Sapporo is a medium sized urban centre of roughly 2 million people. It has a wide selection of exciting shopping, dining, culture & experiences including ski resorts within the outer city limits.

Sights

Sapporo Beer Museum & Beer Garden
Explore the 120 year history of Japan’s most popular beer.

Sapporo Factory Shopping Mall
Hundreds of fashion labels at factory direct prices.

Nijo Fish Market
A high energy market featuring Hokkaido delicacies, shops & the best seafood.

Susukino District
5000 restaurants, night clubs & entertainment facilities in close proximity including the world famous Ramen Alley.

Sapporo Winter Sports Museum & Ski Jump Stadium
Site of the 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics. The ski jump simulator which gives the sensations experienced by jumpers is very popular.

Jozankei Hot Spring
Found by the monk Jozan on the outskirts of Sapporo 130 years ago. A popular spa retreat.

Maruyama Zoo
One of Japan’s largest zoos. Home to 220 species. November through January.

Ishiya Chocolate Factory
One of the few chocolate museums in the world. History & chocolate are available!

Sapporo Snow Festival

Odori Park (5-11 February 2009)

The Sapporo Snow Festival features 7 days of the most elaborate hand carved ice sculptures. Artists from all over the world create breathtaking works of snow & ice that line the streets in celebration of winter & the world class snow Sapporo receives. The snow festival is easy to experience, but hotels book out quickly. Be sure to book well in advance utilising the hotels noted on this page. 

Sapporo Area Ski Resorts

Around the city of Sapporo are dozens of regional ski resorts. Although these aren’t international destinations they do afford skiers and riders who want a stopover in Sapporo with the option of skiing for the day. Most resorts are less than an hour from the city centre & Outdoor Travel Japan can arrange for its guests to take in one or more resorts.

Teine Highland

Two ski areas (Olympia & Highland) interconnect to form an extensive modernised ski hill less than an hour from town and provides the excellent snow conditions Hokkaido is renowned for. 

Sapporo Kokusai

this ski area offers excellent beginner and intermediate terrain, is easy to get to and usually un crowded. There is a modern gondola to the top of the mountain, some challenging back country and the nearby Jozankei hot springs provide a welcome finish to a day on the slopes.