Nestled in the southwest of Hokkaido, Sapporo is Japan’s vibrant northern metropolis and the fifth-largest city in Japan. It is known for its blend of urban energy and natural beauty, with snowy winters and cool, pleasant summers, making it an ideal destination year-round. Here’s your guide to make the most of your trip!
Day 1: Arrival & Exploring Central Sapporo
1) Morning: Arrive at New Chitose Airport & transfer to your hotel in the Sapporo City Center
| Address: Bibi, Chitose, Hokkaido 066-0012, Japan (Google Maps)
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New Chitose Airport is Hokkaido’s main gateway and one of Japan’s busiest airports with both domestic and limited international flights. It is known for its gourmet food court, array of souvenirs, and seasonal events.
2) Afternoon: Stroll Odori Park and visit Sapporo TV Tower
Odori Park:
| Address: Japan, 〒060-0042 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Chuo Ward, Odorinishi, １〜１２丁目 (Google Maps)
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Open all day, Odori Park is a stunning urban park divided into 13 blocks, each with its own garden, fountains, and event spaces. It has six types of flower beds, including spring, summer, border, contest, sponsor, and volunteer/corporate beds, all showcasing a wide variety of blooms. There are also 92 types of trees, like elms, maples, and zelkovas.
Sapporo TV Tower:
| Address: 1 Chome Odorinishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0042, Japan (Google Maps)
| Opening Hours: Daily 09:00-22:00
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Built in 1957, Sapporo TV Tower is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, standing at a height of 147.2 meters. Located near Odori Park, it is both a broadcasting tower and a popular tourist spot. The highlight is the observation deck, where you can take in 360-degree panoramic views of the city at a height of 90.38 meters above ground.
▷Book your ticket to the tower for unforgettable panoramic views of the city◁
3) Evening: Enjoy Genghis Khan and local brews at the Sapporo Beer Garden
| Address: Chome-2-10 Kita 7 Johigashi, Higashi Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 065-0007, Japan (Google Maps)
| Opening Hours: Daily 11:30-21:00
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Housed in a historic red-brick building that was previously a sugar mill and malt factory, Sapporo Beer Garden is a dining spot famous for offering an authentic culinary experience centered around Genghis Khan. This popular local dish features grilled lamb and mutton cooked on a special dome-shaped iron skillet. Pair your food with a freshly brewed Sapporo beer to complete your meal. You can also sample three types of exclusive beers.
Day 2: Otaru Day Trip
1) Enjoy the Otaru Canal and Sakaimachi Street
Otaru Canal:
| Address: Minatomachi, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0007, Japan (Google Maps)
| Opening Hours: 24/7
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Otaru Canal is a picturesque waterway lined with historic stone warehouses that have now been converted into cafes, boutiques, and galleries. It’s a great spot for a leisurely stroll and is especially scenic at dusk when it is illuminated with gas lamps.
Sakaimachi Street:
| Address: Japan, 〒047-0027 Hokkaido, Otaru, Sakaimachi, 堺町本通り (Google Maps)
| Opening Hours: 24/7
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Sakaimachi Street is the heart of Otaru’s old merchant district, filled with beautifully preserved buildings from the Meiji and Taisho eras and shops selling glassware, music boxes, sweets, and beautiful local crafts. Don’t miss out on visiting the Kitaichi Glass Museum and Music Box Hall to admire exquisite glass craftsmanship and intricately crafted music boxes.
2) Admire Lake Toya
| Address: 3-5 Naruka, Toyako Town, Abuta County, Hokkaido 049-5832, Japan (Google Maps)
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Lake Toya is a breathtaking spot formed around 110,000 years ago by a massive volcanic eruption. It is surrounded by mountains and active volcanoes like Mount Usu and Showa Shinzan, renowned for its crystal-clear waters that never freeze, even in the dead of winter. You can explore Showa Shizan and also visit a Bear Ranch to interact with the adorable brown bears.
▷Explore Hokkaido’s highlights on a day tour from Sapporo◁
3) Return to Sapporo in the evening
Day 3: Nature and Art in Furano and Biei
1) Explore the scenic Blue Pond in Biei
| Address: Shirogane, Biei, Kamikawa District, Hokkaido 071-0235, Japan (Google Maps)
| Opening Hours: Daily 07:00-19:00
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You’ll be mesmerized by Shirogane Blue Pond, which has striking turquoise waters formed from natural minerals, and mysterious standing trees like larch and birch trees. It is especially stunning in early summer and autumn, and gained international fame after being featured as a desktop wallpaper on Apple Mac.
2) Walk through Ningle Terrace
| Address: Nakagoryo, Furano, Hokkaido 076-8511, Japan (Google Maps)
| Opening Hours: Daily 11:00-19:45
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Open year-round, Ningle Terrace is a charming artisan village that looks like something out of a postcard. Nestled in the forest near the New Furano Prince Hotel, it features a cluster of around 15 small log cottages that are home to local craftspeople who create and sell unique handmade goods like woodwork, glassware, and textiles. You can watch them work in their shops, chill in cozy cafes, and participate in craft workshops to make your own trinkets.
3) Return to Sapporo in the evening
Day 4: Cultural and Festival Experience in Sapporo
1) Visit Hokkaido Shrine and Maruyama Park for a peaceful start to your day
Hokkaido Shrine:
| Address: 474 Miyagaoka, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0959, Japan (Google Maps)
| Opening Hours: Daily 06:00-17:00
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Established in 1869, Hokkaido Shrine is one of Sapporo’s most significant Shinto sanctuaries with a rich history. It’s a place of seasonal beauty, full of 1,100 cherry and plum trees in spring, crispy fall foliage in autumn, and snow-covered architecture in winter. The annual Hokkaido Shrine Festivalis held here, and you can write wishes on wooden plaques and purchase lucky charms.
Maruyama Park
| Address: Japan, 〒064-0959 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Chuo Ward, Miyagaoka, 3 (Google Maps)
| Opening Hours: 24/7
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Adjacent to Hokkaido Shrine, Maruyama Park is a vast green oasis that is famous for its cherry blossom tunnel in spring, with over 1,100 cherry trees. It is also a designated treasure, home to ancient trees, wild squirrels, and a vast variety of birds. You can enjoy picnics and take a scenic walk through the forested hills.
2) Explore the Sapporo Beer Museum and sample local brews
| Address: 9 Chome-1-1 Kita 7 Johigashi, Higashi Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 065-8633, Japan (Google Maps)
| Opening Hours: Daily 11:00-18:00
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Sapporo Beer Museum is the only museum in Japan dedicated exclusively to beer, home to the original Sapporo Brewery. It is a Hokkaido Heritage site and has exhibits that trace the history of Sapporo Beer, the oldest beer brand in Japan, and its influence on Japanese culture and the brewery industry. Discover the history and enjoy a chance to sample a variety of beers, paired with local foods and seasonal specialties.
3) Take an afternoon visit to Mt. Moiwa Ropeway
| Address: 5 Chome-3-7 Fushimi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0942, Japan (Google Maps)
| Opening Hours: Daily 10:30-22:00
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Mt. Moiwa Ropeway is the place to go for breathtaking views of the city and surrounding mountains. The night view from here is considered to be one of Japan’s “New Three Great Night Views”, making it a must-visit spot for those seeking dazzling vistas. The ropeway ascends 1.2 kilometers up the mountain, where you then transfer to a unique “Morris Car” mini cable car for the final descent to the summit.
▷Get your ticket to Mt. Moiwa Ropeway to catch stunning views!◁
4) Wrap up your day at Susukino District for vibrant nightlife and dining
| Address: Minami 6 Jonishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0806, Japan (Google Maps)
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Susukino Street is the heart of Sapporo’s nightlife and the biggest entertainment street in Hokkaido. It’s packed with over 3,000 establishments that line the neon-lit streets. Make sure you get a photo in front of the iconic giant Nikka Whisky neon sign before you explore the diverse bars, izakayas, eateries, and clubs.
Day 5: Wind Down and Enjoy Last-Minute Shopping
1) Pay a morning visit to Moerenuma Park for outdoor art and nature
| Address: 1-1 Moerenumakoen, Higashi Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 007-0011, Japan (Google Maps)
| Opening Hours: Daily 07:00-22:00
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Moerenuma Park is a fusion of outdoor art and nature, designed by Japanese-American sculptor Isamu Noguchi. Every hill, path, and installation at this park is a piece of landscape art. Spanning nearly 470 acres, it’s also one of Sapporo’s largest parks, labeled as “a sculpture you can walk through.” Some highlights include a glass pyramid, stainless steel tetrahedron, sea fountain, and over 120 playground sculptures.
2) Stop by the Sapporo Clock Tower and the Former Hokkaido Government Office for historical insights
Sapporo Clock Tower:
| Address: 2 Chome Kita 1 Jonishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0001, Japan (Google Maps)
| Opening Hours: Daily 09:00-17:00
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Sapporo Clock Tower is a timeless symbol in the city and the oldest surviving structure and working clock tower in Japan. Installed in 1881 and chiming every hour for over 140 years, its bell marks the passage of time for generations. The ground floor of the tower houses a museum with displays about the history of Sapporo and the clock tower. It also makes a great backdrop for photos.
Former Hokkaido Government Office:
| Address: 6 Chome Kita 3 Jonishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0003, Japan (Google Maps)
| Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 08:45-17:30 (Sat, Sun Off)
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The Former Hokkaido Government Office, also known as the Red Brick Office because of its striking exterior, is one of Sapporo’s most recognizable and photographed landmarks, a proud symbol of Hokkaido’s pioneering era and modernization of northern Japan. In the present day, it functions as a free museum with historical displays, art exhibitions, and rooms restored to their original appearance in the 19th century.
3) Have lunch at a local soup curry or seafood restaurant
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No trip to Sapporo is complete without indulging in a hearty bowl of soup curry or a fresh seafood feast, both of which are Sapporo specialties. The spicy soup curry broth is full of tender vegetables, chicken, or seafood, and served with fluffy rice.
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Sapporo is close to the sea, meaning you’re never far from some of Japan’s freshest seafood. You’ll find restaurants and spots serving everything from fresh sushi and sashimi to grilled crab, scallops, and sea urchin. You can also enjoy seafood rice bowls that are topped with seasonal catches!
4) Do some shopping at Sapporo Underground Shopping Arcades (Aurora Town and Pole Town) or Tanukikoji
Aurora Town:
| Address: Japan, 〒060-0042 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Chuo Ward, Odorinishi, 3 Chome−５ さっぽろ地下街オーロラタウン (Google Maps)
| Opening Hours: Daily 10:00-20:00
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Aurora Town is a huge underground shopping arcade featuring a variety of boutiques, souvenir shops, and restaurants. It is a popular spot for shopping, dining, and escaping the cold during the winter.
Pole Town:
| Address: 4 Chome Odorinishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0042, Japan (Google Maps)
| Opening Hours: Daily 10:00-20:00
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Pole Town is another popular underground shopping street running from Odori Park to Susukino District. It houses around 80 shops, including fashion boutiques, bakeries, restaurants, and souvenir stores, making it the perfect spot for stocking up on gifts for friends and family.
Tanukikoji Shopping Street:
| Address: Japan, 〒060-0062 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Chuo Ward, 南2・3条西1～7丁目 (Google Maps)
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Tanukikoji Shopping Street is Sapporo’s oldest and largest shopping arcade, dating all the way back to 1873. It spans seven blocks and has over 200 shops, ranging from traditional souvenir stores and fashion boutiques to cafes and arcades.
5) Transfer to New Chitose Airport for departure
📌Additional Tips for Sapporo Travel:
- Getting Around: Use JR trains, subways, and local buses. Prepaid IC cards like SAPICA or Kitaca make transit easy
- Where to Stay: Choose hotels near Odori Park or Sapporo Station for the best access to sights and transport
- Weather: Even in summer, evenings can be cool, so pack light outerwear
- Cash & Cards:
Many small shops and restaurants are cash-only. ATMs for international cards are at convenience stores - Language: English signage is common, but a translation app helps with menus and small shops
- Food: Don’t miss Sapporo’s soup curry, ramen, and fresh seafood. Many places have English menus or food models
- Luggage: Coin lockers are at major stations for easy bag storage
📌Learn more about Sapporo on our blog:
- Best Things to Do in Sapporo, Hokkaido
- Must-Try Restaurants & Cafes in Sapporo
- Top Onsens in Sapporo, Hokkaido
- Top Summer Festivals in Sapporo 2025 | Must-See Events
Ready to make the most of your time in Sapporo? Head to Trazy.com, Your Travel Shop for Asia, for tours, tickets, and the best deals!
