Things to do in Ebetsu

On an action-packed visit to Sapporo, Odori Park is both a destination and a space for relaxation. Stretched out over 1 mile (1.5 kilometers) or 12 city blocks down the center of the city, the park separates the northern administrative districts from the southern, residential and commercial districts. Stop here for a picnic lunch amid its 92 types of trees while visiting the city or come for one of the many festivals that set up on the plazas any time of the year. The famous Sapporo Snow Festival is one popular example.

Though the Sapporo Dome is best known as the home ground of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters and the soccer team Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, it is a tourist destination in its own right. Perfect for sports fans of all kinds and featuring the world’s first “hovering” soccer field, it is full of activities even on days when concerts or sports games are not taking place. Take a tour of the stadium, jog through the nearby grounds or go up to the observation deck and look out onto the rolling nearby hills.

Like Hokkaido itself, Nakajima Park changes with the seasons but is lovely year round. This 52-acre (21-hectare) urban oasis gathers a charming collection of natural features and cultural institutions in a picturesque setting beneath Mount Moiwa. Come see why the city park, created on the site of an abandoned lumberyard, has become a favorite for locals and visitors.

Go on a self-guided tour of Hokkaido University and glimpse the daily activities of the city’s higher education students. Hokkaido University is famous for its leafy gardens and buildings that showcase varying architectural styles. Visit the campus museum to see collections that honor everything from a university founder, to Nobel laureates and natural science exhibits.

Sapporo TV Tower stands in the background of many tourist pictures of Sapporo. Some of the most famous pictures of the city can be taken from the tower too. The iron structure, vaguely reminiscent of the Eiffel Tower, offers spectacular views of Odori Park, the skyline of the city and the snow-capped mountains rising in the distance. A landmark of the city since its construction in 1957, Sapporo TV Tower holds a beloved place in locals’ hearts. Bring a camera to take impressive photos.

Hokkaido is known for producing some of Japan’s finest seafood and there’s no better place to try it than this famous Nijo “Ichiba” (market). The huge market is a popular place for locals and tourists alike to shop for fresh and prepared fish. Even if you don’t usually eat seafood, it’s worth taking a stroll through this market just to enjoy the busy atmosphere.