Best Things to Do in Sapporo, Japan

Sapporo was founded in 1869 as part of the Meiji government’s development of Hokkaido — Japan’s last frontier, settled primarily in the 19th century. The city’s layout is American-influenced (a planned grid, unlike most Japanese cities) because the government hired American agricultural advisers to develop the island. The things to do in Sapporo blend urban culture (the Snow Festival, which brings 2 million visitors in February; the Sapporo Beer Museum, Japan’s oldest brewery; the Susukino entertainment district) with its position as the gateway to Hokkaido’s extraordinary nature: the ski slopes of Niseko (90 minutes west) and Furano (2 hours east), the flower fields of Furano and Biei, the volcanic lakes of Shikotsu and Toya, and the remote Shiretoko Peninsula (UNESCO World Heritage, 5 hours east).

Best time to visit

February is peak season for the Snow Festival (usually the first or second week), one of Japan’s biggest events with massive snow and ice sculptures in Odori Park. The ski season runs December through March. July and August are summer peak: Hokkaido avoids the oppressive heat and humidity that affects the rest of Japan in summer, making it a respite for Japanese domestic tourists. The Yosakoi Soran Festival in June is a massive dance festival (30,000+ performers). Autumn (September-October) is spectacular for fall foliage in the surrounding mountains. Spring (April-May) sees late cherry blossoms and excellent lamb (jingisukan, the Hokkaido specialty) season.

Getting around

New Chitose Airport (CTS) is 40km south of the city; the airport express train (JR Rapid Airport) reaches Sapporo Station in 37 minutes and runs every 15 minutes. Within Sapporo, the subway (three lines), city trams, and the JR lines cover the city well. Odori, Susukino, and the historic city center are all within the subway network. For Niseko, the JR Hakodate Main Line runs from Sapporo to Kutchan (2 hours); buses also run from the city. For a Hokkaido road trip, renting a car at Sapporo or Chitose Airport provides maximum flexibility for exploring the island.

What to eat and drink

Sapporo’s food is the reason many Japanese visit Hokkaido. The key categories: Sapporo miso ramen (the city’s signature ramen style, richer and heavier than Tokyo shoyu or Hakata tonkotsu, developed in the 1960s; Ramen Alley in Susukino has 17 ramen restaurants in a covered lane); Hokkaido seafood (the freshest sea urchin, Dungeness-style king crab, scallops, and salmon roe in Japan, best at the Nijo Market downtown or Sapporo Central Wholesale Market); Hokkaido dairy (the richest milk and soft-serve in Japan, used in desserts throughout the city); and jingisukan (Mongolian-style grilled lamb with vegetables, the Hokkaido specialty, eaten at raucous dedicated restaurants with the distinctive conical grill). Sapporo Beer, brewed here since 1876, is Japan’s oldest beer brand.

Top things to do

Sapporo Snow Festival (Yuki Matsuri) – Held in early February, the festival transforms Odori Park (12 blocks long) with enormous snow and ice sculptures — some the size of buildings. The Susukino site has elaborate ice sculptures, and the Tsudome site has interactive snow activities. The festival draws 2 million visitors; book accommodation months in advance.

Skiing at Niseko or Furano – Niseko (90 minutes from Sapporo) is one of the world’s most famous powder ski resorts, receiving the world’s best consistently light dry powder snow due to Siberian weather systems. Furano (2 hours) is less internationally known but beloved by Japanese skiers for lighter crowds and excellent conditions. Both resorts are day-trippable from Sapporo, though staying in resort for multiple days is more rewarding.

Sapporo Beer Museum – Japan’s oldest beer factory (1876) now operates as a free museum tracing the history of Sapporo Beer in Hokkaido’s development. The adjacent Sapporo Beer Garden offers all-you-can-eat jingisukan (grilled lamb) with unlimited beer in a Victorian red-brick setting — one of Sapporo’s most popular dining experiences.

Odori Park and Sapporo TV Tower – The 1.5km park bisecting the city center hosts seasonal events year-round (Snow Festival in February, Lilac Festival in May, Beer Garden in summer, Autumn Fest). The TV Tower at the eastern end is the city’s observation point.