Sapporo Night Views: Why JR Tower Beats TV Tower in 2026

If you're only going to one observatory for Sapporo's night views, which should it be?

I'd highly recommend the JR Tower over the TV Tower.

I've visited both to see the city lights, and the key difference wasn't the view itself, but rather the ability to sit back and enjoy it at a leisurely pace.

My partner and I visited on a July trip, and the JR Tower was definitely a better fit for us.

Sapporo TV Tower: Great Views, But...

First off, the night view from the Sapporo TV Tower was still quite good. I wasn't disappointed with the city lights there.

However, during my visit, it was challenging to find a comfortable spot to sit and enjoy the view, or to relax in the cafe.

While it was great to take in the panoramic view, I found myself wishing I could linger a bit longer.

Since it was a trip for two, we really wanted to sit together, admire the nightscape, and chat.

JR Tower: Perfect for Relaxed Night Views

The JR Tower, on the other hand, immediately impressed us with its spacious layout. It had plenty of window seating and a dedicated cafe area.

This meant that after soaking in the views, we could settle down in the cafe and leisurely enjoy the night scenery.

For us, this made a huge difference.

Even with the same night view, standing and looking around feels different from sitting and slowly taking it all in.

We cherished the time we spent talking while gazing at the dazzling Sapporo nightscape before us.

It wasn't just about snapping photos and leaving; we truly enjoyed the time we spent seated there.

If you're on a couples' trip to Sapporo and don't want to rush your evening plans, an observatory like this is definitely a great option.

Where to Find the JR Tower Observatory?

You'll want to head to the JR Tower Observatory T38. Admission is handled on the 6th floor of JR Tower East.

You can purchase your tickets on-site or in advance online.

Inside the observatory, you'll find T’CAFE, which is perfect for those who, like us, want to enjoy the night view from a cafe.

The cafe is quite spacious, with seating available along all 360 degrees of windows, allowing you to comfortably sit and gaze at the nightscape.

Compare Prices Before Buying Your Ticket On-Site

Admission tickets for the JR Tower night view observatory can be purchased on-site.

However, when I compared prices, purchasing tickets online in advance was more affordable.

On-site purchase: ~$5

⭐️ Online purchase: ~$4

You can even purchase online tickets on the same day and use them immediately, so I highly recommend buying your tickets online.

👇 Purchase Sapporo JR Tower Observatory Tickets

Hokkaido JR Tower Observatory T38 Admission Ticket - Klook3ha.in

Sapporo Night Views: If You Can Only Choose One

While we enjoyed the night view from the Sapporo TV Tower, what we truly desired was a comfortable place to sit and savor the scenery together.

For that reason, if I could only visit one observatory again, I would definitely choose the JR Tower.

If you're debating where to see Sapporo's night views, consider not just the panorama, but also how you want to spend your time.

For those who want to relax in a cafe and enjoy the view at their own pace, I highly recommend the Sapporo JR Tower.

🔽 Find the Lowest Price for Sapporo JR Tower Tickets

Hokkaido JR Tower Observatory T38 Admission Ticket - Klook3ha.in

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