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Autumn Leaves · Hokkaido

Nakajima Park

SapporoPark🍁 Typical peak: Mid Oct – Early Nov✦ Illumination
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Overview

Overview

A large park in central Sapporo, within walking distance of Susukino. The trees around Shobu Pond and the Japanese garden change color, making it a popular, easy-to-reach autumn leaves spot right by subway stations.

Address
1 Nakajima Koen, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Closed
The Japanese garden is closed from early November to late April
Time needed
About 1 hour to walk around the park. Start in the late afternoon to include the illumination
Official website
http://www.sapporo-park.or.jp/nakajima/
Peak Time

When to See the Leaves

Typical peakUsually mid-October to early November
September
October
November
December

Varies with each year’s temperatures. Check the park’s autumn leaves updates for the latest colors

🍁 These spots are in their typical peak period. Actual colors shift with each year’s temperatures, so check the official foliage updates too.

This year’s special openings & events

The 2026 autumn leaves illumination runs 10/23 (Fri)–11/3 (Tue, holiday)

Peak times are typical guides. The timing shifts with each year’s temperatures.

Highlights

Highlights

Highlights include the avenue of golden ginkgoes and the autumn leaves reflected on Shobu Pond. Enjoy the autumn leaves together with Hoheikan, a Meiji-era Western-style building, and the Japanese garden with Hassoan, a tea house that is an Important Cultural Property.

📷 Best views
Shobu Pond

The autumn leaves around the pond are reflected on the water. During the illumination you can view them from the Shobu Pond Autumn Leaves Terrace

Japanese garden and Hassoan

A garden with a tea house that is an Important Cultural Property. Closed for winter from early November

Hoheikan

A Meiji-era Western-style building. The building is also illuminated during the illumination

Illumination

Illumination & night viewing

Period
October 23 (Fri)–November 3 (Tue, holiday), 2026
Hours
17:00–21:00 (last entry 20:45)
Admission
Japanese garden (paid area): same-day ticket ¥600, advance ticket ¥500, elementary school students and younger free. Other areas free

The Shobu Pond Autumn Leaves Terrace and Hoheikan are also illuminated. Sapporo Yakiimo Terrace 2026 is held during the same period. Organized by the Sapporo Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Hours

Opening hours

Japanese garden9:00–17:00

Closed from early November to late April

Hours can change by season and for events. Check the official website before you go.

Admission

Admission

Admission (including the Japanese garden, regular times)Free
Autumn leaves illumination, Japanese garden (paid area)Same-day ticket ¥600, advance ticket ¥500

Elementary school students and younger free. Advance tickets carry a separate fee. Other areas free

Prices may change. Check the official website before you go.

Tips

Tips for travelers

  • ✓The Japanese garden closes for winter in early November, so go early in the season for the garden’s autumn leaves
Access

Getting there

Nearest station / bus stop
  • Nakajima-koen Station (Subway Namboku Line)Within walking distance
  • Horohirabashi Station (Subway Namboku Line)Within walking distance
By car & parking
No parking. Take the subway
Open in Google Maps ↗
Crowds

Crowds & best times

Busiest
Busy in the evenings during the illumination
Quieter times
Weekday daytime
Weather

Temperature & what to wear

Typical temperatures
Normals for Sapporo: October high 16.4°C, low 8.0°C; November high 8.7°C, low 1.6°C (Japan Meteorological Agency)
What to wear & bring
It gets quite cold during the evening illumination, so dress for near-winter weather with a coat, gloves and more
☁ Hokkaido weather by month
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Where to Stay · Agoda

Places to Stay near Nakajima ParkPR

PRSee more places to stay near Nakajima Park on Agoda →

Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.

Events

Events & festivals in Sapporo

February

Sapporo Snow Festival

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually early February (about one week)

2027 (77th): Feb 4 (Thu) – Feb 11 (Thu, holiday), 8 days

May

Sapporo Lilac Festival

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually mid- to late May (about 10 days at the Odori Site, and 2 days on the final weekend at the Kawashimo Site)

June

YOSAKOI Soran Festival

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually Wednesday to Sunday (5 days) in early to mid-June

2027 (36th): Jun 9 (Wed) – Jun 13 (Sun), 5 days

July–August

Sapporo Summer Festival

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually late July to mid-August (the beer gardens run for about 4 weeks; Hokkai Bon Odori is held during Obon, and the Susukino Festival for 3 days in early August)

September–October

Sapporo Autumn Fest

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually early to late September, or into early October (about 3 weeks)

2026: Sep 11 – Oct 3 (currently underway)

November–March

Sapporo White Illumination

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually late November to mid-March of the following year (the Odori Site runs from late November to December 25)

2026: Opens Nov 20 (Odori Site until Dec 25; Ekimae-dori Site until Feb 11, 2027; Minami 1-jo-dori, Kita 3-jo Plaza, and Sapporo Station South Exit until Mar 14, 2027)

See all events →
Attractions

Attractions in Sapporo

Zoo

Sapporo Maruyama Zoo

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo / Maruyama

Opened in 1951, this is Hokkaido's oldest zoo and is run by the City of Sapporo. Set next to Maruyama Park, its grounds cover about 22 hectares and are home to around 140 species of animals.

Aquarium

AOAO SAPPORO

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo / Tanukikoji

An urban aquarium on the 4th to 6th floors of moyuk SAPPORO, a shopping complex facing the Tanukikoji shopping arcade. Built around the concept "The Wonder of Life: Seeing the Unseen," it serves as a gateway to nature in the middle of the city and stays open until 22:00.

☂ Mostly indoors · rain-friendly
Experience

Shiroi Koibito Park

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

A confectionery theme park attached to the factory of Ishiya, the maker of Shiroi Koibito, a classic Hokkaido souvenir. It offers production line tours, sweets-making experiences, cafés, and shops, and the shops and rose garden can be used without an admission ticket. It's about a 5-minute walk from Miyanosawa Station on the Tozai subway line, making it easy to reach from central Sapporo.

Experience

HOKKAIDO BALLPARK F VILLAGE

Hokkaido ・ Kitahiroshima

A ballpark centered on ES CON FIELD HOKKAIDO, home of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, open 365 days a year. On non-game days, you can enter the stadium's outfield area for free and enjoy stadium tours, hot springs, kids' facilities, and restaurants. It's about 17 minutes from Sapporo Station to Kitahiroshima Station on the JR Rapid Airport, then about 5 minutes by shuttle bus from the station.

See all attractions →
Autumn Leaves

Autumn Leaves in Hokkaido

Hot spring town

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Hokkaido ・ Tokachidake, Kamifurano

🍁 Typical peak: Late Sep – Early Oct

Gorge

Sounkyo Gorge

Hokkaido ・ Sounkyo, Kamikawa

🍁 Typical peak: Early Oct – Mid Oct

Castle

Goryokaku Park

Hokkaido ・ Hakodate

🍁 Typical peak: Mid Oct

Hot spring town🍁 Typical peak

Jozankei Onsen

Hokkaido ・ Jozankei, Sapporo

🍁 Typical peak: Mid Oct – Late Oct

Lake🍁 Typical peak

Onuma Quasi-National Park

Hokkaido ・ Onuma, Nanae

🍁 Typical peak: Mid Oct – Early Nov

✦ Illumination
See all autumn leaves spots →

Peak periods, hours, prices and access are based on official sources such as the spot’s own website, local governments and tourism associations. Colors and event details can change, so check the official website before you go.

Last checked: 2026-10-05

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