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
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/)
Sapporo Television Tower- the symbol of Odori Park
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
Enjoy the freshest seafood at Nijo Market
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
You might be interested in these Airbnbs!
Ramen Republic - all of Hokkaido’s ramen
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
The Former Hokkaido Government Office
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.
I went to Sapporo! Take a photo at Sapporo Clock Tower
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)
Visit the cute animals in Maruyama Zoo!
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)
The panoramic night view of Sapporo from Mount Moiwa
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.
Carvings in nature: Moerenuma Park
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
Discover the history of Japan’s beer!
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
(Only accessible for age 20+)
Looking for souvenirs? Get them at New Chitose Airport!
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.
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!
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
Create an account to bookmark our articles, like local expert tips, receive great stories in your inbox, and follow writers and topics that you love.
Log in with Google ×