Hokkaido · city guide

Sapporo

Hokkaido's easygoing capital of ramen, beer and snow.

Sapporo is a young city laid out on a simple grid, so it is easy to find your way. Odori Park runs through the middle, and Susukino lights up at night with ramen shops and bars. It is a comfortable base for the rest of Hokkaido. Summer is mild and pleasant. Winter is cold and snowy, and the city's Snow Festival in early February is the busiest week of the year. Book that week early.

Best time: June to September for mild weather, or early February for the Snow Festival (February 4–11 in 2027). Cherry blossoms usually arrive in early May.

Weather

-3.2°Jan
7.3°Apr
22.3°Aug
12.1°Oct

Average temperature, °C. JMA 1991–2020 normals (Sapporo (JMA)).

Top 5

  • Odori ParkThe long green strip in the center and the main Snow Festival site.
  • Nijo MarketSeafood rice bowls for breakfast near Odori and Susukino.
  • Sapporo Beer GardenJingisukan and draft beer in a red-brick hall, next to the beer museum.
  • Mt. Moiwa RopewayCity night views from the summit observatory.
  • Jozankei OnsenA gorge hot-spring town about an hour from the center by car.

A simple day

  1. Breakfast bowl at Nijo Market.
  2. Walk Odori Park and the old Clock Tower area.
  3. Afternoon at the Sapporo Beer Garden and museum.
  4. Ride the Mt. Moiwa Ropeway for the night view.
  5. Late miso ramen in Susukino.

Where to stay

  • Sapporo StationBest for day trips by train and the airport line.
  • OdoriCentral, walkable and between the station and Susukino.
  • SusukinoNightlife and late food, a bit noisier.

Places we’ve checked

From the psst directory. Opening days and prices change — check the official site before you go.

Getting there

Fly Tokyo (Haneda) → New Chitose in about 1h30, then take the JR Rapid Airport train to Sapporo in about 37 min.

psst — skip this mistake: Leaving Snow Festival hotel bookings to the last minute. Rooms near Odori fill up months ahead.