Sapporo is the beautiful capital of Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island. This lively city mixes modern urban life with stunning nature, delicious food, and unique culture. Whether you love adventure, history, or amazing food, Sapporo has something special for everyone.
Here are the 15 best things to do in Sapporo that will make your trip unforgettable.
The Sapporo Snow Festival is one of the biggest winter events in Japan. Every February, the city transforms into a magical winter wonderland with huge snow sculptures and detailed ice carvings. The festival happens at three main locations: Odori Park, Susukino, and Tsudome.
At Odori Park, you'll see massive snow sculptures that can be as tall as 15 meters and as wide as 25 meters. These incredible artworks are lit up at night, creating a beautiful scene. The Susukino area displays over 100 ice sculptures with amazing details, while Tsudome offers fun activities like snow slides and rafting, making it perfect for families.
The festival usually runs for eight days in early February and attracts over two million visitors each year. If you're planning to visit during this time, many Sapporo city tours include stops at the festival sites, making it easy to experience this amazing event.
Odori Park is the heart of Sapporo, stretching 1.5 kilometers through the city center. This beautiful park has twelve blocks of tree-lined walkways and open spaces where you can relax and enjoy the fresh air.
In summer, the park becomes lively with beer gardens and food stalls. You can enjoy local drinks and food under the open sky. During winter, the park hosts the Snow Festival and becomes a snowy paradise. Throughout the year, various events and concerts take place here.
The park connects easily to Sapporo's subway system, and you can even reach it through underground walkways when the weather is cold. Walking through Odori Park is one of the best free things to do in Sapporo.
Did you know that Sapporo is famous for its beer? The Sapporo Beer Museum tells the story of Japan's oldest beer brand, which started brewing in 1876. The museum is housed in a historic red-brick building that looks beautiful both inside and out.
During the tour, you'll learn about the history of beer making in Japan and how German breweries influenced the process. The best part? After the tour, you can taste different beers, including Sapporo Classic, which is only available in Hokkaido. The tasting session costs around 800 yen and includes three types of beer.
Next to the museum, you'll find the Beer Garden, where you can enjoy Genghis Khan, Sapporo's famous grilled lamb dish, paired with fresh beer. This experience gives you a real taste of local culture and is included in many food and drink tours of the city.
For breathtaking views of Sapporo, head to Mt. Moiwa Observatory. This mountain stands 531 meters high and offers amazing panoramic views of the city, surrounding mountains, and on clear days, even the Sea of Japan.
You can reach the top by taking a cable car followed by a mini cable car called "MORIS-car." The journey itself is exciting and scenic. Mt. Moiwa is recognized as one of Japan's best night view spots, and the twinkling city lights at night create a romantic atmosphere.
At the summit, there's a restaurant serving French cuisine made with local ingredients. Whether you visit during the day or night, the views are spectacular. Many Sapporo sightseeing tours include this attraction as a highlight stop.
Shiroi Koibito Park is a chocolate lover's dream come true. This chocolate factory and theme park is run by Ishiya, the company that makes Hokkaido's famous white chocolate cookies called "Shiroi Koibito."
You can watch how these delicious cookies are made through factory windows, visit the chocolate museum, and even try making your own cookies in hands-on workshops. The Chocolate Lounge serves amazing desserts and hot chocolate that you can't miss.
The park's European-style buildings and beautiful gardens make it feel like you've stepped into a fairy tale. During summer, the rose garden blooms beautifully, and in winter, everything is covered in romantic snow. This is one of the most popular attractions in Sapporo for families and couples.
Susukino is Sapporo's largest entertainment district and comes alive at night. This area is packed with restaurants, bars, clubs, and karaoke spots. The streets are lit up with bright neon signs and big video screens that create an exciting atmosphere.
Here you can find hundreds of small izakaya bars where locals gather after work. These cozy spots serve delicious food and drinks at reasonable prices. Susukino is also the perfect place to try famous Hokkaido dishes like fresh seafood, ramen, and soup curry.
During the Snow Festival, Susukino displays beautiful ice sculptures along its main street. Bar hopping tours in Susukino are very popular because they take you to hidden gems you might not find on your own. The area is safe and welcoming to tourists.
Nijo Market has been serving fresh seafood and local produce for over 100 years. This historic market is a food lover's paradise where you can see and buy the freshest ingredients from Hokkaido.
The market stalls sell incredible seafood like sea urchin, crab, salmon, and squid. Many vendors let you taste samples before buying. You'll also find restaurants inside the market that serve amazing seafood rice bowls, fresh sushi, and grilled fish for breakfast or lunch.
Shopping at Nijo Market gives you a glimpse into daily life in Sapporo. The friendly vendors are happy to explain different seafood types and how to prepare them. This is a must-visit spot for anyone interested in Japanese food culture. Many food tours include stops at this market.
The Sapporo Clock Tower is one of the city's most famous landmarks. Built in 1878, this white wooden building with a red roof is a symbol of Sapporo's history. It was originally part of a military training school and is one of the oldest buildings in the city.
Inside the clock tower, you can learn about Sapporo's development during the Meiji Period. The clock itself is over 140 years old and still works perfectly – it's wound up once a week to keep it running. Friendly retired volunteers often give free tours and share interesting stories about the building's past.
The entrance fee is only 200 yen for adults, making it one of the most affordable attractions in Sapporo. The clock tower is located in the city center, so it's easy to include in any walking tour of downtown Sapporo.
Maruyama is one of Sapporo's most beautiful neighborhoods. Maruyama Park offers peaceful walking paths through a natural forest, and nearby stands the stunning Hokkaido Shrine, the oldest and largest shrine in the region.
Mt. Maruyama rises 225 meters and takes only 30-40 minutes to climb. Even casual hikers can easily reach the top, where you'll be rewarded with wonderful views of Sapporo city below. The forest walk is refreshing and beautiful in every season.
Hokkaido Shrine was built in 1869 by the order of Emperor Meiji. The shrine's peaceful atmosphere and beautiful traditional architecture attract thousands of visitors every year. Many locals come here to pray, especially during New Year's and special festivals. This area offers a perfect escape from the busy city center.
Moerenuma Park is a unique attraction designed by world-famous sculptor Isamu Noguchi. This park was built on a former landfill site and took over 20 years to complete. The entire park works as one giant sculpture, creating an artistic outdoor experience.
The park features a massive glass pyramid, beautiful fountains, man-made hills, and creative playground equipment. In summer, you can have picnics and play in the water features. In winter, the park becomes a snowy playground with free sledding and skiing areas.
The park is large and open, perfect for outdoor activities and photography. The "Moere Beach" area has shallow water that's safe for children to play in. This is one of the most unique parks in Japan and shows Sapporo's creative spirit. Consider joining a day tour that includes this artistic space.
Sapporo is one of Japan's ramen capitals, and trying the local style is a must. Sapporo ramen is famous for its rich miso-based broth, served with thick curly noodles, butter, corn, and bean sprouts. The warm, hearty soup is perfect for Hokkaido's cold climate.
You can find excellent ramen all over Sapporo, but Ramen Alley in Susukino is the most famous spot. This small alley has about 17 tiny ramen shops, each with its own special recipe. The shops are so small that they usually seat only 8-10 people, creating a cozy atmosphere.
Another famous style from Sapporo is soup curry – a lighter, spicier curry soup with vegetables and meat. Many restaurants specialize in this dish, and food tours often include stops at both ramen and soup curry spots to try these local favorites.
JR Tower Observatory T38 sits 160 meters high and offers stunning 360-degree views of Sapporo. Located right above Sapporo Station, this modern observation deck gives you a different perspective of the city compared to Mt. Moiwa.
On clear days, you can see the Mashike Mountains, Hidaka mountain range, and even the Ishikari plain. The observatory has floor-to-ceiling windows and comfortable viewing areas. Admission costs 800 yen, which is very reasonable for such amazing views.
At the tower, you'll also find T'CAFE, where you can enjoy afternoon tea while looking out over the city. The tower is easily accessible and a great activity for any weather. Many visitors enjoy comparing the views from here with those from Mt. Moiwa. The observatory is open until late evening, so you can catch both day and night views.
Tanukikoji Shopping Street is a huge covered arcade that stretches for seven blocks through downtown Sapporo. This indoor shopping street is perfect for browsing shops, eating at restaurants, and experiencing local life – no matter what the weather is like outside.
The arcade has everything from traditional Japanese souvenir shops to modern fashion stores. You'll find popular chain restaurants, independent izakayas, craft beer bars, and convenience stores. Because it's covered, you can shop comfortably even during Sapporo's cold winters or rainy days.
Walking through Tanukikoji at night is especially fun because the street stays lively with both locals and tourists. The arcade connects to the underground walkway system, making it easy to reach from anywhere in the city center. This is the perfect place to pick up souvenirs and gifts.
The Hill of the Buddha at Makomanai Takino Cemetery is one of Sapporo's most unique attractions. This massive Buddha statue sits on a circular hill covered with lavender. When you walk through the underground tunnel and emerge to see the Buddha, it creates a powerful and peaceful moment.
The approach to the Buddha was designed by the famous architect Tadao Ando. The minimalist concrete tunnel opens up to reveal the serene 13.5-meter tall Buddha statue. During summer, the hill blooms with purple lavender flowers, creating a stunning purple crown around the Buddha's head.
This spiritual site is located about one hour from central Sapporo by public transport. Despite being a cemetery, the atmosphere is peaceful and welcoming to visitors. It's a completely different experience from typical tourist spots and offers beautiful photography opportunities.
While not in Sapporo itself, the charming port town of Otaru is only 30 minutes away by train and makes a perfect day trip. This historic town is famous for its beautiful canal lined with old warehouses, now converted into museums, shops, and restaurants.
Otaru's main shopping street, Sakaimachi Street, is filled with glass shops showcasing the town's famous glass-making tradition. You can watch artisans at work and buy beautiful glassware as souvenirs. The street also has sweet shops like LeTao, famous for their amazing chocolates and desserts.
The town's music box museum houses thousands of music boxes and plays gentle melodies throughout the day. In winter, the canal area is lit with snow lanterns during the Otaru Snow Light Path Festival. You can also visit the Nikka Whiskey Distillery in nearby Yoichi. Many Sapporo tours offer convenient day trip packages to Otaru with transportation and guided tours included.
