How to Spend the Perfect One Day in Sapporo Itinerary

Last Updated on 9th June 2024 by Sophie Nadeau

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The city of Sapporo is located on Japan’s northernmost island, Hokkaido. Renowned for its famous beer, snowy topped mountains and beautiful green spaces, there’s a lot to be explored in the capital city of Hokkaido prefecture. Here’s how to spend a perfect day in Sapporo itinerary, as well as top tips to know before you go!

What is Sapporo known for?

Sapporo is the capital city of Japan’s  second-largest island, Hokkaido. Famed for its delicious ramen, well-known beer and heavy snowfall which transforms the city into a winter wonderland between the months of November to February. In fact, it is the second snowiest city in the world!

Host to the Winter Olympics in 1972. The city is also home to some of Japan’s best festivals, including the Sapporo Snow Festival which is held annually from February 4th-11th and celebrates culture, winter sports, local cuisine and Sapporo’s relationship to other cities across the world.

Suggested one day in Sapporo itinerary

Maruyama Park, (円山公園, Maruyama Kōen)

Begin your day at the delightful Maruyama Park. This vast 439,000-square-meter area is home to a virgin forest which contains a diverse variety of trees including: Oak, Katsura (Japanese Judas tree), Magnolia and Maple trees. As such, it has been designated a natural treasure.

With over 330 plant varieties, 100 species of birds and many other small animals, Maruyama Park is truly “a place where nature lives and breathes”. Whether you spend the morning leisurely wandering through to birdwatch, marvel at the natural landscape or simply sit and soak up the tranquil ambience, it’s makes for the idyllic spot to start off your day!

Aside from its natural beauty, within Maruyama Park boundaries you’ll find Hokkaido Jingu shrine, Maruyama Zoo, several sports facilities (a baseball stadium, field & track course and tennis courts) as well as a mountain, Mt Maruyama.

If you happen to be visiting in late spring and haven’t had your fill of Japan’s cherry blossoms yet, the park is particularly beautiful during sakura season which typically falls between late April to mid May.

Hokkaido Jingu, (北海道神宮, Hokkaidō Jingū)

While exploring Maruyama Park, be sure to visit the Shinto shrine sited within, Hokkaido Jingu. Previously known the Sapporo Shrine until 1964, it is one of the most famous Japanese temples in Hokkaido prefecture.

Built in 1869 by order of Emperor Meiji, three gods, Okunitama, Onamuchi, and Sukunahikona were enshrined. Later, Emperor Meiji himself was enshrined here as the fourth god. In 1974 the shrine burned down, but it was then restored in 1978.

Hokkaido Jingu is most popularly known for its festival, “Sapporo Festival” which takes place from June 14th-16th and has been happening every year for over a century. Celebrations for the beautiful shrine take place in the form of a parade, where people dress in colourful Heian period costumes and a procession goes through the city, typically with four mikoshi portable shrines and eight floats. Thousands of people take part in this event.

Sapporo Beer Museum 

Next, take yourself to Sapporo Garden Park in Higashi-ku, where you’ll find the Sapporo Beer Museum. Here you can learn about the history of Japan’s oldest beer brand as well as the process of beer making and sampling some for yourself!

To be honest I don’t really recommend taking the ‘premium tour’ as the free self-guided tour is perfect to get to know more about the history of Sapporo beer and the city itself. Once you’ve seen the museum, you can head back downstairs to the tasting area.

Here, you can line up to purchase a beer token from a vending machine before heading to the bar area to pick up your beer. We personally opted for a flight as this was the most reasonably priced option and you get to sample three different Sapporo beers. There is also alcohol free options, as well as snacks like rice crackers and nuts.

Sapporo Clock Tower  (時計台, Tokeidai)

One of the more historic and famous attractions in town is the clock tower, which as of 2021 became the oldest clock tower in all of Japan!

One of the last surviving Western-style structures in Sapporo, this wooden structure was built in 1878. It’s one of the oldest buildings standing in the city, as such it has been designated an ‘Important Cultural Property’.

The clock tower was originally built as a drill hall for the former Sapporo Agricultural College (now, Hokkaido University) which was actually the first agricultural college in Japan. Today, the building is home to a museum and exhibition where you can learn more about the history of the building and its clock tower. The clock itself continues to chime every hour on the hour.

Opening times & admission: 8:45 AM- 17:10 PM (closed on Sunday’s). 200 yen for adults, free for kids.

Odori Park, (大通公園, Ōdōri Kōen) 

Home to the TV Tower and the famous Sapporo Snow Festival during the month of February. This iconic park is located in the heart of the city and stretches over 12 blocks, taking around 30 minutes to walk its full length.

Ōdōri translates from Japanese as ‘large street’ and during the urban development and planning for Sapporo, Odori Park was originally designated as a main street. Eventually it became a park, dividing the city into north and south sections.

The best place to view the park is from the TV Tower’s observation deck which lies at the eastern end of the park, it also offers beautiful views of the surrounding city. Aside from Sapporo’s most famous festival, the park also hosts Sapporo Lilac Festival in May, where the first purple blossoms signify to locals that Summer is closely approaching.

Central, green and home to over  92 types of trees, Odori Park is situated in the middle of the business district, so during the week you are likely to see office workers and locals alike using the green oasis as a lunch break spot of after work sit down.

Sapporo TV Tower 

Unfortunately the TV Tower was actually under renovation when we visited so we didn’t get a chance to go up. Similar to that of Tokyo Tower, although much smaller (standing at 147 meters) the iron structure remains vaguely reminiscent to that of the Eiffel Tower.

Built in 1957 by the same architect of the Tokyo Tower, the overall costs of construction were a whopping 170 million yen! In 1961 digital clocks were installed on all four sides of the tower.

Sapporo TV Tower was once the tallest building in the city, today it is less prominent than the skyscrapers built higher than it, but still it pokes out of the skyline, with the snow capped mountains in the backdrop.

You can take the lift all the way up to the 90th floor. Offering the best panoramic views over the city, particularly of Odori Park, this is the spot in which to soak up Sapporo. During sakura season, this is a great spot to enjoy the blooming cherry blossoms in the park below.

Opening times & admission: 9 AM – 9:50 PM, entry prices start from 1,000 yen. However, there’s also a free staircase to visit, but this will only take you up 95 steps so the view is much more limited.

Susukino  (すすきの) 

This buzzing area of Sapporo is best-seen at night. Home to Japan’s largest entertainment district north of Tokyo, it is one of the major red-light districts of Japan. Lined with bars, restaurants, shops and red light establishments, Susukino is certainly the neighbourhood to experience Sapporo’s nightlife scene.

One of the most popular spots in Susukino to eat ramen is a restaurant named Menya Yukikaze, where you can choose from the four main ramens, the favourite being rich miso ramen. 

If you have more time…

While there’s plenty to fill your time over the course of a day in Sapporo, there are many more activities worth checking out in the city and its surroundings.

Fushimi Inari Shrine Sapporo

A little further out the way so I only recommend visiting if you have enough time to do so. That being said, it’s a truly magical spot during the snowfall seasons!

This striking tunnel of red tori gates is similar to that of Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto. This regional Shinto shrine is situated at the foot of Mount Moiwa and dates from 1907, there are a total of 27 tori gates.

Known to be a spot which holds a lot of power, locals and tourists alike will visit in hopes that their wishes for good fortune will come true. Serene and tranquil in ambience, wandering through the pathway is truly an enchanting experience!

Sapporo Art Park, 札幌芸術の森

Also known as ‘Geijutsu no Mori’, the Sapporo Art Park is situated in a 40 hectare forest, just 30 minutes south of Sapporo Station. A little further out, but well worth a visit if you have enough time!

Please note that the art park is not open all year round. During the winter, snowshoe activities take place in the park, but in the spring, the park is closed to visitors (sadly we could only see the artworks through the gate as a result). You have to pay for parking on site and while some of the areas of the park are free, the sculpture garden itself is a paid entrance place.

The art park opened in 1986, with the intention to and it stands testament to Sapporo as an artistic and cultural city. Highlights to see when visiting the park include:

• Art museum – Located by a tranquil pond, within you can see the changing exhibitions, much of the artworks are by Japanese artists, but you’ll sometimes see work by international artists too.
• Sculpture Park – The expansive hilly circuit is home to 74 sculptures by 64 different artists. Marvel and the magnificent array of intriguing artworks! The landscape is particularly beautiful to explore during the sakura season and fall, when the vibrant colours bloom and change with time.
• Takeo Arishima Residence – Takeo Arishima was a Japanese novelist and short-story writer during the late Meiji and Taishō periods. Having spent many years in Sapporo, where his father owned a tenant far. Here, you can visit a collection of his works as well as learn a bit more in depth about Arishima’s life and career. (There’s also a cafe where you can stop for refreshments).
• Sato Churyo Children’s Atelier – An exhibition of heartwarming sculptures with family and children as motifs by the famed Japanese sculptor, Churyo Sato. This is also where workshops take place.
• Craft Hall – This is usually where some of the craftworks made in workshops are exhibited, a hand weaving studio and there are also stalls selling crafts if you wish to buy a souvenir or two to remember your visit by.

Keep an eye out before your visit as there are several concerts held here throughout the year. Home to an outdoor stage and art hall, music events from jazz to classical and everything in between are performed here.

Opening times: 9:45 am – 5:00 pm (5:30 pm during June 1st to August 31st). Admission fee usually costs 700 yen for adults, though this can vary depending on exhibitions.

Where to eat in Sapporo

Veggy Way – This all vegetarian café is located close to Maruyama Pak and serves up noodle dishes made vegan. The food is healthy, tasty, and I particularly enjoyed sampling the sesame ramen.

Moon Sun Brewing –  This cosy tap room is all wood and warm decor and serves up all kinds of uniquely crafted beers. I particularly enjoyed sampling a sour fruits one! They also serve up small plates such as grilled meat, edamame, and pickled vegetanles.

Pizza Joint Pike – If you’re looking for New York style slices of pizzas then you should head to Pizza Joint Pike. You can get all kinds of slices, including jalapeno, pepperoni, and garlic. For a budget friendly meal, opt for the formula, which includes a drink.

Donguri Bakery – Those in search of a quick and easy snack or lunch to go would do well to head to Donguri Bakery, which can be found just steps away from the TV tower. There are all kinds of baked goods for sale here, ranging from classics like milk bread and croissants, to more unusual findings like edamame twists.

Where to stay in Sapporo

We stayed in the The Royal Park Canvas Sapporo Odori Park and loved the fact that our view had a room onto Odori Park and the TV Tower! The city itself is the biggest on Hokkaido and offers a wide variety of choices when it comes to choosing where to stay. Here are a few suggestions based on web-reviews:

• Vessel Hotel Campana Susukino: For those on a bit of a stricter budget, this Japanese-style business hotel is a great choice. If you are using the hotel simply as a sleeping space, the hotel is conveniently located a 6 minutes walk from Sapporo train station and includes basic amenities including free Wifi. Check prices and availability here.
• The Royal Park Canvas Sapporo: As mentioned, we loved our view when staying here! This 4-star hotel is reasonably priced, clean and conveniently located, just 0.7km distance from the beautiful Odori Park. Check prices and availability here.
• Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Sapporo: Situated a 5-minute walk from Sapporo train station and 9 minutes’ walk from the Sapporo Clock Tower. Ammenties include, free WiFi, communal bathhouse, restaurant and a gym. Check prices and availability here.

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