Sapporo White Illumination
The annual White Illumination was held in Odori Park from November 18 to December 25. It was lit every day from 4:30 to 10:00 p.m. The White Illumination event began in 1981. This was its 36th year. Many companies join together to hold the successful event. The event is also known as “The Art of light.” The number illuminations decreased for a while, but they has increased again. You can also buy various cultural items during the event.
Here are some things you should know about the White Illumination.
The first White Illumination began in December, 1981. At that time 1,048 lights were used at Odori 2-Chome. The number of lights increased to 41,088 the next year, and the location also expanded to Odori 3- Chome and 4-Chome. The number of lights and locations kept increasing every year. As a result, the number of lights used is now 83,000 and the locations expanded to Odori 6- Chome to 8-Chome.
There are many events during the White Illumination. For example, there is the Illumination Parade and the Optical Object Stamp Rally, to name just two of them. The Illumination Parade was held from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Odori 1-Chome on December 17. Anyone can participate in this event free of charge if you arrive before 4:15 p.m. However, only 300 people can join in, so you should arrive early. The parade is conducted by all of the vendors who participate in the event. There is a lightning ceremony and a live chorus. It was very beautiful and very interesting.
The Optical Object Stamp Rally was held from November 18 to December 25. You can receive all of the stamps by downloading a Sapporo gourmet coupon app. Once you have collected all of the stamps, you can exchange them for many kinds of items until 9:00 p.m. at Odori 5-Chome. This event is also free of charge. Several items are very expensive. For example, there are gift cards for some hotels, and gift cards of 20,000 yen, and so on. If you are lucky, you might be able to see the night view free of charge.
Besides the Odori White Illumination, there are illuminations along the streets from Sapporo Station to the downtown Susukino area until February 12.