2026 Sapporo TV Tower Guide: The Red-and-White Landmark at the East End of Odori Park and the “Eye of the City”
Sapporo TV Tower stands at the east end of Odori Park, a classic landmark overlooking the park’s straight axis and the four-season festivals. It suits an easy 1 to 2 hour stop.
Sapporo TV Tower Basics: Address, Phone and the Mascot TV Papa
Sapporo TV Tower is at Odori Nishi 1-chome, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido, phone 011-241-1131. It is the most eye-catching red-and-white tower in the city center, designed by structural engineer Tachu Naito, and is one of Japan’s “Six Tower Brothers” along with Tokyo Tower. It is 147.2 meters tall (including the antenna) and has been open since 1957, more than 60 years. The tower’s mascot, “TV Papa” (Terebi-tosan), combines the shape of a television with the image of a kindly father and is a popular photo spot. Goods featuring him can be bought on the 3rd floor and at the Sky Shop on the observation deck, a popular Sapporo-only souvenir.
Sapporo TV Tower Registered as a National Tangible Cultural Property: Certified in March 2025
Sapporo TV Tower was certified as a nationally registered tangible cultural property on March 13, 2025. Completed in 1957, it is now nearly 70 years old. On ordinary days the tower offers the observation deck and a souvenir shop, and it also holds events such as stair-climbing days. Lighting themes and the latest events are announced on the Sapporo TV Tower official website (tv-tower.co.jp). Check before you go, and you are more likely to catch a limited-time event.
Floors and Facilities Overview: From B1 to the 90-Meter Observation Deck
The tower has floors B1 to 3, plus the observation deck level at 90 meters. B1 connects directly to the Sapporo underground mall “Aurora Town,” so travelers can transfer without getting rained on. The 1st and 3rd floors are free to enter, and the 3rd floor has a souvenir shop and dining space, so it is worth a stop even if you don’t buy a ticket to go up.
After buying a ticket, take the elevator from the 3rd-floor entrance. In about 60 seconds you reach the observation level about 90 meters above ground, which is also the core area certified as a “Japan Night View Heritage” site.
What Time Is Best? Opening Hours and Suggested Time to Spend
Sapporo TV Tower is open daily from 09:00 to 22:00, with last entry at 21:50. The 3rd-floor ticket counter stops selling tickets 10 to 15 minutes before closing. We suggest allowing 1 to 2 hours, including time to queue for the elevator and shop for souvenirs.
By day, you can enjoy the green axis of Odori Park stretching straight ahead and the distant mountains. Going up 15 minutes before sunset lets you catch the sunset glow, the glittering night view and the moment the tower’s LED clock lights up, the golden time most recommended on social media.
How to Get to Sapporo TV Tower in 2026: Transport and Costs at a Glance
Sapporo TV Tower is on the east side of Odori Park, at Odori Nishi 1-chome, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, right next to Odori Station on the subway. It is easy to reach by subway, streetcar or bus, one of the easiest attractions to connect with on a city sightseeing route, and a good stop after Odori Park and the Tanukikoji shopping street.
Transport Summary: How to Choose Between Subway, Streetcar, Bus and Walking
Take the subway’s Namboku Line, Tozai Line or Toho Line to “Odori Station” and use Exit 27. The fare is from about ¥210, and the exit puts you right under the tower, so no umbrella is needed in rain or snow. By streetcar, get off at “Nishi 4-chome” station; a one-way fare is about ¥230 (refer to the municipal transit website for the official fare), and you can link on to Susukino along the way. City buses mostly stop at “Odori Station-mae,” with fares from about ¥210, suiting travelers who transfer from the airport bus and stay in Susukino. If you stay around Odori Park or Tanukikoji, it is within a 10-minute walk, with no transport cost, the cheapest and most flexible option.
What Are the Must-See Attractions in the 2026 Sapporo TV Tower Guide? Observation Deck Highlights and Nearby Spots
Ordered by popularity, here is a look at the highlights inside the tower and the must-visit spots nearby.
Sapporo TV Tower Observation Deck: The 90-Meter “Eye of the City” in a 147-Meter Tower
The observation deck is 90 meters up the tower and is the best spot for a 360-degree panorama of Odori Park. Looking west, you can see the park’s green axis stretching straight ahead, the golden vantage point for spring lilacs, the summer beer garden and the winter Snow Festival. The deck is certified as a “Japan Night View Heritage” site, and on clear days you can even see Ishikari Bay and the surrounding mountains in the distance.
We suggest going up 15 minutes before sunset to catch the sunset glow, the sea of lights and the moment the clock lights up. It is the photo timing most recommended on social media, and the best way to end a walk through Odori Park.
The “Scary Window”: A Thrilling Hanging View Down
On the southeast side of the observation deck is a huge floor-to-ceiling window that slants outward. Press close to the glass and look down, and you get the thrilling illusion of floating 90 meters in the air. It is the most talked-about photo spot in the tower and a scene many travel bloggers mention again and again.
Leaning gently against the glass, the cool touch mixes with a feeling of being pulled toward the ground, making it one of the deck’s most popular photo corners.
TV Papa Shrine: The Highest Shrine in Sapporo
The observation deck has the “TV Papa Shrine,” which enshrines the tower’s mascot TV Papa. It is the highest-located shrine in Sapporo, built in the Shinmei-zukuri style, with guardian dogs modeled on TV Papa and TV Mama. It attracts many visitors who pray for academic progress and success in love, and it sells limited-edition amulets, a favorite wishing spot for couples and exam-taking travelers.
Though small, the shrine is one of the most talked-about photo corners of the whole climb. Many travelers buy a TV Papa amulet as a keepsake, and it often appears in Sapporo travel posts on social media.
The Observation Deck Elevator: The First Surprise Before You Go Up
After buying a ticket, take the elevator from the 3rd-floor entrance. In about 60 seconds you reach the observation level about 90 meters up, with no stairs to climb, easily reaching the city’s heights. After you step out of the elevator, you can walk around the deck and enjoy Odori Park and the city views.
On the outside of the tower there are also about 352 outdoor steps, normally closed and opened for the challenge only during special events such as stair-climbing days. Please watch for official announcements.
Sky Shop: Observation Deck-Exclusive Souvenirs and TV Papa Goods
The observation deck has an exclusive souvenir shop, the “Sky Shop,” selling all kinds of TV Papa goods as well as Hokkaido souvenirs. Items depend on what is on display at the time.
There are TV Papa goods on both the 3rd floor and the observation deck. If you like collecting mascot goods, we suggest browsing both, looking at the various mascot-shaped items and choosing souvenirs for yourself or as gifts.
Special Lighting Events: Collaboration Campaigns and the Romantic Night View of Limited-Time Lighting
Besides the regular daily lighting, Sapporo TV Tower often runs limited-time lighting for special campaigns. For example, it has done a special campaign in collaboration with an anime series, with the lighting colors changing with the theme during the period.
The tower also runs limited-time lighting for various other campaigns. Before you go, we suggest checking the dates and times of the lighting on the official website or social media announcements so you don’t make the trip for nothing.
Odori Park: The Garden Axis Running Through Central Sapporo
Odori Park is a belt-shaped park running about 1.5 kilometers east to west through central Sapporo, right on the west side of the TV Tower. It has the Lilac Festival in spring, a beer garden in summer and the main venue of the Sapporo Snow Festival in winter, with a different look in every season, the best place for a walk before or after going up the tower.
The fountain in the area from West 3-chome to 5-chome in the park is the most recommended angle for photographing the whole TV Tower, capturing the fountain, the greenery and the red-and-white tower in one frame. Stalls selling grilled corn are also often seen in the park.
Tanukikoji Shopping Street: Hokkaido’s Oldest Shopping Arcade
Tanukikoji Shopping Street is about an 8-minute walk from the TV Tower and one of Hokkaido’s oldest shopping streets. About 1 kilometer long, it includes drugstores, souvenir shops, restaurants and century-old shops, and you can shop under cover the whole way even in bad weather, the best rainy-day backup.
The street is divided into 1-chome through 7-chome. The farther west you go, the more local old shops and affordable food you find. Travelers who like hunting for finds can set aside half a day to browse slowly, and at night you can head to nearby Susukino for a late-night meal.
Sapporo Clock Tower: A Meiji-Era Time Bell That Has Kept Time for 150 Years
The Sapporo Clock Tower is about a 5-minute walk from the TV Tower. A wooden building left over from the Meiji era, it displays historical artifacts of Sapporo’s pioneering days inside, and its bell still rings on the hour. It is a popular attraction often sold together with the TV Tower in a combination ticket.
We suggest visiting the exhibits inside the Clock Tower during the day and going to the TV Tower for the night view in the evening. The two are a short walk apart, ideal for the same half-day walking route.
Nijo Market: A Seafood Market With Fish Straight From Local Fishermen
Nijo Market is about a 10-minute walk from the TV Tower and is Sapporo’s long-established seafood market, home to many shops specializing in seafood rice bowls, oysters and king crab. It is a good place to have a lavish seafood lunch before going up the tower and experience the most authentic Hokkaido catch.
Some shops in the market offer home delivery, and travelers who like to take fresh seafood home can also buy dried goods and canned souvenirs here, a stop that combines food and shopping in your itinerary.
JR Tower Observation Room T38: A Different Night View to Rival the TV Tower
If you want to compare two different night-view atmospheres, pair it with the nearby JR Tower Observation Room T38. Both offer 360-degree city views. The TV Tower’s strength is looking down on the snowy Odori Park and its straight green axis, while T38, above Sapporo Station, suits enjoying the city lights over a coffee, with a more romantic mood.
The two observation decks are about 15-20 minutes apart on foot. Travelers with time to spare can plan a two-tower itinerary, sunset at the TV Tower and the night view at T38, experiencing two very different Sapporo nights in one trip.
How Much Does the 2026 Sapporo TV Tower Cost? Tickets and Combo Tickets Summarized
Sapporo TV Tower is at the east end of Odori Park, at Odori Nishi 1-chome, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido. It is a classic landmark overlooking all of Odori Park and the TV Tower light show, with distant views of Ishikari Bay and Mt. Teine. The observation deck is about 90.38 meters high and open daily 9:00 to 22:00 (last entry to the deck 21:50, which may change during events). It closes only for equipment inspection days and New Year’s Day; please refer to the official website for closure dates. Ticket prices vary depending on whether you buy a deck-only ticket, a combo ticket with attractions around Odori Park, or buy in advance through an online travel platform. Below are the most common good-value options, to help you budget when planning your 2026 Sapporo trip.
Deck-Only Admission Ticket: The Most Basic, Most Flexible Way to See the Night View
You can buy a ticket on site and take the elevator up to the 90-meter observation deck. In 2026, the price is ¥1,200 for adults (high school age and up), ¥600 for elementary and junior high school students, and free for small children. The ticket counter accepts cash, cards and IC cards. Entry is free on the day of your birthday and for 3 days before and after with proof, and a ¥2,000 annual pass is also sold.
The deck has glass, an outdoor observation area and mascot photo spots, with distant views of Odori Park, city high-rises and far-off mountains, and the snow scenes in winter are especially beautiful.
No reservation is needed, and you can buy on arrival. It suits a spur-of-the-moment night view or waiting for the Snow Festival, and buying a ticket in the late afternoon lets you see both the sunset and the night view.
Sapporo Clock Tower + TV Tower Combo Ticket: A Classic Downtown Pairing
The official “Sapporo Clock Tower and Sapporo TV Tower Combo Ticket” is ¥1,300 for adults (¥1,550 if bought separately), available at the TV Tower 3rd-floor ticket counter or at the Clock Tower. It is on sale from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027, and is valid until March 31, 2027.
The Clock Tower and the TV Tower are about 5 to 7 minutes apart on foot. It suits a downtown walk on your first day in Sapporo: see the Meiji-era wooden clock tower first, then go up the tower to look over Odori Park.
Day & Night Ticket: Go Up Once by Day and Once at Night
Re-entry to the observation deck is generally not allowed. If you want to see both Odori Park by day and the “Japan Night View Heritage” night view, you can buy the official “Day & Night Ticket”: ¥1,700 for adults (regular price ¥2,400) and ¥800 for elementary and junior high school students (regular price ¥1,200). It allows two trips up the tower, is valid for 3 days from the purchase date, and is sold at the observation deck ticket counter on the 3rd floor.
We suggest entering an hour before sunset: first photograph the daytime view, then wait for night to fall and photograph the sea of lights of Odori Park and the tower’s own neon lighting, enjoying two very different romantic atmospheres, day and night, in one visit.
“Sapporo Select” Value Ticket: Your Pick of the TV Tower, Mt. Okura and More
If you want to collect several Sapporo viewpoints at once, you can buy the official “Sapporo Select” ticket. Route B is ¥2,100 and lets you choose 3 of 6 sites: the TV Tower, Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium, Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill, the Hokkaido Museum, the Sapporo Olympic Museum and the Historical Village of Hokkaido. Route A is ¥3,000 and is the Mt. Moiwa ropeway plus your choice of 2 of those 6 sites. It is valid until March 31, 2027, for personal use only, with no refunds for expiry or for unused sites closed due to weather. It is sold at the 3rd-floor ticket counter of the TV Tower.
The Mt. Okura observation deck can be reached by chair lift, with a viewing angle completely different from the TV Tower, taking in the whole of Sapporo and the distant mountains at once. The two are about a 20-minute ride apart, suiting a half-day to full-day itinerary.
KKday / Klook Online Presale Discount Tickets: A Time-Saving, No-Queue Easy Option
If you buy TV Tower tickets in advance on platforms such as KKday or Klook, prices vary by platform and package, and some packages come with an e-voucher for quick entry, avoiding the line on site. Online presale tickets mostly offer a Chinese interface and are ready to use as soon as you buy. They are often sold with Sapporo day tours, Snow Festival packages or transport passes, which is especially friendly to first-time independent travelers who worry about language barriers. We suggest comparing prices on the platforms a week before departure and watching for limited-time offers or early-bird discounts. Especially in the February Snow Festival peak season, buying ahead can save money and avoid selling out or long lines on site that delay your itinerary.
Where to Stay Near the 2026 Sapporo TV Tower? Hotel Suggestions Along the Way
Around Odori Station and Susukino: The Most Convenient Hotel Area for Going Up the Tower for the Night View
Around Odori Station you can walk to the TV Tower, and it is close to the Sapporo Clock Tower, Tanukikoji Shopping Street and the underground mall. It is the most convenient place to stay for going up the tower for the night view in the evening and shopping at ease the next day. Around Susukino Station, there are mostly budget hotels and a dense cluster of izakaya, suiting travelers who like late-night food culture and have a more flexible budget. Both areas are within a 10-minute walk of the TV Tower.
If you prefer to be near JR Sapporo Station for easy transfers to the airport rapid train or trips to nearby sights, you can also choose a hotel in front of Sapporo Station. Through the underground mall it is about a 10-15 minute walk to the TV Tower, with equally complete transport and shopping, a hotel base recommended by many repeat visitors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much are Sapporo TV Tower tickets?
According to the 2026 announcement on the official website, tickets are ¥1,200 for adults (high school students and up) and ¥600 for elementary and junior high school students, with free entry for children not yet in elementary school, bought at the 3rd-floor ticket counter. If you want to see it once by day and once at night, you can buy the “Day & Night Ticket” for ¥1,700 per adult, and the combo ticket with the Clock Tower is ¥1,300 per adult.
Q: What is the fastest way to get to Sapporo TV Tower?
Take the subway to Odori Station and walk about 1 minute from Exit 27. It is one of the most conveniently reached landmarks in Sapporo, and no umbrella is needed in rain or snow.
Q: What time does Sapporo TV Tower open?
Open daily from 09:00 to 22:00, with last entry at 21:50. The ticket counter stops selling tickets 10-15 minutes earlier, and hours may change for events.
Q: What season is the most beautiful to visit Sapporo TV Tower?
During the winter Snow Festival you can look down on the snow-white park, while summer brings the beer garden and the Lilac Festival, and spring and autumn each have their own look, so it is worth a visit all year round.
Q: Is the night view from Sapporo TV Tower really worth seeing?
The observation deck is certified as a “Japan Night View Heritage” site. Going up 15 minutes before sunset lets you catch both the sunset glow and the moment the lights come on, a widely agreed must-see.
Q: Does Sapporo TV Tower have accessibility facilities?
The observation deck has an elevator going directly to the 90-meter level, and wheelchairs and strollers can pass through smoothly. The facilities are quite complete.
Q: Can I visit Sapporo TV Tower on a rainy day?
Yes. The observation deck is an indoor space unaffected by weather, and you can also visit the nearby underground mall and Tanukikoji Shopping Street as a rainy-day backup.
