Explore Sapporo

Explore Sapporo: Top Attractions and Itinerary

Sapporo is the most vibrant city in Hokkaido and the first stop for most visitors arriving in the region. Sapporo City by Alex Mesmer

Transportation to and Around Sapporo

Getting to Sapporo

Sapporo is not connected to cities like Tokyo or Osaka by Shinkansen. Most travelers choose to fly to Sapporo and then take the JR train to visit nearby cities. Hakodate Map

From New Chitose Airport to Sapporo

New Chitose Airport is about 40 kilometers from Sapporo.

If you’re heading to Sapporo Station, the recommended option is the JR train. The journey takes about 40 minutes and costs 1,150 yen. For more details, click here.
The airport bus provides direct access to some hotels in Sapporo. The ride takes at least 80 minutes, with fares starting at 1,300 yen. For more details, click here.

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New Chitose Airport is not only the busiest airport in Hokkaido but also a large commercial complex that combines shopping, dining, and entertainment. It’s a great place to plan a visit before arriving in or leaving Sapporo. For example, on the third floor, you can find various Hokkaido delicacies, such as soup curry and ramen. The Smile Road, which connects international and domestic terminals, features family-friendly attractions like the Royce’ Chocolate World, Hello Kitty Happy Flight Park, and DORAEMON WAKU WAKU SKY PARK.

Getting Around Sapporo

For tourists, the most commonly used mode of transportation is the subway. Subway fares depend on the travel distance, with adult fares ranging from 210 yen to 380 yen, and half-price for children. You can also purchase a one-day pass at the ticket machines, costing 830 yen for adults on weekdays and 520 yen on weekends and holidays.

Where to Stay in Sapporo

Near Sapporo Station (Most Convenient for Transportation)
JR Sapporo Station is the transportation hub of the Sapporo area. Whether you’re heading to the airport or traveling to nearby cities, staying here offers the most convenient and fastest access.

Sapporo Grand Hotel
★★★ Location 8.9 | Facilities 8.3 | Value for money 8.2 It’s about a 5-minute walk from Sapporo Station to the hotel, and you can reach it through an underground passage, so there’s no need to drag your luggage outside on snowy days. Sapporo hotel

Mitsui Garden Hotel Sapporo
★★★ Location 8.6 | Facilities 8.3 | Value for money 8.1
It’s about a 5-minute walk from Sapporo Station to the hotel, and it has a public bath. Sapporo hotel

Odori-Susukino Area (Great for Shopping and Dining)
The Odori-Susukino area is Sapporo’s famous shopping district, filled with department stores and restaurants. The well-known shopping street “Tanukikoji” is also located in this area.

Vessel Hotel Campana Susukino
★★★ Location 8.5 | Facilities 9.2 | Value for money 9.0
It’s a 5-minute walk from Exit 5 of Susukino Subway Station. The hotel has a public bath, and the breakfast is highly rated. Sapporo hotel

Nakajima Park Area (Best Value for Money)
Hotels around Sapporo Station and the Odori-Susukino area can be quite expensive during peak season. Staying near Nakajima Park is a great alternative. It’s just one stop from Susukino by subway, but the room rates are much more affordable.

Hotel JAL City Sapporo Nakajima Park
★★★ Location 8.5 | Facilities 8.9 | Value for money 8.5
It’s a 3-minute walk from Exit 2 of Nakajima Park Subway Station. The facilities are relatively new, and there is a public bath. Sapporo hotel

Sapporo Itinerary

Day 1: In the morning, visit Hokkaido Jingu Shrine and Maruyama Zoo, followed by a trip to the Shiroi Koibito Park in the afternoon. In the evening, head to Tanukikoji Shopping Street for some shopping.

Day 2: Spend the morning exploring nearby Otaru, and in the evening, consider visiting Mount Moiwa for a view of the night skyline. Sapporo Map

In autumn, you can visit Hokkaido University to see the ginkgo trees, while in winter, Odori Park is famous for its snow sculptures.

Top Attractions in Sapporo

Shiroi Koibito Park

This tourist spot is transformed from a factory and features a museum, chocolate factory, and an outdoor garden with European-style architecture. With a paid ticket, you can visit the museum and see the “Shiroi Koibito” production line. The museum also has a collection of historical tea sets from around the world and posters about chocolate. You can even make your own Shiroi Koibito cookie (reservation required).

Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM, depending on the date
Admission: 800 yen for adults, 400 yen for children, free for children under 3. Available for booking on Klook.
Recommended visit time: 1 - 2 hours
Tips: During winter (Nov. 15 - Mar. 31), it’s recommended to visit in the afternoon. Start with the indoor exhibits, then relax and enjoy some snacks while waiting for the evening. At night, the garden is beautifully lit up, and there’s a music show every hour, making it a great spot for photos. In other seasons, you can visit at any time. Be sure to try the cream puffs and pudding at the bakery on the first floor—they’re delicious!
Transportation: Take the Tozai subway line to Miyanosawa Station. Follow the signs for “Shiroi Koibito Park” through a long indoor corridor, and then head outside. Turn right and walk for about 4 minutes to reach the park.
Website: Shiroi Koibito Park Official Website
Selected Video: Shiroi Koibito Chocolate Park

Hokkaido Jingu

Hokkaido Jingu is the most important religious site in Hokkaido. In spring, the cherry blossoms bloom beautifully, and in winter, it’s covered in snow, offering stunning scenery.

Hours: 6:00 AM - 5:00 PM in summer, 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM in winter
Entrance Fee: Free
Recommended visit time: 30 minutes - 1 hour
Tips: First, visit the shrine to pray, draw fortune slips, and buy lucky charms. Afterward, you can relax and enjoy snacks at the nearby Rokkatei Jingu chaya. In winter, the snow is deep, and you can slide on tire tubes for free in the park near the shrine’s entrance.
Transportation: Take the Tozai subway line to Maruyama Koen Station, Exit 3, then walk 600 meters.
Website: Hokkaido Jingu Official Website
Selected Video: Japan snowfall walking

Sapporo City Maruyama Zoo

Located in Sapporo, this zoo features many animals that live in cold climates, such as polar bears, snow leopards, and Siberian tigers. The zoo is very close to Hokkaido Jingu, so you can plan to visit both in one trip.

Hours: March - October: 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM; November - February: 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Closed: The second and fourth Wednesday of each month, the day after public holidays, and during the New Year period. Because the schedule is complex, it’s recommended to check the official website calendar.
Admission: 800 yen for adults, 400 yen for high school students, free for junior high school students and younger.
Recommended visit time: 1 hour
Transportation:

Take the Tozai subway line to Maruyama Koen Station, Exit 3, and walk for 15 minutes.
It takes about 10 minutes to walk from Hokkaido Jingu.

Website: Maruyama Zoo Official Website
Selected Video: VLOG: Maruyama Zoo, Sapporo

Hokkaido University

Located in the center of Sapporo, Hokkaido University is the largest university in Japan by area. The campus features beautiful rows of ginkgo and maple trees, creating stunning scenery in the autumn.

Hours: Open 24 hours
Entrance Fee: Free
Recommended visit time: 30 minutes - 1 hour
Tips: It’s recommended to visit in the fall when the scenery is at its most beautiful. Don’t miss Ginkgo Avenue on campus, and you can also dine in the school cafeteria to experience student life (visitors can enter outside of weekdays from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM, and payment can be made in cash or by credit card).
Transportation: Take the Namboku subway line to Kitajunijo Station, Exit 2, and walk for about 4 minutes.
Website: Hokkaido University Official Website
Selected Video: Autumn at Hokkaido University

Mt.Moiwa Ropeway

Mt. Moiwa, with an elevation of 531 meters, is a popular sightseeing spot in Sapporo that offers panoramic views of the city. Its night view is ranked among Japan’s “New Three Major Night Views,” alongside Nagasaki’s Inasa Mountain and Kobe’s Maya Mountain. If your itinerary in Hokkaido doesn’t include the night view from Mount Hakodate, this is definitely worth a visit.

Hours: April - November 10:30 AM - 10:00 PM; December - March: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Admission: Round trip: 2,100 yen for adults, 1,050 yen for children. Available for booking on Klook.
Recommended visit time: 1.5 - 2 hours
Tips:

The ropeway ride consists of two sections. First, take the regular gondola to the halfway point, where you’ll find a small shrine and a souvenir shop. Then, transfer to a mini gondola to reach the summit. At the observation deck at the top, there is the “Bell of Happiness,” which is said to bring happiness if couples ring it together.
It’s recommended to go in the evening to watch the sunset and then continue to enjoy the night view. It can be very cold in winter at the mountain, so be sure to dress warmly.

Transportation: Take the city tram to Ropeway Iriguchi Station and transfer to the free shuttle bus that takes you to the cable car station at the base of the mountain.
Website: Mt.Moiwa Ropeway Official Website
Selected Video: Mount Moiwa Ropeway

Selected Video: Mt.Moiwa Sapporo Night View

Odori Park

Odori Park is a central park in Sapporo, approximately 1.5 kilometers long and 100 meters wide. At its eastern end stands the iconic Sapporo TV Tower, making it a great place for walking and photography. The park hosts a Lilac Festival in spring, a Beer Festival in summer, a Food Festival in autumn, and features snow sculptures and light shows in winter.

Hours: Open 24 hours
Entrance Fee: Free
Recommended visit time: 30 minutes
Transportation: Take the subway to Ōdōri Station.
Website: Odori Park Official Website
Selected Video: Sapporo Odori Park

Selected Video: Exploring Japan’s Largest Snow Festival

You can also spend 1,000 yen to go up to the observation deck of Sapporo TV Tower and get a bird’s-eye view of Sapporo. by Roméo A. | Lucas Cheng

Tanukikoji Shopping Street

Tanukikoji is a shopping street that spans seven blocks, extending from Tanukikoji 1-chome to Tanukikoji 7-chome. It is covered, allowing for enjoyable shopping even on snowy days.

Hours: Varies by store, but most are open from 10:30 AM to 8:00 PM
Recommended visit time: 30 minutes - 1 hour
Transportation: Take the subway to Ōdōri Station and walk for 5 minutes, or get off at Susukino Station and walk for 3 minutes.
Website: Tanukikoji Shopping Street Official Website
Selected Video: Sapporo Tanukikoji Shopping Arcade

Optional Attractions in Sapporo

Takino Suzuran Hillside Park

Located on the outskirts of Sapporo, this park is a great spot for flower viewing in spring and enjoying snow activities in winter.

Hours: Spring & Autumn: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Summer: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM; Winter: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Admission: Free in winter; other seasons: 450 yen for adults, free for children under 15
Recommended visit time: It’s recommended to start in the morning and take the last bus around 3:00 PM back to Sapporo, requiring a full day.
Transportation: Take the Namboku subway line to Makomanai Station, then transfer to the “Chuo Bus Takino Line 106” bus to reach the park.

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The park is large, and the last three bus stops (“Suzuran Koen Keiryukuchi” “Suzuran Koen Chuokuchi” and “Suzuran Park higashiguchi bus stop”) all provide access to the park. In winter, it’s recommended to get off at “Suzuran Park higashiguchi bus stop” which is closest to the ski area and the 200-meter-long tubing slide. Ski equipment can be rented in the park, and the tubing slide is completely free. “Suzuran Koen Keiryukuchi” has a 1-kilometer snow hiking trail that follows a creek to a frozen waterfall. Other activities are available in the warmer months.

Website: Takino Suzuran Hillside Park Official Website
Selected Video: 滝野の冬といえば「そりゲレンデ」

Selected Video: 滝野すずらん丘陵公園

Thank you for reading, and may you have a wonderful journey!
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