CityBuddy
Odori Park
Best time to visit
Late afternoon during winter or summer unleashes the park's magical festivals and lively atmosphere, with ideal lighting for photos in the golden hour.
Budget tips
Free to enter year-round with many events also free; try weekday visits to avoid crowds and save time. Food stalls and beer gardens offer affordable local treats without pricey restaurant tabs.
Recommended for
Festival lovers, Families with kids, Photography enthusiasts, Casual strollers
Plan your visit
2-3 hours
About
Quick facts: Stretching about 1.5 kilometers, this green oasis slices through the city center and hosts over 4 million visitors annually. It transforms dramatically each season, showcasing vibrant flower beds, ice sculptures, and lantern festivals.
Highlights: Around winter, over 400 ice sculptures light up the park during the famous Snow Festival, creating a luminous fairyland that draws international crowds. Each summer, a massive beer garden sprawls across the park, offering local brews under the open sky alongside live music and street performances.
Insider tips
- Wear comfortable shoes for a long stroll across different garden sections and festival zones.
- Catch the illuminated sculptures right after sunset for breathtaking photos with glowing contrasts.
- Skip weekday mornings during summer to avoid the steady influx of office workers on lunch breaks.
- Bring a light jacket in winter as it can get surprisingly chilly right after sunset indoors or outdoors.
Have you heard of free walking tours?
After traveling to 30+ countries, there's one thing I wish someone had told me from day one, and it completely changed how I experience new cities.
Free walking tours. Yes, actually free. No credit card needed. No catch.
Local guide, 2-3 hours
Major sights, hidden gems, local stories
100% tip-based
Guides earn only tips, so they give their absolute best
You tip what feels right
At the end, just tip whatever you feel is right
I've done these in dozens of cities and they've been the highlight of almost every trip. If you're visiting Sapporo, Japan, do this on your first day. You'll thank me later.
