Sapporo TV Tower: Panoramic Views, History & Travel Tips

Occupying the central location for multi-attraction itineraries, Sapporo TV Tower is an iconic landmark and a year-round destination. Plenty of parks and some popular buildings sit around.

From its observation deck, 90 meters high above the ground, visitors can gain a view of Sapporo City, which offers the best view to watch seasonal illuminations held in adjacent Odori Park.

In this article, you will learn more about its highlights of the Sapporo TV Tower and other interesting things to do in Sapporo.

Top Experiences at Sapporo TV Tower

1. Observation Deck

As the most iconic point of the tower, this observation deck provides tourists with 360° city views. Visitors can buy tickets and get there via the outdoor elevators from the 3rd floor of the tower. The attraction of this glass elevator is that you can appreciate the cityscape from different changing angles, and the festive scenes, like illumination shows and ice sculptures in winter.

2. "Scary Window"

Another characteristic belongs to “Kowaso”, also known as the Windows of Thrills. From the bottom to the ceiling, they are all composed of a single layer of glass, creating a thrilling vibe to enjoy the city views. The unique design makes it especially suitable for thrilling photos.

3. "TV Dad" Shrine

In the observation lounge, set the highest shrine in Sapporo, called “TV Dad”, which is the unofficial popular mascot of the Sapporo TV Tower. The lounge dedicated to the “TV Dad” is considered a meaningful and sacred space for his fans. If interested, you can draw fortune sticks to try your luck.

4. Nighttime Illuminations

Not only sweeping cityscape in the daytime the tower offers, but it is also voted as one of Japan’s “New Top Three Night Views”. The Sapporo TV Tower lights change seasonally from sunset to midnight, especially during Sapporo White Illumination, which usually lights up at around 4:30 pm., and offers a night view, combined with modern buildings and natural beauty. From a deck of 90 meters, visitors can discover another impressive and charming side of Sapporo City.

5. Experience Winter Magic

The Snow Festival boasts stunning snow and diverse ice sculptures, which are usually exhibited in Odori Park. From the observation deck, you can gain front-row views of Sapporo Snow Festival ice sculptures from above to feel this winter magic from a distance.

6. Souvenirs & Dining

There is an unofficial Sapporo TV Tower mascot, "TV Dad" ("Terebi Tosan") inside the tower. Merchandise for the mascot is also available.

In addition to figurines, souvenir shops also offer some limited-edition sweets. And tower-shaped cookies and Hokkaido melon soft-serve can be found in dessert cafes, some of which have skyline views, with no ticket required. Here, you do not have to be troubled about what to eat. Sort of restaurants can fix it up.

Essential Tips for Visiting Sapporo TV Tower

Ticket Prices & Hours

The observatory of Sapporo TV Tower operates from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm, and its last admission is at 9:50 pm. It will be closed when encountering inspection days, like Nov. 12, 2025, and Jan.1, 2026. Business hours may change with some events.

Ticket prices and rates are enumerated as follows:

    Regular Price Group Price at Rates (15 people or more) Adults (high school students and older) 1,000 yen 700 yen Children (elementary and junior high school students) 500 yen 400 yen Children (younger than elementary school students) Free of charge Free of charge

How to Get There

From Odori Station

By Subway: Take the Toho Line and get off at the Odori Station. Approximately 1 minute to arrive at Exit 27 of the Sapporo TV Tower.

From JR Sapporo Station

By Subway: A 3-minute walk to the Namboku Line and get off at the Odori Station. Walk approximately 5 minutes to the Sapporo TV Tower.

By Taxi: A 5-minute ride takes around 800 yen.

On Foot: A 15-minute walk from Sapporo TV Tower

From New Chitose Airport

By Subway: Walk 3 minutes to JR New Chitose Airport Station and take a 37-minute ride, then get off at JR Sapporo Station.

By Airport Shuttle Bus: Walk 3 minutes to the Airport Shuttle Bus Stop, take a 1.5-hour ride, and finally get off at the JR Sapporo Station.

By Car: Take a 10-minute ride, then drive 30 minutes along the Hokkaido Expressway New Chitose Airport IC/ Sapporo JCT/ Sasson Expressway Sapporo North IC. After leaving the expressway, 15 minutes left away to reach the Sapporo TV Tower.

Tip: No parking lot at Sapporo TV Tower. Checking the surrounding paid parking lots in advance is recommended.

Accessibility & Facilities

Sapporo TV Tower is accessible via the underpass. Elevators are equipped and available for visitors and wheelchair users to reach the observation deck or other floors. The tower is located near stations, which are easily reachable. Restrooms for families and wheelchair users are available.

Many ramps and paths are stroller/wheelchair-friendly. Wheelchair rental and support for hearing and vision impairment are provided. Besides, assistance dogs are allowed to enter the tower.

Free Wi-Fi, coin lockers, and stamp-collecting machines are provided for visitors to meet various requirements.

Best Time to Avoid Crowds

Weekday mornings or late afternoons and off-peak seasons, like summer and autumn, are advised for visiting the tower. Skip peak seasons like Sapporo Snow Festival nights, Golden Week, and the Japanese New Year periods to evade crowds.

Photography Hacks

From the observatory, with a height of 90 meters above the ground, you can enjoy the picturesque seasonal views and diverse events held in Odori Park.

If weather permits, people can also shoot from the east windows for sunrise, and west for sunset over Mount Moiwa.

The observation deck in the Sapporo TV Tower can be a perfect place to appreciate the Snow Festival and illumination displays in the park during winter.

For a panoramic view of the city, including the tower, the observatory of Sapporo Clock Tower situated in the opposite direction will be the best choice.

Nearby Attractions

Odori Park

Right next to the tower and in the central Sapporo sits the Odori Park. After visiting the tower, you can take a stroll in Odori Park, the venue for various events. Aside from this, Odori Park is also a leisure space for citizens and tourists to relax, with 4,700 trees and flower beds. The Sapporo Lilac Festival and Snow Festival attract over 2 million people from Japan and abroad.

Sapporo Nijo Market

A 5-minute walk away from the TV Tower is the Nijo Market. Boasting a local kitchen, Sapporo Nijo Market is also a nice alternative for a meal, with a variety of restaurants. An array of seafood is lined up on the stands, and all kinds of fresh ingredients will be sent here every morning.

In the Nijo Market, you can taste the most authentic Hokkaido food. Apart from goods like crabs, sea urchins, and octopus, customers can also discover more processed seafood, refreshing fruits, and vegetables, which are perfect choices as souvenirs.

Sapporo Clock Tower

A 6-minute walk from Sapporo TV Tower lies Sapporo Clock Tower. As one of the best Sapporo attractions to visit, Clock Tower (Tokeidai) is also viewed as a beloved symbol. The representative clock on the tower has been keeping accurate time for more than 130 years, with the bell chiming every hour. A visit at 12:00 am is most recommended since the bell rings most frequently.

On the first floor of the clock tower, you can learn about its history. The auditorium on the second floor will be rented in the evening as a place for concerts, lectures, weddings, etc.

JR Tower Observatory T38

JR Tower is connected with the Sapporo Station, and on the top of the Tower, the 38th floor, there is an observation deck, which offers a 360-degree panoramic view of Sapporo City, at a height of 160 meters above the ground.

Visitors can enjoy the stunning city views from here, north of Ishikari Bay New Port, west of Mt. Teine, south of Sapporo Dome, and east of Ishikari River.

There are cafes and souvenir shops inside the tower, where tourists can not only take a break and have some snacks but also buy some diverse souvenirs related to the railroad.

FAQs about Sapporo TV Tower

1. Is Sapporo TV Tower modeled after the Eiffel Tower?

Yes. Sapporo TV Tower was modeled on the Eiffel Tower and has become a landmark of Sapporo nowadays.

2. Who is the character in the Sapporo TV Tower?

Tawakkie is the official character of TV Tower, and there is another unofficial character called Terebi-Tōsan, also known as TV Daddy.

Plan Your Hokkaido Trip with Hi Five Trip

Feel free to contact us and customize your Japan tour to Hokkaido with the assistance of experienced travel consultants.