オススメ度
外国語対応
About Sapporo
Sapporo is the largest city in Hokkaido with a population of roughly 2 million.
The city is spacious, has lots of greenery, and just feels good to walk around.
Generally speaking, a great number of commercial buildings, hotels, and restaurants reside around and within walking distance to Sapporo Station, Ōdōri Station (south of Sapporo Station), and Susukino Station.
Winter’s heavy snowfall will likely force you to be less mobile, so it’s best to come during April〜September.
But if you are there during February you can’t miss out on the Sapporo Snow Festival held every year in early February.
Massive statues made of snow and water are captivating.
As a tourist, sightseeing spots are few in Sapporo, but if that is what you want to do, head over to the nearby Otaru City.
Venture further out (2〜3 hours) for a worthwhile visit to places such as Jozankei Onsen (hot spring), Niseko, Lake Toya, Furano, Biei, and so on.
The city of Sapporo is relatively new, built from urban planning, as you can tell with the straight city grid lines.
Each area in the city is also designated with a number so even the most beginner travelers won’t have trouble finding their way.
※Odori Street is the borderline running east to west, and Soseigawa Dori (street) is the borderline running north to south.
The farther you move away – north to south and east to west – from the border line the higher the block number will be.
Recommendation
Eat good food, go on a shopping spree, and let the nightlife entertain you.
- Eat
The freshest and most delicious food from seafood, vegetables, meat, dairy products, wild game, etc., come from all over Hokkaido to Sapporo, the heart of Hokkaido.
And restaurants are not to be underestimated; several outstanding restaurants, roughly 30 of which have earned a prestigious Michelin Star in Sapporo area, is proof.
Sushi and seafood top the list of food to try first. But the ramen, Japanese mutton, soup curry, and sweets are all wonderful! Strangely, Sapporo has a ton of buffet restaurants.
A lunch buffet will cost anywhere between ¥1,000〜¥2,500 – quite cheap so, if you want to gulp down loads of tasty Hokkaido food, go to a buffet restaurant! - Shopping
As for shopping, department stores (Daimaru, Tokyu, Mitsukoshi, Marui Imai) and big box electronic shops (Yodobashi Camera, Bic Camera, Yamada denki) are all located near Sapporo Station and Ōdōri Station.
Along Tanukikoji shopping arcade, you can find cosmetic products, drugs, sundries and other things as well as Don Quijote (all in one retail shop) and drug stores aggressively competing with one another and selling at low prices.
It is recommended you have a visit.
If you’re looking for a place to buy presents, look no further than the commercial buildings in Sapporo Station (Daimaru, JR Tower Square).
Find loads of sweets and other food items on the basement floor.
If that isn’t enough for you, then head to New Chitose Airport (Domestic Terminal) and you’ll find a lot more shops and products to choose from.
Go to the airport early to look around and buy your stuff, that way you won’t have to carry it all around. - Entertainment (nightlife, etc.)
For nightlife, the Susuki area offers plenty; clubs, karaoke, bars, live houses, hostess clubs, etc.
And for sightseeing: Mt. Moiwa for a beautiful nightscape, Shiroi Koibito Park (chocolate factory), the Clock Tower and former Hokkaido Government Office (historical buildings), and Nijo Market. That just about covers it all.
Access to Sapporo
3 JR lines and 2 subway lines run through Sapporo Station.
Train
JR Hokkaido: Hakodate Main Line, Sasshō Line, Chitose Line
Sapporo Municipal Subway Lines: Nanboku Line, Tōhō Line
※ Ōdōri Station – 1 station south of Sapporo Station – is the 2nd busiest terminal with Nanboku, Tozai, and Tōhō subway lines passing through it.
City Transport
The fastest and cheapest way of getting around is by subway and on foot.
You could purchase the subway’s 1 day pass for ¥830 at any subway station, but you’ll have to ride the subway more than 4 times just to break even, so it’s not exactly a great deal.
※ On weekends and holidays, however, the 1 day pass is only ¥520 yen.
It will be impossible for you travelers to become an expert with the bus system, so just avoid it.
Remember, if you have an IC card like Suica (top up card) from another area you can use it on JR, subways, streetcars, and buses.
Restaurants
Refer to our EAT section for restaurants.
Seafood
Sushi, seafood bowls are not only extremely fresh and tasty, you can have them at 70% the cost of what you’d pay in Tokyo. What’s more perfect than that? You must have it.
There are plenty of great restaurants around Sapporo Station, Ōdōri Station, and Susukino Station.
The 2 major conveyor belt sushi chain restaurants mentioned below have great taste, clearly not expensive, have lots of shops and are easy to find, and can assist in different foreign languages. Highly recommended for tourists.
Daido Seimei Sapporo Building miredo
[ See details ]
| Address | Daido Seimei Sapporo Building miredo B1F, Nishi 3-1, Kita 3, Chuoh-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido |
|---|---|
| Access | |
| Tel | 011-218-7870 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Kaiten-sushi TORITON Kita 8 Kosei Location
[ See details ]
| Address | 5-19-1, Kita8johigashi, Higashi-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido |
|---|---|
| Access | 5 min from Sapporo station by[…] |
| Tel | 011-374-8666 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Ramen
Sapporo has more than 1,000 ramen shops, one of Japan’s foremost “ tough ramen battle grounds”. And, Sapporo’s miso ramen is one of Japan’s 3 great ramen flavors. The shop, Aji no Sanpei , is the birthplace.
Aji no Sanpei
[ See details ]
| Address | 4th Floor, Daimaru Fujii Central, 3-2, Minami1jonishi(1-19chome), Sapporo Chuo-ku, Hokkaido |
|---|---|
| Access | Sapporo City Subway: Odori St[…] |
| Tel | 011-231-0377 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Sapporo Ramen Republic (in Sapporo Station) and Sapporo Ramen Yokocho (Susukino Area) are both in the city center, offering a variety of ramen shops to choose from. Tourists are highly recommended to visit.
Sapporo Ramen Republic has a better selection of ramen shops with better taste, and a cleaner facility, but all shops close at 10pm.
Most of the ramen shops in Sapporo Ramen Yokocho are open late at night until morning, so it’s a convenient place to stop by if you’re out late.
Sapporo Ramen Republic
8 stores
[ See details ]
| Address | Sapporo Esta 10F, Kita 5 Nishi 2, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido |
|---|---|
| Access | A short walk from Sapporo Sta[…] |
| Tel | 011-209-5031 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Sapporo Ramen Yokocho
17 stores
[ See details ]
| Address | 1F N. Grande Building, 3-6 Minami 5-jo Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido |
|---|---|
| Access | 2 min. walk from Sapporo Muni[…] |
| Tel | 090-9433-5117 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Japanese Mutton (Jingisukan)
Japanese mutton – a specialty of Hokkaido – is prepared by grilling lamb meat on a steel pot that looks like a helmet.
There aren’t many shops outside of Hokkaido, so if you love lamb you should try it.
Each of the major beer brands in Japan directly manage beer garden restaurants in Sapporo.
These beer restaurants can seat over 1,000 people and you can order all you can eat “Genghis Khan”, and all you can drink beer.
※ If you pay extra, you can get all you can eat crab too!
Among the beer gardens, the city’s own Sapporo Brewery manages Sapporo Beer Garden; living up to its name the place has an occupancy of 2,500 people. It’s massive and always packed with people.
Sapporo Beer Garden
[ See details ]
| Address | Sapporo Garden Park, 9-2-10, Kita 7-jo Higashi, Higashi-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido |
|---|---|
| Access | Bus #1 (Sapporo Beer Garden/A[…] |
| Tel | 0120-150-550 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Kirin Beer Garden Urban Branch
[ See details ]
| Address | 7th floor Urban sapporo building, 4 Chome−8−2, Minami 3 Jonishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido |
|---|---|
| Access | |
| Tel | 011-207-8000 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Asahi Beer Garden Hamanasu-kan
[ See details ]
| Address | 1-1 Minami, 4, Nango Street, Shiraishi Word, Sapporo, Hokkaido |
|---|---|
| Access | |
| Tel | 050-5487-2222 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Soup Curry
Soup curry is just one style of curry that is packed with spices, soupy with chunky vegetables and meat. It was conceptualized in Sapporo almost 50 years ago.
Though extremely popular in Hokkaido, it has not found the same admiration outside the island prefecture.
Go ahead and try it if you like “street food”
Sweets
Because Hokkaido is the largest producer of dairy and agriculture, getting your hands on the freshest and highest quality of milk, eggs, and produce is easy and cheap.
For that reason the production of chocolates and western style sweets has never been more popular or delicious; it’s the “Kingdom of Sweets”.
Many cafes around Sapporo Station and Ōdōri Station are directly operated by sweets makers and milk producers, so you are guaranteed to enjoy wonderful sweets with tea.
Below are 7 shops worth the Hokkaido brand, but especially noteworthy are:
- Rokkatei Sapporo Main Store : offering excellent value for money.
- Bisse Sweets : 6 popular shops from all over Hokkaido in one place.
- Kitakaro Sapporo Main Shop : A beautiful historical building with renovated interior.
Near Sapporo Station
Rokkatei
Sapporo Main Store” with “very good cost performance”, “Rokkatei – Sapporo Main Store”, and Biss Sweets,” which has “six popular stores from various parts of Hokkaido,” and “Kitakaro Sapporo Main Building,” which is a renovated building in a wonderful historical building, are especially recommended.
[ See details ]
| Address | Kita 4, Nishi 6-3-3, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido |
|---|---|
| Access | |
| Tel | 011-261-6666 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
KINOTOYA Daimaru Store
[ See details ]
| Address | Daimaru Sapporo B1, 4, Kita 5 Jōnishi, Chūō-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido |
|---|---|
| Access | |
| Tel | 011-252-6161 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Yotsuba White Cozy
[ See details ]
| Address | Stellar Place Sapporo B1F, Kita 5-jo Nishi 2-1, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido |
|---|---|
| Access | |
| Tel | 011-209-5577 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Snow Brand Parlor
[ See details ]
| Address | 3-1-31 Kita 3-jo Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo |
|---|---|
| Access | |
| Tel | 011-251-3181 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Near Ōdōri Station
BISSE SWEETS
[ See details ]
| Address | Hokuyo Odori Center, 3-7 Odori-nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido |
|---|---|
| Access | |
| Tel | |
| URL | [ Click ] |
ISHIYA
[ See details ]
| Address | 4−6−1 Odorinishi, Chuo-ku sapporo-shi, Hokkaido |
|---|---|
| Access | |
| Tel | 011-231-1483 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Kitakarou/Sapporo Main Building
[ See details ]
| Address | 5-1-2 Kita1jonishi, Chuo-ku sapporo-shi, Hokkaido |
|---|---|
| Access | |
| Tel | 0800-500-0318 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Shopping
Tons of shops around Odori Station and Susukino Station. You can practically find and buy everything.
Department Stores
The Daimaru Department Store at Sapporo Station is by far and away the largest, has the best brands to choose from, the best products, etc. Go to the basement floor – where the food floor is – and you’ll be blown away.
Daimaru Sapporo
[ See details ]
| Address | 4-7, Kita-5-jonishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido |
|---|---|
| Access | |
| Tel | 011-828-1111 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Tokyu Department Store Sapporo
[ See details ]
| Address | 2-1, Kita-4-jonishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido |
|---|---|
| Access | |
| Tel | 011-212-2211 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Mitsukoshi Sapporo
[ See details ]
| Address | 3-8, Minami-1-jonishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido |
|---|---|
| Access | |
| Tel | 011-271-3311 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Marui Imai Sapporo
[ See details ]
| Address | 札幌市中央区南1条西2丁目 |
|---|---|
| Access | |
| Tel | 011-205-1151 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Big Box Electronic Stores
All the major electronic shops have a massive store in front of Sapporo Station.
Bic Camera has the largest store, twice the size of the other two.
Bic Camera Sapporo
[ See details ]
| Address | 2-1, Kita-5-jonishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido |
|---|---|
| Access | Directly connected to Sapporo[…] |
| Tel | 011-261-1111 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Yodobashi Camera
[ See details ]
| Address | 5-1-22, Kita6-jonishi, Kita-ku Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido |
|---|---|
| Access | |
| Tel | 011-707-1010 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Techland Sapporo Main Store/Yamada Denki
[ See details ]
| Address | 8-1-2 Kitaichijo Nishi, chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido |
|---|---|
| Access | |
| Tel | 011-205-8001 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Best to check out Tanukikoji Shopping Arcade .
The shopping arcade is midway between Ōdōri Station and Susukino Station, stretching approx. 1km east to west.
A total of around 200 shops are lined up, including, Don Quijote store and a ton of drugstores.
Due to fierce competition, you’ll find products at cheap prices.
Tanuki Koji Shopping Arcade
[ See details ]
| Address | 1-7 Nishi 2-3 Jo Minami, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido |
|---|---|
| Access | 5 min. walk from Odori Subway[…] |
| Tel | 011-241-5125 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Don Quijote Sapporo Store
[ See details ]
| Address | 4-12-1 Nishi Minami-Sanjo, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido |
|---|---|
| Access | 3 minutes walk from "Susukino[…] |
| Tel | 011-219-4811 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Sightseeing
We’ve repeatedly said it, and we’ll say it again.
There is no great sightseeing place in Sapporo City.
But if we had to pick one, it would be the following places.
Nightscape: Mt. Moiwa Ropeway
Mt. Moiwa Ropeway
Sapporo city is beautiful at night. In 2015 the city was selected as 1 of the 3 new top 3 cities with beautiful night views. Climb to the summit–altitude 513 meters–of Mt. Moiwa via ropeway, and once you reach you are welcomed with a panoramic view of a city twinkling like a box of jewels […]
[ See details ]
| Address | 5-3-7 Fushimi, Sapporo Chuo-ku, Hokkaido |
|---|---|
| Access | 8 min. walk from streetcar Ro[…] |
| Tel | 011-561-8177 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Climb to the summit – altitude 513 meters – of Mt. Moiwa via ropeway, and once you reach you are welcomed with a panoramic view of a city twinkling like a box of jewels that has been turned upside down.
From mid October to the end of October, the entirety of Mt. Moiwa transforms into a beautiful sea of red leaves.
Unfortunately, the round trip ticket for ropeway + cable car comes at a high cost: ¥1,700.
That’s not all.
The transfer timing between the ropeway and cable car is often terrible – considering the distance you need to travel, it’s a long wait.
Shiroi Koibito Park: Chocolate Factory
Shiroi Koibito Park: Chocolate Factory
A theme park for sweets operated by one of Hokkaido’s most famous sweets makers Ishiya Seika
[ See details ]
| Address | 2-11-36, Miyanosawa2jo, Sapporo Nishi-ku, Hokkaido |
|---|---|
| Access | 7 min. walk from Miyanosawa […] |
| Tel | 011-666-1481 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
You can witness the production of their super popular Shiroi Koibito [白い恋人] sweets; but if you go there expecting something like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, you will be greatly disappointed. It’s small and simple, so don’t expect much.
Have fun learning about the history of chocolate or take part in their hands-on studio making chocolate (reserve at least 1 day before, pay a fee).
If you go to the 4th floor Chocolate Lounge, you can try original sweets only available here while taking in a nice view.
Morning Market: Nijō Market
Nijō Market
Located in the center of the city, Nijō Market has over 100 years of history and around 50 shops selling mainly fresh seafood and processed seafood.
[ See details ]
| Address | 1～2chome, Minami3johigashi, Sapporo Chuo-ku, Hokkaido |
|---|---|
| Access | 3 min. walk from Bus Center-M[…] |
| Tel | 011-222-5308 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Bustling with tourists looking to buy Hokkaido’s pride, crab and scallops, as presents.
With plenty of shops and restaurants for you to taste fresh seafood, coming here for breakfast is not a bad idea.
Historic Spots
Former Hokkaido Government Office Building
Built in 1888, the American new Baroque architectural style building is historical and a former government office of Hokkaido.
[ See details ]
| Address | 6, Kita 3 Jōnishi, Chūō-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido |
|---|---|
| Access | 7 min. walk from JR Sapporo S[…] |
| Tel | 011-204-5019 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Made from red bricks, the outer appearance is beautiful, but the interior is profound.
The decoration of the ornaments is fabulous.
Within the building are several exhibits pertaining to Hokkaido, and it’s free.
How generous!
Sapporo Clock Tower
The clock tower was initially built in 1878 to serve as the military drill hall for Hokkaido University.
[ See details ]
| Address | 2 Chome Kita 1 Jōnishi, Chūō-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido |
|---|---|
| Access | 5 min. walk from Ōdōri Statio[…] |
| Tel | 011-231-0838 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
The large symbolic clock has continued to keep track of time for over a century, clearly ringing its bell every day at noon.
Inside are several exhibits, but just observing from the outside is plenty.
Recommended Plan
Day 1
- 11:30〜 Have lunch at Sapporo Station’s Sapporo Ramen Republic
- 12:30〜 Visit the Former Hokkaido Government Office Building, walk around the garden, and take a look inside.
Afterwards, if the weather permits, walk through Ōdōri Park, take a photo with Sapporo TV in the background, and then walk to Sapporo Clock Tower for a look.
Approx. time: 1 hour 30 min.
Transportation: on foot
- 14:00〜 Take off from Ōdōri Station and head to Shiroi Koibito Park. After you arrive, check out the chocolate factory, then go up to the 4th floor and treat yourself to a parfait at the Chocolate Lounge.
Approx. time: 2 hours 30 min.
Transportation: Ōdōri Station on Municipal Subway Tozai Line to Miyanosawa Station + walk. - 16:30〜 From Shiroi Koibito Park, make your way to Mt. Moiwa. Use the ropeway to arrive at the summit and observe the wondrous nightscape.
Approx. time: 2 hours 30 min.
Transportation: Miyanosawa Station on Municipal Subway Tozai Line to Ōdōri Station + walk + streetcar Nishiyonchome Station to Ropeway Iriguchi Station. - 17:00〜 Descend from the mountain to the city center and have dinner.
Transportation: streetcar Ropeway Iriguchi Station to streetcar Nishiyonchome Station.
Day 2
- 7:30〜 Go to Nijō Market, eat some amazing seafood bowl first, then walk around.
Approx. time: 1 hour
Transportation: on foot
