One of my personal favorites in Sapporo is the Tokyo, sorry I mean of course the Sapporo TV Tower. Located on the top of Odori Park it is the central point in Sapporo, dividing this city into north and south.
Completed in 1956 it has become a well-loved Landmark, not just in Sapporo, but all of Hokkaido. It features an observation deck, at about 90m above ground, a souvenir shop, a tiny shrine, DIY Booths and the most stunning 360° view of Sapporo.
It is the perfect spot to observe Odori Park in all its beauty all year around. With views as far as the Ishikari countryside or the Japanese sea on a clear night. But it is also one of the best places in winter to get a good look at Sapporo’s most famous event, the Sapporo snow festival! With its enormous snow sculptures, Illuminations and stalls you can enjoy watching the hustle and bustle from the safety of this heated Tower.
How to get here?
Sapporo Tower located between Sapporo Station and Sususukino it is the epicenter of Sapporo and easily accessible via Public Transport.
The most convenient way to get here is via the Toho Line. Get off at the Sapporo Municipal Subway Odori Station and take Exit number 27, from here it is a bare 1-minute walk. Or if you are coming from JR Sapporo station, take the south exit and you will reach Odori Park within 15min walk. For more information please check the official Homepage here.
How to make the most of visiting Sapporo TV Tower
Once you get here, you have two options, take the elevator up or walk. The obvious choice for many is the elevator, but the stairs are decorated with many scenes of the Tokyo Tower adorable Mascot “TV Dad” and his family, as well as some information about the Tower itself. Therefore if you can, I recommend taking the stairs.
You will also find a souvenir shop here, but to be honest, a lot of it is the same as you would find in any other shop. The only thing worth getting is any of the Tokyo Tower Mascot’s “TV Dad” merchandise. Many of those items you won’t be able to find anywhere else. So if you have fallen for this little guy, this is the place to get your token.
Sapporo TV Tower furthermore, and to my surprise features a ‘TV Dad’ shrine, yes you heard right. And it is dedicated to pretty much everything. Whether you need “Success in Love”, “academic performance” or “good health” you can say your prayers here and hope it will come true. And as you are at it, why not get your fortune from one of the booths located close by? All in all a very modern approach I think…
You will be able to look out on the way up and already get some nice views, but the observation deck is really where you wanna go. If you want access to the actual observation deck, the fee is ￥720 or if you like to go twice, both at day and night, why not get a combi ticket. It is available for ￥1,100, especially if you are taking photos this is a great deal. You can buy tickets on the day or get tickets in advance and skip the queue.
Special tip
If you want a more exclusive experience, Sapporo TV Tower offers a special 30-minute observatory rental after closing. This could be the perfect setting for and anniversary, honeymoon or proposal, as it is sure to be a moment to remember. High up with the Sapporo city lights in the background. Included is a complimentary bottle of wine and you can even choose the view of the TV Tower lit up.
The basic price for 2 people is 10,000 yen and there is only 1 space available each day both in Summer at 10:20 – 10:50 pm and in Winter at 9:50 – 10:20 pm. Reservations are absolutely necessary, inquiries can be made here.
Klook.comObsessed with this Landmark?
Definitely!
It is hard not to like it because this is not just an Iconic Landmark here in Sapporo giving you access to stunning views over the city and its surroundings. With its very own cartoon “TV Tower Dad” it is hard not to love it. Only the Japanese will turn a famous landmark into a cartoon and they did it just brilliantly!
Make sure to check it out when In Sapporo if you have an hour to spare and just in case you are hungry, right underneath is a great Sapporo Ramen shop…
