During the hot summer months there is a lot going on in the city of Sapporo. Every weekend, there seems to be something going on. Tanukikoji is a shopping arcade that runs through the center of Sapporo. It can be found between the Odori subway station and the Susukino subway station. It’s very hard to miss! From May 19th to August 16th the Tanuki Koji arcade comes alive with decorations. The shopping arcade which runs for seven blocks is busy even during the weekdays so its a great time to enjoy the festivities.

On the last Saturday of every July the night market is held. The night market sees all the local stores open, plus there are stalls set up in every block. Live bands and music are also the order of the day that perform on the elaborate stages that are set up! The arcade is also decorated with lanterns, plus giant blow up floats of the local mascot, the tanuki (which is means raccoon in English). At about five in the afternoon, the raccoon mascot comes out and visits each block. This is the best time in the year to visit the Tanukikoji shopping arcade.