village. This is a great spot for the family or a romantic date. So, rug up and take in the sights and smells, and if you’re lucky you might get a chance to meet Santa Claus.