Sapporo

Travel Guide
Sapporo
Sapporo
Sapporo
Sapporo
Sapporo

Sapporo Travel Guide Video

With ski slopes, parks, beer gardens and festivals, this sprawling city on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido has something to offer year-round.

The vibrant city of Sapporo is one of Japan’s largest cities and most popular tourist destinations. With snow on the ground for about four months of the year, Sapporo is famous for its wintersports and hosted the 1972 Winter Olympics. The city is also a big draw in the summer with its parks, bars and beer gardens.

Relax in Odori Park, a large, grassy expanse with fountains, benches and gardens. It encompasses 12 blocks through central Sapporo. At the eastern end is the Sapporo TV Tower. Travel up to its viewing platform, 295 feet (90 meters) above street level. During February, the park is the setting for the Sapporo Snow Festival, a week-long event with ice sculptures, snow rides and concerts.

During the winter, make your way to the ski resorts in the mountains around Sapporo. Go cross-country skiing at Nakajima Park and try night skiing at Sapporo Bankei Ski Area. Take the children sledding and snow tubing at Mount Moiwa Ski Resort, which has a gentle family slope for beginners. If you’re a non-skier, try computer-simulated ski challenges at the Winter Sports Museum at the foot of the Okurayama Ski jump.

The city is also known for its beer. Learn about the history of the beverage in Japan at the Sapporo Beer Museum. During summer, many beer gardens open up in parks and on the rooftops of buildings across the city.

Try the alcohol with delicious local food. Visit Susukino, the large entertainment district, which is packed with bars, restaurants and nightclubs. Try fresh sushi in the Sushi-ya restaurants or explore Ramen Yokocho, a narrow lane lined with restaurants serving ramen, a popular noodle soup.

Reach Sapporo by flying into New Chitose Airport, which is 30 miles (48.3 kilometers) southeast of the city. Get around Sapporo by public transportation, or by renting a car or bicycle. Visit Sapporo to take advantage of its fantastic skiing, enjoy local cuisine and explore its beautiful outdoor areas.

Where to stay in Sapporo

Sapporo TV Tower which includes night scenes, a city and landscape views

Sapporo City Centre

5/5(11 area reviews)

Tanukikoji Shopping Street and Sapporo Clock Tower are top sights in Sapporo City Centre, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Nishi-Yon-Chome Stop or Odori Station to see more sights in the area.

Sapporo City Centre
Susukino

Susukino

Consider exploring the abundant dining options in Susukino. If sightseeing is on the list, Susukino Street is a top attraction. Hop on the metro at Susukino Station or Hosui-Susukino Station to see more of the area.

Susukino
Default Image

Jozankei

Jozankei is noteworthy for its hot springs, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Jozankei Hot Spring and Kokusai Ski Resort.

Jozankei
Sapporo TV Tower which includes night scenes, a city and landscape views

Chuo-ku

5/5(5 area reviews)

Chuo-ku is a destination travelers like for its skiing, and you might hop aboard the metro at Maruyama-koen Station or Nishi-Nijuhatchome Station to explore sights like Maruyama Zoo.

Chuo-ku
Odori

Odori

Shopping, hot springs, and coffeehouses highlight some notable features of Odori. Make a stop by Tanukikoji Shopping Street or Odori Park while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Nishi-Hatchome Stop or Nishi-Yon-Chome Stop to get around town.

Odori
Hokkaido University showing heritage elements

Kita Ward

5/5(3 area reviews)

Noted for its shopping and restaurants, there's plenty to explore in Kita Ward. Top attractions like Soseigawa Park and Hokkaido University Museum are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Kita-nijuyo-jo Station or Kita-sanjuyo-jo Station to see more of the city.

Kita Ward
Keio Plaza Hotel Sapporo
Keio Plaza Hotel Sapporo
4.5 out of 5
2-1 North 5 West 7,Chuou-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Sapporo. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,002 reviews)
"Recommend. I only booked one night as was staying in another Sapporo hotel previous nights. Wished I had booked all my nights in this hotel instead. Will return"

Reviewed on Dec 30, 2024

Keio Plaza Hotel Sapporo
Sapporo Grand Hotel
Sapporo Grand Hotel
4 out of 5
Nishi 4-chome 1-jo Kita Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
The price is P6,633 per night from 14 Jan to 15 Jan
P6,633
P8,025 total
includes taxes & fees
Jan 14 - Jan 15
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Sapporo. Enjoy free WiFi, 4 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,452 reviews)
Great hotel with excellent service
"The hotel was in the great condition, the staffs are very helpful and friendly. The location is very strategic, the rooms are spacious. Toilets are clean and tidy. However during my stay, I would like to highlight 2 things that need attention from the hotel. First is the carpet condition which is ..."

Reviewed on Jan 1, 2025

Sapporo Grand Hotel
Sapporo Excel Hotel Tokyu
Sapporo Excel Hotel Tokyu
4 out of 5
5-420, Nishi, Minami 8 Jo, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
The price is P3,065 per night from 6 Jan to 7 Jan
P3,065
P3,776 total
includes taxes & fees
Jan 6 - Jan 7
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Sapporo. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,011 reviews)
"Fantastic hotel! Views were spectacular. Easy walking distance to several transport options. Staff very helpful. Room was spacious and the beds super comfortable. Breakfast buffet was outstanding. Loved our stay!"

Reviewed on Jan 4, 2025

Sapporo Excel Hotel Tokyu
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Minn Chitose
Minn Chitose
3 out of 5
2-1-1 Kashiwadaiminami, Chitose, Hokkaido
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly apartment in Chitose. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (441 reviews)
"Cozy like home"

Reviewed on Dec 29, 2024

Minn Chitose
UCHI Living Stay Otaru Suitengu
UCHI Living Stay Otaru Suitengu
3 out of 5
Aioicho 4-40, Otaru, Hokkaido
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Otaru. Enjoy free WiFi, slippers, and climate control. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8/10 Very Good! (210 reviews)
"Had a pleasent stay and closeby main attractions. Do note that the stay is on top of the hills so its difficult to get to by foot. However, the view is very nice."

Reviewed on Sep 5, 2024

UCHI Living Stay Otaru Suitengu
Villa Koshido Kotoni
Villa Koshido Kotoni
2.5 out of 5
5-chome-2-10 Kotoni 2 Jo, Nishi, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Stay at this apartment in Sapporo. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and slippers. Popular attractions Odori Park and Tanukikoji Shopping Street are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (38 reviews)
快適に滞在できる素晴らしいホテル
"入ってびっくり。お洒落な内ドアがあり、開けると快適な空間が!!なによりも良かったのは床がカーペットでなく大理石風だった事。清潔に保たれており快適に過ごせました。"

Reviewed on May 19, 2022

Villa Koshido Kotoni
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Sapporo

4.8
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
13
" "5 - Excellent 76%
4 - Good
4
" "4 - Good 24%
3 - Okay
0
" "3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Sapporo is always refreshing to while time while enjoying the people and their foods and so being respectful and courteous. I would love to come back if giver the opportunities.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

The people, the food, shopping malls...everything is great in sapporo

5/5 - Excellent

Marizon

Sapporo is a place to rest and relax. I like the people, convenience of transportation and view/sceneries. Most of all it has fulfilled my dream to see and play with snow.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

The place is so cool. Unlike other cities in Japan, you will experience the quietness of sapporo.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Love the fresh seafood and soup currying Sapporo. Try to visit Nijo Market and taste their fresh shrimp, sea urchin and melons.

4/5 - Good

ArnelAranas

Sapporo was surprisingly a very nice place. A balance of nature and modern shops. So many things to do if you will go on different season. Given the chance, I would love to go back again to Sapporo to explore other attractions.