Sapporo & Beyond

Odori Park, known as the heart of Sapporo, is a popular recreation spot. This natural urban park is most beautiful in the winter when colourfully lit trees are scattered through the silver-white snow, and the night is illuminated to be as bright as day. The 147.2-meter-high Sapporo TV Tower is located in Odori Park. There’s a 90-meter high Observation Deck where visitors can enjoy a bird's eye-view of the pleasant scenery in Sapporo. In summer, the Park turns into a "beer plaza”.

The Shiroi Koibito Park was developed based on the ideals of deliciousness, fun and stories of sweets from a bygone era. In addition to housing the Shiroi Koibito Factory where this well-known Hokkaido confectionery is produced, the park also has a cafe to allow visitors to savor Ishiya’s original sweets, the Cookiecraft Studio (where budding confectioners can try their hand at making their own Shiroi Koibito cookies), a toy exhibition room and the Rose Garden. The things visitors see, taste and experience here will make for truly “sweet” memories!

Hokkaido is the birthplace of beer in Japan. Sapporo Beer, one of the oldest and most popular beer brands in the country, has been brewed in Sapporo since 1877 and is now produced and sold around the world. The Sapporo Breweries opened the Sapporo Beer Museum in 1987 in a former brewery from the Meiji Period. The museum introduces the history of beer in Japan and the process of beer making. After the exhibitions, beer tastings are available at a small fee.

Susukino is the largest food and entertainment district in western Japan, and some Asian tours refer to it as “sleepless Susukino”. This is the centre of Sapporo’s nightlife. During weekends, from dusk to dawn, the street is crowded all the time. The district is packed full of restaurants, clubs, bars, Karaoke clubs and other entertainment and dining establishments with local characteristics. There are many underground streets and department stores nearby; the most famous one, located near the near the subway station, is known as "Ramen Alley".

"Ramen Yokocho" means "a small street with several ramen restaurants". There are 2 such Ramen Yokochos in Susukino entertainment district, both located near each other. Known as the Ganso Ramen Yokocho and the Shin Ramen Yokocho, these 2 famous alleyways are crammed with dozens of shops serving Sapporo's famous ramen.

Hokkaido is well known for seafood, and Nijo Ichiba (二条市場, Nijō Ichiba) is a famous market that offers fresh seafood. Located at the centre of Sapporo, it is also known as 'the kitchen for citizens', and is also a popular drawcard for tourists. At Nijo Ichiba market, locals and tourists shop for fresh seafood such as salmon roe, sea urchin, fish and crabs from the 50 different vendors there. It is open every day except for Sundays, with individual shops maintaining their own operating hours.

Located just a one-hour drive away from the city centre, Jozankei Hot Spring is a popular retreat for Sapporo citizens and tourists alike. The hot spring water at Jozankei contains salt and is said to be good for curing digestive diseases, neuralgia, and rheumatism. With a proud history of over 130 years, this hot spring village is surrounded by beautiful greenery and magnificent canyons and proves to be the perfect place to come and relax at after a long day.

A whole string of summer festivals awaits you in Sapporo. The Sapporo City Jazz, is a live jazz extravaganza featuring local, national and international musicians. There is also the Sapporo Summer Festival, one of Japan's largest annual open-air beer gardens. Other various events include the Hokkaido bon festival and the Sapporo Bazaar. Also, don’t miss the stunning fireworks display at the Toyohira River Fireworks Festival and the Moere Summer Festival.

For more information and event venues, click here.