Hokkaido Travelers Recommend

Three days in Sapporo gives you enough time to explore the city’s highlights, to experience the local culture and flavors, and to get outside the city to explore a lake, park, or mountain. Here’s how to make the most of three days in Sapporo.

Day 1: City Sightseeing

Get a comprehensive introduction to Sapporo on a guided sightseeing tour of the city. Visit top attractions, such as Odori Park, Sapporo Clock Tower, the former Hokkaido Government Office Building, Sapporo TV Tower, and Hokkaido Jingu Shrine. Then spend the afternoon sampling and learning all about Sapporo beer at the Sapporo Beer Museum or chocolates at the family-friendly Shiroi Koibito Park and Ishiya Chocolate Factory.

In the late afternoon, take the Mt. Moiwa Ropeway up to the summit and observation deck of Mt. Moiwa to enjoy panoramic city views at sunset and at night. There’s a restaurant up top, or head back down to Sapporo and spend the evening sampling local cuisine. A food tasting tour is a great way to try a variety of dishes, including miso ramen, a regional specialty.

Day 2: Active Pursuits

Spend the day enjoying outdoor activities outside of Sapporo. If you visit in winter, head to one of the area ski resorts, such as Sapporo Teine Ski Resort, Bankei Ski Resort, or Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort and spend the day skiing and snowboarding. If you visit in other seasons, head to Lake Shikotsu and Mount Tarumae or Nopporo Forest Park to go hiking or mountain biking. Alternatively, head to Furano and Biei to see the lavender fields and the Blue Pond.

After a busy day, soak your tired muscles at an onsen, or Japanese hot spring. If you travel to Lake Shikotsu, check out the onsens at Noboribetsu. If you stay closer to Sapporo, head to Jozankei Onsen or Hoheikyo Onsen, both located near the city.

Day 3: Local Flavors

Start your final day off sampling fresh Hokkaido seafood at one of the bustling food markets in town, such as Nijo Market or Central Wholesale Market. Afterwards, take the train to the nearby port town of Otaru (about an hour by train), known for its well-preserved canal area and historic mansions. Be sure to check out the many shops along Sakaimachi Street, especially those devoted to glassworks or music boxes. Otaru is also a great place to sample more seafood, sweets and desserts, whiskey, and sake.

If you prefer to stay in Sapporo, take a cooking class and learn to make local favorites such as sushi and soba, or go shopping for souvenirs at an underground shopping plaza, such as Aurora Town or Pole Town. Then enjoy your final night out on the town in vibrant Susukino, which offers plenty of options to dine, drink, and dance the night away.

With two days in Sapporo, there’s enough time to explore the city’s most famous highlights and also visit attractions just outside the metro area. From historic landmarks and bustling food markets to panoramic views and a lively nightlife scene, Hokkaido’s biggest city has lots to offer. Here are great ways to spend 48 hours in Sapporo.

Day 1: Sapporo by Day and Night

Morning: Get your bearings with a sightseeing tour of Sapporo: Stroll around Odori Park and stop at the red-bricked Former Hokkaido Government Office Building and Sapporo Clock Tower. In winter, be sure to check out the Sapporo Snow Festival, also held at the park. End your morning at Sapporo TV Tower, where you can enjoy panoramic views from the observation deck.

Afternoon: Spend the afternoon at Sapporo Beer Museum, learning about the beer brewing process, as well as sampling freshly brewed Sapporo. Alternatively, chocolate lovers should head to Shiroi Koibito Park, a theme park that offers a tour of the Ishiya Chocolate Factory.

Night: Head to the lively Susukino district for an evening of dining, drinking, and revelry. Get an insider’s view by joining a small-group food and nightlife tour and discover hidden gems off the beaten path such as barbecue lamb restaurants and all-you-can-drink ( nomihodai ) bars.

Day 2: Otaru, Seafood, and Scenic Views

Morning: Hokkaido is known for its fresh seafood. Start your morning off at either the Central Wholesale Market or Nijo Market and try some kaisendon, a seafood dish popular for breakfast on the island. Afterwards, head out of Sapporo to explore the historic port town of Otaru, which is about 40 minutes away by train. Climb the 123 steps to Suitengu Shrine for lovely panoramic views.

Afternoon: For lunch, grab more seafood at Sankaku Market. Otaru is famous for sweets, so be sure to try some double cheesecake or soft serve ice cream for dessert. Afterwards, walk along beautiful Otaru Canal and browse the shops along Sakaimachi Street; don’t miss the stores devoted to music boxes or glass works, both famous local products.

Night: Take the train back to Sapporo for your final night, and head up the ropeway to Mt. Moiwa to enjoy sunset and nighttime views, some of the best of the city. There’s a restaurant on top of Mt. Moiwa where you can enjoy a romantic meal. Alternatively, head back to Susukino and Sapporo Ramen Yokocho to try some miso ramen, said to have originated here.

The natural beauty of Hokkaido, with its wide-open wilderness, lush forests, and many mountains and lakes, is a wonder to explore at any time of year. But during summer, you can enjoy myriad stellar hiking and mountain biking trails that are snow-covered in winter. Activity tours help you get the most out of Hokkaido’s trail network. Here are your options.

Highlights

• See more of Sapporo’s vast natural surroundings—and get some exercise and fresh mountain air—by touring Hokkaido’s trails by foot or by bike.

• Discover some of the region’s most beautiful sights and get insights into local culture with help from your guide.

• See wildflowers and native fauna as you explore Hokkaido’s wilderness.

• Opt for a private or small-group tour for a more personalized experience.

• Take a tour that ends with a refreshing soak in a traditional Japanese hot spring (onsen).

Hiking Tours in Hokkaido

For a casual hike overlooking Sapporo, take the ropeway to the top of Mt. Moiwa, a small peak with a cable car and an overlook just south of the city center. For something more strenuous, take a hiking day trip from Sapporo to the summit of Mt. Tarumae, one of Japan’s most active volcanoes. From the top, enjoy views of Lake Shikotsu and (on a clear day) the Pacific Ocean. Tours typically conclude with a few reinvigorating dips in indoor and outdoor natural hot springs.

Biking Tours in Hokkaido

You can also enjoy the scenic environs of Lake Shikotsu by mountain bike on a guided tour from Sapporo. Alternatively, stay closer to the city on a cycling tour of the nearby forest paths, which usually culminates with a soak in an onsen. Exploring Nopporo Forest Park by mountain bike lets you get up close to its abundant flora and fauna—such as deer, for which Nopporo is famed. Tours are typically small in size and include equipment.

Hikers and mountain bikers alike should not miss Daisetsuzan National Park, Hokkaido’s largest. This spot boasts mountains, rivers, waterfalls, and forests, and is home to the Sounkyo Gorge. You can rent bicycles in the town of Sounkyo to explore deep into the gorge, where plunging waterfalls crisscross 300-foot (91-meter) cliffs.

The large city of Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, is best-known for beer, ramen, and its annual snow festival. On a one-day visit, there’s time to check out some of the top highlights, take in the views, sample the local food and beer, and explore the vibrant nightlife. Here’s how to make the most of 24 hours in the city.

Morning: See City Highlights

Start your day with a tour of top city highlights, such as the Former Hokkaido Government Office Building, Sapporo Clock Tower, Odori Park, Hokkaido Jingu Shrine, and Central Wholesale Market. A half-day or full-day guided tour will help you make the most of your time: Delve into local life and small neighborhoods on a walking tour, or opt for a private tour to fully customize your itinerary. Don’t miss the panoramic views from the top of Sapporo TV Tower, a great way to get your bearings in the city.

Afternoon: Sample Some Beer

The island of Hokkaido is known as the birthplace of Japanese beer. Spend your afternoon sampling some local brew: Take a tour at the Sapporo Beer Hokkaido Brewery, just outside the city center, then visit the Sapporo Beer Museum, which has an attached beer garden. True beer aficionados should also visit the Asahi Beer Factory for a tour and tasting. These beers can also be found all throughout the city; during the summer, the beer garden inside Odori Park is a great place to enjoy them.

Night: Taste the Nightlife

Join a nighttime walking food tour to sample local favorites, such as miso ramen and Hokkaido crab, and find hidden gems off the beaten path. For nightlife, dining, and even shopping, head to the Susukino District, the largest entertainment district north of Tokyo, which is home to thousands of establishments. Enjoy all-you-can-drink (nomihodai) bars, sing your heart out in a karaoke box, dance the night away at hopping clubs, or enjoy some gambling at the pachinko parlors. Those looking for a more low-key evening can head to the top of Mt. Moiwa for dinner and nighttime views of the city.

Known as the birthplace of Japanese beer, the northerly island of Hokkaido has plenty to offer traveling beer lovers. From Japan’s largest summertime beer garden to tap houses where you can enjoy locally brewed draft beers straight from the factory, and even a beer museum, here are some suggestions for a beer-themed visit to Hokkaido.

Sapporo Beer Museum

Its namesake beer, sold around the world, is one of the first associations visitors make to the city of Sapporo. The Sapporo Brewery was founded here in 1876, and its beer remains one of the most popular in the nation. Beer aficionados can reserve a tour of the factory, just outside the city, and also visit the Sapporo Beer Museum in the city center. The museum has an attached beer garden where you can sample the products.

Asahi Beer Factory

Sapporo shouldn’t be the only beer you drink in Hokkaido. The region’s beer brewing legacy means there are plenty of other beers to try, including Asahi. The Asahi Brewery offers guided tours that take you through the entire production process and culminate with tastings of up to three glasses of freshly brewed beer.

Odori Park

To get a taste of the wide variety of beers produced locally, visit during the summer, when numerous breweries from around Hokkaido set up shop at Japan’s biggest beer garden in Odori Park. In addition to domestic brews, you can sample beers from around the world while snacking on Hokkaido’s seasonal foods.

Otaru Beer

If you venture to the port city of Otaru (around one hour from Sapporo) to explore its canals, stop at Otaru Beer to tour the factory and taste its German-inspired beer.