The Beauty of Sapporo’s White Illumination
Planning a trip to Sapporo? Explore the dazzling Sapporo White Illumination—Japan’s first winter light festival.
Sapporo is the capital city of Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island.
It is known for its extensive forested areas and incredible nature.
But in the winter Sapporo is a mecca for winter sports enthusiasts.
It even played host to the Winter Olympics in 1972.
Beyond winter sports, Sapporo is also the home of Japan’s oldest winter light festival.
Every year, as the days grow shorter and the year-end nears, Sapporo transforms some of its wintery streets into magical spots of twinkly lights.
If you love Christmas like we do then you’ll be enchanted by the beautiful illuminations throughout Sapporo.
Here is how and where to see the Sapporo White Illumination!
Getting to Sapporo
Unlike nearby Kyoto or Osaka, Sapporo is a respectable 887 km (551 miles) from Tokyo.
Therefore, planning your trip to Sapporo is important to your overall Japan itinerary.
By Air
The fastest and easiest way to get from Tokyo or Osaka to Sapporo is by plane.
The flight takes about an hour and a half from Tokyo’s Haneda airport to Sapporo’s New Chitose airport.
When you arrive in Sapporo, take the JR Hokkaido airport train to Sapporo Station.
The ride from New Chitose Airport into the city takes an additional 40 minutes.
The trains leave every 15 minutes, which makes it very convenient and easy.
By Train
The trip from Tokyo to Sapporo by Shinkansen train is a nine-hour affair with a train change in Hakodate.
You could make this a day trip with an early start from Tokyo, a 2-3 hour stop in Hakodate to stretch your legs and get something to eat.
Then continuing directly to Sapporo Station.
I was north of Tokyo when I traveled to Sapporo. I took a Shinkansen train and stopped in Hakodate for a few hours, arriving in Sapporo early in the evening.
It was a long travel day but the stop at Hakodate was interesting, windy, and fun.
However, if you’re time is limited traveling by air may be your best option.
Tip
Remember that it gets dark early during the winter in Sapporo. So if you want to arrive with some daylight fly into Sapporo early in the day.
Everything You Need to Know About Japan’s Iconic Winter Light Festival
The first winter light festival in Japan was celebrated in Sapporo in 1981.
The festival has become an annual tradition that illuminates many spaces throughout the city with beautiful light installations, music and lights.
Odori Park
You’ll find Odori Park in the heart of Sapporo.
The green space occupies an area of approximately 79,000 square meters (49 square miles).
The park functions as the center of the city and you’ll find many important places and shopping venues surrounding the park.
Starting at the end of November the park transforms into a winter wonderland.
Light installations synchronized to music are set up throughout the park.
With the days becoming shorter the lights bring on a celebratory and joyful feeling to the winter nights!
Sapporo TV Tower
Anchoring the east side of Odori Park you’ll find the Sapporo TV Tower.
Much like the Eiffel Tower in Paris, this steel tower is illuminated beautifully at night.
You can take in the view of the Odori Park illuminations from the tower’s viewing platform.
The view of the city from the tower is breathtaking.
Sapporo Station
The areas surrounding Sapporo’s main train station are also transformed by thousands of lights.
So make Sapporo Station a destination to visit in your itinerary.
Exit the train station through the South Exit where you will find the Police Station and light installations brightening the night and creating a festive mood.
After you’ve enjoyed the illuminations in the South Exit make your way to Ekimae-dori.
The trees of Ekimae-Dori, the street leading from Sapporo Station to Susukino, are decorated with LED’s.
As an alternative take the subway from Sapporo Station to Susukino and walk along Ekimae-dori in the direction of the train station.
In this direction, you will arrive at Odori Park where you can stop to enjoy the installations instead of reaching the station.
City Streets
In addition to Ekimae-dori, two more streets in Sapporo are decorated with lights creating a magical light trail.
Check out Minamiichijo-dori Street to see the now leafless Gingko trees decked out in lights.
The north-south sidewalk between Minami 1-jo Nishi 1-chome and 3-chome is lighted with beautiful lights on both sides of the street.
Just lovely!
Or explore Sapporo City Kita 3-jo Square, where the Hokkaido Prefectural Government Red Brick Building forms the perfect backdrop for the lights in the ancient ginkgo trees and the illuminated square.
Magical!
Illumination Dates
Keep in mind that the illumination displays don’t stay up for the same duration at every venue.
For example, the Odori Park Illuminations are removed right after Christmas while many of the street lights remain in place until February or March.
So be sure to check the dates and locations for this year by visiting the Sapporo Travel White Illumination website.
Beyond the Sapporo White Illumination
As with any good winter festival you will find many food and craft stands where you can purchase a hot drink or something to eat during your visit.
But to my great surprise, the Sapporo White Illumination includes a German Christmas Market at Odori Park.
Yes! It’s even called the Munich Christmas Market in Sapporo.
I discovered that Munich is a sister city to Sapporo and the market was created to celebrate the friendship between the two cities.
The market stalls sell mulled wine and various Christmas items giving a great Christmas atmosphere.
So you can have a little bit of the Western Christmas spirit while visiting Japan.
Why Visit the Sapporo White Illumination
One of the wonderful things about visiting Japan is how safe it is when traveling, even more if you are traveling alone.
This is especially true in winter when the days are short.
Being able to walk through the streets and the park in the great atmosphere and feeling safe is a welcome thing.
So if you’re thinking of a place to go where you can enjoy the winter months, beautiful illuminations, and even a little western Christmas fun, consider adding Sapporo White Illumination to your Japan itinerary.
Tanoshi kyujitsu o! (Happy Holidays!)
