It really did broadcast for NHK and STV, until 1962 and 1969 respectively; after that it remained only a symbol.
In the heart of Sapporo, it was built in 1956–57 as a real transmitting antenna, not as an attraction: it broadcast for the public broadcaster NHK until June 1962 and for the private broadcaster STV until January 1969, before both moved to Mount Teine. Its colour has changed twice: from silver to ‘copper pink’ in 1963, then to the current red in 1969.
The tower was built between 1956 and 1957 and opened to the public on 24 August 1957, as a transmission antenna for the public broadcaster NHK (from December 1956) and for the private broadcaster STV (from April 1959). It stopped being a working antenna when the two broadcasters moved to Mount Teine (NHK in June 1962, STV on 15 January 1969), and since then it has remained an observation point and a symbol of the city. On 13 March 2025 it was registered as a cultural property.
ℹ️ The lower floors are free; the observatory, 90 metres up, charges admission. Check the opening hours and price on the official site.
🚉 Odori · 7 min walk
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