Odori Park

Odori Park, a symbol of the international city of Sapporo, is composed of five themes: "Flowers," "Gathering," "Frontier," "Oasis," and "Exchange," along with five zones. The history of Sapporo dates back to 1869 when the Hokkaido Development Commission was established, and the development officer Yoshitake Shima envisioned a grid layout. The east-west axis is the Sosei River, and the north-south axis eventually became what is now Odori Park, known as Oshi Road. In 1871, a large firebreak was created to divide the central area into the northern government offices and the southern residential and commercial districts. This marked the beginning of Odori Park.

From around 1875, the park began to be used for various purposes, and the first Agricultural Exhibition was held in 1878. In 1909, the landscaping authority Yasuhhei Nagaoka was invited from Tokyo to plan the park's development, which was beautified as a place for strolling. During World War II, the park was converted into fields to secure food, and a church was built in the area that later became the command post for occupying forces in the post-war period. Eventually, it was restored as a park and developed as a place of relaxation in the city alongside urban growth.

The flowerbeds in the park date back to around 1875 when pioneer historians planted Western flowers on Blocks 3 and 4. In 1952, 15 local floriculture businesses volunteered to create flowerbeds. In 1954, based on that effort, the Sapporo City Flowerbed Promotion Association was established, and a competition for creating beautiful flowerbeds commenced among various companies. The creation of circular flowerbeds sponsored by businesses also began around this time, establishing a cooperation system between the public and private sectors.

In 1950, in a bid to inspire the gloomy post-war society, junior high and high school students built six snow sculptures in Odori Park. Snowball fights and carnivals were enjoyed, attracting many citizens to see it. This marked the beginning of the "Sapporo Snow Festival." The large snow sculptures began to be created in 1953, and today, over 200 snow sculptures can be admired in Odori Park, attracting around 2 million visitors from both domestic and international locations.

Throughout the year, various events are held in Odori Park:
❆ Sapporo Lilac Festival
Held every year since 1959 to coincide with the blooming of lilacs. The following year, lilac was designated as "the tree of Sapporo." Since 2008, Kawanakajima Park has also been used as a venue.
❆ YOSAKOI Soran Festival
Combining the Naruko from Kochi Prefecture's Yosakoi Festival with the Soran-bushi of Hokkaido, this festival has been held since 1992 across various locations in the city centered around Odori Park.
❆ Flower Festa
An exhibition of gardening works and floral art, along with horticultural school activities and flower sales, has been held since 1993.
❆ Sapporo Summer Festival
This festival began in 1954 to fully enjoy the northern summer, featuring beer gardens and bon dances.
❆ Hokkaido Marathon
Held since 1987, this is one of the largest marathons in Japan taking place in summer, with the finish line located at Block 8.
❆ Sapporo Autumn Fest
Since 2008, a festival highlighting "Hokkaido and Sapporo's cuisine" has brought together seasonal ingredients and local gourmet foods from various regions to Odori Park.
❆ Sapporo White Illumination
Initiated in 1981 as Japan's first illumination event, it has become a seasonal highlight that adorns Sapporo in early winter.
❆ Munich Christmas Market in Sapporo
Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the sister city relationship with Munich, Germany, this market has been held since 2002, featuring stalls with Christmas goods and German cuisine.
❆ Sapporo Snow Festival
Initiated in 1950 at Odori Park, it is also held at Susukino and Tsudoumu venues.