Sapporo is the capital city of Hokkaido, the northernmost prefecture of Japan. It’s located in southern Hokkaido and is one of the country’s largest cities. Not only does Sapporo serve as a hub providing easy access to Hokkaido’s stunning mountains and relaxing hot springs, but it also boasts a vibrant city life with numerous attractions. Although Sapporo’s Snow Festival in February is a major highlight, the ideal time to explore Hokkaido is during the summer months.
Things to Do in Sapporo
Dining: Sapporo features a diverse dining scene, showcasing delicious specialty foods such as ramen noodles, Jing isu kan (grilled mutton), and flavorful soup curry dishes. Moreover, the Sapporo beer brewery invites visitors for an insightful tour.
Odori Park: This must-visit park spans 13 blocks in the city center and hosts various events and festivals. One of its highlights is the iconic TV Tower, built in 1956, which offers spectacular city views from its observation deck. For a fun twist, check out the famous Black Slide Mantra sculpture where you can slide down.
Hokkaido University Botanical Garden: This beautiful garden showcases over 200 plants and herbs used for food, medicine, and clothing, providing a serene escape from the urban environment.
Clock Tower: Dating back to 1878, this landmark is the oldest building in Sapporo. Capture a photo of this historic structure and step inside to explore the museum.
Sapporo Snow Festival: The city is renowned for its Sapporo Snow Festival, an enchanting seven-day event attracting millions of visitors each February. This festival features countless snow statues and ice sculptures, with teams from around the globe competing in the International Snow Sculpture Contest.
Best Time to Visit Hokkaido
If the allure of the Snow Festival does not captivate you, summer is an excellent time to visit Hokkaido. The summer climate is notably cooler than other regions of Japan, which tend to be hot and humid. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency’s 30-year normals (1981 – 2010), the average annual temperature in Sapporo is approximately 8.9 degrees Celsius.
Access to Sapporo
Accessing Sapporo from the New Chitose Airport takes about 40 minutes via the JR express train to JR Sapporo Station. Alternatively, a bus ride to the city center takes approximately 75 minutes.
Traveling by train, you can take the JR Tohoku/Hokkaido Shinkansen from Tokyo to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto, which takes around 4 hours. Then, transfer to the Hokuto limited express, arriving in Sapporo in another 3.5 hours. Both the Japan Rail Pass and the JR East South Hokkaido Rail Pass conveniently cover this journey.
Ferry services are also available between Oarai and Tomakomai via the MOL Ferry, as well as routes connecting Nagoya and Sendai to Tomakomai with the Taiheiyo Ferry. There are also ferry services from Niigata, Tsuruga, or Maizuru to Otaru or Tomakomai, facilitated by the Shin Nihonkai Ferry.
For more information about travel in Sapporo, the Sapporo Tourist Association website is a helpful resource.
