Sapporo

Travel Guide

Sapporo TV Tower which includes night scenes, a city and landscape views
Sapporo JR Tower featuring a city and night scenes
Mount Moiwa showing landscape views, snow and mountains
Sapporo showing a city, landscape views and a sunset
Sapporo which includes night scenes, a city and street scenes
With ski slopes, parks, beer gardens and festivals, this sprawling city on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido has something to offer year-round.

The vibrant city of Sapporo is one of Japan’s largest cities and most popular tourist destinations. With snow on the ground for about four months of the year, Sapporo is famous for its wintersports and hosted the 1972 Winter Olympics. The city is also a big draw in the summer with its parks, bars and beer gardens.

Relax in Odori Park, a large, grassy expanse with fountains, benches and gardens. It encompasses 12 blocks through central Sapporo. At the eastern end is the Sapporo TV Tower. Travel up to its viewing platform, 295 feet (90 meters) above street level. During February, the park is the setting for the Sapporo Snow Festival, a week-long event with ice sculptures, snow rides and concerts.

During the winter, make your way to the ski resorts in the mountains around Sapporo. Go cross-country skiing at Nakajima Park and try night skiing at Sapporo Bankei Ski Area. Take the children sledding and snow tubing at Mount Moiwa Ski Resort, which has a gentle family slope for beginners. If you’re a non-skier, try computer-simulated ski challenges at the Winter Sports Museum at the foot of the Okurayama Ski jump.

The city is also known for its beer. Learn about the history of the beverage in Japan at the Sapporo Beer Museum. During summer, many beer gardens open up in parks and on the rooftops of buildings across the city.

Try the alcohol with delicious local food. Visit Susukino, the large entertainment district, which is packed with bars, restaurants and nightclubs. Try fresh sushi in the Sushi-ya restaurants or explore Ramen Yokocho, a narrow lane lined with restaurants serving ramen, a popular noodle soup.

Reach Sapporo by flying into New Chitose Airport, which is 30 miles (48.3 kilometers) southeast of the city. Get around Sapporo by public transportation, or by renting a car or bicycle. Visit Sapporo to take advantage of its fantastic skiing, enjoy local cuisine and explore its beautiful outdoor areas.

Where to stay in Sapporo

Sapporo TV Tower which includes night scenes, a city and landscape views

Sapporo City Centre

4.5/5(314 area reviews)

Odori Park and Tanukikoji Shopping Street are top sights in Sapporo City Centre, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Nishi-Yon-Chome Stop or Odori Station to see more sights in the area.

Sapporo City Centre
Susukino

Susukino

Numerous restaurants, bars, and hotels in this adult-oriented neighborhood offers a lively atmosphere. Savor Sapporo ramen at Ganso Rāmen Yokochō and Shin Rāmen Yokochō for a memorable culinary experience.

Susukino
Sapporo TV Tower which includes night scenes, a city and landscape views

Chuo-ku

4.5/5(64 area reviews)

Central ward Chūō-ku offers a mix of city administration, entertainment facilities, and historical sites. Explore Susukino's vibrant bars and pubs, visit Odori Park, or take a ropeway to Mt. Moiwa's panoramic views. Convenient transport options available.

Chuo-ku
Odori

Odori

Shopping, hot springs, and coffeehouses highlight some notable features of Odori. Make a stop by Odori Park or Tanukikoji Shopping Street while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Nishi-Hatchome Stop or Nishi-Yon-Chome Stop to get around town.

Odori
Default Image

Jozankei

Jozankei is noteworthy for its hot springs, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Jozankei Hot Spring and Kokusai Ski Resort.

Jozankei

Shinsapporo

4.5/5(4 area reviews)

Unique features of Shinsapporo include the shopping and restaurants. Make a stop by Sapporo Science Center or Sunpiazza Aquarium while you're exploring the area.

Shinsapporo
SAPPORO HOTEL by GRANBELL
SAPPORO HOTEL by GRANBELL
4 out of 5
2-chome-2-2 Kita 6 Johigashi, Higashi Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido
The price is ¥19,513 per night from Jul 17 to Jul 18
¥19,513
¥21,764 total
Jul 17 - Jul 18
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Sapporo. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Popular attractions Odori Park and Sapporo Clock Tower are ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (75 reviews)
"Great new hotel. Good location"

Reviewed on May 24, 2025

SAPPORO HOTEL by GRANBELL
Keio Plaza Hotel Sapporo
Keio Plaza Hotel Sapporo
4.5 out of 5
2-1 North 5 West 7,Chuou-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
The price is ¥15,807 per night from Jul 2 to Jul 3
¥15,807
¥17,388 total
Jul 2 - Jul 3
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Sapporo. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,001 reviews)
"Good location with good service. We were thankful for a complimentary upgrade to a renovated room. The only minus for us was that the queen bed was small for sleeping."

Reviewed on Jun 23, 2025

Keio Plaza Hotel Sapporo
Sapporo Excel Hotel Tokyu
Sapporo Excel Hotel Tokyu
4 out of 5
5-420, Nishi, Minami 8 Jo, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
The price is ¥9,910 per night from Jul 2 to Jul 3
¥9,910
¥12,209 total
Jul 2 - Jul 3
Stay at this 4-star luxury hotel in Sapporo. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,004 reviews)
"Great hotel. Room was spacious for Japan. Staff were professional. Short walk to the station."

Reviewed on Jun 10, 2025

Sapporo Excel Hotel Tokyu
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Minn Chitose
Minn Chitose
3 out of 5
2-1-1 Kashiwadaiminami, Chitose, Hokkaido
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly apartment in Chitose. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (539 reviews)
"Everything about the property is fine- it's spacious and clean. There are 2 shower areas, laundry and a kitchen. The lounge Unfortunately, the nearby outmall mall is now closed despite Google's assurances to the contrary. We were not fans of the check in process either. Even our 22 y at old daughter ..."

Reviewed on Jun 20, 2025

Minn Chitose
Hotel ONE'S RESIDENCE
Hotel ONE'S RESIDENCE
3 out of 5
2-5-67 Minami 8 jo nishi, Chuo ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Sapporo. Enjoy free WiFi and climate control. Popular attractions Odori Park and Nakajima Park are located nearby.
8.6/10 Excellent! (60 reviews)
"Great service. Clean and close to everything. Would book again."

Reviewed on Apr 11, 2025

Hotel ONE'S RESIDENCE
Minn Kitahiroshima Station East
Minn Kitahiroshima Station East
4 out of 5
Chuo, 5-8-1, Kitahiroshima, Hokkaido
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Kitahiroshima. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and concierge services. Popular attractions Es Con Field Hokkaido and ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (6 reviews)
"とても満足です。また利用したくなりました。"

Reviewed on Jun 13, 2025

Minn Kitahiroshima Station East
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Sapporo

4.6
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
212
5 - Excellent 62%
4 - Good
115
4 - Good 34%
3 - Okay
9
3 - Okay 3%
2 - Disappointing
3
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
1
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Walking in the snow was difficult, especially for a Hawaii boy with some back issues...If I had booked a hotel a bit closer to the action, perhaps it would not have been so bad. But the price here was reasonable so...I wish I had tried the cable car

5/5 - Excellent

Les

Love Sapporo. Big enough city but not as hustle and bustle as Tokyo.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Excellent experience

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

February in Sapporo meant temperatures down in the single digits. Certainly something to keep in mind.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Good seafood cuisine nearby.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

One of my favorite cities in Japan - lots to do, lots to see!

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