The Clock Tower, a proud historical Sapporo landmark, was built in 1878 as a demonstration hall of Sapporo Agricultural School, which was the predecessor of Hokkaido University. Three years after its construction, the clock was added for signaling the start and end of lessons.

In the exhibition room on the first floor, materials on clock towers around the world, and materials on cultural properties and buildings in Sapporo and Hokkaido are displayed. On the second floor, which can be rented, events such as concerts are held. Within walking distance of Sapporo Station and Odori Station, it is always lively with tourists.

Odori Park is just a 5-minute walk away from the Clock Tower. Extending about 1.5 km east and west, it has lawns, flower beds, fountains, and sculptures dispersed throughout its 7.8 ha.

The air is filled with the aroma of corn from that being sold in wagons in various corners of the park. Around June each year, a switch is made from frozen corn to fresh corn being sold. These wagon vendors are open from spring to autumn and may be open for a limited time during winter, such as during the White Illumination period.

Odori Park hosts big events throughout the year. A typical example is the Sapporo Snow Festival, which is held every year from early to mid-February. At that time the entire Odori Park is lined with more than 200 snow sculptures. At night, it becomes an illuminated fantasy land, and in recent years, shows using projection mapping have been held.

The “YOSAKOI Soran Festival”, held in June every year, is a new local performing art created by mixing the Yosakoi Festival in Kochi Prefecture with the Soran Bushi of Hokkaido folk songs. About 280 teams, dressed in colorful costumes, participated in the event in 2019.

White Illumination is an event that lights up Sapporo from late autumn to early winter. Lighting is usually from 4:30 to 10:30 p.m., but during the Christmas period (December 23 to 25) it is extended to midnight.

The Sapporo TV Tower, majestically situated at Odori 1-chome, was completed in 1956 and has been watching over the city's development for more than half a century. From its 90-meter height, you can see the entire Odori Park. In addition, there are events such as climbing the stairs from the first floor to the observatory, and bungee jumps are sometimes performed. There are 109 steps going up from the 1st to the 3rd floor, which is equivalent to 6 stories in a normal office building.

It is about an 8-minute walk from the TV Tower to Nijo Market. The eastern side of Odori Park, beyond the Soseigawa River, is called "Soseigawa East", and is attracting attention as a deep area noted for its convergence of the new in an old-fashioned atmosphere.

It is said that the Nijo Market got its start at the beginning of the Meiji Era when fishermen from Ishikarihama began selling fresh fish there. Today it hosts many shops selling fresh seafood, fruit, and vegetables. Some of the shops there sell sushi and seafood bowls. The air is filled with the inviting rich aroma of grilled oysters and scallops.

In the afternoon, leave the city center and explore the suburbs. Municipal transportation is convenient for getting around.

There are several great deals available, such as the One-Day Subway Ticket (830 yen for adults) and the Donichika Kip (520 yen for adults) which allows unlimited use of the subway for one day only on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays and during the year-end and New Year holidays. With the one-day Dosanko Pass (370 yen) you can ride streetcars as often as you like.

In addition, the Sapporo City Transportation Bureau provides information on how to enjoy riding the streetcars running throughout the city on its website. Be sure to check it out.http://www.city.sapporo.jp/st/english/modelcourse.html

Take the Tozai subway line from Odori Station and get off at Miyanosawa Station, the last stop. From there it is about an 8-minute walk to Shiroi Koibito Park. In addition to being able to observe the production line of the classic Hokkaido souvenir Shiroi Koibito, you can also try your hand at making sweets in the confectionery workshop. There is also an exhibition showing the history of chocolate and an antique collection.

A doll show is held every hour in the garden, which is filled with beautiful flowers, and it is a popular spot for Instagram photos. At Sapporo's tourist facilities, dedicated spaces for Muslim worship services have been introduced for the first time and have staff who can speak foreign languages.

FAbULOUS is a popular cafe located in Soseigawa East. It is open for breakfast, lunch, cafe time, and dinner. At cafe time you can enjoy not only aromatic coffee but also original sweets such as parfaits and cakes. There is also a drinks menu offering Otaru Beer and other alcoholic beverages.

Inside there are also shops where you can buy good-quality daily wear and interior goods from around the world.

To get there, ride the Tozai subway line from Miyanosawa Station, which takes about 17 minutes, and get off at the Bus Center-mae Station. From there it is about a 1-minute walk.

Sapporo, along with Kobe and Nagasaki, is noted for being one of the "New Three Great Night Views of Japan", and the night view of this city of 1.9 million people from Mt. Moiwa is spectacular. Leave FAbULOUS and take a tram from Nishi 4-chome Station.

After about 20 minutes you will arrive at the Ropeway Entrance Station; from here a dedicated shuttle bus will take you to the Mt. Moiwa Ropeway Sanroku Station.

Mt. Moiwa is also designated as a "sacred place for lovers", and many couples ring the Bell of Happiness swearing eternal love for each other. "Love Padlocks" are also on sale for couples who want to lock their love for eternity.

At the end of the day, visit Susukino, the downtown area of Sapporo, and enjoy Hokkaido gourmet dishes and local sake. It takes about 30 minutes from the ropeway entrance station by tram; get off at the Susukino Station tram stop. It is a 2-minute walk to the Umizoranoharu izakaya.

This izakaya is known for its delicious dishes made with ingredients from Hokkaido and local sake brands from around the country.

In the Ainu language, haru means "food blessed by nature". As the name suggests, this pub has been offering Ainu cuisine from two years ago. This is a pub where you can savor the culture and flavors of Hokkaido in one place, such as Kaimuitonoto, a drink that the Ainu drank during celebrations.

Check out the video below for what else you can see in Sapporo!

On this day we visited Sapporo's representative tourist spots, but other attractions awaiting visitors are a visit to the Hokkaido Government Office Building where you can feel the pioneering spirit and history of the prefecture as well as visits to the Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium and Miyanomori Ski Jump Stadium, not to mention great places for food and drink. Check out the video below for ideas on what else you can see in Sapporo!

Text by: Minna no Kotobasha