Odori Park
In its own language: 大通公園
A long city park and event space in central Sapporo, Hokkaido
Odori Park is a green stretch running through downtown Sapporo, Japan, dividing the city into north and south. It hosts major festivals like the Sapporo Snow Festival and Lilac Festival, and features gardens, monuments, and local landmarks. Visitors find flower beds, open lawns, and seasonal events throughout the year.
- Hosts the famous Sapporo Snow Festival each February
- Features a rose garden with over 30 varieties
- Lilac Festival celebrates blooming lilacs every May
- Beer gardens fill the park blocks in summer
- The Sapporo TV Tower stands at the park’s eastern end
What is Odori Park?
Odori Park is a long, rectangular park stretching for about 1.5 kilometers through the center of Sapporo. The park is divided into blocks, each with its own gardens, lawns, and features like monuments, playgrounds, and fountains. Visitors can see flower beds, especially roses and lilacs, as well as sculptures, open spaces for events, and the Sapporo TV Tower at the eastern end. In winter, trees are decorated with lights and snow sculptures fill the grounds.
The history of Odori Park
The site was first planned as a main street when Sapporo was founded in 1869. Later, it became a firebreak and then a public space, gradually developing into a park. The area saw various uses, including flower gardens, sports fields, and even potato cultivation during World War II. After the war, the park was restored and expanded, with landscape designers adding new gardens and features. Today, it is a central gathering place for the city.
What there is to see
Odori Park is laid out in blocks, each surrounded by roads and sidewalks. Flower gardens are planted and maintained by local garden companies, with nameplates marking their work. The park includes lawns, walking paths, playgrounds, and monuments. Seasonal installations, such as beer gardens and festival stages, are set up for events. The Sunk Garden in Nishi 12 chōme features many varieties of roses.
When to go
The park is lively year-round, hosting major events like the Sapporo Snow Festival in February, when snow sculptures and illuminations draw crowds. In May, the Lilac Festival celebrates the blooming of lilac trees. Summer brings beer gardens and the Yosakoi Soran dance festival, while autumn features food stalls during Autumn Fest. Locals and tourists visit for walks, picnics, and city views from the TV Tower.
Parts and collections
Each block of Odori Park has its own character, with some focusing on flower gardens, others on monuments, and some on play areas. The Sunk Garden is known for its roses, while other sections feature lilacs and seasonal plantings. Artworks like the Black Slide Mantra and the Maibaum pole add unique touches to different areas.
Why Odori Park matters
Odori Park is closely tied to Sapporo’s identity, serving as the main venue for citywide festivals and gatherings. The Snow Festival is internationally known, attracting millions of visitors. The park also commemorates local history with statues and monuments, and its gardens reflect the city’s connection to flowers, especially lilacs and roses.
The flowers of Odori Park
Questions people ask about Odori Park
Where is Odori Park located?
Odori Park runs through the center of Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, Japan. It stretches for about 1.5 kilometers from east to west, dividing the city into northern and southern sections.
What flowers can you see in Odori Park?
The park is known for its lilac trees and rose gardens. The Sunk Garden area features over 30 types of roses, and lilacs bloom in spring, celebrated by the annual Lilac Festival.
What major events take place in Odori Park?
Odori Park hosts the Sapporo Snow Festival in February, the Lilac Festival in May, the Yosakoi Soran dance festival in June, summer beer gardens, and the Autumn Fest in September.
What is the history of Odori Park?
Originally planned as a main street in 1869, the area became a firebreak, then a public space. Over time, it developed into a park with gardens and monuments, and now serves as a central event space for Sapporo.
Are there any landmarks in Odori Park?
Yes, the park contains the Sapporo TV Tower, the Sapporo City Archive Museum, the Maibaum pole, and several statues and monuments reflecting local history.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Odori Park", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Opening times, prices and bloom dates change: check with the place before you travel. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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