Along with the city’s three other seasonal festivals, the Sapporo Autumn Fest showcases Hokkaido to the world. Every year, over two million attendees head to Odori Park and enjoy the rich culinary landscape the prefecture has to offer. The Sapporo Autumn Fest has been celebrating Hokkaido food since 2008.
Odori Park hosts the event every year. Located in the heart of the city, the park extends nearly 12 blocks (or chome in Japanese) in a long strip of green space covering almost 80,000 square meters. Over 300 restaurants and food providers set up shop for the three-week festival.
Photo by: PIXTA/ YsPhoto Join in on the local festivities! The festival is divided into seven zones, each with its own flavor. Coming to the event from the east side means first entering 4-chome, or the fourth block. This area provides information about the entire event and features a taste of the food and drink you’ll encounter at the rest of the festival.
Ramen fans shouldn’t miss 5-chome. Over a dozen ramen shops are ready to showcase the prefecture’s well-known miso, shio (salt-based broth) and shoyu (soy sauce-based). You should also check out the other flavors on display as well, such as curry and seafood-based bowls.
Rounding out this block are yakitori (skewered meat and vegetables), takoyaki (grilled octopus shaped into balls), desserts and more. Live musical performances and tasty food and drink are center stage in 6-chome. Enjoy the show with a wide range of Japanese and international foods and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
If you’re looking to pair Japanese alcohol, like nihonshu (usually known as sake in English) and craft beers, with savory and sweet options, 7-chome is the place for you! Photo by: PIXTA/はっさく From street stalls to high end restaurants, there’s so much to try. Head to 8-chome for a grand culinary tour of Hokkaido’s cities and towns. This area offers visitors the unique opportunity to sample some of the specialties of the less-traveled regions in the prefecture.
Find a new hometown dish here. The farmer’s market gets the spotlight in 10-chome. This zone aims to bring producers and consumers together and is the place to go for the season’s best produce and juiciest meats.
Fine dining courtesy of Hokkaido’s most luxurious restaurants is the highlight of 11-chome. This popular area takes a step away from the sampling spirit of the rest of the festival in favor of full-course menus..
