Sapporo

Travel Guide
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)

Odori Park and Tanukikoji Shopping Street 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 Odori Park.

Chuo-ku
Odori

Odori

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

Odori

Shinsapporo

Unique features of Shinsapporo include the shopping and restaurants. Make a stop by Sunpiazza Aquarium or Sapporo Science Center while you're exploring the area.

Shinsapporo
KOKO HOTEL Sapporo Ekimae
KOKO HOTEL Sapporo Ekimae
2.5 out of 5
Kita 1 jonishi Chuo-ku, 3-3-10, Sapporo, Hokkaido Prefecture
The price is P1,655 per night from 8 Apr to 9 Apr
P1,655
per night
8 Apr - 9 Apr
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Sapporo. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (594 reviews)
"Very convenient location! Clean room."

Reviewed on Feb 6, 2024

KOKO HOTEL Sapporo Ekimae
Sapporo Grand Hotel
Sapporo Grand Hotel
4 out of 5
Nishi 4-chome 1-jo Kita Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
The price is P3,471 per night from 11 Apr to 12 Apr
P3,471
per night
11 Apr - 12 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Sapporo. Enjoy free WiFi, 4 restaurants, and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,003 reviews)
Good
"The Bed is not comfortable. Our bed was pushed to the wall. The other person had hard time getting out of the bed, especially for seniors like us. The staff was really nice and polite. Nice hotel very close to the restaurant and transportation."

Reviewed on Mar 27, 2024

Sapporo Grand Hotel
Keio Plaza Hotel Sapporo
Keio Plaza Hotel Sapporo
4.5 out of 5
2-1 North 5 West 7,Chuou-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
The price is P3,571 per night from 11 Apr to 12 Apr
P3,571
per night
11 Apr - 12 Apr
Stay at this luxury hotel in Sapporo. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,009 reviews)
"We stayed at a family room - 4 beds in a room and the fact that came with 2 bathrooms was a bonus."

Reviewed on Mar 18, 2024

Keio Plaza Hotel Sapporo
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.
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, a flat-screen TV, and a shower/tub combo. Our guests praise the clean rooms and the property condition ...
8/10 Very Good! (166 reviews)
"Good location, close to restaurants and convenience store. Parking was a little difficult at times but overall ok"

Reviewed on Jan 16, 2024

UCHI Living Stay Otaru Suitengu
Minn Chitose
Minn Chitose
3 out of 5
2-1-1 Kashiwadaiminami, Chitose, Hokkaido
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Chitose. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (323 reviews)
"Perfect for our stay. Very clean!"

Reviewed on Feb 8, 2024

Minn Chitose
Villa Koshido Kotoni Annex
Villa Koshido Kotoni Annex
3 out of 5
4-4-26 Kotoni 2 Jo, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Stay at this 3-star condo in Sapporo. Enjoy free WiFi, a balcony, and an LCD TV. Popular attractions Odori Park and Noshi Park are located nearby. Discover genuine ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (51 reviews)
"Good location. Near to subway and walking distance to JR station. Opposite AEON mall and 24hr supermarket. Property is clean and comfortable. However room space is a bit small for 4 to 5 pax."

Reviewed on Dec 17, 2023

Villa Koshido Kotoni Annex
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 76.47058823529412%
4 - Good
4
" "4 - Good 23.529411764705884%
3 - Okay
0
" "3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
25 Feb 2020

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
6 Jan 2020

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

5/5 - Excellent

Marizon
28 Dec 2019

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
22 Dec 2019

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

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
29 Jul 2019

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
27 Jul 2019

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.