[winter][ Hokkaido Sapporo City]Odori Park First shrine visit spot
Odori Park is a vast park located in the center of Sapporo, Hokkaido, and is known for its beautiful scenery and as a special place for local residents and tourists to welcome the New Year. Hatsumode is a traditional Japanese culture of visiting shrines and temples at the beginning of the year to pray for safety and peace in the new year. Hatsumode at Odori Park is popular with many people due to its uniqueness and good location. The park is vast, with a total length of about 1.5 kilometers and an area of about 7.8 hectares, and is also famous for its seasonal nature and events. In winter, the snowy scenery spreads across the park, and the entire park is enveloped in a fantastic atmosphere. During the hatsumode period, many outdoor stalls and special areas are set up in Odori Park, where worshippers can enjoy Hokkaido specialty dishes and hot drinks while praying for the new year. In addition, hatsumode at Odori Park is different from hatsumode at other shrines and temples, offering a unique experience that combines the charm of a tourist destination with local culture. This makes it a special place for tourists to remember.
What is the first shrine visit of the year at Odori Park? Its charm and history
Odori Park is a vast park located in the center of Sapporo, Hokkaido, and is known for its beautiful scenery and as a special place for local residents and tourists to welcome the New Year. Hatsumode is a traditional Japanese culture of visiting shrines and temples at the beginning of the year to pray for safety and peace in the new year. Hatsumode at Odori Park is popular with many people due to its uniqueness and good location. The park is vast, with a total length of about 1.5 kilometers and an area of about 7.8 hectares, and is also famous for its seasonal nature and events. In winter, the snowy scenery spreads across the park, and the entire park is enveloped in a fantastic atmosphere. During the hatsumode period, many outdoor stalls and special areas are set up in Odori Park, where worshippers can enjoy Hokkaido specialty dishes and hot drinks while praying for the new year. In addition, hatsumode at Odori Park is different from hatsumode at other shrines and temples, offering a unique experience that combines the charm of a tourist destination with local culture. This makes it a special place for tourists to remember.
How to enjoy your first shrine visit of the year: A special experience only possible at Odori Park
The first shrine visit of the year at Odori Park is not just a simple visit to a shrine, but also a great opportunity to enjoy the winter scenery unique to Hokkaido. Shrines and prayer spaces are set up in the park for a limited time, and local shrines cooperate to provide a place for prayer in the new year. After the visit, you can wander around the stalls with a warm sweet sake in hand, and one of the attractions is tasting Hokkaido's specialties and local cuisine. For example, Genghis Khan, grilled scallops, and even Hokkaido's snow-white, soft-serve ice cream are popular. Another feature of Odori Park is the illumination that covers the entire square. During this time of year, the "Sapporo White Illumination" adds color to the entire park, allowing you to enjoy visiting the park in a fantastic atmosphere. At night, lit-up snow sculptures and Christmas tree-style objects are scattered around, making it a great location for taking photos. In addition, New Year's limited amulets and votive plaques are also sold in the park, and you can purchase them as souvenirs of your trip. In this way, the first shrine visit of the year at Odori Park is a special event that combines tourism and a cultural experience, attracting many people.
Access and precautions for visiting Odori Park for the first shrine visit of the year
Odori Park is very convenient to access, and is just a few minutes walk from Odori Station on the Sapporo Municipal Subway. It is located in the center of Sapporo, so it is easily accessible from hotels and tourist spots in the city. From New Chitose Airport, it is common to take the JR or limousine bus and then transfer to the subway at Sapporo Station. During the hatsumode period, many worshippers visit the park, so traffic restrictions may be implemented around the park. We recommend using public transportation. Also, if you visit early in the morning or late at night, you can avoid the crowds and visit the park relatively smoothly. It is essential to take measures against the cold, and since the average temperature in Sapporo in January is below freezing, it is a good idea to prepare a thick coat, gloves, hat, etc. Furthermore, since hatsumode at Odori Park is a popular spot for tourists, there are multilingual information boards and staff, so travelers from overseas can participate with peace of mind. The hatsumode at Odori Park is not only a place to worship, but also a rare opportunity to enjoy Hokkaido's nature, culture, and local flavors. By incorporating it into your travel plans, you will be able to start the new year unforgettable.
[New Year's Shrine Visit Spot]Other recommended spots
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Sapporo Fushimi Inari Shrine First shrine visit spot
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Hakodate Hachiman Shrine First shrine visit spot
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Odori Park First shrine visit spot
Hokkaido Sapporo City
Approximately 5 minutes walk from Odori Subway Station (Tozai Line, Namboku Line, Toho Line)