The Sapporo White Illumination magically transforms the city into a winter wonderland, making it a hugely popular event for couples, families, and tourists. Discover the many highlights that make winter in Sapporo even more special, from the unique themes and features of each illuminated area.

The Sapporo White Illumination, which began in 1981, is Japan's first-ever illumination event and a beloved winter tradition. In 2024, the event kicks off on Friday, November 22. The Odori Park Site runs until Wednesday, December 25; the Ekimae-dori Site until Tuesday, February 11, 2025; and the Minami 1-jo Dori, Kita 3-jo Hiroba (Akapla), and Sapporo Station South Exit Ekimae Hiroba sites will continue until Friday, March 14, 2025. The lights are generally on from 4:30 PM to 10:00 PM.

The main venue, Odori Park, is beautifully illuminated from 1-chome to 6-chome. Each block features a different theme and display, so you're sure to find the perfect spot for a photo.

At the Odori 1-chome site, the symbolic "Wish Birds" object, featuring iconic wings, takes center stage. This glittering gold installation is modeled after the cuckoo, Sapporo's city bird, capturing a uniquely local essence. Here you can enjoy the collaboration between this object and the illuminated Sapporo TV Tower.

The Odori 2-chome site, which also hosts the concurrent Munich Christmas Market, features the Christmas object "Gift of Snow" with even more elaborate decorations this year. Write a wish on a "Christmas Ball," sold exclusively at the venue, and hang it on the main object—your wish just might come true!

The "Winter Blossoms" symbol object, inspired by brilliantly shining lilacs, is a popular attraction with its beautiful, dynamic five-color transitions, including purple. It has been enhanced with a collaboration featuring the lily of the valley (Sapporo's city flower) and the rugosa rose (Hokkaido's prefectural flower).

The Odori 4-chome site presents the interactive "Snow Fantasia." This snowflake-themed illumination creates a brilliant and magical tunnel of light for visitors to walk through.

"Cosmic Square" at the Odori 5-chome site is an interactive space with a star and universe theme. Inside a transparent dome filled with glowing spheres, you can enjoy an interactive experience where the light display reacts to your movements. The scattered blue-glowing frame domes and shining balls enhance the cosmic atmosphere.

At the Odori 6-chome site, the "Emerald Forest" unfolds—a forest of light based on green hues interwoven with gold illuminations. With the addition of lit-up trees, the venue is bathed in green, recreating a lush forest of light in the middle of winter. Inside the forest, you can enjoy the popular "Maze of Light."

Along the approximately 1.5 km stretch of Ekimae-dori, which connects central Sapporo from JR Sapporo Station to Susukino, trees decorated with LEDs line the street, creating a magical scene. Sapporo's main street is enveloped in light, making even a simple walk feel romantic.

On Minami 1-jo Dori, which runs east-west parallel to Odori Park, 46 ginkgo trees lining the sidewalks are lavishly decorated with over 70,000 LEDs. This approximately 300-meter path of light shines beautifully with a fantastic, dazzling glow.

At Kita 3-jo Hiroba, commonly known as Akapla, which offers a view of the Former Hokkaido Government Office Building (Akarenga), the historic ginkgo trees lining the plaza are adorned with illuminations. The entire plaza is lit up, creating a dramatic landscape.

In the plaza in front of Sapporo Station's south exit, "Flowers of Light" are in full bloom. Amidst the illuminations, these "Flowers of Light" transform the area into a magical winter flower garden through a program of sound and light that changes four times during the event period.

As winter truly sets in, why not step outside and let the beautiful city illuminations fill your heart with warmth?