Sapporo Christmas Market & White Illumination
Planning a trip to Hokkaido’s ski resorts like Niseko, Rusutsu, or Furano? Make sure your itinerary includes a stop in Sapporo to explore Japan’s snowiest city and experience the Sapporo Christmas Market in Odori Park. This festive celebration offers a unique slice of European Christmas cheer right in the heart of Japan’s snowy north. Many people tie in a few days of sightseeing in Sapporo as a convenient stopover on their way to the ski resorts. Also, being just a few hours away from Niseko by train, it is also incredibly easy to make a day trip to browse the market stalls, see the Christmas lights and explore the city, for those days when your legs are sore from riding pow all day.
A German Tradition in Japan
Sapporo Christmas Market has taken place every year since 2002, when the city celebrated the 30th anniversary of its sister city partnership with Munich, Germany. For about a month, Odori Park fills with stalls selling hot mulled wine, classic German food and snacks like sausages and bretzel, and handmade Christmas decorations and gifts. You’ll also find commemorative mugs that feature a new design each year.
Gifts, Food and Festive Atmosphere
The market has more than food and shopping. There are also outdoor concerts and indoor that workshops run throughout the month, and you may even catch Santa handing out gifts. Tents with seating are located near the food stalls, so you can enjoy your meal without worrying about snow or cold winds.
Recommended gifts include snow domes, Sapporo clock tower candle holder and the Sapporo Christmas Market commemorative mug. Scroll through the photos on the right to see more.
What to Eat and Drink
Food is one of the biggest highlights of the Sapporo Christmas Market. Expect a blend of authentic German flavors and local Hokkaido dishes.
Must Try Foods:
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- Bratwurst & German Sausages
- Pretzels & Bread Sticks (freshly baked and great to snack on whilst walking around)
- Roasted almonds (you’ll be able to smell them before you even walk in to the market)
Hot Drinks:
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- Hot Mulled Wine served in a commemorative mug
- Hot Chocolate
- Creamy Latte
- Spiced Apple Cider
Sapporo White Illumination
This year we visited during the daytime, but we recommend coming in the late evening when the Sapporo White Illumination begins. The illumination event first started in 1981 and became Japan’s first large scale Christmas lights tradition. During the lead up to Christmas, artistic light displays fill Odori Park, and sparkling trees line Ekimae-dori and Minami 1-jo Dori. This year in 2025, the lights will stay on until midnight, giving you a perfect setting for a late-night stroll or a romantic winter walk.
Dates, Location, Prices
Sapporo Christmas Market and White Illumination is completely free to enter, but if you want to try out the food, drink and bring some gifts back home here’s a rough idea of prices:
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- Mulled wine: around ¥700-1000
- Snacks (brezel, roasted almonds etc): ¥600-1200
- German food (sausages, stew etc): ¥800-2000
- Gifts ,ornaments etc: ¥600-3000+
¥10,000 should be more than enough to get you a few drinks, a good feed and nice gift or two to bring home.
Sapporo Christmas Market takes place in Odori Park 2-Chome (across the road from Sapporo TV Tower) from 21st November – 25th December 2025.
Sapporo White Illumination dates and locations vary, as below:
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- Odori Park: 21st November – 25th December 2025
- Sapporo Station Ekimaedori: 21st November 2025 – 11th February 2026
- Minami 1-jo dori: 21st November 2025 – 14th March 2026
- Sapporo Kita 3-jo Plaza: 21st November 2025 – 14th March 2026
- JR Sapporo Station South Exit Plaza: 21st November 2025 – 14th March 2026
Still undecided on where to ski this winter? Head over to our blog and check out our rundown of the best ski areas in Japan, then grab a bargain on our deals page, contact one of our friendly consultants and get your lessons and rentals locked in at our very own ski school, NBS Niseko (right next to the family run in Hirafu) and NBS Hakuba (1F Hakuba Gateway Hotel).
Also, don’t forget to tag us on Instagram @skijapantravel for your chance to be featured on our stories and feed. We’d love to see your amazing ski photos in Japan!
