Sapporo

Travel Guide
Sapporo JR Tower featuring a city and night scenes
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

4.5/5(314 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
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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
Sapporo TV Tower which includes night scenes, a city and landscape views

Chuo-ku

4.5/5(64 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
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Shinsapporo

4.5/5(4 area reviews)

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 NT$1,042 per night from Apr 16 to Apr 17
NT$1,042
per night
Apr 16 - Apr 17
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! (582 reviews)
"Very convenient location! Clean room."

Reviewed on 2024/2/6

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 NT$1,961 per night from Apr 19 to Apr 20
NT$1,961
per night
Apr 19 - Apr 20
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! (1,004 reviews)
"Big room, Reasonable prices, beautiful hotel, bus stop to niseko just downstairs of the hotel"

Reviewed on 2024/3/7

Sapporo Grand Hotel
karaksa hotel Sapporo
karaksa hotel Sapporo
3.5 out of 5
Minami 5-24, 3-jo Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
The price is NT$1,430 per night from Apr 8 to Apr 9
NT$1,430
per night
Apr 8 - Apr 9
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Sapporo. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,004 reviews)
"👍"

Reviewed on 2024/3/17

karaksa 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! (171 reviews)
Happy apartment stay.
"An excellent apartment for a quick trip to Otaru, slight hill, but walking distance to everything. Driving instructions where excellent once in the right location. Everything you need."

Reviewed on 2024/2/14

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! (322 reviews)
"Perfect for our stay. Very clean!"

Reviewed on 2024/2/8

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! (49 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 2023/12/17

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

Reviews of Sapporo

4.6
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
212
" "5 - Excellent 62.35294117647059%
4 - Good
115
" "4 - Good 33.8235294117647%
3 - Okay
9
" "3 - Okay 2.6470588235294117%
2 - Disappointing
3
" "2 - Disappointing 0.8823529411764706%
1 - Terrible
1
" "1 - Terrible 0.29411764705882354%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Feb 18, 2020

Walking in the snow was difficult, especially for a Hawaii boy with some back issues...If I had booked a hotel a bit closer to the action, perhaps it would not have been so bad. But the price here was reasonable so...I wish I had tried the cable car

5/5 - Excellent

Les
Feb 18, 2020

Love Sapporo. Big enough city but not as hustle and bustle as Tokyo.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Feb 14, 2020

Excellent experience

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Feb 11, 2020

February in Sapporo meant temperatures down in the single digits. Certainly something to keep in mind.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Feb 9, 2020

Good seafood cuisine nearby.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Feb 8, 2020

One of my favorite cities in Japan - lots to do, lots to see!

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