Sapporo White Illumination

Making Sapporo’s Winter Nights Sparkle
Breathtaking Contrast of White Snow and Colorful Lights

Odori Park :November 24-December 25, 2017
Ekimae dori :November 24, 2017 February 12, 2018
Minami 1-jo dori :November 24, 2017 March 14, 2018

While wintertime illumination events are now held in cities around Japan, it was in Sapporo that the tradition originated in 1981. Some 520,000 light bulbs are used at Odori Park to illuminate objects centered on cosmic and Christmas themes, illuminating Sapporo’s winter nights with breathtaking artistry. Draped with strings of lights, the trees along Sapporo Ekimae dori and Minami 1-jo dori are transformed into luminous, street-side curtains. Viewing the German Christmas Market in Sapporo (held from late November to late December) at Odori Park 2-chome is an added attraction that is popular with couples during the Christmas season, when the illumination continues until midnight.

Hope in illuminations. Sapporo-born sculptor, Takamichi Ito | Interview

Indoor facilities where you can watch the White Illumination at your leisure | Feature

Useful Information for Foreign Tourists in Sapporo: Shoes and Walking Tips Essential for Enjoying Winter in Sapporo｜Useful Information

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Odori venue

At the venue, below the lit-up Sapporo TV tower, you will see the "love trees", with their impressive red, heart-shaped decorations, created by adorning Hokkaido spruce trees with electric lights. On November 23 and from December 20 to 25, there is scheduled to be a special lighting up of TV Tower, so why not come along and be there for the moment of the switchover from the standard light-up?

Sapporo TV Tower Light Up
16:30 to 24:00

Labor Thanksgiving Day version
November 23 (Wed/public holiday) 16:00 to 20:15, 20:45 to 21:15 22:00 to 24:00

Christmas Special Version
December 24 (Sut) to 25 (Sun)

Details arehere

At the main 2 chome venue, where the "German Christmas Market in Sapporo" is also held, there is the "space region", with a 15m-high symbolic objet. "During the Christmas Market season, the many stalls which encircle the venue sell Christmas goods from Germany and other European countries, arts and crafts from Hokkaido, German cuisine and "Glühwein", a hot cocktail made from hot wine with cinnamon and orange. The hot food and drink enjoyed in the cold weather taste exceptional! Of course, there are also heated resting places available, so you needn't worry about the cold.

German Christmas Market in Sapporo

November 25, 2016 (Fri) to December 24, 2016 (Sut)

Details are here

The fountain at the center of this venue houses a Snow Crystal that vividly changes colors. In addition to the grand illumination at the venue highlighting blue as the theme color, this year features a new symbolic tree shining in a brilliant gold.

This venue features Spark Fountain, with water displays, and Jewelry Palace, a palace of light designed around a diamond motif. This is a great spot for commemorative photos with the Sapporo TV tower in the background.

For a break, check out the vendors with hot drinks and food next to the Christmas Garden. This is the perfect spot to rest and warm up before visiting the next venue.

View a maze of light and new media artworks with tall trees, among other attractions. Also, enjoy the splendid light show and video of short stories.

Check out the balls of various sizes that as they light up the insides of Christmas ornaments. The contrast between snow and different colored lighting provides an added dimension to this visually captivating event.

Experience an out-of-this-world, fantastic visual presentation in the new large full dome theater featuring various lights. During the event, the venue will host an exhibition that introduces the album and live concert tour of DREAMS COME TRUE, who will be singing the theme song at the 8th Asian Winter Games held in Sapporo and Obihiro in February 2017. In addition, the venue will be decorated with special Christmas trees designed jointly with WINTER FANTASIA 2016.

Dates	November 18 (Fri), 2016 to December 25 (Sun), 2016
Time	16:30 to 22:00 *December 23 (Fri) to 25 (Sun) is until 00:00.
Acssess	Close to Subway Namboku Line, Tozai Line, Toho Line "Odori" Station

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Ekimae-dori venue

"Ekimae-dori" continues from JR Sapporo Station in the direction of Susukino. The trees of the median strip of the road that symbolizes the city of Sapporo are decorated with LEDs. The monochromatic lights wrapped around the branches create a sophisticated and mature atmosphere. During the event period, come on up from the Sapporo Ekimae-dori underground walkway, and take a walk along the street.

Dates	November 18 (Fri), 2016 to February 12 (Sun), 2017
Time	16:30 to 22:00 *December 23 (Fri) to 25 (Sun) is until 00:00.

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Minami-ichijo-dori venue

The area from Minami 1-jo 1-chome to 3-chome is lined with department stores and fashion buildings. The roadside ginkgo trees, which continue from east to west, are decorated with LEDs and make the neon signs of the city much more spectacular!

Dates	November 18 (Fri), 2016 to March 14 (Tue), 2017
Time	16:30 to 22:00 *December 23 (Fri) to 25 (Sun) is until 00:00.

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"Sapporo White Illumination", which has now become the hallmark of winter in Sapporo, began with the "tree of light", created by sculptor Takamichi Ito with "Hokkaido conifer" as its motif. Since then, this event, which has continued for over 30 years, has conveyed the unique beauty of the cold winter to both Sapporo residents and tourists and colored their memories of the time.
If you are going to enjoy the sparkling Odori Park, we also recommend the distant view from a view point overlooking the venue. If you enjoy White Illumination from a warm place, such as Sapporo TV Tower or "Tokumitsu Coffee, Odori", you will surely have a very special night.

特集記事

Hope in illuminations Sapporo-born sculptor, Takamichi Ito

Indoor facilities where you can watch the White Illumination at your leisure

Sapporo White Illumination

Place	Odori Park (1~4-chome) Ekimae dori (Kita 4-jo ~ Minami 4-jo) Minami 1-jo dori (Minami 1-jo Nishi 1-chome ~ 3-chome)
Telephone	011-281-6400 (Sapporo White Illumination Executive Committee)
Website	http://white-illumination.jp/en-us/