Sapporo
Travel Guide
Welcome to our Sapporo travel guide, exploring everything that Japan’s fifth-largest city has to offer. Sapporo is one of the snowiest cities in the world and while that is certainly a reason to visit, Sapporo is much more than a snowy metropolis. This relatively new city is home to some of the best seafood in Japan and, although famed for its heavy snowfall, it is one of the best places to visit in Japan during summertime with its warm days, lower humidity and ample green areas.
As the capital of Japan’s northern Hokkaido island prefecture, Sapporo offers a different kind of Japanese experience to visitors willing to travel that little bit out of their way. While you might think that Sapporo surely can’t be that different, visitors will be rewarded with unique local dishes, dramatic snowscapes, buzzing beer halls and easy access to some of the best mountains, skiing and outdoor adventures in Japan. Many skip Sapporo for nearby attractions, simply using the city as a transport hub but stay a little longer and explore and you will a wealth of attractions, great nightlife and a thriving food scene that will make you want to return again and again.
Sapporo Travel Guide Contents
Check out our other Japan Travel Guides:
Fukuoka Travel Guide | Hiroshima Travel Guide | Kyoto Travel Guide | Osaka Travel Guide | Okinawa Travel Guide | Tokyo Travel Guide
Sapporo Travel Guide
How to get to Sapporo
Sapporo is the largest city in Hokkaido, Japan’s northmost island and, as a result, is very accessible via New Chitose Airport (CTS) and its JR train line connection. New Chitose Airport is located around 50km southeast of Sapporo city but is well connected to the city via train and bus services. The airport has one large domestic terminal and a smaller international terminal, it is a large, well-equipped and comfortable airport with many shops, restaurants and facilities. The majority of flights to and from New Chitose are domestic Japan flights but it does also operate international flights to and from other destinations within Asia including Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore. Although air travel is the most convenient way to get to Sapporo, it is also connected to the rest of Hokkaido and Japan via trains to Sapporo station. However, Sapporo is one of Japan’s few major cities not yet accommodating the Shinkansen so although travel by train is possible from mainland Japan, the Shinkansen will only get you as far as Hakodate and from there you will need to take a standard train, making the journey much longer, but still a viable option. If you arrive in Sapporo via train, you’ll be arriving at Sapporo station which is located in the centre of Sapporo and excellently connected to the city via the subway. We’ve covered how to get to Sapporo from its airport and Hakodate below:
By Train From New Chitose Airport – A rapid airport train connects New Chitose airport to Sapporo station every 15 minutes from around 06:30 to 10:55 daily. The journey takes 39 minutes and costs ¥1,150 ($7.80) for a non-reserved seat or ¥1,990 ($13.50) for a reserved seat. This is the quickest and most convenient way to travel from the airport to Sapporo city centre. From Sapporo station, you can access Sapporo subway, bus and tram services
By Bus from New Chitose Airport – The New Chitose Limousine airport bus can be a good option if you want to avoid the train, have lots of luggage, or are staying at a major hotel in Sapporo that the bus stops directly outside of. The bus departs outside the international and domestic terminals every 20 minutes from 08:05 to 23:00 with one early bus at 06:39. Tickets can be bought at counters inside both terminals. Tickets cost ¥1,100 ($7.50) and the journey takes around 70 minutes
By Taxi from New Chitose Airport – Taking a taxi from New Chitose to Sapporo city centre can be an expensive option but it may be your only option depending on your arrival time. Taxis are available from outside arrivals and the journey will cost around ¥18,000 ($122.50). Most taxi drivers now take card payments but it’s wise to check beforehand and have cash ready if required. The journey takes around 1 hour
By Train from Hakodate – If you’re travelling by train to Sapporo from mainland Japan, you’ll need to get the Shinkansen to Hakodate and change at Hakodate station for the JR Hokuto line. The schedule varies throughout the day with departing trains ranging from 40 minutes between trains to 90 minutes between trains, operating from around 06:00 to 18:45. The journey to Sapporo from Hakodate takes 3 hours 50 minutes and costs around ¥9,440 ($64), depending on seat reservation type chosen. Tickets can be bought at the machines or the desks in the station (available in English)
Areas to stay in Sapporo
Sapporo is a large city but most of the main attractions in Sapporo’s city centre can be reached within a 30-minute walk if you’re staying central. This, alongside the excellent public transport network, makes choosing where to stay in Sapporo more of a question of what you want to be close to. Thankfully, we’ve listed the most popular areas to stay in Sapporo to help you plan your trip::
Odori Park – One of the best areas to stay in Sapporo, the area around Odori Park is one of the best locations for being central to most things in the city including the subway, the best nightlife and some of the most popular attractions
Susukino – Situated south of Odori park and Sapporo station, Susukino is Sapporo’s sparkling nightlife district. This is where to stay to be close to the best nightlife in Sapporo as well as the largest selection of restaurants and cafes
Sapporo Station – Located north in Sapporo city centre, this is the area surrounding Sapporo station, which is the most convenient location for being close to trains and getting to the airport. The area has many hotels plus a good range of bars, restaurants and shops
Nakajima Park – Located south of the city centre, the areas surrounding Nakajima Park is less busy and much quieter but the city centre is easily accessed by a good selection of public transport links nearby. There are several large hotels here including popular Japanese chain hotels. This location is best for families or those wanting to be closer to nature
Accommodation in Sapporo
There are lots of great accommodation options in Sapporo including hostels, capsule hotels, apartments, business hotels and high-end hotels. Whatever your requirements, Sapporo will have something to fit your needs and generally for a reasonable price. Here are our top picks for accommodation in Sapporo:
Budget Hostel | SappoLodge – Located south of Sapporo city centre, SappoLodge is ideal for solo visitors and those on a budget. Rooms options include private twins and dormitory beds, which alongside a warm and inviting shared lounge and kitchen area make the hostel the perfect place to meet new people and relax
Mid-Range Hotel | Rembrandt Style Sapporo – The Rembrandt Style Sapporo is located in Susukino, a great base for exploring the city and features business-style hotel rooms with warmth and contemporary furnishings. A buffet-style breakfast and standard hotel amenities make this hotel a solid mid-range option for those wanting a place to stay while experiencing Sapporo
Mid-Range Hotel | The Knot Sapporo – Ideally situated in the centre of Sapporo, just a few minute’s walk from Susukino station, The Knot is a beautifully designed hotel that offers guests contemporary, cosy shared areas including a lounge and restaurant. These rooms are also clean, comfortable and well-equipped and come in various options making this hotel a great option for visitors to the city
High-End Hotel | Onsen Ryokan Yuen Sapporo – Situated close to Sapporo Station, Onsen Ryokan Yuen is a modern-style traditional Japanese Inn with simple, beautifully designed rooms. The Ryokan also features a restaurant, a hot-spring bath and a sauna for guest use. A solid option for those wanting to have a uniquely Japanese experience while staying in the centre of Sapporo
High-End Hotel | Cross Hotel Sapporo – Located just a 5-minute walk from Sapporo train station, Cross Hotel Sapporo is a large hotel with a good selection of larger than usual, comfortable rooms, a restaurant and the bonus of an indoor and outdoor public bath. With great service and top amenities, this hotel is great for those wanting a more relaxing and comfortable stay in Sapporo
How to get around Sapporo
While Sapporo is one of the few major cities in Japan without a Shinkansen connection (due to be finished in 2030), it does have an excellent local transport network that offers a useful, easy-to-use and inexpensive way to get around the city. Sapporo city centre is also a joy to walk around with lots of parks, wide streets and much to see. While you can buy tickets and day passes to get around Sapporo, the local transport network accepts IC cards from all over Japan so you can easily top up and use your IC card throughout the city. Here are the most popular options for how to get around Sapporo:
Subway – The subway is the most convenient way to get around Sapporo. With three lines, the subway covers most of the major tourist attractions in the centre of Sapporo and is not affected by snow during the winter. The subway operates from around 06:00 to 00:00 with regular services. Tickets can be bought at the machines (available in English and other languages) or desks at the station and include day pass options, or you can use an IC card and top this up as you go, which is generally much more convenient. Journey prices range from ¥200 – ¥370 ($1.35 – $3.50) for a one-way journey, depending on the distance travelled. Child fares are generally half the price of adult fares
Train – Two train lines are operating in and out of Sapporo from Sapporo station. One line heads north to Otaru and the other south to Chitose airport and onwards to Hakodate. The southern line also splits off to Asahikawa. If you’re planning to stay within Sapporo then it is unlikely that you will need to use the train besides getting to and from the airport but for trips outside of the city centre, such as to Otaru, you will need to take the train. Trains generally run from around 06:00 to 23:00 and ticket prices vary depending on destination and seat reservation type. Tickets can be bought at the station or paid for by IC card
Streetcar – Sapporo’s streetcar service covers the southwestern portion of downtown Sapporo in a loop where there is no subway service. The streetcar is a scenic way to get around this area and it operates from 06:00 to 23:00. Journeys can be paid for in cash when leaving the streetcar or with an IC card and are charged at a flat rate of ¥200 ($1.35) for adult journeys and ¥100 ($0.70) for child journeys
Bus – There is an extensive bus service operating in Sapporo which covers most of the city and operates from 06:00 to 23:30. Three bus companies operate routes which are Hokkaido Chuo Bus, JR Hokkaido Bus, and Jotetsu Bus. The bus is very useful for getting to harder-to-reach attractions and areas of the city. Prices vary depending on the route and destination and can be paid for in cash or with an IC card. Check Eki-Bus Navi for bus timetables and routes or ask at your hotel or tourist information offices for further help
Taxi – Taxies can be a convenient and easy way to get around Sapporo but they can also be expensive. There are taxi ranks throughout the city or you can hail a taxi on the street. The base price for a taxi in Sapporo is ¥670 ($4.55) for up to 1.6km and ¥80 ($0.55) per additional .3km. There are additional charges from 22:00 to 05:00. Most taxis do take credit cards but it’s always wise to carry some cash with you just in case they don’t!
Things to do in Sapporo
Although Sapporo has a reputation as a transport hub for getting to mountains, ski resorts and Onsen resorts, the city has lots of great attractions and events which are more than worth staying in Sapporo for. Here is a quick rundown of the top 5 best things to do in Sapporo:
Odori Park – Lining Sapporo city centre, Odori Park is the main green space in Sapporo and is the home of the Sapporo TV tower. There are several landscaped areas, fountains and statues throughout the park and many events are held in it throughout the year
Susukino – This is the main nightlife and entertainment district of Sapporo and is a large area covering many streets and alleys. Here you will find bright lights, buzzing izakayas, cosy bars and much more
Sapporo Beer Museum & Hall – The home of Japanese beer, the Sapporo Beer Museum is free to enter and has some interesting exhibits about Sapporo beer and the beer-making process. After, enjoy a meal and beer in one of the beer hall venues around the museum
Nijo Market – Open from around 07:00 to 18:00, Nijo market is a public market in Sapporo city centre. It is a great place to see some of the finest seafood caught in Hokkaido including an array of crabs. There are also many restaurants here that serve fresh seafood for breakfast or lunch
Sapporo Snow Festival – Taking place over one week in February every year, the Sapporo Snow Festival is one of the largest winter events in Japan. The festival celebrates Sapporo’s legendary snow with a range of snow sculptures that are built every year
What to eat in Sapporo
Sapporo is home to over 6000 restaurants, bars and cafes ranging from tiny ramen restaurants and international restaurants to beer halls, traditional kaiseki restaurants and world food banquets. Across the city, there is a range of cuisines available including Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, French, Italian, Indian, Mexican and much more. The cold waters that surround Hokkaido make the area one of the best in Japan for seafood so make sure to try some of the freshest seafood in Japan while you’re visiting Sapporo. Here are our top picks of what to eat in Sapporo, Japan while you’re visiting:
Soup Curry – Hokkaido soup curry is a bowl full of flavour which commonly includes a chicken leg (lots of other meat or no meat options available) with lots of vegetables sat in thin, spicy curry stock and rice on the side
Seafood (Especially Crab!) – Try some of Japan’s freshest seafood in Sapporo including fresh sushi, kaisen-dons and plenty of crab options
Hokkaido Ramen – Made with a miso broth, Hokkaido ramen is the perfect winter warmer and usually comes topped with corn and butter
Genghis Khan – This is a delicious dish of lamb and vegetables which you cook on an iron skillet and is commonly found in beer halls in Sapporo
Dairy Products – Hokkaido is famous for cows so try butter, milk, ice cream and cheese products while in Sapporo to taste the best dairy in Japan
Money - Sapporo Travel Costs
The currency in Japan is the Japanese Yen (¥, 円 or JPY). Despite Japan’s reputation as a country of the future, cash is still the most common way to pay and many smaller shops, restaurants and bars will only take cash. Credit & Debit cards are usually accepted in larger stores and restaurants as well as chain restaurants, supermarkets and convenience stores. Paying by card in Sapporo is becoming easier but we would strongly advise having some cash to hand at all times, particularly for use in smaller stores and restaurants and for topping up your IC card. If you’re using a foreign credit or debit card, you can easily use ATMs within Japanese convenience stores (7-11, Familymart & Lawsons) to withdraw cash but do note that they always charge a small fee. Tipping is not required in Sapporo and can even be considered rude in some cases. Prices in the centre of Sapporo are generally very reasonable and you can find good accommodation options and dining options that are far better value than in most developed cities. Here’s a quick guide for what you can expect to pay (per person) in Sapporo for:
A local draught beer – ¥400 – ¥650 ($3-$5)
A coffee – ¥400 – ¥650 ($3-$5)
An onigiri (Japanese rice ball snack) – ¥100 – ¥200 ($0.75 – $1.50)
Budget restaurant meal – ¥900 – ¥1500 ($7 – $12)
Mid-range restaurant meal – ¥2000 – ¥4000 ($15 -$30)
High-end restaurant meal – ¥5000 + ($38+)
When to go to Sapporo and for how long
Sapporo is very much a year-round destination. In summer, from July to September, it has a slightly milder climate than the rest of Japan with less humidity, providing a much-needed break from the hot, humid summer days in Tokyo and across mainland Japan. Summer is also the best time to visit Sapporo to enjoy the large beer festival which lines Odori Park in August. Equally, Winter is a great time to visit Sapporo to see some of Japan’s best snow and to do any snow-related activities including the large snow festival which takes place in Sapporo in February for one week every year. We would recommend visiting Sapporo for at least 3 days to take in the main attractions and sample the local food. If you’re planning to do a day trip or two then you could spend 4 days to accommodate these.
Local language and phrases
Sapporo is a popular tourist destination within Japan, particularly for skiing so you will have no problem finding English-speaking help and English menus. However, as with much of Japan, it’s wise to learn a few key Japanese words and phrases before visiting, to help you get by and avoid any awkward situations. We’ve put together a list of Japanese words and phrases that might be useful in our Japan guide so make sure you take a look before going
Sapporo travel tips
– Sapporo is a very safe city to visit and is safe for lone travellers, including lone females
– Some cafes and restaurants cater to vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free diets but you might have to search them out a little
– The tap water is safe to drink in Sapporo
– Check out our general Japan guide for tips on Japanese customs and manners to follow while visiting Sapporo
Sapporo travel guide written in October 2022
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