|
January |
New Year's visit
to a shrine |
Japanese people, including
those who are not faithful Buddhism or Shinto believers,
customarily visit temples and shrines at the beginning
of the year. From New Year's midnight, many worshippers
visit the Hokkaido Shrine located close to the downtown
area.
Related website
Hokkaido Shrine
http://www.hokkaidojingu.or.jp/
|
 |
| Ski jumping |
Ski jumping competitions
are annually held in Sapporo from January to March.
In the World Cup, in particular, world-famous jumpers
demonstrate dynamic jumping from the Okurayama Jump
Hill that overlooks Odori Park below. The ski lift takes
tourists to the jumping platform. It is also possible
to see jumpers practicing here.
Related website
FIS Nordic World Ski Championships Sapporo 2007
http://www.sapporo2007.com/jp/index.htm
|
Local temperature and what
to wear
-7.7 - -0.9 In January, which is the coldest month of
the year, it snows almost every day. A thick coat, cap
(preferably long enough to cover your ears), gloves are
indispensable. Attach anti-slipping devices (sold at around
¥1,000 at local stores) to your shoes. |
| February |
Sapporo Snow Festival |
In this world-famous festival,
huge snow sculptures (as high as 15 meters), small sculptures
made by local citizens, works for international snow
sculpture competitions stand in a row throughout Odori
Park. The view of pure white sculptures sparkling against
the blue sky on fine days is breathtaking, and they
also look great when lit up in the evening.
Related website
Sapporo Snow Festival
http://www.snowfes.com/ |
 |
| TOYOTA Big Air |
A world-class snowboarding
event held in Sapporo. In this international snowboarding/straight jumping competition, the world's topnotch snowboarders
overwhelm visitors with their acrobatic air techniques
from a slope with a height of more than 30 meters.
|
Local temperature and what
to wear
-7.2 - -0.3 As in January, cold weather outfits are a
must. Watch your step in the Snow Festival venue, where
it is particularly slippery. |
| March |
JFSS Cup International
Dog-sled Race |
This dog-sled race, which
attracts more than 100 teams from within and outside
Hokkaido, concurrently serves as a national preliminary
to the World Cup. Enjoy dogs' dynamic runs through
the snowfield. Tourists can also experience dog sledding.
|
|
| J League Season
starts |
As one of the J League
(Japan's pro soccer league) opening games of the season,
Consadole Sapporo (Hokkaido's first pro sport team)
plays at the Sapporo Dome, which is the first in the
world to have a hovering system to use this facility
both as a soccer stadium and as a ball park.
Related website
Sapporo Dome
http://www.sapporo-dome.co.jp/
|
Local temperature and what
to wear
-3.5 - 3.5 Snow begins to melt, but the highest temperature
still remains below zero on some days. Winter clothes
are necessary. |
| April |
Professional baseball
season starts |
Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters,
who moved their base to Sapporo in 2004, hold games
at the Sapporo Dome.
Related website
Sapporo Dome
http://www.sapporo-dome.co.jp/
|
Local temperature and what
to wear
2.7 - 11.1 Snow melts in the downtown area, but there
are still some cold days. You should bring a coat just
in case. |
| May
|
Cherry blossom
viewing |
Cherry blossom viewing
is one of the charming sights in spring in Japan. Of
renowned beautiful cherry blossom sites in Sapporo,
Maruyama Park is particularly popular and attracts many
local residents coming to enjoy barbeque parties while
admiring the sight. There are many chic restaurants
and stores in and around the park.
|
|
| Sapporo Lilac Festival |
A variety of events are
held in Odori Park in late May, when lilacs, the official
tree of Sapporo, are in full bloom. Visitors can also
experience a tea ceremony held in the open air.
Related website
Sapporo Lilac Festival
http://www.sweb.co.jp/kanko/lilac/ |
Local temperature and what
to wear
7.8 - 17.0 Flowers begin to bloom, but the wind is still
cold. You should bring a spring coat. |
| June |
YOSAKOI Soran Festival |
Initiated by Hokkaido
University students, this festival has developed into
one of the largest-scale events in Hokkaido next to
the Snow Festival. Some 2 million visitors come from
within and outside Hokkaido to see unique dancing
in
Odori Park and other venues in Sapporo by a variety
of teams attending from throughout Japan.
Related website
YOSAKOI soran
http://www.yosanet.com/yosakoi/ |
|
| Hokkaido Shrine
Festival |
This century-old festival
has been fully integrated into Sapporo residents' lives,
as indicated in its nickname "Sapporo Festival".
People clad in Heian Era costumes march through the city
while pulling portable shrines and floats. The grand parade,
which reminds viewers of historical stroll paintings,
is worth seeing. Nakajima Park, where a variety of stalls
are established, also becomes crowded with many people.
Related website
Hokkaido Jingu
http://www.hokkaidojingu.or.jp/ |
Local temperature and what
to wear
12.4 - 21.1 You can dress lightly during the day, but
a jacket may be handy in the evening. |
| July |
Pacific Music Festival
(PMF) |
This international educational
music festival was initiated by the late Leonard Bernstein
to give young musicians worldwide a chance to nurture
their talents. A variety of events (educational programs,
concerts, recitals, etc.) by world-renowned artists
are held during the festival.
Related website
PMF
http://www.pmf.or.jp/ |
|
| Toyohira Raft Festival |
Started in 1975, this
summer event has been held thirty times now. Participants
go down the Toyohira River running through the central
Sapporo area on tire tubes or other handmade rafts.
|
|
| Asahiyama Music
Festival |
Against the backdrop of Sapporo
nightscapes and fireworks, a large choir of local residents
participating in this event sing enthusiastically. This
music festival put together by local residents also invites
renowned jazz musicians and opera singers active in and
outside Japan. |
|
| Toyohira River
Firework Festival |
This firework festival,
held three consecutive Friday nights from late July
to early August, has been firmly established as a typical
summer event. A large crowd of local residents enjoy
viewing thousands of fireworks set off from around the
Toyohira Minami Ohashi Bridge.
Related website
An Exhibition of Fireworks at Toyohira-River 2005
http://www.dosanko.co.jp/hid/hanabi2005/ |
|
| Sapporo Summer
Festival |
Beer gardens and bon festivals
are held in Odori Park. The beer gardens set up in each
section of Odori Park become venues for various events,
thus serving as one of the charming sights of summer
in Sapporo.
Related website
Sapporo Summer Festival
http://www.sweb.co.jp/kanko/natsu/ |
Local temperature and what
to wear
17.1 - 25.0 The temperature sometimes rises above 30°C
in the daytime, and short-sleeves are appropriate. Because
of low humidity, you may feel chilly after sunset, so
a jacket may come in handy. |
| August |
Susukino Festival |
This festival is held in Susukino,
the largest entertainment district north of Tokyo. One
of its regular events is Oiran Dochu (courtesan parade),
in which women dressed in shiny courtesan costumes parade
through the street. Portable shrine parades and drum sessions
are also held. |
Local temperature and
what to wear
18.5 - 26.1 Although the humidity level is low, the
temperature sometimes rises above 30°C, so short-sleeves
are appropriate. The temperature may drop significantly
after mid August. |
| September
|
Linkage
Up Festival |
A great food festival
with many Hokkaido municipalities participating. Specialties
from around Hokkaido are displayed and sold at the venue.
You can enjoy local tastes from various parts of Hokkaido
without leaving Sapporo.
Related website
Sapporo Broad Area Information
http://www.kouiki.chuo.sapporo.jp/ |
|
| Tour de
Hokkaido |
Japan's largest-scale
bicycle road race held in Hokkaido. Some 100 teams of
business people, students and others bike through Hokkaido
in early autumn over a few days.
|
Local temperature and what
to wear
13.6 - 22.0 The chilly winds begin to blow and you may
feel cold in the early morning and late evening. The mountain
leaves change color from mid September. |
| October
|
Sapporo Chrysanthemum
Festival |
This festival has been
held for forty times to date. Some 800 chrysanthemums
from around Hokkaido are displayed along the path of
the Odori underground shopping arcade. Seminars on chrysanthemum
cultivation are also held.
Related website
Sapporo Chrysanthemum Festival
http://www.sweb.co.jp/kanko/kiku/ |
Local temperature and what
to wear
6.9 - 15.8 A jacket is a must even in the daytime. |
| November |
Sapporo White
Illumination |
Street trees and objects
in Odori Park and other places are decorated with colorful
electric sparklers. The illuminated street against the
backdrop of the snow-clad Odori Park produces a fascinating
view.
Related website
Sapporo White Illumination
http://www.sweb.co.jp/kanko/white/ |
Local temperature and what
to wear
0.9 - 8.1 It begins snowing and the lowest daily temperature
sometimes drops below 0°C. Outfits for cold weather
(coat, cap, gloves, scarf) become necessary. |
| December |
German Christmas
Market in Sapporo |
This event was initiated
to commemorate the 30th anniversary of
sister-city affiliation between Sapporo and Munich,
Germany. With German stalls selling Christmas ornaments
and sweets set up along the street, a real atmosphere
of German Christmas is produced in Sapporo. Please enjoy hanging out in the central park with a glass of hot wine in your hand.
Related website
German Christmas Market in Sapporo
http://www.city.sapporo.jp/christmas-market/ |
Local temperature and what
to wear
-4.4 - 2.1 The real winter has set in. The highest daily
temperature drops below 0°C for the half month. You
should protect yourself thoroughly with winter clothes. |
