Odori Park (sometimes called Odori Koen) is a long, scenic park in the heart of Sapporo, acting as a natural divider between the northern and southern halves of the city centre.
The park stretches 12 blocks east to west, but is only one block wide. It is bordered on the east by the Sapporo TV Tower and on the west by the Sapporo City Archive Museum. Throughout the year, Odori Park plays host to numerous seasonal events, ranging from summer beer gardens to the world-famous Sapporo Snow Festival in winter.
For visitors exploring Sapporo, Odori Park and the Sapporo TV Tower are great starting points. The TV Tower’s observation deck offers stunning panoramic views of the city and beyond. Built in 1957, the tower is inspired by France’s Eiffel Tower and stands as a prominent city landmark. Below the tower, an underground shopping centre connects to Odori Subway Station, making it a convenient stop for travellers.
Odori Park is a hub for festivals throughout the year. Some of the most notable events include:
- February: Sapporo Snow Festival (Yuki-matsuri) – Featuring massive, intricate ice and snow sculptures, this is one of Japan’s most famous winter festivals.
- May: Lilac Festival – Celebrating the arrival of spring, this festival showcases Sapporo’s blooming lilac trees.
- June: Yosakoi Soran Festival – A high-energy dance festival where teams perform dynamic routines inspired by traditional yosakoi dance.
- July–September: Sapporo Summer Festival – The city’s biggest summer event, featuring beer gardens, food festivals, and cultural performances at Odori Park.
Getting to Odori Park is easy thanks to its central location and excellent subway connections.
- Odori Station serves the Toho, Tozai, and Nanboku subway lines, making it one of the most accessible stations in Sapporo.
- Nishi-Juitchome Station, located at the western end of the park, is on the Tozai Line, providing access to the Sapporo City Archive Museum and surrounding attractions.
Sapporo TV Tower website
https://www.tv-tower.co.jp/
Related pages on Happy Jappy
Sapporo TV Tower
About Sapporo
Pole Town & Aurora Town Shopping Centres
Getting around Sapporo
