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
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
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
Hokkaido University showing heritage elements

Kita Ward

4.5/5(11 area reviews)

Noted for its shopping and restaurants, there's plenty to explore in Kita Ward. Top attractions like Hokkaido University Museum and Seikatei are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Kita-nijuyo-jo Station or Kita-sanjuyo-jo Station to see more of the city.

Kita Ward
Sapporo Tokyu REI Hotel

Sapporo Tokyu REI Hotel

3.5 out of 5
5-1, Nishi, Minami 4 Jo, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
The price is $52 total per night from Nov 3 to Nov 4
$52 total
per night
Nov 3 - Nov 4
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Sapporo. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,015 reviews)
"Breakfast buffet is so good."

Reviewed on Oct 6, 2025

Sapporo Tokyu REI Hotel
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 $66 total per night from Nov 3 to Nov 4
$66 total
per night
Nov 3 - Nov 4
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 ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,006 reviews)
Family Trip
"First time in Sapporo with family of 4. Great location as it’s close to lots of restaurants. The rooms were very spacious as well. Also multiple convenience store like Lawson & Seico Mart around the corners. There is also a small grocery store near by and a laundry place close by to do laundry if ..."

Reviewed on Jul 27, 2025

Sapporo Excel Hotel Tokyu
ES CON FIELD HOKKAIDO HOTEL Kitahiroshima Station

ES CON FIELD HOKKAIDO HOTEL Kitahiroshima Station

2 out of 5
1-52 Sakae-cho, Kitahiroshima, Hokkaido
The price is $46 total per night from Nov 5 to Nov 6
$46 total
per night
Nov 5 - Nov 6
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Kitahiroshima. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions Es Con Field Hokkaido and Sapporokitahiroshima ...
7.8/10 Good! (370 reviews)
"もう少しお安ければ、また泊まりたいです。"

Reviewed on Oct 6, 2025

ES CON FIELD HOKKAIDO HOTEL Kitahiroshima Station
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.
FAV LUX Sapporo Susukino

FAV LUX Sapporo Susukino

4 out of 5
Minami 6-jo Nishi 7-chome, 2-2, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Sapporo. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and onsite spa services. Popular attractions Odori Park and Sapporo Dome are ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (30 reviews)
"Clean room. Good service."

Reviewed on Sep 14, 2025

FAV LUX Sapporo Susukino
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 slippers. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (642 reviews)
Clean
"Very clean, spacious apartment. It's clearly very new and in something of a desert with no open shops or facilities nearby so we went hungry. The station has a shop and there is a mall en route (but it was closed down at ~5pm) and perhaps one shop on the opposite corner but at 19:00 all were ..."

Reviewed on Oct 7, 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 Sapporo Dome are located nearby.
8.4/10 Very Good! (82 reviews)
"Very nice location with very close by coin washing machine shop"

Reviewed on Oct 2, 2025

Hotel ONE'S RESIDENCE
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

Verified traveler

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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