Sapporo December 2025 to New Year Guide: Illuminations, Christmas Markets & Winter Celebrations
December in Sapporo is chilly, and snow begins to accumulate in the latter half of the month. The average daily temperature is -1.9℃ (28℉), falling below freezing, making cold weather protection essential when sightseeing.
Although Sapporo's winter is enveloped in severe cold, it also delights visitors with the beauty of its snowy landscapes. December is the season when snow accumulation begins, and as the month progresses, the city becomes wrapped in a beautiful white winter wonderland. The city lights reflecting off the snow and the snow-covered street trees make Sapporo's cityscape even more attractive. Please enjoy this article while imagining the scenery of a snow-covered city.
Table of Contents
-Enjoy the Sapporo White Illumination in December
-Must-See for Those Spending December in Sapporo! 4 Events to Celebrate the Year's Finale
-Three Spots to Enjoy Beautiful Sunrise in the New Year
Enjoy the Sapporo White Illumination in December
This spectacular Sapporo Event December 2025 features the "Sapporo White Illumination," which begins in December. This winter tradition has been held since 1981, and over 770,000 illumination lights further brilliantly color Sapporo's snow-covered nights.
Odori Venue
Sapporo White Illumination is held at five venues in central Sapporo.
The main venue, Odori Venue, is divided into six blocks where visitors can enjoy illuminations with different worldviews in each area.
The attraction of the Odori venue is that you can experience gorgeous and large-scale illuminations, including the Christmas tree that gorgeously decorates the plaza in front of the Sapporo TV Tower, Hokkaido's symbol, "Winter Blossoms" motif inspired by lilac flowers, and "Snow Fantasia" where you can actually walk through the lights.
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-Dates: November 21, 2025 - December 25, 2025
-Hours: 16:30-22:00 (illuminated until 24:00 on December 23-25)
-Access: Take the Subway Tozai line from JR Sapporo station, get off at "Odori Station"
-Website: https://www.sapporo.travel/white-illumination/event/illumination/odori/
Sapporo Station South Exit Plaza Venue
At the plaza in front of "JR Sapporo Station," Sapporo's gateway, illuminations with the theme "Flowers of light" are held. The colorful and warm illuminations like flowers bring warmth to Sapporo's cold winter nights.
Unique three-dimensional objects such as blue gates studded with stars and domes decorated with flowers color the venue, while flowers and snow crystals are projected on the ground like a kaleidoscope. Please enjoy this fantastic time accompanied by quiet music.
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-Dates: November 21, 2025 - March 14, 2026
-Hours: 16:30-24:00
-Access: About 1 minute walk from JR Sapporo station
-Website: https://www.sapporo.travel/white-illumination/event/illumination/ekihiro/
Ekimae-dori Venue
Source:Official website
Illuminations are also held on the main street connecting JR Sapporo Station to Sapporo's largest entertainment district, "Susukino." The street trees growing along the 1.5km section are decorated with snow-white illuminations, romantically coloring the city.
In the cold winter, you might be tempted to use the warm underground passage, but why not enjoy a stroll to Odori Venue while gazing at the illuminations? Please enjoy the winter Sapporo scenery unique to the above-ground route while warming yourself with a hot drink in hand.
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-Dates: November 21, 2025 - February 11, 2026
-Hours: 16:30-22:00 (illuminated until 24:00 on December 23-25)
-Access: About 5 minutes walk from JR Sapporo station
-Website: https://www.sapporo.travel/white-illumination/event/illumination/ekimae/
Akapla Venue
At the plaza "Akapla" in front of the Hokkaido Red Brick Office, you can enjoy an illumination show set to fantastic music. About 48,000 white and blue lights are wrapped around the trees, and the trees shine in blue and white in sync with the melody. Lights are also projected on the ground, allowing you to experience an immersive light show.
Akapla is an area where you can enjoy the retro atmosphere overlooking the Hokkaido Red Brick Office, built in 1888, and Hokkaido's oldest ginkgo tree-lined path, but when the illuminations are held, it is enveloped in a futuristic atmosphere, allowing you to enjoy the contrast with the daytime.
Since this area is along the tree-lined path continuing from Sapporo Station to Susukino, please don't forget to stop by here as well.
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-Dates: November 21, 2025 - March 14, 2026
-Hours: 16:30-22:00
-Access: About 5 minutes walk from JR Sapporo station
-Website: https://www.sapporo.travel/white-illumination/event/illumination/akapla/
Minamiichijo-dori Venue
Source:Official website
Minamiichijo-dori venue is an entertainment district lined with fashion buildings for young people such as "PARCO" and "MARUI."
The 46 ginkgo trees along the street are decorated with about 70,000 LEDs, romantically coloring the approximately 300m cityscape. The blue and gold illuminations reminiscent of a quiet night bring peace to the heart and heal the fatigue of the day. The scenery on snowy days is even more beautiful, with the snow accumulated on the trees fusing with the light to create a fantastic world.
The Minamiichijo-dori area has many restaurants as well. After enjoying food and drinks, why not enjoy a stroll while feeling the cold air?
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-Dates: November 21, 2025 - March 14, 2026
-Hours: 16:30-22:00 (illuminated until 24:00 on December 21-25)
-Access: Take the Subway Tozai line from JR Sapporo station, get off at "Odori Station"
-Website: https://www.sapporo.travel/white-illumination/event/illumination/minami-1jo/
The "Munich Christmas Market in Sapporo" Held Simultaneously is Also a Must-See!
At Odori Venue, the "Munich Christmas Market" is held alongside the illuminations. Sapporo is a sister city of Munich, Germany, the home of Christmas, and you can enjoy a Christmas Market full of authentic German atmosphere.
At the venue, you can enjoy German local cuisine that warms the body, including Glühwein (mulled wine), which is essential for Christmas, as well as sausages and pot-au-feu. About 30 stores, including shops selling Christmas goods and ornaments, set up stalls to heighten the Christmas mood.
This popular Sapporo Event December 2025 is packed with events within the venue, such as greetings with Santa Claus, workshops, and stages by locals, making it an event where you can enjoy time with family and friends.
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-Dates: November 21, 2025 - December 25, 2025
-Hours: 11:00-21:00
-Venue: Odori Park
-Access: Take the Subway Tozai line from JR Sapporo station, get off at "Odori Station"
-Admission: Free
-Website: https://www.sapporo.travel/white-illumination/event/munich/
If You Want to Enjoy Sapporo's Beautiful City, Let a Local Guide Show You Around!
If you want to enjoy Sapporo's beautiful night even more, why not join a tour where you can savor exquisite gourmet food and drinks with a local guide who is knowledgeable about the local cuisine and culture?
Hokkaido is blessed with abundant nature and water, and is also famous as a "treasure trove of food." The "Sapporo Bar Hopping Food Tour" provided by "Magical Trip" visits three establishments where you can fully enjoy Sapporo's culinary attractions. The tour starts at a hidden gem bar where you can taste seafood caught in nearby waters.
Hokkaido's sashimi is extremely fresh and pairs perfectly with alcohol. The second stop is a restaurant popular with locals, recommended by the guide, where you can taste local meat dishes. Finally, you'll visit a spot where you can enjoy either ramen or parfait.
You can enjoy the food culture while communicating with the guide, other participants, and the shop owners. This is a recommended tour for those who want to make their Sapporo nightlife even more fulfilling.
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Meeting point: Under the giant NIKKA Sign outside of Susukino station
Tour area: Sapporo city (Susukino area)
Start time: 18:00 / 19:00
Must-See for Those Spending December in Sapporo! 4 Events to Celebrate the Year's Finale
New Year's Eve at Hokkaido Jingu
"Hokkaido Jingu" is a representative shrine of Sapporo with over 150 years of history. For those visiting Japan during the year-end and New Year period, experiencing New Year's Eve at Hokkaido Jingu to immerse yourself in Japanese traditions and religious perspectives is highly recommended.
In Japan, there has been an ancient custom of visiting shrines before the New Year to express gratitude for the past year's safety and to pray for wishes in the new year. While shrine nights are usually wrapped in silence, the night from December 31st to January 1st sees many worshippers visiting, creating a lively atmosphere. Visitors are served "Omiki," which is sacred sake offered to the gods.
When I drink Omiki, I feel a celebratory atmosphere and am filled with a feeling that straightens my spine, as if thinking "I'll do my best in the new year too."
The New Year period is extremely crowded, and you may have to wait for more than two hours to worship. Plan your schedule with plenty of time to welcome a good new year.
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-Date: December 31, 2025
-Access: From JR Sapporo station, take "Subway Namboku line" to "Odori," transfer at "Odori" to "subway Tozai line" to "Maruyama koen," then 12 minutes on foot
-Admission: Free
-Website: http://www.hokkaidojingu.or.jp/eng/
Rusutsu Resort Fireworks Display
Source:Official website
RUSUTSU RESORT is a resort facility equipped with ski slopes and hot springs. It boasts Hokkaido's largest ski resort with 37 courses and a total skiing distance of 42km. With restaurants offering over 30 gourmet options, it's a recommended spot to spend the year-end and New Year period.
On December 31st, as a finale to the year, a fireworks display featuring 1,200 fireworks synchronized to music will be held. The colorful fireworks launched over the white snowfield create a warm and romantic atmosphere.
In conjunction with the fireworks display, an event where participants ski down the slopes while holding torches is also held. Anyone can participate, so if you love skiing, why not join and light up the night snowfield?
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-Date: December 31, 2025
-Access: Shuttle bus direct service from Kamori Building 3 (about 5 minutes walk from Sapporo Station)
-Admission: Free
-Website: https://rusutsu.com/en/rusutsu-resort-hotel-and-convention/
JR Tower Observatory T38 Countdown Event
Source:Official website
"JR tower T38" is an observatory located at a height of 160m on the 38th floor. It's the tallest observatory in Sapporo, offering panoramic views of Sapporo from any angle at 360 degrees.
At T38, a countdown event is held during the year-end and New Year period where everyone welcomes the beginning of the new year together. Mini-concerts are also held at the venue, further enhancing the observatory's atmosphere.
At the moment of the countdown, the venue is filled with a sense of unity and overflows with a celebratory mood welcoming the new year.
The view of Sapporo spreading under the starry sky as you welcome the new year will surely become an unforgettable sight.
If you want to start the year-end and New Year period with beautiful scenery, please visit T38. Since you can also enjoy alcoholic beverages, it's a recommended spot for those who want to welcome the new year romantically.
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-Date: December 31, 2025
-Access: Directly connected to JR Sapporo Station
-Admission: 740 yen
-Website: https://www.jr-tower.com/t38
First Skiing at Niseko
Niseko is a representative ski resort of Hokkaido. Known for its annual snowfall of 15 meters, Niseko is recognized as one of the world's top treasuries of "Powder snow."
Powder snow is characterized by its soft and light texture, making it perfect for skiing and snowboarding. Niseko has four ski resorts, and you can encounter powder snow in excellent condition at any of them.
During the period from early to mid-December, before the full ski season begins, "first skiing" events are held at each ski resort. The charm of first skiing is that you can enjoy skiing while avoiding crowds since it's before the season, and if conditions are good, you can ski on fresh snow that no one has touched yet.
Although it takes more than two hours from central Sapporo, it's definitely one of the spots that skiing enthusiasts should visit along with Sapporo.
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-Date: Early to mid-December
-Access: From JR Sapporo Station, take "JR Otaru line" via "JR Otaru Station" to "JR Niseko Station," then bus or taxi from JR Niseko Station to each ski resort
-Admission: 12,000 yen
-Website: https://www.niseko.ne.jp/en/niseko/
Three Spots to Enjoy Beautiful Sunrise in the New Year
Mt. Moiwa
Source:Google Maps（https://maps.app.goo.gl/yaQVCtHn4HUx8iYK8）
Mt. Moiwa is a 531-meter-high mountain located in the center of Sapporo. Known as one of Hokkaido's premier sunrise viewing locations, you can reach the summit by ropeway and cable car. On January 1st, special operations begin at 5:00 AM for visitors who wish to view the first sunrise of the year.
Temperatures drop below freezing, making the air crystal clear and allowing you to see distant scenery vividly. The snow-covered cityscape of Sapporo is enveloped in warm orange light with the emergence of the sun, making you feel the start of a new year.
The sunrise time for 2026 is 7:06 AM. When viewing the first sunrise, it's recommended to arrive about 30 minutes early at any spot. Since Hokkaido mornings are severely cold, it's recommended to prepare proper cold-weather gear.
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Date: January 1, 2026
Access: Walk from JR Sapporo Station to "Nishi Yonchome," board "Sapporo street car" from "Nishi Yonchome," get off at "Ropeway iriguchi," then take shuttle bus or walk from Ropeway iriguchi
Fee: Free
Official website: https://mt-moiwa.jp/
Moerenuma Park
Source:Hokkaido Shimbun
Moerenuma Park is a park designed by Isamu Noguchi, a sculptor representing the 20th century. This vast park, conceptualized as "the entire park being one sculptural work," is one of Sapporo's representative sunrise spots alongside Mt. Moiwa.
My recommended viewing spot is Mt. Moere, which stands at 62 meters high. Also cherished as an observation deck overlooking the Sapporo cityscape, you can witness the moment when the dim scenery transforms into vivid orange. The powerfully shining sun makes you feel the hope of the new year.
After viewing the first sunrise, I recommend strolling through the park while savoring the lingering impression. Since there is snow accumulation in the park, when attempting to view the first sunrise, be sure to dress warmly and wear snow boots.
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-Date: January 1, 2026
-Access: Get off at "Shindo-Higashi station," from Shindo-Higashi station board "Higashi 76 Okadama Kita 34 Jo Line," get off at "Moerenumakoen West Exit"
-Admission: Free
-Website: https://moerenumapark.jp/english/
Ishikari River Riverbed
Source:Yokoso Sapporo
For those who want to view the first sunrise surrounded by Hokkaido's great nature, observation from the riverbed is also recommended. Hokkaido has many plains, and you can view the sunrise from open areas like riverbeds. My recommended spot is the Ishikari River riverbed, about a 30-minute walk from Ainosato-Koen Station (near the map location).
In Hokkaido, where the outside temperature is low, mist rises from the river's surface. When the sun begins to rise, the water surface turns red, and as the sun ascends, the river shines golden. The scene is breathtakingly beautiful, as if celebrating the start of the year.
There are no facilities such as toilets or convenience stores around the riverbed area. Be sure to use the restroom beforehand and dress warmly before going to view it.
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-Date: January 1, 2026
-Access: From JR Sapporo Station, board "Gakuen-Toshi Line," get off at "Ainosato-Koen Station," approximately 30-minute walk to the riverbed
-Admission: Free
-Website: No official website
Magical Trip Provides High-Quality Local Tours Not Only in Sapporo but Throughout Japan
Magical Trip hosts tours in nine major Japanese cities including Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, in addition to Sapporo. Whether you're planning to attend a Sapporo event in December 2025 or exploring other destinations, Magical Trip offers exceptional experiences year-round.
The appeal of Magical Trip lies in the close connection with guides and other participants. Tours traveling with friendly guides give you the feeling of enjoying your trip with local friends.
The tour content is packed with experiences like enjoying nightlife like a local and exploring deep spots that you can't experience on individual trips. Once you've decided which cities you'll visit, please be sure to check out the tours.