Odori
First-timersThe central park and subway.
Sapporo city guide
Things To Do In Sapporo
Hokkaido's capital: a snow festival of ice sculptures in February, miso ramen, a historic brewery, cool summers and some of the best powder skiing in the world an hour or two away.
6
Hostels in the city
8.6
Average, from 1,343 reviews
1876
The brewery founded
February
The Snow Festival
2 h
To Niseko
The capital of the north
Sapporo was built in the late nineteenth century on a grid plan as the capital of Hokkaido, Japan's northern frontier, and it feels newer and more spacious than other Japanese cities.
It is famous for its Snow Festival each February, when Odori Park fills with enormous snow and ice sculptures, for miso ramen and for its beer.
In winter it is the gateway to Niseko's powder snow; in summer it is cool when the rest of Japan swelters. Two or three days is right.
Where to stay
Odori, around the central park, is the best base, close to the subway, the TV Tower and the Snow Festival site. Susukino, just south, is the entertainment district, with ramen, bars and late nights. Around Sapporo Station are hotels and trains to the airport and Otaru.
Susukino
NightlifeThe entertainment district.
Sapporo Station
TransportHotels and trains.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 4 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Sapporo
Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, is a young city laid out on a grid in the late nineteenth century, famous for snow, beer and food.
The Sapporo Snow Festival, in early February, fills Odori Park with giant snow and ice sculptures; book accommodation months ahead. In summer, the park hosts beer gardens.
The Sapporo Beer Museum, in the brewery's red-brick building, tells the story of Japan's oldest beer brand, founded in 1876, with tastings. The clock tower is the city's symbol, and the Hokkaido Museum covers the island's history and the Ainu, its indigenous people.
Ride the Mount Moiwa ropeway for a night view over the city lights. Nijo Market sells seafood for breakfast bowls.
Otaru, 40 minutes away, has a canal lined with old warehouses and glassworks. Niseko, two hours away, has some of the best powder skiing in the world, and Jozankei, an hour away, is a hot-spring town in a valley.
Free things
Free things to do in Sapporo
Odori Park and the Snow Festival sculptures are free, and so are the summer beer gardens' atmosphere and the park's flower beds.
The Hokkaido Government Building, the old red-brick one, and Hokkaido Shrine in Maruyama Park are free, as is Nijo Market.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking in Sapporo
Sapporo is a food destination. Miso ramen was born here; try it in Ramen Yokocho, an alley of tiny shops in Susukino. Soup curry, a spicy broth with vegetables and chicken, is a local invention. Jingisukan, 'Genghis Khan', is lamb grilled on a dome-shaped pan at your table.
Hokkaido's seafood is superb: crab, uni, sea urchin, and ikura, salmon roe, on rice bowls at Nijo Market. Dairy from Hokkaido makes the soft-serve ice cream famous across Japan. A meal is €7 to €20.
Nightlife
Going out in Sapporo
Susukino is one of Japan's biggest entertainment districts north of Tokyo, with bars, izakaya, clubs and ramen until late.
In summer, the beer gardens in Odori Park run from July to August.
A beer is €4 to €6; a Sapporo Classic is the local choice.
Getting around
Getting around Sapporo
New Chitose Airport is about 40 minutes by the JR Rapid Airport train.
The subway covers the city; use an IC card. Streetcars loop around the centre. The underground walkways connect Sapporo Station, Odori and Susukino, useful in winter.
Trains reach Otaru in about 40 minutes, and buses and trains go to Niseko.
Costs
What Sapporo costs
Sapporo is mid-priced. Dorms start around €18 and a careful day is €40 to €55.
Prices rise sharply during the Snow Festival. The Mount Moiwa ropeway is several euros, a ramen €7 to €10, and jingisukan €15 to €25.
Since July 2026, the international tourist tax added to flights out of Japan is ¥3,000.
The currency is the yen (JPY); prices here are euro equivalents. Cards and IC cards work widely in cities, but carry cash: small restaurants, temples and rural places are often cash-only. Convenience store ATMs (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart) take foreign cards.
Safety
Staying safe in Sapporo
Sapporo is very safe. In winter, temperatures fall well below zero and pavements are icy; wear shoes with grip and use the underground walkways.
In the mountains, check avalanche conditions before skiing off-piste.
In Susukino, ignore touts.
Emergency: 110 police, 119 ambulance and fire.
Day trips from Sapporo
A canal town, powder skiing and hot springs.
Otaru
A canal town with glassworks.
Niseko
World-famous powder skiing.
What's on
What is on while you are there
The Snow Festival is one of the biggest winter festivals in the world.
19 Nov – 24 Dec
Sapporo White Illumination
Sapporo White Illumination is a long-standing winter event that lights up the city with beautiful decorations and symbol objects. It takes place across multiple…
4 October
Sapporo Marathon
The Sapporo Marathon is a popular half marathon event that has been held since 1976, attracting runners from all generations. The race route passes…
23–24 October
Mrs. GREEN APPLE
Mrs. GREEN APPLE will perform at Makomanai Sekisui Heim Ice Arena in Sapporo on October 24, 2026. The concert is part of their Ringo…
30 Oct – 7 Jan
Snow Man
Snow Man is touring major domes across Japan from late 2026 into early 2027. You'll find performances in cities like Sapporo, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Tokyo,…
1–3 November
Sapporo Chrysanthemum Festival
The Sapporo Chrysanthemum Festival is an annual event held in Sapporo showcasing a wide variety of chrysanthemums cultivated with great care. The festival features…
14–15 November
YOASOBI
YOASOBI will perform as part of their Asia 10-City Dome & Stadium Tour spanning 2026 to 2027. The concert is scheduled to take place…
11 Sep – 3 Oct
Sapporo Autumn Fest
Sapporo Autumn Fest is a large-scale gourmet event held in the heart of Sapporo, showcasing the best of Hokkaido's local flavors. Spanning multiple blocks…
4 October
UNFRAMED
Tower Records brings its iconic "NO MUSIC, NO LIFE." spirit to the stage with this genre-defying concert series now in its 30th anniversary year.…
Hostels
Where to stay in Sapporo
The top-rated places to stay in Sapporo right now, live from Hostelworld.
When to go
February for the Snow Festival, June to September for mild summers.
Jan
Skiing
Feb
Snow Festival
Mar
Cold
Apr
Late blossom
May
Blossom
Jun
Yosakoi
Jul
Cool summer
Aug
Beer gardens
Sep
Good
Oct
Autumn
Nov
Cold
Dec
Ski season
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs. Winters are snowy and well below freezing.
What your trip will cost
Pick how you travel. Per person per night, in euros.
Prices are in yen locally; these are euro equivalents. Snow Festival prices run higher.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Sapporo travel questions
The ones we get asked most.
When is the Snow Festival?
In early February in Odori Park. Book accommodation months ahead.
What should I eat?
Miso ramen, soup curry, jingisukan and Hokkaido seafood.
How do I get from the airport?
By the JR Rapid Airport train, about 40 minutes.
Can I ski from Sapporo?
Yes, at Niseko, two hours away, or smaller resorts closer.
How many days do you need?
Two or three.
When is the best time to visit?
February for snow, or June to August for cool summers.
How cold is it?
Well below zero in winter; Sapporo gets heavy snow.
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