Tanukikoji Shopping Arcade 狸小路商店街

One of Hokkaido's oldest shopping streets, with roots stretching back to around 1873 (Meiji 6) when merchants and restaurants first began to line the area. Located just south of Odori Park, the arcade runs approximately 900 meters east to west from 1-chome to 7-chome, housing around 200 shops ranging from restaurants and souvenir stores to drugstores and clothing boutiques. A covered arcade progressively installed from 1958 now spans almost the full length of the street, allowing comfortable shopping regardless of Hokkaido's often challenging weather.

At 5-chome stands the "Honjin Tanuki Daimyojin Shrine" (Tanuki Shrine). Rubbing the tanuki statue is said to bring eight different blessings including business success, love, and safe childbirth. Every summer, the "Tanuki Festival" fills the entire arcade with colorful decorations for about a month, with a lively program including portable shrine processions and children's floats.

In recent years, the arcade has gained renewed attention for its blend of long-established favorites and new concept shops, creating a charming coexistence of nostalgia and novelty. With direct connections to Odori Park, Susukino, the underground shopping networks, and the Tanukikoji tram stop, it makes an ideal base for exploring central Sapporo.