10 Best Shopping Experiences in Sapporo

Tanuki Koji shopping arcade, close to the Susukino train station, is amongst the largest and most historic shopping areas in Sapporo. You’ll find more than 200 individual stores along this covered shopping street, along with a great and varied choice of food choices. Browse the shops selling kimonos, tea or incense, scattered between modern stores specialising in computers and software or state-of -the-art electronics and digital cameras – all of which lends it a bazaar-like quality. Some items for sale here are even cheaper than in the 100-yen shops. Tanuki Koji is a popular spot to pick up some cheap souvenirs.

This fashionable shopping complex in downtown Sapporo is the best place for designer fashion. Parco is especially good for young ladies’ clothes and cosmetics although there are also whole floors dedicated to men’s and children’s clothing. Western-style boutiques such as Pour Les Hommes, Paul Smith, Vivienne Westwood Red Label, Comme des garcons are all available, alongside plenty of Japanese brands. And if you feel like a coffee break or a bite to eat then you’ll not have far to look. The seventh floor comprises a lifestyle centre and eighth floor is the place to go if you’re hungry as it houses a collection of restaurants. Parco Sapporo is next to Odori subway station.

Marui Imai is a giant-sized department store selling everything from jewellery to power tools to home furnishings. Perhaps more of a ‘mall experience’ than a tangible shopping destination, it’s not to be missed. Smack-bang in downtown Sapporo, you’re never far from the action at Marui Imai and if you’re hungry there are plenty of food outlets. For larger items, it’s possible to mail them back home from the Post Office located on the 9th floor of the nearby Ichijo Building. Major credit cards accepted.

Nijo Ichiba is a famous fish market in the city centre. The market is located near Tanuki Koji shopping arcade and is arranged into crowded alleyways. Here you’ll find over 50 different vendors selling everything from fresh fish to sea urchins to salmon roe to truly impressive giant Hokkaido crabs.

The market also has a hole-in-the-wall food stalls that serve the freshest food in the area – it’s a great place for a sashimi breakfast. Among the most popular menu items for starting the day here is uni ikura donburi (sea urchin and salmon eggs on rice). Nijo market also sells seasonal fruits and even Japanese chocolate. Light bargaining is expected here.

Sapporo Factory is a grand shopping centre constructed on the former site of a Sapporo brewery. The complex includes over 100 shops, restaurants, a hotel and a fitness centre within a group of historic redbrick buildings. The main building has an imposing glass atrium which adds to the pleasant experience.  

Items for sale here include clothes, home furnishings and household goods, souvenirs and craft shops. In the atrium, the centre-piece of the Factory complex, there’s a stage with regular live performances. The Sapporo Meissen Porcelain Museum is on the 4th floor.

Bic Camera is a major electronics chain store dealing in the latest type of electrical appliances, IT-related-goods and cool gadgets, all at good prices. The camera section, along with the mobile phones section and games displays are always crowded with customers. In the basement there’s a food-hall and a 100-yen shop, while the upper floors are for clothing, general goods, toys, baby goods, a pet shop and a craft shop. Bic Camera Sapporo is next to JR Sapporo station.

100-yen shops ("hyaku-en shoppu" in Japanese) sell a wide range of products for 108 yen per item (100 yen plus 8% tax). This corresponds to roughly US$1 per item, making these shops a trusty friend to thrifty travellers. There are thousands of 100-yen shops across Japan, from multi-storey department setups, to small corners in shopping malls.

Market leader, Daiso, operates over 2,000 stores nationwide – including 8 in Sapporo – and pursues an aggressive expansion policy. By cleverly purchasing products in huge quantities and at big discounts from countries with low production and labour costs, 100-yen shops are able to offer an astonishing range of products at prices often below the products’ actual value. Popular things to buy include tableware, tools, and simple household goods.