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A snowy night in Sapporo.
A snowy night in Sapporo.  - Photo by Michael Kilcoyne

Explore the Hidden Wonders of Sapporo, Japan – A Must-

About Sapporo, Japan

Sapporo is the largest city and capital of Japan's northern island of Hokkaido. Known for its beautiful parks, skiing resorts, and beer, Sapporo is a year-round destination. Notable attractions include the Sapporo Beer Museum, the historic Shiroi Koibito Park, and the annual Sapporo Snow Festival.

Sapporo is a beautiful city located in northern Japan. It is the capital of Hokkaido, Japan's second-largest island, and is known for its snow festivals, delicious food, and stunning natural scenery. In this post, we will explore some of the best things to see and do in Sapporo.

One of the most popular attractions in Sapporo is the Sapporo Snow Festival, which takes place every February. This festival features incredible snow and ice sculptures, many of which are several stories tall. The festival attracts visitors from all over the world and is a must-see for anyone visiting Sapporo in the winter.

Another popular attraction in Sapporo is the Odori Park. This park is located in the center of the city and is a great place to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery. During the winter months, the park is transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with ice sculptures and other winter activities.

Sapporo is also known for its delicious food. One of the most famous dishes in Sapporo is the Sapporo Ramen, a delicious soup made with noodles, vegetables, and meat. Other popular dishes include Genghis Khan, a grilled lamb dish, and Jingisukan, a dish made with grilled mutton.

If you are looking for some adventure, Sapporo is a great place to visit. The city is surrounded by beautiful mountains and is a great place for hiking and skiing. There are also many hot springs and natural parks in the area, making it a great destination for nature lovers.

In conclusion, Sapporo is a beautiful city with a lot to offer visitors. From its stunning natural scenery to its delicious food and exciting winter festivals, there is something for everyone in Sapporo. Whether you are looking for adventure or relaxation, Sapporo is a destination that should not be missed.

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Popular Stays in Sapporo, Japan

Explore some of the most affordable vacation packages and accommodation stays in Sapporo, Japan

Keio Plaza Hotel Sapporo is only 5 minutes walking from JR Sapporo Station. 5 minutes walking to Daimaru department store, Hokkaido University, 10 minutes walking to Steller Place, JR Tower, and 15 minutes walking distance to Odori Park where the snow festival is held in February. Offers delicious and variety of breakfast, free Wi-Fi and selected high-quality amenities. There are Teppanyaki, Traditional Japanese cuisine with private room (reservation required in advance), Sushi restaurants, coffee shop, bakery, and bar in the hotel.  Gym and indoor pool are available in the hotel (over 16 years old and fee applied).
An urban area where different styles, trends and information intersect simultaneously, A hotel suited to our modern age. equipped with all of the refined function and service there is to offer. A fresh and comfortable space. This hotel can show how good a hotel can be.
Established in 1934, Sapporo Grand Hotel is one of the best authentic hotels in Sapporo. Guest rooms are decorated with classical interior. In our restaurants, you can savor French and Chinese cuisine using local ingredients, and also Hokkaido cuisine with atmosphere of pioneer days. Sky banquet room is on the 17th floor. A large banquet hall accommodating 1,000 guests is on the 2nd floor.
Sapporo Excel Hotel Tokyu is a high-rise hotel, located in the center of Sapporo, the central city of Hokkaido. The location is truly satisfactory both to sightseers and business travelers. You can also enjoy the seasonal beauties of the surrounding nature.
This up-scale hotel enjoys a fantastic location in the heart of Sapporo, just a few minutes on foot from a subway station, allowing its visitors to easily go around the city. Those who stay at this property may choose to discover this romantic city with plenty of sightseeing attractions or travel to other nearby destinations, such as Furano or Hakodate-Onuma. Guest rooms are ideally decorated and fully equipped with a wide range of useful amenities and toiletries to guarantee the utmost comfort and relaxation to all its guests. Moreover, they include complimentary wireless Internet connection for further comfort. Apart from the fine and varied restaurants and the meeting facilities and services that are offered, visitors will also be able to pamper themselves at the establishment's open-air hot spring.
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Business hotels

Ana Crowne Plaza Hotel Sapporo

Situated in Sapporo, one of the biggest cities in Japan, ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo has been a landmark for luxury and relaxation coupled with the best of Japanese hospitality. Each of the 412 guest rooms features natural color toning and a comfortable interior, creating an exquisite environment for a pleasurable experience. ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo features 18 banquet rooms of varying sizes to cater to any application. The unique sky banquet rooms on the 23rd and 24th floors and a Sapporo’s largest authentic sukiya-style tatami room coupled with perfectly synchronized sound and lighting, aim to provide the perfect atmosphere for any event. Restaurants at ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo aim to please even the most fastidious foodie with five different offerings bringing everything from Japanese cuisine to Teppanyaki to the table. Cafe Minamo provides the perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of the outside world while guests can revel in the panorama at a sky lounge, Sapporo View. All Day Dining MEM is now open. There is a restaurant like a heartwarming maison in the northland welcomes guests with the best hospitality and food. Easily accessible and centrally located, ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo is just a minute’s walk from the Sapporo Subway Station and an additional six minutes from JR Sapporo Station. The airport bus shuttling to and from the hotel and the New Chitose Airport takes about an hour. Please note that 1 Double Bed Standard EV (near elevator) is located next to the elevator. Unfortunately, we cannot change the room type after check-in. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
Choose the stylish ANA Crowne Plaza Chitose hotel, 6km from New Chitose Airport, for doing business in Sapporo or playing golf in Hokkaido’s rolling countryside. Stroll through the grand lobby with sweeping staircase and collect the key to your spacious room or suite at ANA Crowne Plaza Chitose. While we take care of your luggage, you can confirm your tee-off time on the golf course. Then head to our 11th-floor Astral bar to celebrate your arrival with a seasonal cocktail and sweeping city views. ANA Crowne Plaza Chitose is in the centre of Chitose just 15 minutes by taxi from New Chitose Airport. We're 7 minutes’ walk from JR Chitose rail station, where you can reach Sapporo, Hokkaido's capital, in 30 minutes. This is golfing country and you'll find 30 golf courses within half an hour's drive. Let our Crowne Events Director arrange all the details and host a stunning reception or successful conference for up to 600 in our 8 meeting rooms. Exquisite Japanese cuisine featuring seasonal Hokkaido ingredients is on the menu at Haskap and Fujihana restaurants. Fujihana specialises in sushi while Haskap also draws on Western and Chinese cooking traditions. With our prime location close to Sapporo’s main airport, you can make ANA Crowne Plaza Chitose your base for business in the city or for travelling to other parts of Hokkaido, Japan and Asia.
This 32-floor, landmark tower is located just 3 minutes on foot from the ticket gate of JR Shin-Sapporo Station and 1 minute on foot from Exit 9 of Shin-Sapporo Station on the Tozai Subway Line. From the upper floors, guests can enjoy the view of Sapporo's townscape, majestic mountains, and beautiful night scenery. Just 28 minutes from JR New Chitose Airport Station via the Rapid Airport Line, and 8 minutes from JR Sapporo Station via the Rapid Airport Line. It is about 10 minutes by car from the expressway interchange, and about 15 minutes by car to the Sapporo Dome, providing it with excellent access. For guests staying consecutive nights The first room cleaning will take place on the Day 4 of your stay and will be done every third day afterwards. Room will not be cleaned for the first three nights. On the days when cleaning is not scheduled, we collect trash and provide clean towels and amenities including toothbrush.

Things to do in Sapporo, Japan

Choose from a range of unique experiences and fun activities in Sapporo, Japan

Enjoy an efficient, full-day walking tour of Sapporo accompanied by a government-licensed and experienced English-speaking guide! Your guide will help you explore Sapporo while introducing both modern and traditional sides of this dynamic, ancient city. Sapporo City, on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, may be more famous for its winter activities, but your private guide will tell you that it is a destination that can be enjoyed year-round. Our tours feature a morning pickup at your hotel in Sapporo, then a visit to any number of possible sites. Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize a six-hour, full-day tour that's best for you! Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary. This is a walking tour. You cannot combine tour groups or multiple reservations. Only 10 max per tour.
Enjoy an efficient, half-day walking tour of Sapporo accompanied by a government-licensed, experienced English-speaking guide! Your guide will help you explore Sapporo while introducing both modern and traditional sides of this dynamic, ancient city. Sapporo City, on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, may be more famous for its winter activities, but your private guide will tell you that it is a destination that can be enjoyed year-round. Our tours feature a morning pickup at your hotel in Sapporo, then a visit to any number of possible sites. Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize a four-hour, half-day tour that's best for you! Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary. This is a walking tour. You cannot combine tour groups or multiple reservations. Only 10 max per tour.
Enjoy the top Hokkaido sightseeing spots, Asahiyama Zoo, Biei's Blue Pond, Shirahige Falls, and Furano's Ningle Terrace, all in one day. Of course, we can make arrangements, so please feel free to contact us for any transportation needs within Hokkaido. We will impress you with our "safe, secure, and comfortable" transportation. *Note Asahiyama Zoo: Maintenance will be performed in April and November. On maintenance days, there will be alternatives or no service Blue Pond: During winter, the pond may not appear as blue due to snow accumulation. Ningle Terrace: Maintenance will be performed in November.
This private and customizable tour for Sapporo is perfect for guests who would like to have their own itinerary planned based on their interests and preferences, allowing guests to experience the city at their own pace.
This private and customizable tour for Sapporo is perfect for guests who would like to have their own itinerary planned based on their interests and preferences, allowing guests to experience the city at their own pace.
-Indulge in some amazing seafood, fresh from the cold seas of Hokkaido!- Enter a secret, underground Izakaya, say "Kanpai!" and enjoy some locally produced food and drinks! -Hopping various Izakayas, recommended by Sapporo local guides- Fill up your stomach and decide where you want to enjoy some more Hokkaido food/drink on your next stop while hearing about your local guide's favorite locations. Sapporo is home to various unique drinking spots like a hidden indoor bar. -Conclude your night with more drinks! Finish with a sweet parfait or with a savory Ramen- Hokkaido is the place where you can enjoy drinking in many ways. Drink some Hokkaido whiskey or beer? Finish by filling up your stomach with a parfait or a Japanese favorite: ramen! Magical Trip is a local tour operator with the TripAdvisor certificate of excellence that offers various types of small-group tours throughout Japan! Check out our Trip Advisor Page for more tours and our reviews!
On a personalized and private experience, discover the real Sapporo with a local Host, exploring the city on an itinerary totally customized to your interests and wishes! Whether you want to get off the beaten path and discover some quirky local neighborhoods or tick the famous sights and landmarks off your bucket list, your local Host will introduce you to the very best of their city. You'll experience Sapporo just as if you were visiting an old friend who lived there, so ditch the guidebook and live like a local for the day!

Get your hands on the magical JR Rail Pass to explore the scenic spots in Hokkaido, Noboribetsu, or Furano without worrying about transportation.

  • Access Japan's convenient railway system to see the best of Hokkaido, Noboribetsu, or Furano
  • Book through Over The Planet to enjoy exclusive discounts you can get nowhere else
  • Take advantage of various package options to best accommodate your needs
  • Book after October 2023 and get unlimited quotas to reserve seats on the conventional lines (zairaisen) without any extra costs!

Why People Love Sapporo, Japan

See what people have to say about activities and accommodations in Sapporo, Japan

L
Lisa_Amini
5
Sep 2022
My daughter and I only got a chance to stay in Sapporo for 2 days and one of our days was with Roy. Prior to our tour, Roy asked us about our personal interests and learned about my daughter's enthusiasm for the Oral Cigarettes, which is a Japanese rock band. While creating an itinerary for us,...
K
Kevin_N
4
Dec 2023
Good tour of the City and History. Highlights were included and it was a pleasant experience. I would recommend!
C
Craeay
5
Aug 2022
Roy (Ryoei Aoki) was a WONDERFUL guide during our three day tour of Sapporo and Otaru! He was extremely detailed oriented, had a great sense of humor and was a fantastic tour guide. Many Thanks JGA for setting up this tour with Roy! This was my second time in Sapporo but Jon’s first time. Roy...

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Frequently Asked Questions about Sapporo

What are the must-visit attractions in Sapporo?

Sapporo is a city with many interesting attractions. One of the most popular is the Sapporo Snow Festival which takes place every February. Other popular attractions include the Sapporo Beer Museum, Odori Park, and the Hokkaido Shrine.

What are some outdoor activities to do in Sapporo?

Sapporo is surrounded by mountains and nature, so there are many outdoor activities to enjoy. In the summer, you can go hiking or camping in the nearby mountains. In the winter, you can go skiing or snowboarding at one of the many ski resorts in the area.

What are some kid-friendly activities in Sapporo?

There are many kid-friendly activities in Sapporo. The Sapporo Science Center is a popular attraction for families, as well as the Maruyama Zoo. You can also take a ride on the Sapporo Streetcar or visit the Sapporo Children's Museum.

What are some unique experiences to have in Sapporo?

One unique experience to have in Sapporo is to visit the Sapporo Snow Festival. You can also try the local cuisine, such as Sapporo ramen and jingisukan (grilled lamb). Another unique experience is to visit the Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium, which was used in the 1972 Winter Olympics.

What are some popular shopping areas in Sapporo?

Sapporo has many shopping areas, including the Tanukikoji Shopping Arcade, the Sapporo Factory shopping mall, and the Mitsukoshi Department Store. You can also find many souvenirs and local products at the Nijo Market.

What are some hot springs near Sapporo?

There are many hot springs near Sapporo, including Jozankei Onsen and Noboribetsu Onsen. Some of these hot springs also offer stunning views of the surrounding nature.

What are some recommended accommodations in Sapporo?

There are many good accommodations in Sapporo, ranging from budget guesthouses to luxury hotels. Some recommended options include the Hotel Monterey Sapporo, the Ibis Styles Sapporo, and the APA Hotel Sapporo Susukino Ekimae.

What is the best way to get around Sapporo?

The best way to get around Sapporo is by using the city's subway system. There are also buses and streetcars available, but the subway is the most convenient and efficient way to travel.

What is the best time of year to visit Sapporo?

The best time of year to visit Sapporo depends on what you want to do. If you want to attend the Sapporo Snow Festival, then February is the best time to visit. If you want to enjoy the city's outdoor activities, then the summer months of July and August are ideal.

What are some day trips to take from Sapporo?

There are many day trips you can take from Sapporo, including a visit to Otaru, a charming port town known for its glassware and music boxes. You can also visit Lake Toya, a scenic lake surrounded by mountains, or Asahiyama Zoo, which is one of the best zoos in Japan.