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Event Guide · Hokkaido

Sapporo Summer Festival

July–AugustSapporo
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Overview

Overview

A Sapporo summer tradition in which one of Japan's largest beer gardens takes over Odori Park for about a month (73rd edition in 2026). Six beer garden sites, including those run by major breweries, line West 5–11 chome of Odori Park, and the Hokkai Bon Odori dance, Tanukikoji's Tanuki Festival, and the Susukino Festival are held at the same time.

When
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)
Venue
Odori Park (beer gardens at West 5–11 chome, Hokkai Bon Odori at West 2 chome), Tanukikoji Shopping Street, Susukino
Official website
https://www.sapporo.travel/summerfes/
Highlights

Highlights

The appeal is sampling a different beer and atmosphere at each block: Suntory at West 5 chome, Asahi at 6 chome, Kirin at 7 chome, Sapporo at 8 chome, the World Beer Plaza at 10 chome, and Sapporo German Village at 11 chome. During Obon, you can also join the Hokkai Bon Odori dance around the yagura tower at Odori West 2 chome (2026 site layout).

Times

Times

Odori Beer Garden hours12:00–21:00

2026 example (7/23–8/18). Last order times vary by site

Opening ceremony12:00

2026 example (7/23, Odori West 7 chome)

Hokkai Bon Odori19:00–21:00

From an official website notice (2019 example). Children's Bon Odori from 18:00. In 2026, held 8/13–16 at Odori West 2 chome

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

Tips

Tips for travelers

  • ✓It suddenly gets crowded after 17:00 with people coming from work, so go from midday to early evening if you want to secure a seat
  • ✓Each site serves different beers and food. Hopping between 2–3 sites to compare is recommended
  • ✓At some sites you buy meal tickets first from ticket machines or a ticket counter. Some sites have cashless ticket machines, but bring cash as well
  • ✓During Obon (8/13–16 in 2026), it's fun to jump in and join the Hokkai Bon Odori dance
  • ✓Summer nights in Hokkaido are cool, so bring something to put on in the evening
Access

Getting there

Nearest stations
  • Odori Station (Subway Namboku, Tozai, and Toho Lines)Right outside to about 5 min on footWest 5–8 chome sites
  • Nishi 11-chome Station (Subway Tozai Line)Right outsideWest 10 and 11 chome sites
  • Susukino Station (Subway Namboku Line)Right outsideSusukino Festival venue
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)
  • New Chitose Airport: JR Rapid Airport to Sapporo Station, then transfer to the subway (About 40 min plus transfer)
Extra buses & shuttles
None
IC cards (Suica etc.)
The Sapporo Municipal Subway and JR accept nationwide interoperable IC cards such as Kitaca, Suica, PASMO, and ICOCA
Getting back
  • Odori Station gets crowded around the 21:00 closing time. Using Nishi 11-chome or Susukino Station helps avoid the crowds
  • There is no parking at the venue. Never drive after drinking; use the subway or a taxi
Open in Google Maps ↗
Crowds

Crowds & best timing

Busiest times
Weekdays after 17:00 and weekend evenings. Especially crowded on sunny, hot days
Quieter times
Weekdays from midday to around 15:00
Saving a spot
If you want to sit with a large group during the evening peak, it's safest to arrive before 17:00
Time needed
1–2 hours at one site, or 2–3 hours if you hop between sites
Weather

Weather & what to wear

Evening temperatures
According to JMA normals, Sapporo from late July to mid-August has highs of around 25–26°C and lows of around 18–19°C. It's cooler than Honshu, and some nights can feel chilly
What to wear
Short sleeves are fine during the day, but bring a light long-sleeved top or cardigan if you'll be drinking into the night
Rain, snow & typhoons
Some sites with large tents stay open in the rain. In severe weather or typhoons, events such as the Hokkai Bon Odori may be canceled (one day was canceled due to a typhoon in 2019)
Where to check for cancellations
Sapporo Summer Festival official website (https://www.sapporo.travel/summerfes/), official X (@welcomesapporo), Sapporo Summer Festival Executive Committee (TEL 011-281-6400)
☁ Hokkaido weather in July →☁ Hokkaido weather in August →
Etiquette

Local rules & etiquette

  • !Drinking by anyone under 20 is prohibited. Never drive after drinking
  • !Follow the venue's trash sorting rules
  • !Refrain from smoking in Odori Park except in designated areas
  • !When joining the Bon Odori circle, take care not to interrupt the flow of the dance
  • !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
You can use temporary toilets near each site, public toilets in Odori Park, and toilets in nearby commercial facilities. There may be lines at peak times
Lockers & luggage
Coin lockers are available at Odori and Sapporo stations. It's best to leave suitcases at your hotel or a station before coming
Paying at food stalls
Payment methods vary by site: meal ticket machines (some cashless), cash counters, or cash payment at your table (2026 Sapporo site example)
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, but aisles between seats get narrow at peak times
Food

Food

Local favorites
Draft beer (limited-edition and Hokkaido-only brews from each brewery)Jingisukan (grilled lamb)Yaki-tokibi (grilled corn from Odori Park's corn wagons)Beers from around the world (World Beer Plaza, West 10 chome)
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 during the event

Late July through August is peak tourist season in Sapporo, and hotels are especially busy during Obon. Booking early is recommended

Where to Stay · Agoda

Places to Stay near Sapporo Summer FestivalPR

PRSee more places to stay near Sapporo Summer 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)

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

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 ExperienceYukata rental in July–August. Head from the shop in Tanukikoji to Odori ParkView