Sapporo is the biggest city of Hokkaido and the fifth largest city of Japan. The annual Sapporo Snow Festival and Sapporo Clock Tower attract many tourists to the city each year. Sapporo TV Tower and Odori Park are also some popular tourist spots in the city. This destination has many places of interest for tourists such as gourmet restaurants, souvenir shops, places for sightseeing and more. Scroll down to find out about the 30 most popular spots to check out in Sapporo.
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1. Sapporo Clock Tower
Sapporo Clock Tower is a classic tourist attraction where most visitors come at least once during their trip to the city. The historical building was built in 1878 and is a cultural asset for the country. It is the oldest building in the city and it was initially used as a martial arts school and an indoor gymnasium. Sapporo Clock Tower now houses a museum where you can get more information about the building as well as the city.
Sapporo Clock Tower
Address: North1, West2, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0001
Website: Sapporo Clock Tower
2. Former Hokkaido Government Office Building (Red Brick Office)
The Former Hokkaido Government Office Building is located in the heart of Sapporo and was built in the Meiji era. The scenery around the building with beautiful flowers of different colors attracts many tourists from various parts of the world. Sapporo Station is just a five-minute walk and this place is easily accessible from Odori Park. Currently, it exhibits many historic items and you can also take a guided tour.
Sapporo Clock Tower
Address: 6 Chome Kita 3 Jonishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-8588
Website: Former Hokkaido Government Office Building Red Brick Office
3. Sapporo Ramen – Popular Store Guide
A trip to Sapporo is not complete if you do not eat the Sapporo Ramen. The city is said to be the birthplace of miso ramen and it has many ramen shops that you can visit. Shirakaba Sansou is a popular shop that prepares delicious and traditional Sapporo Ramen. Mitsubayama Gokayamen Ramen is another spot where you can satisfy your taste buds. This eatery makes rich ramen with very little grease.
Shirakaba Sansou
Address: Kita 5 Nishi 2-1, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido, 060-0005
4. Sapporo TV Tower
Sapporo TV Tower stands 147.2 meters (482.9 feet) tall and it was built in 1957. Located on the ground of Odori Park, this structure attracts many tourists. You can also buy a ticket and visit the observation deck located at 90.3 meters (296.25 feet) in the tower. From here, you get a spectacular view of the surrounding. The tower has a light arrangement that starts each evening so that people can see it in the dark.
Sapporo TV Tower
Address: 1 Chome Odorinishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0042
Website: Sapporo TV Tower
5. Odori Park
The beautiful Odori Park is located in the heart of Sapporo and it is spread over 7.8 hectares. Popular events such as the Sapporo Snow Festival and Yosakoi Soran Festival are held at this park each year. Odori Park has beautiful flower beds and relaxing lawns where you can unwind. The park is worth a visit if you are in the city during May and June, as over 400 types of flowers bloom here during these months.
Odori Park
Address: 〒060-0042 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Chuo Ward
Website: Odori Park
6. Events at Odori Park
Many events and festivals are organized at Odori Park each year. During the summer months, Odori Beer Garden event is held in the park, and it is the largest beer festival in Japan. Thousands of people gather at Odori Park and taste different varieties of beer. Sapporo Autumn Fest is another event that takes place each autumn at Odori Park. You can enjoy delicious foods, made from local ingredients, at the festival. Odori Park also has the Yosakoi Soran Festival each year, a dancing event based on the Yosakoi Festival of Kochi Prefecture.
Odori Park Events
Address: 〒060-0042 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Chuo Ward
Website: Odori Park Events
7. Sapporo Snow Festival
Sapporo Snow Festival is one of the largest winter festivals in Japan, held in February each year. The festival takes place at Odori Park, where you can see hundreds of snow statues and ice sculptures. An international snow sculpture tournament is also held during this festival. You can experience outdoor activities such as slides or be warm at the indoor venue where you can enjoy regional food and drink. You can also visit the TV Tower at Odori Park and get a magnificent aerial view of the snow-covered park.
Sapporo Snow Festival
Address: 〒060-0042 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Chuo Ward
Website: Sapporo Snow Festival
8. JR Sapporo Station
The JR Sapporo Station is a place to be at if you are visiting Sapporo for tourism purpose. The area surrounding the station has many shopping areas where you can buy souvenirs. You can also find a number of eateries where you can eat local food. You can visit Kinotoya Bake, a specialized freshly baked cheese tart store, and try the popular Kono Kinoto tart. This tart is made with high-quality cheese and fish. You can also eat at a number of places serving dishes made of Wakasaimo sweet potato.
JR Sapporo Station
Address: 4 Chome Kita 6 Jonishi, Kita, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Website: JR Sapporo Station
9. Hotels with good view and location
JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo is located at JR Tower and it’s near the South Exit of Sapporo Station. It has a spa where you can unwind, eat delicious food and enjoy great views of the surroundings. Cross Hotel Sapporo is another place that you can consider during your visit to Sapporo. It has stylish rooms to suit individual requirements. You can eat fresh salad during your breakfast from the salad bar or relax at the public bath. Resol Trinity Sapporo is located at a great location with easy access to popular sightseeing destinations. You can enjoy the view of Odori Park right from the comfort of your room.
JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo
Address: 5 Nishi 2, Kita 5, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido 060-0005
Website: JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo
10. Some other hotels in Sapporo
Primier Hotel-Cabin, Sapporo is located at a five-minute walk from Susukino Station. You can relax in the public hot spring bath or savor a relaxing massage. You can also enjoy the pleasant evening breeze on the top floor. This hotel also serves delicious breakfast, which includes Hokkaido fish, fresh vegetables, rice, shellfish and more. Art Hotel Sapporo is another popular hotel in the city, which is located at a two-minute walk from Nakajima Koen Station. This hotel has a great atmosphere and friendly staff, which will make your stay very comfortable. You can also check out Sapporo Tobu Hotel located 10 minutes from Clock Tower and 5 minutes from Susukino Hotel. It has stylish decor and fine interiors, which attracts many foreign tourists.
Book Your Stay: Premier Hotel-CABIN-Sapporo
11. Enjoy local seafood in Sapporo
Nijo Market is a popular tourist destination near Odori Park and Susukino region. A number of shops in this market sell delicious seafood. You can enjoy sashimi-topped rice and sushi that make full use of the fresh seafood arriving from several parts of Hokkaido. You can also find a number of bars, noodle shops, restaurants and more in this market. Sapporo Central Wholesale Market Curb Market is another popular site where you can get fresh seafood. Nijo Station and Sapporo Station are located nearby and the market has nearly 60 stores. Sapporo Central opens at 6 a.m. every morning. Restaurants and shops here sell food made of fresh fruits and fresh seafood.
Nijo Market
Address: 1 Chome Minami 3 Johigashi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0053
Website: Nijo Market
12. Hokkaido University
The Hokkaido University campus is a popular tourist spot in Sapporo as it has an abundance of green space. You will find many elm and gingko trees while visiting this campus. You will also find students using bicycles in the campus but you can also visit by car. You can rent a bicycle if you want to explore the campus. It started as Sapporo Agricultural College in 1876 and the campus is known for its many historic buildings. A visit to Hokkaido University is incomplete without a visit to the Hokkaido University Museum, which has many interesting exhibits such as a huge skeleton of a Holstein bull. Admission to the museum is free and you can reach here within 10 minutes from the North Exit of Sapporo Station.
Hokkaido University
Address: 5 Chome Kita 8 Jonishi, Kita, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0808
Website: Hokkaido University
13. Shiroi Koibito Park
Shiroi Koibito, a European-style cookie manufacturer, has a confectionery theme park called Shiroi Koibito Park. It is located just seven minutes on foot from Miyanosawa Subway Station. This park has a lot to offer, especially if you are traveling with children. You can take a guided tour where you will know more about the factory and chocolate-making process. Don’t forget to enjoy Chocolate Carnival, a parade or mechanical dolls, which you can see every hour in the park. It also has a Gulliver House where children can enter and play. This park has a shop that sells Shiroi Koibito and a specialty shop called Candy Labo.
Shiroi Koibito Park
Address: Miyanosawa 2-jo 2-chome, Nishi-ku, Sapporo 063-0052
Website: Shiroi Koibito Park
14. Hokkaido Jingu Shrine
Emperor Meiji abolished the feudal system in 1869 and selected three gods to watch over the reclamation of Hokkaido. Okunitama, Onamuchi, and Sukunahikona were enshrined in a place called Sapporo Jinja, which was later known as Hokkaido Jingu (Hokkaido Shrine). This is a great place with a large garden where you can enjoy some quiet time amid nature. Sapporo Festival, which is the main of the Hokkaido Shrine, takes place every mid-June. This area is also one of the best places to view cherry blossoms in northern Japan. This property also has a tea house where you can eat baked crisps or fragrant rice cakes.
Hokkaido Jingu Shrine
Address: 474 Miyagaoka, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0959
Website: Hokkaido Jingu Shrine
15. Revolving Sushi Bar
If you like tasting different varieties of food then you should taste fresh seafood and sushi while visiting Sapporo. A number of specialty places serve sushi on a conveyor belt. A great place to enjoy sushi is Nagoyaka Tei, where you can try from various types of sushi on offer on the conveyor belt. The restaurant has a great atmosphere and is a place you can visit even with your family. Hana Maru Sushi is another nice place in Sapporo where you can enjoy from an extensive range of sushi as well as seafood.
Nagoyaka Tei
Address: 2-9-9 Kiyota Ward, Kitano 7 Jo, Sapporo, Hokkaido
16. Sapporo Maruyama Zoo
Opened in 1951, Sapporo Maruyama Zoo located within Maruyama Park is the oldest zoo in Hokkaido. Located near the center of the city it is also a great place where you can enjoy cherry blossom in the spring. It is one of the most famous zoos surrounded by nature, and it is also well-known for natural breeding of polar bears. This zoo has more than 180 varieties of mammals, birds and reptiles. A chimpanzee pavilion, a bear house and the monkey mountain are some of the main attractions in the zoo.
Sapporo Maruyama Zoo
Address: 3 Chome-1 Miyagaoka, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0959
Website: Sapporo Maruyama Zoo
17. Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium
Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium has hosted a number of winter sports events including the 1972 Winter Olympics. It was the venue for the 90-meter class ski jumping competition during the Olympics. You can go to the starting point of the place, an elevation of 307 meters (1007 feet), which is the same as the Sapporo TV Tower. You get a great view of the surrounding, which includes an amazing aerial view of Odori Park, Sapporo Dome and the TV Tower. Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium also has a museum that exhibits a number of materials related to the history of skiing.
Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium
Address: 1274 Miyanomori, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0958
Website: Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium
18. Soup Curry Stores
Sapporo is said to be the birthplace of soup curry. For those who are not aware, a soup curry is a popular form of curry-flavored stew, which has a variety of vegetables and is normally served with steamed rice. Oshi Shoten store is a popular place in the city center that serves soup curry with chicken and vegetables. Koi Hiyoru is another soup curry store in Sapporo that’s popular for its authentic soup curry dish that includes boiled eggs, chicken, potatoes, carrots and green peppers. Magic Spice, about five minutes on foot from Nango Nanchome Station, is another great place to taste authentic soup curry.
Magic Spice
Address: 6-2 HongoSt.8-monami Shiroishi-ku Sapporo
Website: Magic Spice
19. Mt. Moiwa
Mt Moiwa is one of several small forested mountains located southwest of central Sapporo. It sits at an elevation of 531 meters (1742 feet) and is a popular sightseeing spot for its spectacular view. You can get an amazing view from the top, especially after sunset. You can also take the Mount Moiwa Ropeway, which climbs from the base of the mountain to three quarters up the mountain and then to a transfer station. From here you can take mini cable car to the upper part of the mountain.
Mt. Moiwa
Website: Mt. Moiwa
20. Horomi Pass Lavender Garden
Sapporo is considered to be the birthplace of Japanese lavender. In 1937, lavender seeds were imported from France and test cultivation was done at many places in Japan. Hokkaido was selected as the best place for lavender cultivation in Japan and in 1940, the first lavender garden was born. Horomi Pass Lavender Garden Yumekobo Sato started in 1987 from 120 roots of lavender and now it has more than 5000 roots. Horomi Pass is the highest point of the mountain located between Maruyama in Sapporo and Bankei. It is a great tourist spot as you can get a spectacular view downtown Sapporo from here.
Horomi Pass Lavender Garden
Address: 471-110 Bankei, Chūō-ku, Sapporo-shi
Website: Horomi Pass Lavender Garden
21. Cafes serving delicious sweets
If you have a sweet tooth you should visit one of the cafes serving delicious sweets in Hokkaido. Visit the Fruit-Cake Factory near Sapporo Station where you can try several types of fruit-cakes made with seasonal fruits. The cafe also serves strawberry tart with custard cream, which is popular among tourists as well as locals. Ishiya Cafe in Sapporo is another cafe that serves traditional Shiroi Koibito.
Fruit Cake Factory
Address: JR Station Shopping Mall
22. Prominent Beer Related Places In Sapporo
Beer is an important aspect of Sapporo and the city has many prominent places which have a history of beer brewing. Sapporo Factory, a complex that includes a shopping, restaurants and more, was initially constructed as a beer brewery. You can visit the museum and know more about the history of the place. You can also visit Sapporo Beer Museum located in the Sapporo Garden Park where you can take a guided tour and get a chance to sample local produce.
Sapporo Factory
Address: 4 Chome Kita 2 Johigashi, Chuo, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0032
Website: Sapporo Factory
23. Moerenuma Park
Moerenuma Park is a municipal park designed by Japanese American artist Isamu Noguchi. One of the highlights in the park is Mount Moere, an artificial mountain that stands 62 meters (203 feet) tall and has great views of the park and the surrounding area. You can climb the mountain from three directions. You can also check out the glass pyramid at the park called Hidamari, which has three floors and a roof overlooking the park.
Moerenuma Park
Address: Moerenuma-koen 1-1, Higashi-ku, Sapporo
Website: Moerenuma Park
24. Taste Jingisukan, Also Called Genghis Khan
Jingisukan is a popular Japanese grilled mutton dish, which is also known as Genghis Khan. Matsuo Genghis Khan is a popular place that serves Genghis Khan prepared with New Zealand lamb meat.
Matsuo Genghis Khan
Address: Kita 3 Nishi 4-1-1, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido, 060-0003
25. Nakajima Park
Located in downtown Sapporo near Susukino District, Nakajima Park is an urban park that features historical buildings and cultural facilities. During summers, this park is filled with joggers, people walking their dogs and others who want to relax. During winters, this park offers a cross-country skiing course and offers free access to equipment.
Nakajima Park
Address: Nakajima-koen 1, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
Website: Nakajima Park
26. Japan's Top Soft-Serve Ice Cream
Soft-serve ice cream is a type of less dense ice cream due to the introduction of air during the freezing process. Sapporo has some of the top places in Japan where you can taste one of the best soft-serve ice cream. Visit Hakkou Gakuen, a farmer’s market, and taste soft-serve ice cream made of the milk from the in-house cattle that are raised by the students and staff of the agricultural technical school.
Hakko Gakuen Farmers Market
Address: 1-12, 2-13 Tsukisamu Higashi, Toyohira, Sapporo
27. Clark Statue
Clark Statue at Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill was built in 1976 to mark the 100th anniversary of the arrival of William Smith Clark, an American professor of chemistry, zoology and botany. The statue is surrounded by greenery and you can see a major part of Sapporo from this location.
Clark Statue
Address: Hitsujigaoka 1, Toyohira-ku, Sapporo
Website: Clark Statue
28. New Chitose Airport
Located 50 km (about 30 miles) from downtown Sapporo, this international airport connects Hokkaido to the rest of Japan. New Chitose Airport has been recently expanded and renovated, and the newly added complex now includes many attractive shops, entertainment facilities and dining experiences. The airport has become one of the busiest as well as one of the most pleasant airports in Japan.
New Chitose Airport
Address: Bibi, Chitose, Hokkaido 066-0012
Website: New Chitose Airport
29. Eating at New Chitose Airport
You can’t miss the shops in this airport selling popular food and specialized products. You can visit Royce, a popular chocolate maker in Sapporo, and taste delicious products. You will find a number of other eateries at the airport to satisfy your taste buds.
Royce at New Chitose Airport
Address: Bibi, Chitose, Hokkaido 066-0012
Website: Royce at New Chitose Airport
30. Air Terminal Hotel At New Chitose Airport
Varied and tasty breakfast, but limited dinner options and some complaints about the quality.
Reasonably priced for an airport hotel with complimentary onsen access.
Ideal for early morning flights, within the airport terminal with easy access to shops and restaurants.
Spacious rooms, convenient shopping and dining, onsen access, but some areas need renovation.
This hotel is located just a few minutes on foot from arrival gate 3. This is the nearest hotel to the airport, which is convenient for those who have a connecting flight to take in a few hours. This hotel has spacious rooms, Internet and a TV for a comfortable stay. Sapporo city center can be reached within 40 minutes on a train.
Book Your Stay: Air Terminal Hotel
Bonus: End the day with a Sapporo bar hopping food tour
“Do it as the locals do.” That’s what people say when you’re traveling to a new country, so what better way to experience Sapporo’s nightlife than with a local to guide you? This tour will be three full hours of food, drinks, mingling, and meeting new friends! Stop by the streets of Susukino where you’ll be sampling the freshest seafood that Hokkaido has to offer. Wash them down with what the locals recommend, such as cold draft beer, sake, or shochu. Then, have your guide take you to a couple of izakayas (Japanese pubs) depending on your preference! Sapporo’s choices of izakaya won’t disappoint you, and with the help of our Magical Trip Bar Hopping Map, you’ll find the best local izakaya, ranging from the cozy and typical to the unique and awesome. Did someone mention an igloo-shaped izakaya? Relax, enjoy, and learn how to do it as the locals do!
Sapporo Bar Hopping Food Tour
Duration: 3 hours
Price: 67 USD
Sapporo - A big city full of charm
Sapporo has a lot of sightseeing options for tourists. Hokkaido University surrounded by wooded landscape is popular among those who want to spend time with nature. Families love a visit to Maruyama Zoo and Mt. Moiwa. Sapporo is such a city where you can enjoy a stay in any season.
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