The artistry of chrysanthemums brings color to Sapporo's autumn underground walkways
Sapporo Chrysanthemum Festival
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/11/01 〜 2026/11/03Scheduled
- Season / frequency
- Nov
- Location
- Sapporo Ekimae-dori Underground Pedestrian Space (Chi-Ka-Ho), Sapporo Chikagai Aurora Town (Aurora Square), Hokuhoku Sapporo Building (1st-floor entrance, Lilac Gallery)
- Area
- Hokkaido・Sapporo City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 30 min–2 h · flight time only)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Features
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Last updated
- 2026/10/20
A hallmark of autumn in Sapporo, with carefully cultivated chrysanthemums on display mainly at Sapporo Ekimae-dori Underground Walkway.
About Sapporo Chrysanthemum Festival
The Sapporo Chrysanthemum Festival is centered on chrysanthemum displays and judging, bringing color to autumn in Sapporo.
It is one of Sapporo's 4 major festivals, held since 1963, and takes place mainly at Sapporo Ekimae-dori Underground Walkway.
Visitors can enjoy the beauty of chrysanthemums while experiencing the chrysanthemum culture nurtured in Sapporo and the city's artistic and cultural traditions.
Source: さっぽろ菊まつり | イベント | ようこそさっぽろ
Festival highlights
A highlight is the wide variety of chrysanthemums carefully cultivated by enthusiasts.
At the judging, where chrysanthemums compete in size and beauty, the shape of the flowers and leaves, as well as overall balance, are among the criteria.
Aurora Town features the “Aurora Flower Garden,” created with dome chrysanthemums, spray chrysanthemums, and other varieties. Alongside the displays in the underground walkway, it offers a chance to compare a range of growing and shaping styles.
The artistry of chrysanthemums brings color to Sapporo's autumn underground walkways
What to expect
At the venue, visitors can enjoy the different forms and cultivation styles of the chrysanthemums lining both sides of the walkway, including atsuko (large, densely petaled chrysanthemums), kudamono (spider chrysanthemums), large and small chrysanthemums, and bonsai-style arrangements.
Visitors can admire the comprehensive chrysanthemum flower bed at Aurora Town.
Hokuhoku Sapporo Building will also host a special chrysanthemum display and cultural works exhibitions themed around flowers.
How to take part
In 2026, the event opens to the public at around 3 p.m. on the day before the festival, October 31 (Saturday).
During the festival, you can view chrysanthemum displays at places including Sapporo Ekimae-dori Underground Pedestrian Space (Chi-Ka-Ho) and Aurora Square.
We could not confirm any information about accepting chrysanthemum entries or hands-on activities, so we present this as an event to enjoy by viewing the displays.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Sapporo Ekimae-dori Underground Pedestrian Space (Chi-Ka-Ho), Sapporo Chikagai Aurora Town (Aurora Square), Hokuhoku Sapporo Building (1st-floor entrance, Lilac Gallery) / Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido
- Train and bus
Directly connected to Sapporo and Odori subway stations
- Parking
None
Source: さっぽろ菊まつり｜イベント｜【公式】北海道の観光・旅行情報サイト HOKKAIDO LOVE!
Address Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Dates and season
The 2026 festival runs for 3 days, from November 1 (Sunday) through the 3rd (Tuesday, a public holiday).
It opens to the public at around 3 p.m. on the day before the festival, October 31 (Saturday), and judging takes place at Chi-Ka-Ho from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The event ends at 1 p.m. on the final day, November 3 (Tuesday, a public holiday).
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Hokkaido / Sapporo City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
The event is held at 3 locations: Chi-Ka-Ho, Aurora Square, and Hokuhoku Sapporo Building.
Chrysanthemums are displayed along both sides of a 520-meter north-south passage connecting the area around Sapporo Station with the Odori district at Chi-Ka-Ho.
At Aurora Square, you can see the “Aurora Flower Bed,” created with chrysanthemums arranged in a variety of styles.
The cultural works exhibition at Hokuhoku Sapporo Building is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The festival closes at 1 p.m. on the final day.
Nearby attractions
Nearby attractions include Akarenga Terrace, Snow Brand Parlor Sapporo Main Store, Sapporo Ekimae-dori, Sapporo Clock Tower, and Odori Bisse.
The Former Hokkaido Government Office Building (Akarenga Government Building) and Kitakaro Sapporo Honkan are also listed as nearby places of interest.
You can combine a visit to the festival exhibits with a stroll around Sapporo Ekimae-dori.
大通公園
北海道札幌市中央区にある公園
写真：redlegsfan21 / CC BY-SA 2.0(resized and reformatted)
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さっぽろ羊ヶ丘展望台
北海道札幌市豊平区羊ケ丘にある観光名所
写真：ykso / CC BY-SA 3.0(resized and reformatted)
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モエレ沼公園
札幌市東区にある公園
写真：もんもん at Japanese Wikipedia / Public domain(resized and reformatted)
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北海道博物館
札幌市厚別区にある道立博物館
写真：禁樹なずな / CC BY-SA 4.0(resized and reformatted)
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北海道神宮
北海道札幌市中央区にある神社
写真：Daigaku2051 / CC BY-SA 3.0(resized and reformatted)
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北海道立真駒内公園
札幌市南区にある道立公園
写真：ja:利用者:もんもん / Public domain(resized and reformatted)
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北海道開拓の村
北海道札幌市厚別区にある野外博物館
写真：t-konno / CC BY-SA 3.0(resized and reformatted)
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大倉山ジャンプ競技場
札幌市中央区にあるジャンプ競技場・展望台
写真：Hwoarang17 / Public domain(resized and reformatted)
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札幌宮の森美術館
札幌市中央区にあった美術館
写真：Guillaumb / CC BY 4.0(resized and reformatted)
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札幌市アイヌ文化交流センター
博物館相当施設
写真：禁樹なずな / CC BY-SA 4.0(resized and reformatted)
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札幌芸術の森
札幌市南区にある複合文化施設・公園
写真：札幌芸術の森美術館 / CC0(resized and reformatted)
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サッポロビール博物館
札幌市東区にあるビールの博物館
写真：The original uploader was K. Takeda at Japanese Wikipedia . / CC BY-SA 3.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·Origins and History of Sapporo Chrysanthemum Festival
The first Sapporo Chrysanthemum Festival was held in 1963 at Odori Park, West 7-chome.
In 1974, the venue moved to Sapporo's underground shopping mall, and in 2011, the main venue moved to Sapporo Ekimae-dori Underground Plaza.
In 2025, Hokuhoku Sapporo Building was added as a new venue, with displays of chrysanthemums and cultural works.
Official information
Official information on the event, venues, the history of the Chrysanthemum Festival, and how to appreciate chrysanthemums is available on the Sapporo Tourist Association's “Sapporo Chrysanthemum Festival” page.
In 2026, it will be held for its 64th edition, and the dates, venues, and exhibition details are listed there.
The Hokkaido tourism information site provides a phone number for the festival's organizing committee.
Sapporo Chrysanthemum Festival at a Glance
The Sapporo Chrysanthemum Festival is an autumn celebration showcasing carefully cultivated chrysanthemums in Sapporo's underground walkways and shopping arcades.
In 2026, the festival will run from November 1 through the 3rd, featuring chrysanthemum judging, the Aurora Flower Garden, and cultural works exhibitions.
Another highlight is that the venues are directly connected to Sapporo and Odori subway stations, making it easy to walk between them.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/20
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