Spend the Day in Sapporo: Japan’s Northern Metropolis

Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan’s northernmost island, is beloved for its unspoilt wilderness, snowy getaways, and unparalleled culinary scene, including some of the country’s freshest seafood.

As the capital of this grand prefecture, Sapporo shines as an urban embodiment of Hokkaido’s charms. Not only does Sapporo serve as a gateway to the prefecture’s great outdoors, it also offers a unique urban scene imbued with art, cultural heritage, gastronomic delights, and a deep connection to nature. This melding of nature and vibrant city life makes Sapporo a must-visit spot in Hokkaido and a unique destination where you can experience the diverse allure of northern Japan.

Listed below is an ideal itinerary for first-time visitors to Sapporo—offering carefully selected attractions that bring you through its ionic landmarks, mouthwatering cuisine, shopping spots, history, and scenic vistas.

Morning

For a Sapporo-focused itinerary, it only makes sense to begin the day at the city’s central transportation hub, Sapporo Station. The first spot, Sapporo Clock Tower, is a short 10-minute walk from the station. Alternatively, it is a five-minute walk from Odori Station, which is serviced by Sapporo’s subway lines (Namboku, Toho, and Tozai).

Sapporo Clock Tower

Start your morning in the heart of central Sapporo at Sapporo Clock Tower, Japan’s oldest remaining clock tower. Built in 1878, this historic monument stands as a symbol of the city and is cherished by locals and tourists alike. The wooden, two-story building has a quaint Western architectural style that Sapporo’s residents have beautifully maintained for over 145 years. Despite its impressive age, the clock tower still chimes religiously every hour, every day. If possible, we recommend timing your visit appropriately to hear this renowned chime. Inside, the clock tower displays documents, photographs, models, and videos about its history, as well as Sapporo and Hokkaido’s pasts.

The clock tower’s picturesque facade is a photo op in all seasons, so be sure to snap a picture!

Nijo Market

After a brief history lesson, enjoy some seasonal seafood at Nijo Market. Thanks to its frigid seas, Hokkaido is blessed with an ideal environment for delectable seafood, and Sapporo’s markets are renowned across Japan for their exceedingly fresh catches. In fact, many Japanese tourists travel to Hokkaido solely to indulge in its legendary seafood.

Upon entering Nijo Market, you will be greeted by rows of stalls offering seafood, marine products, and other local delicacies, such as fruit, potatoes, and corn. Hokkaido is especially famous for its sea urchins, scallops, and crabs. In addition to its stalls, the market also has a variety of restaurants serving tantalizing seafood menus. Donburi, or rice topped with seafood, is a must-try. The quality and freshness of the market’s offerings are guaranteed to send your taste buds on a heavenly adventure.

Sapporo TV Tower

Just as Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree are synonymous with Tokyo, Sapporo TV Tower is an emblem of Sapporo. Built in 1957, this red broadcasting tower has a height of 144 meters and stands at the eastern end of Odori Park. The tower alone makes for an epic visual no matter your perspective. However, for an iconic shot, we recommend viewing the tower from within Odori Park with Odori Park fountain in the foreground.

Of course, the tower’s main attraction is its 360-degree observation deck at 90.38 meters. From this elevated position, you are granted sprawling panoramas of Odori Park, Sapporo’s skyline, and the mountains beyond. On a clear day, you can even witness the Sea of Japan. The view is captivating every season and at all times of day! The tower is also home to restaurants and souvenir shops.

Odori Park

A natural oasis in the heart of Sapporo, Odori Park is a 1.5-kilometer-long park with around 4,700 trees! The lush greenspace is home to expansive lawns, colorful flowers, fountains, benches, and food stalls. It also serves as a popular venue for events, with two of its most notable ones being the Sapporo Snow Festival (early to mid-February) and the Sapporo Beer Garden (mid-July to mid-August). The verdant getaway is a treasured place for both residents and visitors alike to reconnect with nature. Admire the seasonally-changing landscape against the backdrop of skyscrapers as you stroll through or lounge in the park.

If you visit Sapporo from around late April to early October, you must try the grilled corn sold at local food carts in the park—a Sapporo specialty. The sweet Hokkaido corn is coated in soy sauce and grilled to perfection, creating the perfect ratio of smokiness, sweetness, and saltiness.

Afternoon

Ganso Sapporo Ramen Yokocho (Ramen Alley)

Now, it’s time for some lunch. Aside from seafood, Sapporo is also famous for another culinary delicacy—miso ramen. Miso ramen is known for its hearty, umami-rich broth and wavy, medium-thick noodles that expertly soak up the soup. Although there are many variations, miso ramen is typically topped with tender char siu pork and green onions. For an authentic miso ramen experience, we recommend also adding corn and butter. The sweetness from the corn perfectly melds with the ramen’s savory profile, and the butter adds a luxurious depth of flavor.

Ganso Sapporo Ramen Yokocho is a ramen lover’s dream and features 17 small ramen restaurants along a singular alleyway. You can peruse the list of stores on Ganso Sapporo Ramen Yokocho’s official website beforehand or simply follow your nose and pick a restaurant on the spot. Please note that all of the restaurants have different business hours and closed days, and some only open in the evenings.

Tanuki Koji Shopping Street

Tanuki Koji Shopping Street (Tanuki Koji for short) is a historical, cultural, and social hotspot home to roughly 200 shops! The 900-meter-long, pedestrian-only shopping street is one of Hokkaido’s oldest shopping streets, with roots in the early 1870s. Naturally, the street’s breadth of offerings makes it a popular destination among people of all ages. Whether you are interested in an age-old business or today’s current trends, Tanuki Koji has it all! The shopping arcade is also entirely covered, making it an ideal place no matter the weather. Here, you can discover fashion items, sweet and savory eats, game centers, Japanese knife shops, record stores, souvenir shops, and much more. Pursuing the shops and discovering the area’s unique offerings on foot are what make the street so fun.

For good luck, be sure to stop by the street’s small shrine with its tanuki (Japanese raccoon dog) guardian statue.

Evening

Sapporo Beer Museum

As evening arrives in Sapporo, turn your attention to one of the city’s most recognizable brands, Sapporo Beer! Sapporo Beer’s first brewery, which was also Japan’s first beer brewery, was erected in 1876 and marked the start of Japan’s beer industry. Whether you are a beer-drinker or not, the Sapporo Beer Museum is a must-visit spot in Sapporo, offering a unique historical perspective of the city. In fact, it is the most famous beer museum in Japan!

Upon arriving, the museum’s esteemed brick facade, adorned with red star details, immediately draws you in. Be sure to snap a selfie with the building’s renowned chimney.

The facility offers two types of tours—a free self-guided one and a 50-minute paid premium tour. While both options provide you access to the exhibition areas on the third and second floors, the premium tour also includes a tour guide, an informational movie presented in a 6K theater, and a tasting of Sapporo Draft Beer Kuro Label, which is a recreation of one of the company’s original brews. Although the tour is conducted in Japanese, there are audio guides in English and Korean available for a 500 yen fee. Please note that advance reservations are required for the premium tours.

The exhibition areas take you on an intriguing journey through the evolution of Sapporo beer and include visual elements such as logos and promotional posters.

In addition to the exhibition areas, the museum also has a paid tasting area, called the Star Hall, and a shop that sells exclusive Sapporo Beer merchandise and snacks. Similar to the rest of the museum, the Star Hall has a cozy brick design with atmospheric overhead lighting, making it a fun place to unwind with a crisp glass of beer. Please note that the hall has a 30-minute seating time limit.

Sapporo Beer Garden

After following the history of Sapporo Beer, indulge in its present day offerings for dinner. Sapporo Beer Garden, located next to Sapporo Beer Museum, features a culinary gathering of four eateries: Genghis Khan Hall (or Kaitakushikan), Poplar-kan, Garden Grill, and Lilac. The star dish at all of these restaurants is Genghis Khan, one of Hokkaido’s representative dishes. Typically, Genghis Khan is a mixture of lamb, mutton, and fresh vegetables that you grill yourself on a metal skillet. The finished dish is then paired with a delicious dipping sauce that has notes of apple and lemon. You can also simply use salt and pepper to allow the natural flavor of the meat to take center stage.

Naturally, a glass of Sapporo Beer pairs wonderfully with this hearty dish. If you are interested in trying a range of flavors, order a beer flight with Sapporo Classic (only available in Hokkaido), the standard Black Label, and Kaitakushi-Beer, which is brewed to imitate the taste of Sapporo’s pioneering brews.

The delectable flavors are a perfect snapshot of Hokkaido’s gastronomy.

Mt. Moiwa Night View

End your day in Sapporo with an all encompassing view of the city! Located on the outskirts of Sapporo’s urban area, Mt. Moiwa is a 531-meter-tall mountain that offers a natural retreat from the concrete jungle. During the day, the mountain’s lush virgin forests offer picturesque one to two-hour hikes to the summit. As daylight fades, Mt. Moiwa transforms into a stunning vantage point, best known for its spectacular night views.

After you reach Mt. Moiwa Ropeway’s entrance (access details in the table above), take the ropeway to Moiwa Chufuku Station. This five-minute ride treats you to a slowly ascending glimpse of the scenery to come. Chufuku Station itself is home to a souvenir shop and a hall with floor-to-ceiling forest views. Then, from Chufuku Station, you can either walk for about 15 minutes or take a mini cable car to the summit (Moiwa Sancho Station).

From here, Mt. Moiwa’s observation deck grants you 360-degree panoramas of Sapporo, encircling you in a seemingly neverending sea of sparkling city lights. The fresh mountain air combined with the ever-changing flow of city life below perfectly encapsulates Sapporo’s diverse soul—a place where nature and people meet. In addition to the observation deck, Sancho Station also has a high-end restaurant and hiker’s rest house.

Sapporo: Japan’s northern gem

With this itinerary as your guide, set off on a city adventure like no other, and experience the highlights of Sapporo’s preserved past, famous culinary scene, eye-catching landmarks, and natural wonders. You are guaranteed to feel its rich legacy with every new experience. Don’t take our word for it though. Visit Sapporo, and discover its magic for yourself.

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