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Event Guide · Hokkaido

Sapporo Lilac Festival

MaySapporo
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Overview

Overview

An early-summer festival held when the lilac, Sapporo's official city tree, is in bloom; 2026 marked its 68th edition. At the Odori Site, a celebration of Hokkaido wine, stage events, and cultural activities take place beneath about 400 lilac trees, while the Kawashimo Park Site in Shiroishi Ward showcases about 1,700 lilac trees of around 200 varieties. Admission is free.

When
Usually mid- to late May (about 10 days at the Odori Site, and 2 days on the final weekend at the Kawashimo Site)
Venue
Odori Park (West 5–7 chome), Kawashimo Park (Shiroishi Ward)
Official website
https://www.sapporo.travel/lilacfes/
Highlights

Highlights

The signature attractions are the roughly 400 lilac trees lining Odori Park's 6–7 chome and the wine garden where you can sample wines from all over Hokkaido. At Kawashimo Park, around 200 varieties bloom in the lilac forest, letting you compare their colors and scents.

Times

Times

Odori 7-chome Site (LILAC WINE GARDEN)10:00–21:00 (last order 20:30)

2026 example (5/20–31). Over 200 wines from more than 70 Hokkaido wineries

Kawashimo Site events10:00–15:00 (most events)

2026 example (5/30–31). Lilac guided tours at 11:00 and 14:00

Kawashimo Site free lilac seedling giveawayFrom 9:00

2026: 5/30 (Sat) only, first 150 people

Times can change from year to year. Check the official website for the latest information.

Tips

Tips for travelers

  • ✓Blooming times vary from year to year, so check the latest bloom information on the official website or Odori Park's social media before you go
  • ✓The 5-chome site runs for a shorter period than the 6–7 chome sites (only 5/20–24 in 2026), so check the dates of the events you want to see
  • ✓The wine garden is open from the daytime, so going during the day rather than in the busy evening makes it easier to get a seat
  • ✓To enjoy the wide range of varieties, head to the Kawashimo Park Site. It is held only on the final weekend (2 days)
  • ✓Sapporo TV Tower and the Sapporo Clock Tower are within walking distance of the Odori Site, making for efficient sightseeing
Access

Getting there

Nearest stations
  • Odori Station (Subway Namboku, Tozai, and Toho Lines)Right outsideOdori Site (West 5–7 chome)
  • Shiroishi Station (Subway Tozai Line)Take a Chuo Bus to "Kawashimo Koen-mae," then 1 min on footKawashimo Site
From major stations
  • Sapporo Station: Subway Namboku Line to Odori Station (1 stop), or walk through the underground walkway (Chi-Ka-Ho) (About 2 min by subway, about 10 min on foot)
  • Odori Station: Subway Tozai Line to Shiroishi Station, then transfer to a Chuo Bus and get off at "Kawashimo Koen-mae"
IC cards (Suica etc.)
The Sapporo Municipal Subway accepts SAPICA as well as nationwide interoperable IC cards such as Kitaca, Suica, PASMO, and ICOCA
Getting back
  • The Odori Site is right above the subway station, so it's easy to get back even at night
  • There is no parking at the Odori Site, so come by public transport (the Kawashimo Site has parking)
Open in Google Maps ↗
Crowds

Crowds & best timing

Busiest times
Weekends and sunny afternoons; the wine garden also gets busy on weekday evenings with people coming after work
Quieter times
Weekday mornings to early afternoons
Time needed
Allow 1–2 hours for strolling the Odori Site and the wine garden, and 1–2 hours for the Kawashimo Park Site
Weather

Weather & what to wear

Evening temperatures
According to JMA normals, Sapporo in May has a high of around 17°C and a low of around 8°C. Even if sunny afternoons are warm, it can drop below 10°C in the evening and feel chilly
What to wear
On many days a single long-sleeved layer is enough during the day, but bring a light jacket or sweater for the wine garden at night
Rain, snow & typhoons
In rain, some events may be changed or canceled (per official information)
Where to check for cancellations
Sapporo Lilac Festival official website, Sapporo Lilac Festival Executive Committee Secretariat (within the Sapporo Tourism Association, TEL 011-281-6400)
☁ Hokkaido weather in May →
Etiquette

Local rules & etiquette

  • !Do not break lilac branches or pick the flowers
  • !Dispose of trash according to the venue's sorting rules or take it home
  • !Drinking by anyone under 20 is prohibited. Never drive after drinking
  • !Refrain from smoking in Odori Park except in designated areas
  • !Public trash bins are rare in Japan. Bring a small bag and take your trash with you.
  • !Smoking while walking is banned in many cities. Use designated smoking areas.
Facilities

Facilities

Toilets
There are public toilets in Odori Park, and you can also use toilets in nearby commercial facilities and underground shopping areas
Lockers & luggage
Coin lockers are available at Odori and Sapporo stations. Leave suitcases at Sapporo Station or your hotel so you can travel light
Paying at food stalls
Payment methods vary by vendor. Bring cash too in case some are cash only
ATMs
Available at convenience stores (Seven Bank ATMs, etc.) around Odori Station and in underground shopping areas
Seven Bank ATMs (inside 7-Eleven stores) usually accept cards issued overseas.
Wheelchairs & strollers
Odori Park is flat and easy to get around with a wheelchair or stroller. Walkways in the food and drink areas get narrow when crowded
Food

Food

Local favorites
Hokkaido wineSnacks made with Hokkaido ingredientsSweets and light meals
Vegetarian & halal
Vegetarian and halal labels are rare, so it's best to check with each vendor
Tours & tickets for this eventPR
Where to Stay · Agoda

Places to Stay near Sapporo Lilac FestivalPR

PRSee more places to stay near Sapporo Lilac Festival on Agoda →

Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.

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 →
Events

Events & festivals in Hokkaido

February

Sapporo Snow Festival

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually early February (about one week)

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

February

Otaru Snow Light Path

Hokkaido ・ Otaru

Usually about one week in early to mid-February (around the same time as the Sapporo Snow Festival)

2027: Feb 6 – Feb 13

February

Asahikawa Winter Festival

Hokkaido ・ Asahikawa & Biei

Usually about 6 days in early to mid-February (around the same time as the Sapporo Snow Festival)

2027 (68th): Feb 6 – Feb 11

April–October

Lake Toyako Long Run Fireworks Display

Hokkaido ・ Noboribetsu & Lake Toya

Usually every night from late April to October 31 (about 20 minutes from 20:45)

2026: Apr 28 – Oct 31 (held nightly; currently underway)

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)

July

Otaru Ushio Festival

Hokkaido ・ Otaru

Usually Friday to Sunday in late July (3 days, with a grand fireworks display on the final night)

August

Hakodate Port Festival

Hokkaido ・ Hakodate

Usually August 1–5 (fireworks on the first day, parades on the 2nd and 3rd)

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)

December–March

Asahiyama Zoo Penguin Walk

Hokkaido ・ Asahikawa & Biei

Usually held daily from mid- to late December (once there is enough snow) until around mid-March

December

Hakodate Christmas Fantasy

Hokkaido ・ Hakodate

Usually starts in late November to early December and runs until December 25

2026: Dec 1 (Tue) – Dec 25 (Fri)

See all events →

Dates, times and access are based on official and other primary sources. Only dates confirmed by official sources are shown as “Confirmed dates”; otherwise the usual timing is given.

Last checked: 2026-09-30

PRKlookSapporo One-Day Kimono Rental ExperienceRent a kimono at a shop in Tanukikoji and stroll around Odori Park (yukata in July–August)View