Sapporo Travel : Odori Park, Former Hokkaido Government Office, Sapporo TV Tower & Sapporo Clock Tower

Former Hokkaido Government Office

The Former Hokkaido Government Office is Hokkaido’s best-known symbol and the red star on its exterior wall is the symbol of the Hokkaido Development Commission. The Old Hokkaido Government Building is free to enter and visitors can enjoy the exhibition rooms on two floors and a souvenir shop. The former Governor's office is open and is noted for its elaborate arabesque design engraving.

Throughout the building twenty paintings by local painters from Hokkaido are hung in the corridors and exhibition rooms, which include the Archives of Hokkaido exhibition room, the Karafuto/Sakhalin Related Resource Library, the Northern Territories Museum and the Exhibition Room of Hokkaido's International Exchanges & Local Products.

If you have the time in your sightseeing schedule, stopping and listening to the volunteers that work here explain different aspects of the museum and region is a must. 

Address : Kita 3-jo Nishi 6-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo

Open Hours: 8:45 - 18:00

Fee : Free admission

Sapporo Odori Park

Odori Park (大通公園, Ōdōri Kōen) is the broad median of Odori ("large street") in the center of Sapporo, separating the city into north and south. The park stretches about a kilometer and a half over twelve city blocks and offers pleasant green space during the warmer months. In early February, the park serves as the main site of the Sapporo Snow Festival.

At the eastern end of Odori Park stands the Sapporo TV Tower, which has an observation deck with nice views of the park and the surrounding city. The tower is just under 150 meters tall, and the observation deck is at an elevation of 90 meters. During the evening the tower is illuminated, making it an attractive landmark.

Sapporo TV Tower

The Sapporo TV Tower (さっぽろテレビ塔 Sapporo Terebi-tō), built in 1957. Sapporo TV Tower is located in Nishi 1-chome, or the eastern edge of Odori Park, which divides central Sapporo into northern and southern zones. It has been a Sapporo landmark and witnessed the development of the city for more than half a century. From the observation deck, which is approximately 90 meters above ground, visitors can enjoy beautiful seasonal views of Odori Park and various events carried out in the park.

When the sky is clear, one can see as far as Ishikari Plain and the Sea of Japan. The observation deck is the best place to see the snow festival and park’s illuminated decorations in the winter. There is also a special plan, popular among couples, available to privately rent out the observation deck for 30 minutes after the Tower closes.

Open Hours: 9:00 - 22:00

Fee Admission: Adults ¥720, High School Students ¥600, Junior High School Students ¥400

Sapporo Clock Tower
The Clock Tower (時計台, Tokeidai) is a symbol of Sapporo. The building was constructed during the early period of Sapporo's development in 1878 as a drill hall of the Sapporo Agricultural College. In 1881 a clock purchased from Boston was installed.

Today, the Clock Tower serves as a museum with displays about the building's history and Sapporo on the first floor. On the second floor are displays about the clock and a spacious ceremony hall that calls to mind the simple buildings of the colonial American Midwest.

Access

The Clock Tower is four blocks or a ten minute walk south of JR Sapporo Station, and one block north of Odori Park.

Open Hours : 8:45 to 17:10 (entry until 17:00)

Closed : December 31 to January 3; infrequent, irregular closures for maintenance

Admission : 200 yen

Credits : Japan-Guide