Location: Sapporo
Top Things to do in Sapporo
- 1. Takino Suzuran Hillside National Park
- 2. Moerenuma Park
- 3. Sapporo Snow Festival
- 4. Mt. Moiwa
- 5. Mt. Okura Observatory
- 6. Hokkaido University Sapporo Campus
- 7. Sapporo JR Tower Observatory T38
- 8. Historical Village of Hokkaido (Kaitaku-no Mura)
- 9. Hokkaido Jingu
- 10. Asahi Breweries Hokkaido Brewery
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10 Things to Do in Sapporo That You Shouldn't Miss
Probably best known for its eponymous beer, Sapporo—the capital of Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island—has maintained the youthful and open atmosphere of the 1972 Olympic Winter Games, drawing international visitors for its annual Snow Festival and its world-famous ramen. Those seeking out the full diversity of Japanese cuisine will want to visit: a city with a ramen-inspired theme park is one that embraces and pampers foodies.
Restaurants in Sapporo
1. Takino Suzuran Hillside National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 335 reviews
Reviewed By jolinpl - Singapore
Came here to see the flower fields . Amission is Y410 adults , child less than 15 yrs ,Y80. Below 5 free. Seniors Y210. . Parking Y410.
We parked at the Higashi gucci gate mapcode 708569530.
Very walkable even for elderly except to get to the ticket office from the car park is a flight of 35 steps up.
The flower fields were not in full bloom yet but would imagine it to lovely in the right season.
Expect to spend half a day exploring the various parts of the park.
2. Moerenuma Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 718 reviews
Reviewed By alohatripper - Honolulu, Hawaii
Oct 13
At first glance I told our driver "Seki" to skip this park, but we needed a toilet stop. Upon further inspection this park is so futuristic and avant garde. The Glass Pyramid by the artist Noguchi is the centerpiece. It is part of a granite structure that could double as a bomb or earthquake shelter.
I was very surprised that there were so few visitors.
3. Sapporo Snow Festival
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 291 reviews
The Sapporo Snow Festival happens in early February each year, transforming the town of Sapporo into a unforgettable winter wonderland of snow and ice sculptures, skating rinks, giant snow slides, zip lines, snow domes and ice bars, and night time illuminations, all presided over by of course, the Ice Queen! There's a myriad of sculptures to see and events to enjoy across three sites in Sapporo and it's not surprising that this event is internationally renowned for its scale, variety, and sheer amount of fun available for all visitors.
Reviewed By rlahuddin - Jakarta, Indonesia
i came from tropical country where snow is impossible to happened. when i search destination for my winter trip, the nearest ice festival are Harbin ice festival in China and Sapporo ice festival in Japan.
and it is aaaawwwwweeeeessssooooommmmeeeee....
beautiful festival with a lot of art performance. when i came here, there are solo dance performance by a idol girl with no winter clothes at all. she just dress like it was summer and keep dancing. how she manage to do that?
i love the odori park site, because if you feels it is to cold, just go to underground pedestrian space below this park to get some warm, and go back to upside to enjoy the snow again.
there also lots of foof stall selling delicious snacks, drinks and meals.
i hope i can came to this festival again next year
4. Mt. Moiwa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Typical night view enjoyment spot in Sapporo authorized by "the Japanese new three big night view" in October, 2015. To the extent the night view which can look a ropeway and a MORISU car (mini cable car) around 360 deg from a mountain top Observatory of the altitude 531m which takes and arrives is also called "northern jewelry box", that it shines, when I'm shining also it's fine for the daytime as well as the night view, a far place as well as Sapporo-shi district can even look Shokanbetsu chain of Mountains and Ishikari bay around. It's possible to go up summertime by car in Moiwayama sightseeing motorway (charge) to the Mid station, and it's possible to enjoy about 3.5 kilometers of freeway (A winter season closes.) At the Mid station, Mt. MOIWA, there is a stand where I get a large selection of original products of the mascot character "MORISU", and a Takeout section is also next to the Planetarium, the casual French restaurant where you can have a meal while enjoying the scenery "THE JEWELS" and the restaurant at the mountain top station, and it's also enriched in the facilities. It's barrier free full equipment in order to have many people enjoy in the facilities again, and a guide announcement in a ropeway MORISU car stop is also doing correspondence of English, Chinese and Korean.
Reviewed By Michael_Teoh
Mt.Moiwa can access by street car (tram) and when arrive iruguchi station and continue with the free shutter bus to the cable car centre. On top the Mt.Moiwa we can see the whole Sapporo city view especially the night view are amazing. On top the Mountain the snow scence are very beautiful as well.
5. Mt. Okura Observatory
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Grant K - Honolulu, Hawaii
Fantastic two hours of fun, beginning with a ski lift ride (JPY500) to the top of Okurayama with fantastic views of the ski jump and partial city, followed by a visit to the Olympic Winter Sports Museum (JPY600 - or combo lift/museum ticket for JPY1000 only available at the lift ticket booth, not museum) with not only historic displays, but interactive simulated winter sports activities, including a ski jump, bobsled, and hockey.
Check on the visibility conditions beforehand to ensure the city view is worth it. While not as high and panoramic as the Mt. Moiwa Ropeway, it still is breathtaking and to see the perspective from the top of the ski jump.
The museum is modern and nicely laid out with interesting displays on the history of Olympic winter sports, such as the evolution of skis and ski outfits. The interactive simulations allowed for the feel of the ski jump from Okurayama, being a hockey goalkeeper, and riding a bobsled.
Best to go during the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the crowds. A plus with a late afternoon visit during the wintertime is timing the visit to see the city sunset. The bottlenecks are the ski lift and the simulators, particularly the ski jump simulator, thus time your visit and order accordingly.
Access: From the Tozai Subway Line's Maruyama Koen Station, follow the exit signs to the bus terminal, take bus 14 (JR Hokkaido Bus - Maru 14) to Okurayama Kyogijo Iriguchi bus stop (10 minutes, 210 yen, 2 buses per hour), then a 10 minute walk with a modest incline (doable even in winter snow, railing to grab if icy). Hours are 8:30AM to 6:00PM (April 29 to November 3) and 9:00AM to 5:00PM (November 4 to April 28).
You may consider pairing this visit with the Hokkaido Jingu (shrine), since they are relatively close to one another and accessible via the same Maruyama Koen subway station. It is a pleasant flat 10 minute walk from the subway station to the shine, and a 15 minute (1.5km) walk from the shrine to the Okurayama Kyogijo Iriguchi bus stop, then same 10 minute walk uphill.
6. Hokkaido University Sapporo Campus
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1 reviews
7. Sapporo JR Tower Observatory T38
Overall Ratings
4 based on 923 reviews
JR TOWER Observatory T38 Enjoy the panoramic view of Sapporo City from a height of 160meters,38floors above ground.There is a cafe and souvenir shop that sells original merchandise.
Reviewed By rayean88 - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Pay the price (one of the cheapest tower views) and enjoy a panoramic view of the city. Connected via an underpass from the JR Sapporo station, just follow signs to the the JR Tower and any information counter will point you in the right direction. We enjoyed our time up there so much, buying coffee and hot chocolate with desserts and just sitting along the glass panel windows watching the sunset and lights that came twinkling on in the city. We could see the Mountains in the distance, the city sitting snugly at the base and distant views of the sea. Take your time, sip your coffee and enjoy the Panorama of the city skyline and backdrop.
8. Historical Village of Hokkaido (Kaitaku-no Mura)
Overall Ratings
4 based on 442 reviews
Nearly every kind of private and public building, from farmhouse to sleigh factory, is on display in this fascinating open-air museum.
Reviewed By Grant K - Honolulu, Hawaii
Fantastic visit during the winter. The attraction is divided into separate villages (Town, Fishing, Farm and Mountain) with 50+ structures, many which you can enter. Most structures are original, deconstructed and reassembled in original form. Few guides were present during our winter visit, but full descriptions are provided in Japanese with limited translation in English. The village is expansive yet well maintained and easy to self navigate with the provided map. One could jaunt through the village with an occasional peak into the interesting structures in 90 minutes or so, while the more inquisitive could easily spend a half day. Admission JPY800 adults. Horse drawn sleigh rides are offered in the winter for a modest JPY250 adults.
Each structure offered insight into daily life of people in Hokkaido since the mid 19th century. Not only were the structures impressive, the insides were outfitted with normal artifacts found at that time. We were pleasantly greeted by a volunteer in the sake brewery, who welcomed us with a warm cup of tea and open fire pit. Some of the structures were closed during the winter, but there was far more than enough open. There is a restaurant inside the village which offered an array of Japanese and western foods. The soba was surprisingly delicious, consisting of thick and chewy noodles.
Access: Taxis in Japan are a bit pricey, thus public transport is the way to go, particularly if you are coming from the centre of Sapporro . There are two options, 1) the Shin Sapporo subway station (Tozai metro orange line last stop), then take JR bus 22 (15 minutes) or 2) the JR Shinrin Koen station then take the same JR 22 bus (8 minutes) or 25 minute walk (half flat, half modest incline, make sure you have a GPS map application to track your route). The final terminal stop for JR 22 bus is the Historic Village (Kaitaku-no-Mura), the stop before this is the Hokkaido Museum, also worthy of visiting, a discounted combo ticket is available for purchase at both attractions. The bus provides English translation along the way. Fare roughly JPY200 one way, paid via cash or IC tap card.
When planning your visit, note the bus 22 departs Shin Sapporo Station at 8:23, 9:00, 10:00, 10:30, 11:00, 11:30, 12:00, 13:00 and 14:00 at the north gate bus terminal, then continues to the JR Shinrin Koen roughly 8 minutes later. The return departures from the Historic Village are at 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 13:30, 14:30, 15:30, 16:10, 16:40, 17:10 and 17:40, with additional 12:00 and 15:00 departures only on weekdays, but verify with the village staff.
Thus, your choice of your arrival and departure train station depends on whether the JR or Tozai metro is more convenient, and if the bus schedule does not fit your schedule, whether you care to walk 25 minutes from the JR Shinrin Koen station. The taxi from JR Shinrin Koen should be only 6 minutes and not break the bank, but taxi availability may be an issue at this small station
Enjoy!
9. Hokkaido Jingu
Overall Ratings
4 based on 931 reviews
Reviewed By Vanessa Y - Tokyo, Japan
Founded in 1869, "Hokkaido Jingu" is the largest Shinto shrine in Hokkaido and was rebuilt in 1978 (so, it's fairly new as a building) ... it's said to enshrine 3 gods and the Meiji Emperor (also a god), as well as Mamiya Rinzo (a spy and map maker for the Tokugawa Shogunate) and other well-known people. The large bronze statue out front is Yoshitake Shima, who was one of the pioneers that helped develop the shrine and Hokkaido.
Walking around Maruyama Park is beautiful in the snow. The park is well-designed and spread out over a very large area ... parts of the park seem very natural and quiet ... I'm sure, with all the Cherry Blossom trees it's quite popular in spring, however.
The shrine offers lucky charms and fortunes in English and Taiwanese ... so, it's quite popular with tourists.
Inside the shrine, if you're into "Go-shuincho" (the stamp books for the seals of shrines and temples) then, this shrine offers a white one with snowflakes on the back cover (which I've never found anywhere else ...)
I also recommend venturing inside the office area where you can have your book stamped ... off to the left, was an exhibition/history room. It probably changes with annual/seasonal events ... so, when we were there, they were displaying beautiful old antique Hina Dolls (for the Girl's Day Doll Festival on the 3rd of March). The dolls were from the Taisho; Meiji and Showa Eras ... they alone were well worth looking at.
You can go to the shrine by car and park there for 1 hour free ...
10. Asahi Breweries Hokkaido Brewery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 90 reviews
Reviewed By Travelove58
We decided on Asahi Brewery instead of Sapporo Brewery because it is less commercialised & likely to be less crowded with lesser busloads of tourists.
Got the hotel staff to help us make the visit booking (one day in advance required). It wasn't that crowded as we had hoped.
The visit was escorted by an English speaking staff. Its an eye opener & a good learning experience for us, who has never been to an actual beer production factory.
The fresh free beer tasted great.
Definitely, it is worthwhile to visit a beer brewery when in Japan. After all, it's free. And one gained an interesting experience too.
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