Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, is Japan’s fifth largest city and famous for Sapporo Beer, delicious ramen, and the annual Snow Festival.
With its many parks and museums, it is a popular tourist destination for both Japanese and foreign visitors.
Flights from Tokyo to New Chitose Airport only take an hour and a half. From the airport, you can reach the city in 35 minutes via rapid train.
10 Popular Sapporo, Japan Travel Destinations
1. Botanic Garden, Hokkaido University
The Botanic Garden is part of Hokkaido University and offers around 4,000 varieties of plants including wildflowers, cherry blossoms, and autumn leaves. It is a relaxing place to go for a walk and enjoy nature.
You can walk from Sapporo Station to the garden in about 10 minutes. It is open 9:00 am-6:00 pm and costs 420 yen (closed Mondays). In the winter, you can only enter the greenhouse, which costs 120 yen.
2. Historical Village of Hokkaido
The Historical Village of Hokkaido is an outdoor museum featuring historical buildings from the mid 19th to early 20th century. There is even a horse carriage that provides transportation in the village.
Nearby is the Hokkaido Museum, which gives the history of Hokkaido and the Ainu people. It is a 10-minute walk from the Historical Village.
From Sapporo Station, take a local train to Shinrin Koen Station. The trip takes about 15 minutes and costs 260 yen. Then, board a bus bound for the Historical Village of Hokkaido. It takes about 5 minutes and costs 210 yen.
It is open 9:00 am-4:30 pm (closed Mondays). The Village costs 800 yen and the Museum costs 600 yen, or you can get a combination ticket for 1,200 yen.
3. Sapporo Beer Museum
Sapporo Beer is one of the oldest beers in Japan. It has been brewed in Sapporo since 1877. The Museum introduces the history of beer in Japan and the process of beer making.
After the tour, you can try the beers for a small fee, or you can visit the Sapporo Beer Garden next door. The Beer Garden offers all-you-can-drink beer and BBQ.
You can walk from Sapporo Station to the museum in about 25 minutes, or take a bus. The museum is open 11:30 am-8:00 pm (closed Mondays) and is free to enter.
4. Odori Park
Odori Park is a beautiful stretch of green running one and a half kilometers through the city. The relaxing space is the site of many events, including the Sapporo Snow Festival in February.
The Sapporo TV Tower is located at the eastern end of the park and features a panoramic view of the city from its observation deck. It is open from 9:30 am-9:30 pm and costs 720 yen.
You can walk from Sapporo Station to the park in about 10 minutes.
5. Mount Moiwa
At the top of Mount Moiwa is an observation deck offering a panoramic view of the city. Also at the summit are a restaurant, planetarium, and theater. It is a popular destination in the evening to see the city lights.
From Susukino, take the streetcar to Ropeway Iriguchi Station. It takes about 25 minutes and costs 170 yen. Then, walk about 5 minutes to Moiwa Sanroku Station to get on the ropeway. The ropeway is open from 10:30 am-10:00 pm and costs 1,700 yen round-trip.
6. Susukino
Susukino is the entertainment district in Sapporo. It offers over 3,600 restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. Ramen Yokocho is a famous alley serving many varieties of Sapporo ramen.
From Sapporo Station, take the subway to Susukino Station.
7. Clock Tower
The Clock Tower was built in 1878 and is a cultural symbol of Sapporo. The clock itself was actually purchased from a clock company in Boston, Massachusetts in 1881, and it has been chiming ever since.
Inside the tower is a museum showcasing the history of the clock and of Sapporo.
You can walk from Sapporo Station to the Clock Tower in about 10 minutes. It is open from 8:45 am-5:00 pm and costs 200 yen.
8. Okurayama Observatory
In 1972, Sapporo hosted the Winter Olympics and the Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium was the venue for the 90-meter ski jump competitions. Now it is an observatory with scenic views of the city.
The Sapporo Winter Sports Museum features exhibits from the Olympics and has fun simulation games (admission is 600 yen).
From Odori Station, take the train to Maruyama Koen Station. It takes about 5 minutes and costs 200 yen. Then, take a bus to Okurayama Kyogijo Iriguchi. It takes about 10-15 minutes and costs 210 yen.
The observatory is open from 9:00 am-5:00 pm and the chair lift costs 500 yen round-trip.
9. Nijo Market
Nijo Market is over 100 years old and offers local produce and seafood. It is known for its selection of crab, scallops, salmon eggs, and sea urchin.
The market is open everyday from 7:00 am-6:00 pm, with many restaurants opening for breakfast at 6:00 am.
From Odori Station, you can walk to the market in about 10 minutes.
10. Jozankei Onsen
Jozankei Onsen is located near the Toyohira River and offers natural hot springs, ryokan, restaurants, and shops. It is especially beautiful in the fall when the leaves begin to change color.
You can reach Jozankei Onsen in a little over an hour by taking a bus from Sapporo Station.
