Sapporo Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Sapporo
Sapporo
Sapporo
Sapporo
Sapporo

This beautiful city in northern Japan is a great base for visiting Hokkaido’s great wilderness areas. It offers a distinctive food culture and a relaxed lifestyle.

Sapporo, the gorgeous regional capital of Hokkaido, is a city for all seasons. Visit in winter and you’ll find a charming gateway to the great mountain landscape beyond, not to mention the ski fields that impressed the world when Sapporo hosted the 1972 Winter Olympic Games. Come in summer, however, and you’ll discover a liveable city filled with parks, rooftop bars and beer gardens.

The wild regions of Hokkaido are world-famous for a reason, and this island’s sublime natural bounty is best accessed from a base in Sapporo. Wintertime travellers will find a range of winter sports destinations on offer, from the cross-country skiing at Nakajima Park to the family-friendly Mount Moiwa Ski Resort, where a gentle beginners’ slope is perfect for taking the children snow tubing and sledding. Try the nighttime skiing on offer at Sapporo Bankei Ski Area. Non-skiers and those with cold feet may prefer the computer-simulated ski activities at the Winter Sports Museum, which is located down below the Okurayama Ski Jump.

Meanwhile, in town, the beloved Odori Park hosts the week-long Sapporo Snow Festival every February. Explore this winter dreamland, replete with hundreds of artful snow statues as well as various slides, rides and musical attractions.

In summertime, Odori Park, and the rest of Sapporo along with it, is completely transformed, morphed by the seasons into an expansive grassy urban park with benches for lounging and fountains for cooling off. Head to the eastern end of the park to climb the iconic Sapporo TV Tower. Its viewing platform is 90 metres (295 feet) above ground, offering lovely views of the park and surrounding area.

One of the city’s favourite year-round pastimes is celebrated at the Sapporo Beer Museum, which explains the history of the great hoppy brew in Japan. Down in Susukino, Sapporo’s entertainment district, there are plenty of options for eating, drinking and nightlife. Highlights include Ramen Yokocho, a lane packed with restaurants selling noodle soup, and the fresh sushi served up at the Sushi-ya restaurants.

Sapporo is easily navigated by public transport or by use of a rented car or bicycle. The nearest airport is New Chitose Airport, about 50 kilometres (31 miles) southeast of the city centre.

Where to stay in Sapporo

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Sapporo City Centre

4.5/5(68 area reviews)

Enjoy the popular shops in Sapporo City Centre. Odori Park is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Nishi-Yon-Chome Stop or Odori Station to see more of Sapporo.

Sapporo City Centre
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Susukino

Spend some time visiting places like Susukino Street while getting to know Susukino, and be sure to check out the abundant dining options. You can hop aboard the metro at Susukino Station or Hosui-Susukino Station to see more of the area.

Susukino
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Chuo-ku

4.5/5(20 area reviews)

You might enjoy the skiing while in Chuo-ku. Odori Park is a notable sight, and you can get around town at Maruyama-koen Station or Nishi-Nijuhatchome Station to see more of the city.

Chuo-ku
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Odori

Shopping, hot springs and coffee shops 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
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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

Shinsapporo

Unique features of Shinsapporo include the shopping and restaurants. Make a stop by Sapporo Science Center or Sunpiazza Aquarium while you're exploring the area.

Shinsapporo
SAPPORO HOTEL by GRANBELL

SAPPORO HOTEL by GRANBELL

4 out of 5
2-chome-2-2 Kita 6 Johigashi, Higashi Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido
The price is AU$231 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
AU$231
1 Sept - 2 Sept
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Sapporo. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Popular attractions Odori Park and Sapporo Dome are located ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (120 reviews)
"Lovely, new hotel, around 10 mins walk. From Sapporo station. Big hotel so lots of guests."

Reviewed on 25 Jul. 2025

SAPPORO HOTEL by GRANBELL
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 AU$124 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
AU$124
1 Sept - 2 Sept
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! (1,006 reviews)
"sitting right at the center Susukino district and near the train station. everything is walkable. also, lots of ski buses stop point are right in front of this hotel. It's perfect stay before travelling to/from ski resort and CTS airport."

Reviewed on 5 May 2025

Sapporo Tokyu REI Hotel
Smile Hotel PREMIUM SAPPOROSUSUKINO

Smile Hotel PREMIUM SAPPOROSUSUKINO

3.5 out of 5
1-13-1, Minami4-jonishi, Sapporo, Hokkaido
The price is AU$86 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
AU$86
17 Aug - 18 Aug
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Sapporo. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (484 reviews)
"Stayed and had a great view of Sapporo TV Tower. Easily accessible to public transport as well."

Reviewed on 3 Jun. 2025

Smile Hotel PREMIUM SAPPOROSUSUKINO
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.
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 a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (570 reviews)
"Second time here, enjoyed our time here"

Reviewed on 2 Aug. 2025

Minn Chitose
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 ...
7.8/10 Good! (8 reviews)
"施設自体は綺麗で、部屋も最大6名泊まれるなどとても良いと思います。 が、15時チェックインでまだ部屋に入れない。 掃除が終わってないからと30"

Reviewed on 2 Aug. 2025

FAV LUX Sapporo Susukino
Residence Hotel Liberte

Residence Hotel Liberte

4 out of 5
Minami 8-jo Nishi 2-5-30, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Sapporo. Enjoy free WiFi, premium bedding, and in-room fireplaces. Popular attractions Odori Park and Sapporo Dome are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (4 reviews)
"交通方便,步行5分鐘行到中島公園站,13分鐘到狸小路。附近多間便利店,地點寜靜,室內空間大,舒適,廚房設備齊全。性價比高。"

Reviewed on 15 Jun. 2025

Residence Hotel Liberte
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.

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