The story
Sapporo White Illumination in Sapporo
Sapporo White Illumination is Japan's first-ever illumination event, launched in 1981 and now Hokkaido capital Sapporo's flagship winter light display. Running roughly from late November through mid-March, it spreads more than 800,000 lights across five venues centered on Odori Park, Ekimaedori, and Minami-ichi-jo Dori, with themed displays including glowing snowflakes and illuminated trees lining the city's main promenades through the coldest months of the year.
Every winter, as the days shorten and snow settles over Hokkaido's capital, central Sapporo lights up in a display with a claim few other illuminations can make: it was Japan's first.