Things to Do in Sapporo: A Guide to Japan’s Northern Capital
When I stepped off the train at Sapporo station, the first thing I noticed was how open and modern the city felt compared to the crowded neighborhoods of Tokyo. Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, is a city of wide streets, good food, and a relaxed pace that makes it an easy place to explore. Over a few days I discovered that this northern city has far more to offer than the snow festival it is famous for.
Walk Odori Park
Start in the very center of Sapporo at Odori Park, a long green ribbon of grass and trees that cuts straight through the city. In summer the park is full of flower beds and food stalls, and in winter it hosts the centerpiece of the famous Sapporo Snow Festival. I walked the full length of it, from one end to the other, and it is an easy way to get your bearings. The Sapporo TV Tower stands at the east end, and the views from its observation deck give you a clear sense of the city grid laid out below you.
See the Sapporo Clock Tower and Former Government Building
Two of the city’s best known landmarks sit close together and take little time to see. The Sapporo Clock Tower is a small white wooden building that looks out of place among the modern offices around it, but it is a piece of the city’s frontier history. A short walk away, the old Hokkaido Government Building is a striking red brick structure that feels like a slice of 19th century Japan. I wandered through both on a single morning and found them a pleasant break from the shopping streets.
Eat Your Way Around Susukino
No visit to Sapporo is complete without a meal in Susukino, the entertainment district that lights up after dark. This is the neighborhood that made Hokkaido’s food famous, and it is the right place to try a bowl of miso ramen, Sapporo’s signature style, with its rich, hearty broth and a thick slab of butter and corn on top. I also tried genghis khan, the grilled lamb dish that Hokkaido claims as its own. The narrow lanes near the main street are full of small restaurants and bars, and on a cold night the glow of the signs and the steam rising from food stalls make the whole area feel welcoming.
Visit the Snow Festival in February
If you can time your trip to early February, the Sapporo Snow Festival is one of the great winter events in Japan. I visited during its peak, and the Odori Park site was lined with enormous snow and ice sculptures, some of them several stories tall and carved with fine detail. At night they were lit up with colored lights, and the cold did not seem to matter as the crowds moved slowly past each piece. The festival spills over into other parts of the city too, so give yourself a full day if you plan to see it all.
Take a Day Trip to Otaru
Sapporo itself has plenty to fill a few days, but I took a short train ride to the port town of Otaru and it ranks among my favorite excursions in Hokkaido. The old canal district with its stone warehouses and gas lamps feels quieter and more romantic than the city. I walked along the water in the late afternoon as the lamps began to glow, then wandered the glass shops and picked up a warm snack from a street vendor. Otaru is less than an hour from Sapporo, so it makes an easy and rewarding day trip.
Visit Nijo Market and the Sapporo Beer Museum
For a taste of the city beyond restaurants, I started a morning at Nijo Market, a covered fish and produce market near the center. Vendors sell fresh seafood, and a number of small stalls let you pick out items such as uni, sea urchin, and scallops to have grilled on the spot. It made a lively, delicious breakfast. Later I took in the history of Hokkaido’s most famous export at the Sapporo Beer Museum, housed in a red brick building that dates from the early factory era. I took a quick tour to understand how the brewery grew up with the city, then sampled a few beers at the attached hall, where a stein of the local lager paired well with lunch.
Plan Your Visit Well
Sapporo is connected to the rest of Japan by direct flights and a long but scenic train ride from Tokyo. Winter brings the snow and the famous festival but also real cold, so pack layers and warm boots if you come between December and February. Summer, by contrast, is mild and pleasant, with the hills around the city turning green. Whatever season you choose, Sapporo rewards slow exploration. Between the ramen shops of Susukino, the wide green parks, and the relaxed pace of life, I left the city feeling that I had barely scratched its surface and already wanting to return.
