Sapporo

Travel Guide

Sapporo
Sapporo
Sapporo
Sapporo
Sapporo

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

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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Kita Ward

5/5(3 area reviews)

Noted for its shopping and restaurants, there's plenty to explore in Kita Ward. Top attractions like Hokkaido University Museum and Seikatei 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
Sapporo Tokyu REI Hotel

Sapporo Tokyu REI Hotel

3.5 out of 5
5-1, Nishi, Minami 4 Jo, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Sapporo. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
Clean

Reviewed on Oct 11, 2025

Sapporo Tokyu REI Hotel
Smile Hotel PREMIUM SAPPOROSUSUKINO

Smile Hotel PREMIUM SAPPOROSUSUKINO

3.5 out of 5
1-13-1, Minami4-jonishi, Sapporo, Hokkaido
The price is P2,043 per night from Nov 9 to Nov 10
P2,043
P2,248 total
Nov 9 - Nov 10
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Sapporo. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (555 reviews)
Great location to walk to odori park, the tv tower and clock tower. Our room was comfortable and clean. The staff were extra helpful.

Reviewed on Oct 20, 2025

Smile Hotel PREMIUM SAPPOROSUSUKINO
SAPPORO HOTEL by GRANBELL

SAPPORO HOTEL by GRANBELL

4 out of 5
2-chome-2-2 Kita 6 Johigashi, Higashi Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido
The price is P5,105 per night from Nov 4 to Nov 5
P5,105
P5,732 total
Nov 4 - Nov 5
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Sapporo. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Popular attractions Odori Park and Sapporo Dome are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (278 reviews)
Good overall but few shelves or places to put items in bathroom or in the room. About ten minutes walk to main Sapporo station, so easy enough to get to airport and downtown. Finding dining nearby a little difficult.

Reviewed on Oct 22, 2025

SAPPORO HOTEL by GRANBELL
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 slippers. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (658 reviews)
Everything was great except the room design. Center island table has 2 sharp corners.

Reviewed on Oct 27, 2025

Minn Chitose
FAV LUX Sapporo Susukino

FAV LUX Sapporo Susukino

4 out of 5
Minami 6-jo Nishi 7-chome, 2-2, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly aparthotel in Sapporo. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and onsite spa services. Popular attractions Odori Park and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (37 reviews)
Located conveniently near the street car which takes you to various sight-wiring

Reviewed on Oct 15, 2025

FAV LUX Sapporo Susukino
GRACE401

GRACE401

2.5 out of 5
2-3-8, Kikusui 2-jo, Shiroishi-ku, CRESTOPIA 401, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Stay at this aparthotel in Sapporo. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and in-room washers/dryers. Popular attractions Odori Park and Sapporo Dome are located ...
GRACE401
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.