Sapporo
What you need to know before you go
Sapporo is the capital of Hokkaido. It’s well known for ramen, beer, snow, and being home to some of Japan’s most spectacular festivals. The most impressive is the Sapporo Snow Festival, held annually in Odori Park with huge scenes and structures constructed entirely out of ice. It overlaps with the Sapporo White Illumination, when strings of white lights adorn Odori Park creating a truly magical scene.
The extraordinary countryside lying outside the city is idyllic for nature lovers – the Hokkaido landscape presents wonderful opportunities for hiking, camping during the warmer months, and exhilarating skiing conditions during winter. The former Olympic ski jump stadium is a popular photo opportunity, and the Sapporo Beer Museum is a favourite for obvious reasons. The open-air Historic Village depicts life in days gone by.
What to see & do in Sapporo
Featured stories & fun stuffSapporo is the capital of mountainous Hokkaido, Japan’s ultimate yukiguni or snow country. Most visitors make the city their starting point for day trips and fun adventures at top ski resorts like Niseko, a short drive out of the city. Check out the annual Sapporo Snow Festival to admire the works of the country’s best ice sculptors put on display or enjoy a sip of great Japanese beer while learning... Read more
15 Best Things to Do in Sapporo
Sapporo, on the northern island of Hokkaido, is the 5th-largest city in Japan and packed with interesting things to do. A lot of historical attractions, as well as shopping malls and parks, are located in Sapporo, and draw many...10 Best Road Trips from Sapporo
Venture out from Sapporo and you'll find some great road trips. Hokkaido is full of hidden charms. Taking a drive...10 Things to Do in Sapporo on a Small Budget
Visiting Sapporo on a budget is possible thanks to the endless attractions that you can enjoy for little or no...8 Best Things to Do with Kids in Sapporo
Sapporo has all kinds of attractions that families can enjoy in any season or any weather. You can harvest vegetables...9 Places Where Locals Love to Go in Sapporo
Wondering which places locals love to go in Sapporo? For starting your trip in vast Hokkaido, it’s a good idea...10 Best Things to Do for Couples in Sapporo
Sapporo is packed with great places for couples to enjoy perfect dates. The city has beautiful parks where you can...10 Most Recommended Ski Resorts in the Sapporo Area
Sapporo, the undisputed centre of Hokkaido, is something of a tourist hub, bringing together the best of Hokkaido and Japan...
Where & what to eat in Sapporo
Sapporo is famed for the quality of its seafood, which is caught in the cold waters off the Hokkaido coast. Crab is probably the most prized, but shrimps and cold-water fish are also packed full of flavour. In winter, you can try a unique Sapporo dish, soup curry! It’s packed full of vegetable and roast chicken, with varying levels of spice for you to choose from. For the biggest... Read more
10 Best Local Dishes from Sapporo
Hokkaido is arguably the best fishing zone in the world. Surrounded on 3 sides by the Sea of Japan, the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Okhotsk, the city is right at the crossroads between 4 ocean currents. And if...10 Places Where Locals Love to Eat in Sapporo
In a city as large and cosmopolitan as Sapporo, it really isn’t that hard to find good international food or...10 Best Foodie Areas in Sapporo
The vast city of Sapporo, the prefectural capital of Hokkaido, covers an area about twice the size of Tokyo. An...
Where to shop & what to buy in Sapporo
Shopping in Sapporo is concentrated in 2 main districts of the city, and each offers options to soothe your shopping bug, from indie boutique shops to vast shopping centres. In front of Sapporo Station, you’ll find one of the largest commercial districts in the city. Some of the most popular complexes here include Sapporo Esta, which is famed for its electronics shops; Sapporo Stellar Place, which is among Japan’s largest... Read more
10 Best Shopping Experiences in Sapporo
As in most large Japanese cities, shopping malls are the most popular places to shop in Sapporo. You'll find all manner of goods inside, from souvenirs and bargains, to exclusive, designer goods. There's no such thing as a typical mall...9 Best Markets in Sapporo
Sapporo is known for its rich food culture and at its best markets you can find fresh seafood, vegetables, and fruits from around Hokkaido. From famous restaurants that bring in the tourists to hidden gems where the locals dine, Sapporo...
Where to go & what to do at night in Sapporo
Nightlife in Sapporo is alive and kicking in Susukino, the city’s own dedicated entertainment area just south of Odori Park that has a good concentration of bars. Evening walks around downtown Sapporo are set against an array of colourful neon lights – it can be magical during snowfall. You won’t find any shortage of great Japanese beer in Sapporo. As snowy Hokkaido’s capital, Sapporo is also a beer capital. After all... Read more
9 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Sapporo
The best things to do after dinner in Sapporo include endless fun nightspots, especially in the entertainment district of Susukino. Make the most of your Sapporo nightlife by barhopping or dancing all night at a dance club. The night view...10 Best Bars, Live Music, and Nightclubs in Sapporo
Many nightlife lovers see Sapporo as a more laid-back and relaxed destination than equivalent-sized cities in Japan. The main nightlife centre is Susukino – the largest north of Tokyo – with many 24-hour bars, restaurants, pubs. It's estimated there...
Useful information
Sapporo Travel Essentials
Our Sapporo Travel Essentials lays out the essential information you need to help you plan your trip to one of the most popular destinations in Japan. No matter how frequently you travel, some questions will always need answers: What’s the weather like? How can I get from New Chitose Airport to my hotel? What currency and type of plug do...