Sapporo Destination Guide: Hokkaido Adventure Begins Here!

Sapporo Destination Guide: Hokkaido Adventure Begins Here!
Trip101 Editorial
Trip101 Editorial 
Updated
| 4 min read

Hokkaido’s biggest city, Sapporo, is a destination that most tourists to Hokkaido will visit. From historical monuments such as the Sapporo Clock Tower to family-friendly attractions like Maruyama Zoo, Sapporo is a city with a marvellous harmony of Japanese culture, history, and nature. Don’t forget the delectable food too, such as the Sapporo ramen!

Appreciate the summer beauty at Horomi Ridge Lavender Garden

夢工房さとう 幌観峠ラベンダー園(Horomi Pass lavender garden) - panoramio
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user t-konno used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Japan’s lavender industry was born in Sapporo in 1937, when lavender seeds were imported from France. Located a 15-minute drive from Maruyama Park Station, Horomi Ridge Lavender Garden, with a carpet of about 5,000 of the vibrant purple flowers, is one of the best places in Sapporo where you can appreciate the vast views of Sapporo along with the summer beauties. It operates from April to November yearly, but is best visited in the summer for the blooming lavender flowers.

Horomi Touge Lavender Park

Address: 471-110 Bankei, Chūō-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaidō

Access info: 10-minute drive from Maruyama Park metro station

Opening hours: 9:00 - 17:00

Fixed holiday: Opening days of Horomi Touge Lavender Park will be notified on July 1st here http://horomitoge.exblog.jp/

Contact: +81-11-622-5167

Entrance fee: 500 JPY (4.65 USD)

Best time to visit: Open from July to August (opening days of the year will be notified on July 1st here http://horomitoge.exblog.jp/)

Official URL (Japanese only)

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Sapporo Television Tower- the symbol of Odori Park

Sapporo television tower 01
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Built in 1956, Sapporo Television Tower is undoubtedly the most prominent landmark of Odori Park. The night view of Sapporo was selected as one of “Japan’s New 3 Best Night Views” in 2015, along with Nagasaki and Kobe, and the 90-metre-high (295-foot-high) observatory of the Sapporo Television Tower provides one of the best views of the stunning landscape.

Sapporo TV Tower

Address: Odori Nishi 1-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi

Access info: 15-minute walk from JR Sapporo Station, south exit

Opening hours: 9:30 - 21:30

Fixed holiday: For 2016: April 6th, November 9th

Contact: +81 11-241-1131

Entrance fee: 720 JPY (6.70 USD) to observation deck

Official URL

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Enjoy the freshest seafood at Nijo Market

Nijo fish Market 2014
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Wing1990hk used under CC BY 3.0

Nijo Market, the kitchen of Sapporo, is a market that can be easily accessed by those whose hotel is around Odori or Susukino. Famous for its wide selection of fresh seafood, the market is open from early in the morning. The array of choices available makes it a must-visit spot for breakfast!

Nijo Market

Address: 1 Chome Minami 3 Jōhigashi, Chūō-ku, Sapporo-shi

Access info: 3-minute walk from Bus Center metro station

Opening hours: 6:00 - 21:00

Fixed holiday: nil

Contact: +81 11-222-5308

Entrance fee: free

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Ramen Republic - all of Hokkaido’s ramen

Shoyu Ramen
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Guilhem Vellut used under CC BY 2.0

Hokkaido is famous for its ramen noodles, but did you know that there are actually three different types of taste? Hakodate specialises in salt ramen, Asahikawa is known for the soy sauce ramen, and Sapporo is famous for its miso ramen. At Ramen Republic, you will be able to try out all three types of ramen noodle. What’s more, it is conveniently located right inside Sapporo Station. You can enjoy all the flavours from different regions of Hokkaido in one place!

Sapporo Ramen Republic

Address: Esta building 10th Fl. North 5-2-1,Chuo Ward, Sapporo

Access info: 5-minute walk from JR Sapporo Station

Opening hours: 11:00 - 21:45

Fixed holiday: nil

Contact: +81 11-209-5031

Entrance fee: free

Official URL (Japanese only)

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The Former Hokkaido Government Office

Former Hokkaidō government office building
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Daigaku2051 used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Built during the Meiji era (1868 - 1912), the Former Hokkaido Government Office, located in central Sapporo, is also known as the Red Brick Government Office. The scenery surrounding the area changes according to the season, giving it a different atmosphere depending on the month. You can also enter the former office to appreciate its spectacular decorations. Furthermore, it is lit up every night throughout the year, making it the perfect spot for an after-dinner stroll.

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I went to Sapporo! Take a photo at Sapporo Clock Tower

Sapporo Clock Tower (16144265946)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user redlegsfan21 used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Built in 1878, Sapporo Clock Tower is listed as one of Japan’s Important Cultural Properties, and is still active despite being the oldest clock tower in Japan. Located right in the city, it is the best spot to take a photograph to commemorate a trip to Sapporo!

Sapporo Clock Tower

Address: North 1-2, Chuo Ward, Sapporo

Access info: 10-minute walk from JR Sapporo Station South Exit

Opening hours: 8:45 - 17:00

Fixed holiday: Jan 1st to 3rd every year

Contact: +81-11-231-0838

Entrance fee: 200 JPY (1.90 USD)

Official URL

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Visit the cute animals in Maruyama Zoo!

Maruyama zoo, Sapporo, Japan (2813416031)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user pelican used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Sapporo Maruyama Zoo, located near to central Sapporo, has many animals that are unique to the place. Animals that are used to colder climates, such as the Ezo deer and northwestern wolf, can be viewed there. To add to that, the beauty of the zoo varies with seasons, with the sakura flowers in spring, lush greenery in summer, bright red leaves in autumn, and white snow in winter. It is a fantastic destination for a family trip!

Sapporo Maruyama Zoo

Address: 3-1, Miyagaoka, Chuo Ward, Sapporo

Access info: 10-minute drive from Maruyama Park metro station

Opening hours: 9:30 - 16:30

Fixed holiday: please check official website

Contact: +81 11-621-1426

Entrance fee: 600 JPY (5.60 USD)

Official URL

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The panoramic night view of Sapporo from Mount Moiwa

Japan Sapporo Mt.Moiwa 0049
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Ermell used under CC BY-SA 4.0

The night view of Sapporo, as mentioned earlier, is listed as one of “Japan’s New 3 Best Night Views”, and the majestic view from the top of Mount Moiwa surely attests to the title. All it takes is a 20-minute car ride from central Sapporo to access the Mount Moiwa Ropeway up the mountain, and you will be rewarded with a spectacular bird’s eye view of the city.

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Carvings in nature: Moerenuma Park

Moerenuma Park Hidamari - panoramio
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user kazuya.m used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Located 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) north-east of Sapporo, Moerenuma Park was designed by the late artist Isamu Noguchi. Planned with the concept of being “a park as one whole sculpture”, Moerenuma Park can be said to be Isamu Noguchi’s final and biggest masterpiece. With a 62.4-metre-high (204.7-foot-high) mountain, a huge lawn, a fountain, and a forest, it is a serene park where you can spend some relaxing time away from urban life.

Moerenuma Park

Address: 1-1 Moerenumakoen, Higashi Ward, Sapporo

Access info: Take Bus 76 (Eastbound) from North 34 Nanboku Like subway station

Opening hours: 7:00 - 22:00

Fixed holiday: nil

Contact: +81 11-790-1231

Entrance fee: Free

Official URL

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Discover the history of Japan’s beer!

サッポロガーデンパーク(Sapporo Garden Park) - panoramio (2)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user t-konno used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Located near Japan Railway Naebo Station, Sapporo Garden Park is famous for the red-brick Sapporo Beer Museum. Not only is it the only beer museum in Japan, its historical building is also listed as one of Hokkaido’s monuments. The stall at the museum is stocked with numerous choices of drinks, and you can also enjoy the Ribbon Napolin cider that is exclusive to Hokkaido. Furthermore, you can have a great dinner at Sapporo Beer Garden, which is known for its delicious jingisukan, a Japanese dish of grilled mutton.

Sapporo Garden Park

Address: 9-1-1 Kita 7 Johigashi, Higashi-ku, Sapporo

Access info: 10-minute walk from Higashi-Kuyakushomae Station on Metro Toho Line

Opening hours: 10:30 - 18:00

Fixed holiday: Monday

Contact: +81 11-748-1876

Entrance fee: free

Official URL

(Only accessible for age 20+)

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Looking for souvenirs? Get them at New Chitose Airport!

Shopping World (New Chitose Airport)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Abasaa used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

The only international airport in Hokkaido, New Chitose Airport, Sapporo, is filled with numerous souvenirs that are exclusive to Hokkaido. Ranging from exclusive Shiretoko doughnuts to the famous Hokkaido gift of Shiroi Koibito (a type of cookie), you can entrust all your souvenir shopping to the last day at Hokkaido’s New Chitose Airport.

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Sapporo: the greatest city of Hokkaido

A trip to Hokkaido, a land filled with majestic nature and wonderful culture, is incomplete without visiting Sapporo. The beautiful scenery of the city can be appreciated from Sapporo Television Tower and Mount Moiwa, and the mouth-watering food culture can be enjoyed all around the city! Among so many great sites to visit, these 11 destinations will definitely allow you to enjoy not just 100%, but 200% of Sapporo!

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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