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Event Guide · Hokkaido

Munich Christmas Market in Sapporo

November–DecemberSapporo2026: Nov 20 (Fri) – Dec 25 (Fri)
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Overview

Overview

A winter event recreating the Christmas market of Munich, Germany, Sapporo's sister city, held since 2002. Within the Sapporo White Illumination site in Odori Park, food and drink stalls serving mulled wine (Glühwein), sausages, and more stand alongside shops selling German Christmas goods and ornaments.

When
Usually late November to December 25 (about 1 month)
Confirmed dates: 2026: Nov 20 (Fri) – Dec 25 (Fri)
Venue
Odori Park 1 and 2 chome (Odori Nishi 2-chome, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, within the Sapporo White Illumination Odori Site)
Official website
https://www.sapporo.travel/white-illumination/event/munich/
Highlights

Highlights

The signatures are mulled wine served in an original mug whose design changes every year, and Christmas goods imported directly from Germany. From evening onward, you can enjoy a European-market atmosphere amid the lights of the White Illumination.

Times

Times

Hours11:00–21:00

Last order 20:45. From the official 2026 page

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

Tips

Tips for travelers

  • ✓31 vendors are planned for 2026 (13 food and drink, 18 goods and gifts). Almost all are open every day during the market
  • ✓Midday (from the 11:00 hour) is relatively relaxed, while evenings get crowded with people coming for the illuminations
  • ✓It's an outdoor venue, so you'll get cold if you stay long. Warm up with a hot drink and take breaks in the nearby underground shopping areas (Pole Town and Aurora Town)
  • ✓The original mug changes design every year and is a popular souvenir
  • ✓From the observation deck of the neighboring Sapporo TV Tower, you can look down on the illuminations in Odori Park
Access

Getting there

Nearest stations
  • Odori Station (Subway Namboku, Tozai, and Toho Lines)About 5 min on footYou can get close to the venue via the underground shopping areas, avoiding the cold
  • Nishi 4-chome stop (Sapporo Streetcar)About 5 min on foot
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 10–15 min on foot)
  • New Chitose Airport: JR Rapid Airport to Sapporo Station, then transfer to the subway (About 45–50 min)
Extra buses & shuttles
None
IC cards (Suica etc.)
Transport IC cards such as Kitaca and Suica can be used on the subway, streetcar, and JR
Getting back
  • Odori Station can get crowded at the 21:00 closing time. Walking to Sapporo Station through the underground walkway is another option
  • Sidewalks freeze easily in December. Wear non-slip shoes and make use of the underground passages
Open in Google Maps ↗
Crowds

Crowds & best timing

Busiest times
Weekend and holiday evenings, and from mid-December up to just before Christmas
Quieter times
Weekday daytime (about 11:00–15:00)
Time needed
30 min–1 hour (1–2 hours including a stroll through the illuminations)
Weather

Weather & what to wear

Evening temperatures
Sapporo's normal low is roughly -3°C in December and around 0°C in late November (a reference value based on JMA normals). Many nights drop below freezing
What to wear
A down coat or other warm outerwear, a hat, gloves, a scarf, and non-slip winter boots. Since you'll be eating and drinking outdoors, keep your feet warm too
Rain, snow & typhoons
Held outdoors. Follow official announcements for any changes to opening in severe weather
Where to check for cancellations
Sapporo White Illumination official website (https://www.sapporo.travel/white-illumination/), Executive Committee TEL 011-281-6400
☁ Hokkaido weather in November →☁ Hokkaido weather in December →
Etiquette

Local rules & etiquette

  • !Sort your trash at the venue's collection points or take it home
  • !Follow each stall's instructions for returning mugs and tableware
  • !Refrain from using selfie sticks and tripods when crowded. Flying drones without permission is not allowed
  • !Under Sapporo City ordinance, smoking on the street is prohibited in some areas around Odori Park
  • !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
In addition to public toilets in Odori Park, you can use toilets in the nearby underground shopping areas and commercial facilities
Lockers & luggage
Coin lockers are available at Odori and Sapporo stations. It's best to leave large suitcases at Sapporo Station or your hotel before coming
Paying at food stalls
Payment methods vary by vendor. Some are cash only, so bring cash to be safe
ATMs
Available at convenience stores (Seven Bank ATMs, etc.) around Odori Station and in the underground shopping areas
Seven Bank ATMs (inside 7-Eleven stores) usually accept cards issued overseas.
Wheelchairs & strollers
This is an outdoor park venue, and in winter the ground may be icy or snow-covered. Take care with wheelchairs and strollers when crowded
Food

Food

Local favorites
Mulled wine (Glühwein)German sausagesGerman beerChristmas baked goods
Vegetarian & halal
Vegetarian and halal labels are rare, so check with each vendor. Some stalls also offer non-alcoholic hot drinks
Tours & tickets for this eventPR
🏨 Where to stay during the event

Hotels in central Sapporo get busy on December weekends and around Christmas, so booking early is recommended

Where to Stay · Agoda

Places to Stay near Munich Christmas Market in SapporoPR

PRSee more places to stay near Munich Christmas Market in Sapporo 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)

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)

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 TV Tower Observation Deck TicketTake in the illuminations of Odori Park from the observation deck right next to the venue on its east sideView