Sapporo

Travel Guide
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

4.5/5(116 area reviews)

Enjoy the popular shops in Sapporo City Centre. Odori Park is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Nishi-Yon-Chome Stop or Odori Station to see more of Sapporo.

Sapporo City Centre
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Susukino

Spend some time visiting places like Susukino Street while getting to know Susukino, and be sure to check out the abundant dining options. You can hop aboard 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
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Chuo-ku

4.5/5(43 area reviews)

You might enjoy the skiing while in Chuo-ku. Odori Park is a notable sight, and you can get around town at Maruyama-koen Station or Nishi-Nijuhatchome Station to see more of the city.

Chuo-ku
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Odori

Shopping, hot springs and coffee shops 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

5/5(1 area review)

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 €35 per night from 3 Apr to 4 Apr
€35
per night
3 Apr - 4 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! (593 reviews)
"Very convenient location! Clean room."

Reviewed on 6 Feb 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 €71 per night from 15 Apr to 16 Apr
€71
per night
15 Apr - 16 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 27 Mar 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 €64 per night from 11 Apr to 12 Apr
€64
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! (1,010 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 18 Mar 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.
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 8 Feb 2024

Minn Chitose
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 14 Feb 2024

UCHI Living Stay Otaru Suitengu
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 17 Dec 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

4.6
Top destination
5 - Excellent
78
" "5 - Excellent 60.9375%
4 - Good
47
" "4 - Good 36.71875%
3 - Okay
3
" "3 - Okay 2.34375%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
27 Feb 2020

Very nice city with nice people and nice weather I ever met, I will come back again.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
27 Feb 2020

Have been to this town many times, safe friendly people, good food, easy to walk n drive around. Beautiful in all seasons.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
16 Feb 2020

Nice city!!!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
12 Feb 2020

Great seafoods

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
12 Feb 2020

I love sapporo. I've been there three times. There are varieties of seasonal attractions such as Lavander field, Snow festival, national park and etc. And almost unmentioned about delicious food and fruit.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
5 Jan 2020

I love the snow, food and drink are wonderful.