Top 25 Activities and Attractions in Sapporo, Japan

A visit to the island of Hokkaido offers an opportunity to explore Sapporo, the dynamic capital city. This area is recognized for its vibrant urban life, beautifully merging modernity with traditional Japanese culture.

The city boasts winter-themed attractions, such as a renowned snow festival and picturesque ski resorts located on the outskirts. Additionally, visitors can relish in Hokkaido’s culinary specialties, including the famous hairy crabs and the iconic Sapporo Beer.

With a population of approximately 2 million, Sapporo provides ample green spaces within its parks, as well as access to the serene countryside, where traditional Japanese temples dot the tranquil mountain landscapes.

Here are the 25 best things to do in Sapporo…

1. Tour the Ishiya Chocolate Factory

For a delightful experience in Sapporo, consider visiting the Ishiya Chocolate Factory.

During your tour of the facility, you can learn about the chocolate-making process, including their signature product, the white chocolate known as ‘shiroi koibito,’ a Hokkaido specialty.

The factory also features an onsite restaurant where you can indulge in a cake buffet and enjoy a robot show and a toy museum—a particularly engaging attraction for families with children.

2. Attend Sapporo Snow Festival

The Sapporo Snow Festival is the city’s foremost social event, celebrated for its spectacular ice sculpture competition.

Held annually at Odori Koen, the festival commences at the beginning of February, attracting ice sculptors from around the globe, along with family-friendly attractions like ice castles and igloos.

For the best experience, visit in the evening to see the illuminated ice sculptures, though it is advisable to expect larger crowds during this time.

3. Walk around Asahiyama Park

Asahiyama Park is noted for its beautiful flowering gardens that burst with color throughout the year.

This park is a popular gathering place for couples, with spring showcasing exquisite cherry blossoms and autumn bringing vibrant fall foliage, making it a peaceful retreat within the city.

4. Catch a game at Sapporo Dome

The Sapporo Dome, which hosted the FIFA World Cup in 2002, serves as the home ground for various baseball teams, including the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters.

Although baseball may not be the first sport you associate with Japan, a visit here allows you to enjoy traditional snacks such as hot dogs while watching games throughout the season, making it an enjoyable experience for sports enthusiasts.

5. Check out the Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art

Art enthusiasts should not miss the Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art, nestled within a serene park with expansive lawns.

This museum primarily showcases modern artworks created by Japanese artists, along with some notable Western works displayed in rotating galleries.

6. Buy some chocolate

Sapporo appeals to domestic tourists, with many locals opting to purchase chocolate as a memento of their visit.

The popular delicacy known as ‘shiroi koibito,’ which translates to ‘White Lovers,’ consists of white chocolate encased in a wafer.

This delightful treat is readily available throughout Sapporo, allowing you to savor the city’s flavors long after your departure.

7. Check out the Clock Tower

Renowned as one of Sapporo’s most iconic structures, the Clock Tower dates back to 1880 when it was erected in honor of Hokkaido University.

The tower also provides insights into its historical significance, making it a popular spot for photographs, albeit amidst crowds.

8. Visit Odori Park

Odori Park represents Sapporo’s most esteemed green space, refreshing residents and visitors alike with its picturesque surroundings.

Spanning 15 blocks, this park presents an ideal setting for leisurely afternoon strolls, adorned with trees, flowers, and fountains, particularly stunning during the autumn foliage display.

9. Check out the views at Sapporo TV Tower

Sapporo TV Tower stands out as an emblematic structure in both the city and the country as a whole.

Resembling the Eiffel Tower in Paris, it offers visitors an observation deck situated approximately 90 meters high, where breathtaking views of Sapporo can be admired, making it a must-see for newcomers to the area.

10. Tour the Sapporo Beer Museum

The Sapporo Beer Museum, renowned as one of the city’s premier attractions, celebrates its popular local beverage.

Operated by the Sapporo Brewing Company, visitors can participate in guided tours, delving into the beer-making process and the brewery’s origins. The museum provides engaging galleries detailing the history of the beverage, culminating in a tasting of various beers.

11. Explore Hokkaido Pioneer Village

Located just beyond central Sapporo, Hokkaido Pioneer Village offers insights into the history of industrialization in this region.

The village features a reconstructed railway station and many historical buildings from the early 20th century, set amid landscaped gardens perfect for a tranquil afternoon stroll.

12. Climb Moiwayama

Known as Moiwa Mountain, this magnificent peak is located just outside Sapporo.

Visitors can take a cable car to the summit for breathtaking views over the city, especially captivating at night when Sapporo glimmers with lights.

13. Check out Nijo Ichiba

Nijo Ichiba is often regarded as Hokkaido’s equivalent of Tokyo’s famous Tsukiji market.

This bustling venue features a wide variety of fresh fish and seafood delivered to the market daily. Arriving early ensures that you can savor the freshest catches and discover affordable sushi restaurants nearby.

14. Explore Hokkaido University Botanical Garden

The Hokkaido University Botanical Garden is among the most beautiful gardens in the city, featuring various attractions.

With scenic rock gardens, a lilac garden, and a greenhouse, other thematic smaller gardens exhibit diverse flora. Additionally, a museum offers insights into Hokkaido’s history, making it an informative stop.

Visiting during spring is advisable when the gardens are in full bloom.

15. Visit Hokkaido Museum

To gain insights into the history of Sapporo and Hokkaido as a whole, a visit to the Hokkaido Museum is essential.

The museum features galleries inviting you to journey through time, showcasing preserved specimens such as woolly mammoths. It narrates the story of Hokkaido’s industrial evolution alongside fascinating exhibits of ancient steam engines, and delves into contemporary history.

The museum is commendable for its engaging English explanations, making it more accessible to international visitors.

16. Walk around Moerenuma Park

For those seeking a green retreat, Moerenuma Park spans an extensive area, offering a tranquil setting ideal for relaxation.

The park features lush lawns, unexpected attractions like a large glass pyramid, and a mountain you can climb for panoramic views of Sapporo. Free bicycles are also available for visitors, providing a unique way to explore the area.

17. Try the local food

Sapporo is particularly famed for its northern delicacy, the hairy crab (kegani), known for its fresh and delicious flavor, albeit at a premium price.

Additionally, ramen is extremely popular here, characterized by a rich miso broth that provides a delightful savory experience.

Be sure to sample Sapporo’s unique soup curry, a delightful fusion of soup and curry sauce, underscoring the city’s reputation as a culinary destination.

18. Go skiing

Sapporo is renowned for its winter sports offerings, particularly skiing at Mount Teine, the area’s premier ski mountain.

Having hosted the Winter Olympics in 1972, this ski resort caters to all skill levels and features beginner, intermediate, and advanced runs. Furthermore, visitors can also engage in activities such as snowboarding and tobogganing.

19. Sample the ice cream

Hokkaido is celebrated for its dairy industry, ensuring a plethora of ice cream options throughout Sapporo.

Sapporo also features unique ice cream establishments, including Milk Mura, where patrons are served delicious ice cream alongside a shot of liquor, with the added benefit of a complimentary refill.

20. Visit Jozankei

Consider a day trip to Jozankei, a picturesque town approximately one hour from Sapporo, famous for its onsen (hot springs).

This relaxing destination is ideal for unwinding amidst scenic parks, particularly striking during autumn, complemented by attractions such as Houhaikyou Dam, which offers stunning countryside views.

21. Stroll around Kaitaku-mura

Kaitaku-mura is a captivating neighborhood distinguished by its impressive historical buildings, transporting visitors back to Sapporo’s past.

Situated in Nopporo Shinrin-koen, this area showcases remarkable 19th-century architecture, including Victorian-style homes and opulent mansions from the prosperous herring industry era.

A highlight of visiting this neighborhood is the accessibility of many buildings, allowing you to explore their interiors as well.

22. Have some fruit

Hokkaido is famous for its delicious fruits and vegetables, and Sapporo showcases this abundance with local markets filled with strawberries and melons.

Additionally, keep an eye out for kuwanomi, the regional mulberries from Souen, known for their exceptional sweetness, which are often transformed into delightful jams—an ideal souvenir from Sapporo.

23. Tour Hokkaido Ainu Center

To gain a deeper understanding of the Ainu people, the indigenous ethnic group of Hokkaido, visit the Hokkaido Ainu Center.

This modest establishment, managed by the Hokkaido Ainu Association, features engaging galleries that narrate their history through various artifacts, including textiles and jewelry.

24. Admire the Okura-yama Ski Jump Stadium

The Okura-yama Ski Jump Stadium is renowned for its slope constructed on Okura Mountain, designed for the 1972 Winter Olympics.

Visitors have the opportunity to ascend the jump, which reaches over 133 meters in height, and experience a simulator within the attached museum that mimics the sensation of skiing down this impressive incline.

25. Visit the 100th Anniversary Memorial Park

The 100th Anniversary Memorial Park is conveniently located near Hokkaido Pioneer Village, making it easy to visit both attractions concurrently.

The park is primarily frequented for its towering structure, allowing visitors to ascend and enjoy sweeping views of Sapporo.

It’s also a wonderful spot to appreciate the surrounding natural landscapes bordered by some of the region’s most picturesque mountains.