Odori Park　Sapporo

The park stretches for 12 blocks, with each block
having its own character and personality.

For ex-ample, one block seems to be devoted to rose lov-ers, while the next is filled with swings and see-saws for the young and the young-at-heart.

What is best about this park is that there are no "Keep Off the Grass" signs (or maybe I just can't read them).

It certainly is one of the most functional
parks in the world. Odori is constantly having a
seasonal face-lift to keep up with the times.

The original intent of the park goes back a hun-dred or so years ago when the city fathers thought it a good idea to have a fire barrier between the north and south sectors of the city.

At that time, all structures were made of wood and the houses
were built close together (some things never change!)

Nowadays the park serves as an oasis for tired
office workers, fatigued high school students, fami-lies and the corn-clutching, carnera-dangling tou-rists.

Late May to early June is my favorite time for Odori Park. The weather begins to warm up, and my body recalls what it feels like to be heated.

I sit on the bench facing the sun, then genuflect and start to defrost. Lilacs begin to bloom at this time, and events start to unfold, making Odori Park a center stage The greatest attraction the park has