December 24, 2017
It is Christmas in Japan, and Sapporo does it big. Today we spent the day walking the German Christmas Fair, and yes, all the gifts and food are German. You go for the lights and the people watching unless of course, you want to take home German gifts from Japan.
Snowman Building during the day in front of lights that decorate the night.
The market has been held in Sapporo since 2002, when the city celebrated its thirtieth anniversary with its sister city, Munich, Germany. The stalls sell Christmas items, hot wine, and cold beer, and German food. The market is up for one month in Odori Park and ends on Christmas Eve. Sapporo White Illumination, also in Odori Park, a tradition that began in 1981, is a Christmas light show that stays up until Christmas day.
There are so many photo opportunities throughout the German Christmas Market
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Saint Nick can even be found here and there.
There are lots of places to do “selfies” and posed shots, but the best vantage point is the 30th floor of the Sapporo TV Tower.
Sapporo TV Tower
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Looking down on Odori Park from the observation level of the Sapporo TV Tower
the Noria Ferris wheel at the Norbesa Center in the Susukino Entertainment district, and ski resorts in the distance from the observation tower
To make your visit complete you must go back at night to see all the lights. Start at the TV Tower Observation deck, this time with a long line of people, and end at Odori W8.
Odori Park at night from the Sapporo TV Tower Observation Deck
The Ferris wheel not only changes colors but also changes patterns making for a wonderful light show from the observation deck.
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There are decorations of light displays for 8 blocks, all different
Tunnel of Lights
Frozen bananas and marshmallow treats
There is all sorts of fun shopping both day and night
Hot chocolate, hot wine, cold beer and lots of German food
Only in Japan would there be an entire building to take your dishes after eating.
The kids finished the snowman they were building this afternoon
Children in their Christmas costumes enjoying the Christmas lights
The people watching continues throughout the evening
Ekimae dori is a street off of Odori Park that is lined with trees that are lit up so beautifully. These are up until February 12th.
Minami 1-jo dori, in front of the JR Tower shopping mall also has a lovely light display as well, and it is up until March 14th
Walk and you will find spontaneous caroling, what more can you ask at Christmas?
Merry Christmas!