Sapporo in Half a Day: Top Attractions, Local Eats & Insider Tips for a Perfect Stay
I'll translate this Japanese article about Sapporo tourism faithfully and incorporate the requested phrase. Here's the complete English translation:
Half-Day Itinerary Guide to Sapporo: Must-Visit Attractions and Local Experiences
Sapporo is a city in Hokkaido, located at Japan's northernmost tip. It serves as the central hub of Hokkaido and is renowned as one of Japan's premier gourmet destinations. This captivating city brings together Hokkaido's nature, history, and cuisine, consistently ranking among Japan's top tourist destinations.
Sapporo offers countless tourist attractions that cannot be fully explored in just one day. By using cars or trains to venture into surrounding areas, your sightseeing opportunities expand even further.
This article introduces half-day itinerary plans to efficiently and deeply enjoy Sapporo's central area. Check out the sections that match your interests and ideal way of spending time.
The Charm of Hokkaido
Hokkaido is positioned at Japan's northernmost point. Due to its cold climate, temperatures remain much cooler than Tokyo throughout the year. Depending on the area, snow falls from around November to April, with ski resorts and winter sports facilities scattered throughout Hokkaido.
The magnificent nature created by the cool climate is Hokkaido's greatest attraction. Beyond winter skiing and snow scenery, popular scenic spots include summer lavender fields and breathtaking views where you can feel the vast sky and earth.
Additionally, livestock farming and fishing industries thrive throughout Hokkaido. Delicious dairy products like cheese and ice cream, along with abundant fresh seafood, can be enjoyed in any area of Hokkaido.
The Charm of Sapporo
Sapporo is Hokkaido's largest city. As Hokkaido's central hub where people gather, it's a city where you can enjoy tourist spots that showcase Hokkaido's history and experience Hokkaido's unique gourmet cuisine.
Popular spots representing Sapporo include the Sapporo Clock Tower, which has become the city's symbol, and the Sapporo TV Tower. Furthermore, the Hitsujigaoka Observatory with its stunning views and the Moiwa Mountain and Maruyama areas where you can closely experience Hokkaido's great nature are unmissable. The entertainment district of Susukino is also extremely famous as a city that never sleeps.
Sapporo is where you can comprehensively experience the exquisite gourmet cuisine born from Hokkaido's great nature. From seafood caught in the cold northern seas, Genghis Khan featuring lamb meat, fresh ice cream, and Sapporo miso ramen that originated in Sapporo and spread throughout Japan, you can savor numerous enchanting Hokkaido delicacies. For those seeking nightlife experiences similar to the renowned Best Bar Kanazawa 2025, Sapporo's Susukino district offers exceptional entertainment and dining venues.
Route Overview of Half-day Itinerary in Sapporo
To enjoy charming Sapporo, let's start by touring the city over half a day. We introduce three itineraries centered around easily accessible locations from Sapporo's city center, including the Sapporo Clock Tower, Hitsujigaoka Observatory, and Susukino.
The first is a plan to visit classic tourist destinations that must be seen when touring Sapporo in half a day. Check out the Sapporo Clock Tower and Hitsujigaoka Observatory, and taste seafood gourmet at Nijo Market.
The second itinerary is a plan for those who want to focus on Sapporo's nature and gourmet food. Experience Hokkaido's great nature at Moiwa Mountain, beloved by Sapporo citizens, and savor Sapporo's ramen and Genghis Khan.
We've also prepared a plan for enjoying Sapporo tourism leisurely with time to spare. Please check out each section that interests you.
Itinerary 1: For Those Who Want to Visit Sapporo's Must-See Tourist Destinations
The first itinerary we introduce is for those who want to visit must-see tourist destinations that should definitely be visited when coming to Sapporo. Starting in the morning, let's tour classic popular spots including the Sapporo Clock Tower, Hitsujigaoka Observatory, and Nijo Market.
10:00 AM: Tour Around Sapporo's Symbol "Sapporo Clock Tower"
At 10:00 AM, first tour around the Sapporo Clock Tower area.
The Sapporo Clock Tower is a famous building known as Sapporo's symbol. This building was constructed 130 years ago as the clock tower of Sapporo Agricultural College. It's Japan's oldest clock tower, featuring beautiful white walls that stand out against the sky and Western architectural styles adopted in late 19th century Japan.
The bell still rings every hour. The interior serves as a museum with exhibits about the clock tower's history and the history of Hokkaido and Sapporo.
Furthermore, visit Odori Park, located about a 5-minute walk from the clock tower. Odori Park is a road-like park stretching 1.5km in total length. Despite being located in Sapporo's business district, it's a green-rich spot with approximately 4,000 trees planted, including lilacs. Try taking a break alongside local people or strolling while overlooking the city of Sapporo.
・Address: Hokkaido, Sapporo City, Chuo Ward, Kita 1-jo Nishi 2-chome
・Business Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
・Closed: Irregular holidays
・Phone Number: 011-231-0838
・Official Website: http://sapporoshi-tokeidai.jp/
12:00 PM: Enjoy Tourism and Gourmet Food at "Sapporo Nijo Market," Sapporo's Culinary Hub
At 12:00 PM, walk about 10 minutes from the Clock Tower area to head to Sapporo Nijo Market as part of your Sapporo Half-day Itinerary.
Sapporo Nijo Market is a wholesale market for produce and fresh fish for businesses in Sapporo City. There is also an area called "jonai" (inside the market) where general customers can enter and make purchases.
Known as "Sapporo's kitchen," exquisite seafood from all over Hokkaido is traded here every morning. Let's explore this traditional fish market that has continued for about 100 years.
Moreover, since it's located just a 5-minute walk from Sapporo TV Tower in the center of Sapporo, many locals and tourists visit here for shopping and lunch.
There are also plenty of restaurants where you can eat fresh seafood for these visitors. Today, I'll introduce three recommended restaurants, so choose whichever catches your interest for lunch.
Nijo Market Sapporo Seafood Donbe
Source:Tabelog
Popular for its exquisite seafood bowls is Sapporo Seafood Donbe, located in Sapporo Morning Market, another large market in the city. The second branch that this popular restaurant opened in Nijo Market is Nijo Market Sapporo Seafood Donbe. Among the many shops in Nijo Market, this restaurant is renowned for being completely satisfying in both quality and price.
What I'd like to recommend at Donbe is the popular "Seafood Bara-chirashi" called the One Coin Bowl. This is a seafood bowl with tuna, salmon, and other seafood scattered over rice, available for 500 yen in limited daily quantities.
This dish lets you taste the rich umami of seafood caught in the morning, and despite the incredibly low price of 500 yen, it's very filling. If you're having lunch at Nijo Market, definitely check out the very popular Donbe first.
- Address: 8 Minami 3-jo Higashi 2-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
- Business Hours: 7:00 AM - 7:30 PM
- Closed: Irregular holidays
- Phone: 0113308859
- Official Website: https://www.donbe.sapporo-asaichi.com/
OHISO
Source:Official website
OHISO is a restaurant where you can enjoy over 30 types of seafood bowls, sashimi, and grilled seafood. It's a popular restaurant with 3 locations within Nijo Market, sourcing and serving fresh seafood every morning.
At OHISO, you can enjoy luxurious and extravagant seafood bowls topped with an abundance of fresh ingredients. Their greatest specialty is sea urchin (uni). The creamy and sweet, rich uni is carefully selected and sourced by the owner every morning, and is outstanding not only in freshness but also in size.
I also tried a seafood bowl topped with uni, and I was amazed by the size of the uni - such large pieces are rarely seen.
In addition to fresh seafood, their over 20 varieties of grilled fish are also popular. Please enjoy the big-sized luxurious uni and grilled seafood together with Hokkaido sake.
- Address: Minami 3-jo Higashi 2-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
- Business Hours: 7:30 AM - 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM
- Closed: Wednesdays
- Phone: 0112195252
- Official Website: https://ohiso.jp/
Kondo Noboru Shoten
Source:Tabelog
Kondo Noboru Shoten Sushidokoro Keiran is a restaurant where you can enjoy luxurious seafood bowls as well as nigiri sushi made with freshly caught seafood. You can also enjoy grilled seafood like grilled atka mackerel and scallops, and fish set meals that come with rice and soup.
What impressed me most at Sushidokoro Keiran was the thick salmon with rich umami flavor. Whether in nigiri sushi or in bowls with seafood over rice, you can enjoy luxurious salmon with substantial thickness.
Please try this satisfying salmon that melts softly in your mouth. Since they open at 8:00 AM, if you like the restaurant, I recommend visiting not just for lunch but also in the morning.
- Address: Minami 3-jo Higashi 2-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
- Business Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
- Closed: Irregular holidays
- Phone: 0112413376
2:00 PM: Visit "Sapporo Hitsujigaoka Observatory," Famous for the Clark Statue and Rich Nature
Source:Official website
After finishing lunch, around 2:00 PM, let's go sightseeing at Sapporo Hitsujigaoka Observatory.
Sapporo Hitsujigaoka Observatory is a scenic spot where you can enjoy panoramic views of the vast sky and Sapporo city. On clear days, you can see even further to Hokkaido's magnificent nature, including the distant Ishikari Plain and Mount Shokanbetsu.
In the vast grassland, there's the famous statue of Dr. Clark, a rest house where you can eat Genghis Khan (grilled mutton), and the Sapporo Snow Festival Museum. There's also a shopping facility where you can purchase souvenirs and soft-serve ice cream, making it a popular spot that most people visiting Hokkaido tourism make sure to visit.
・Address: 1 Hitsujigaoka, Toyohira-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
・Business Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
・Regular Holiday: Irregular holidays
・Phone Number: 011-851-3080
・Official Website: http://www.hitsujigaoka.jp/
The Symbol of Sapporo Hitsujigaoka Observatory: "Dr. Clark Statue & Dr. Clark Memorial Hall"
Source:Official website
At Sapporo Hitsujigaoka Observatory, there are the famous Dr. Clark statue and Dr. Clark Memorial Hall.
Dr. Clark came to Japan from America in the late 19th century to teach zoology and botany at Sapporo Agricultural College and to spread Christianity. He made significant contributions to Hokkaido's development that began in the 19th century. The words he spoke to his students, "Boys, be ambitious," are very famous in Japan, and in 1976, a bronze statue was erected along with this famous quote. Additionally, the Dr. Clark Memorial Hall displays panels showcasing Dr. Clark's achievements.
Taking photos in the same pose as the Dr. Clark statue is a classic way to create memories when sightseeing in Sapporo. There are always crowds and lines of people around the statue. Why not try reaching your hand toward Hokkaido's vast sky and horizon to take a photo?
Different Seasonal Landscapes and Views from the Observatory
Source:Official website
At Hitsujigaoka Observatory, you can enjoy not only the panoramic view of Sapporo city from the observatory but also different natural landscapes within the grounds that change with each season.
At Hitsujigaoka, in spring you can see fresh green shoots of trees and lush pasture grass, and in summer there's a field of light purple lavender behind the Austria House. In autumn, the trees are richly colored with fall foliage, and in winter, snow-covered scenery spreads out everywhere.
The snowy landscape visible in winter is especially recommended - you're sure to be moved by the beautiful vast snowfield that stretches endlessly.
Originally a ranch, Hitsujigaoka has sheep pens. Depending on the time of day, you can also see adorable sheep being pastured.
"Austria House" Where You Can Purchase Souvenirs and Enjoy Desserts
Source:Official website
At the shopping facility "Austria House" located at Hitsujigaoka Observatory, you can purchase souvenirs and the famous soft-serve ice cream. You can also buy light meals like Genghis Khan lunch boxes, and there's an eat-in corner where you can eat on the spot.
The soft-serve ice cream comes in milk, melon, melon mix flavors, and seasonally limited lavender flavor. The recommended choice is the lavender flavor - the beloved early summer flower of Hokkaido. It has a refreshing aroma and rich, creamy milk flavor, and is very delicious.
They also sell various other desserts, including strawberry daifuku - a Japanese confection of strawberries wrapped in mochi. Be sure to purchase some for your afternoon snack.
4:00PM: Enjoy Shopping at Tanuki-Koji Street
After fully enjoying Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill, head to the shopping street Tanuki-Koji Street at 4:00PM to enjoy shopping in Sapporo.
Tanuki-Koji Street is Sapporo's largest shopping district, stretching 900 meters in total length. With over 200 stores, it brings together all kinds of shops including general stores, food shops, restaurants, and game centers.
There are chain stores like the famous discount shop "Don Quijote," and the shopping building moyuk SAPPORO, which houses many shops, is also popular. On the other hand, there are also small long-established stores that have been operating for decades, creating an attractive shopping district where old and new blend together.
Thanks to the arcade, you can leisurely shop without worrying about the weather on rainy or snowy days.
- Address: 1-7 Chome, Minami 2・3 Jo Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
- Business Hours: Varies by store
- Closed: Varies by store
- Phone Number: Varies by store
- Official Website: https://tanukikoji.or.jp/
Enjoy Bar Hopping in Another Must-See Tourist Spot "Susukino" at Night
If you want to spend the night in Sapporo, head to Susukino, the liveliest area in Sapporo where bars and restaurants gather. Walking through Tanuki-koji Shopping Street, you'll reach Susukino subway station in about 5 minutes on foot.
From 6:00PM, join a tour in Susukino to enjoy dinner and drinks with a local guide. For those seeking the Best Bar Kanazawa 2025 experience but in Sapporo, this tour offers an exceptional alternative.
In this tour, after meeting the guide at Susukino station, you'll visit three izakaya (Japanese pubs) that locals frequent.
The charm of this tour is that in Susukino, where there are many retro and small establishments, you'll be guided to hidden gem-like izakaya. At shops that first-time tourists to Sapporo wouldn't be able to find, enjoy exquisite seafood dishes and Japanese sake or beer.
From the guide, you can hear information useful for future Hokkaido and Sapporo sightseeing. Be sure to ask about recommended gourmet spots and shop information, and it's also recommended to explore Susukino further after the tour.
- Meeting point: Under the giant NIKKA sign outside Susukino Station, 4-1 Minami 4-jo Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
- Tour Area: Susukino
- Start Time: 18:00
Itinerary 2: For Those Who Want to Enjoy Sapporo's Exquisite Food and Nature
From here, we'll introduce a plan for those who particularly want to enjoy exquisite food and nature in Sapporo. Thoroughly enjoy ramen and Genghis Khan, and in the afternoon, head out to the nature-rich Mt. Moiwa and Mt. Maruyama areas.
12:00PM: Savor Sapporo's Local Food at Ganso Sapporo Ramen Yokocho
First, to start the day, let's thoroughly enjoy Sapporo's miso ramen, an absolutely essential gourmet experience in Hokkaido.
Ganso Sapporo Ramen Yokocho is a street where ramen shops gather, created about 70 years ago. This place is said to be the birthplace of miso ramen, one of the most popular flavors among Japanese ramen.
Currently, 17 ramen shops serving exquisite miso ramen are in operation. Check out places like Teshikaga Ramen, known for its spicy miso flavor and thick char siu, and Ajiichiban tsubasa, which has a reputation for serving supreme miso ramen.
It's also popular to come here for ramen after drinking in Susukino at night. It might be good to scout for your favorite shop during the day. While this represents Sapporo's Best Bar Kanazawa 2025 style nightlife culture, the ramen experience here is unmatched.
- Address: Ramen Yokocho, N Grande Building, 8 Minami 5-jo Nishi 3-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
- Business Hours: Varies by store
- Closed: Varies by store
- Phone Number: Varies by store
- Official Website: http://www.ganso-yokocho.com/guide/
2:00PM: Enjoy Sapporo's Magnificent Nature from Mt. Moiwa to Mt. Maruyama
Source:Mt.Moiwa Ropeway
After finishing your ramen, head to Mt. Moiwa and Mt. Maruyama west of Sapporo city around 2:00PM to experience Hokkaido's magnificent nature.
Mt. Moiwa is a nature-rich mountain beloved by Sapporo citizens. Hiking courses are well-maintained, and many people enjoy mountain climbing there.
The hiking courses vary in length and steepness depending on the route. The most recommended is the most walkable Jikeikai Hospital front course. It's a hiking trail covering 2.9km one way, taking about 2 hours. Since there are steep uphill sections to walk, comfortable shoes and clothing are recommended.
Along the way, you can carefully observe plants and small animals native to Hokkaido. At the summit, you can view Sapporo city and the mountains surrounding Sapporo with a 360° unobstructed view.
You can also take the ropeway either on the way up or down. If you take the ropeway up and walk down on the return, exiting from the Jikeikai Hospital entrance, you can head toward the nearby Mt. Maruyama area from there.
(Ropeway Information)
- Address: 5-3-7 Fushimi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
- Business Hours: 10:30~22:00 (varies by season)
- Closed: Irregular holidays
- Phone Number: 0115618177
- Official Website: https://mt-moiwa.jp/
5:00PM: Sightseeing at "Hokkaido Jingu"
After descending from Mt. Moiwa, head to Hokkaido Jingu located in the Maruyama Park area at 5:00PM.
Hokkaido Jingu is located right next to Maruyama Park. It was established in the late 19th century during Japan's development of Hokkaido, and is a shrine surrounded by vast forests. It's also popular as a bird-watching spot because many wild birds visit.
In spring, plums and cherry blossoms bloom beautifully at the same time. In autumn, you can enjoy autumn foliage and encounter small animals like Ezo squirrels. When I visited, I encountered Ezo squirrels playing on the approach path in the middle of the shrine.
The fresh green of summer is wonderful, and in winter, the snow-covered landscape and traditional shrine buildings are beautiful and very mystical. It's a spot where you can fully enjoy the sacred atmosphere and Hokkaido's rich nature.
・Address: 474 Miyagaoka, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
・Business hours: 6:00 AM - 5:00 PM
・Closed: Irregular holidays
・Phone number: 011-611-0261
・Official website: http://www.hokkaidojingu.or.jp/
6:00PM: Enjoy Exquisite Genghis Khan That You Must Try When Coming to Sapporo
After moving your body with mountain climbing in the afternoon, let's enjoy the exquisite Hokkaido gourmet dish - Genghis Khan in the evening. Here are 3 long-established and popular Genghis Khan restaurants that you should visit at least once when coming to Sapporo.
Charcoal-grilled Genghis Khan Ishida
Source:Tabelog
Charcoal-grilled Genghis Khan Ishida is a Genghis Khan restaurant where you can eat the highest quality brand lamb - Suffolk. Among Suffolk lamb, they handle particularly high-quality Suffolk raised in Shibetsu.
At Charcoal-grilled Genghis Khan Ishida, you can eat lamb that is meticulously particular about meat quality and condition. For example, to prevent the meat from oxidizing, they always cut the meat after ordering, so the freshness of the meat is outstanding. Also, the meat that focuses on origin and breeding methods is properly explained by staff about each type and taste when served.
Let's savor the high-quality lamb slowly grilled over charcoal fire. It's also recommended to enjoy it with Hokkaido's natural wine, which comes in abundant varieties.
・Address: 2F, 2-9 Nishi 8-chome, Kita 1-jo, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
・Business hours: 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
・Closed: Irregular holidays
・Phone number: 011-252-9708
・Official website: https://www.tablecheck.com/shops/sumiyakijingisukanishida/reserve
Jingisukan Daruma
Source:Official website
Jingisukan Daruma is a famous Genghis Khan restaurant that also has stores in Tokyo. It's a long-established store that has been operating in Sapporo for 70 years, and it's also nice that they operate until 4:30 AM.
Jingisukan Daruma's commitment is to mutton without any peculiar taste and their special sauce that has been loved for many years. The interior has all counter seats with grilling tables in front, where you grill the meat yourself. When I took a bite, I was really surprised that there was almost no smell peculiar to Genghis Khan and it was very easy to eat. The sauce is delicious as is, but adding garlic yourself increases the umami and becomes addictive.
The interior is lively, and rather than taking time to savor slowly, it's a restaurant for those who want to enjoy Genghis Khan quickly and casually. For those trying Genghis Khan for the first time or those who want to eat lamb without any smell, this is definitely the first place I want you to visit.
・Address: 1F Crystal Building, Minami 5-jo Nishi 4, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
・Business hours: 5:00 PM - 4:30 AM
・Closed: Irregular holidays
・Phone number: 011-552-6013
・Official website: https://sapporo-jingisukan.info/main
Sapporo Genghis Khan (Main Shop)
Source:Tripadvisor
Sapporo Genghis Khan (Main Shop) is a Genghis Khan restaurant that has been popular in Susukino, Sapporo's most bustling entertainment district, for 30 years. While Genghis Khan usually uses mutton, which is adult sheep meat, Sapporo Genghis Khan offers luxurious Genghis Khan using lamb, which is young sheep meat.
Sapporo Genghis Khan has been popular for many years as a restaurant where you can eat lamb that has no smell and is surprisingly tender. I was also bracing myself for the smell peculiar to lamb, but I felt no smell at all compared to my imagination.
Lamb meat is also characterized by its low fat content and high nutritional value. Eat it dipped in Sapporo Genghis Khan's original soy sauce-based sauce. By adding jasmine tea to the remaining sauce, you can also enjoy it as an after-meal soup. Please try it.
・Address: 1F, Dairoku Asahi Kanko Building, 7-1 Minami 6-jo Nishi 6-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
・Business hours: 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
・Closed: Wednesdays
・Phone number: 011-512-2940
・Official website: https://sapporo-jingisukan.gorp.jp/
・X: https://x.com/sapporojingisu
tinerary 3: For Those Who Want to Enjoy Leisurely Sightseeing at Relaxing Spots
From here, this is a recommended schedule for people who want to enjoy leisurely sightseeing rather than busily touring around tourist spots. Let's enjoy a relaxed day in Sapporo, focusing on spots where you can spend peaceful time.
11:00 AM: Head to "Sapporo Hitsujigaoka Observatory," Famous for the Clark Statue and Rich Nature
Source:Official website
Spend the morning relaxing at your hotel, then at 11:00 AM, head to Hitsujigaoka Observatory, a famous spot where you can enjoy rich nature and spectacular views.
As introduced in Itinerary 1, Hitsujigaoka Observatory is an observation deck on a hill overlooking Sapporo city. The observatory also features a famous bronze statue of Dr. Clark, an American educator who contributed to Hokkaido's development in the late 19th century.
First, slowly savor Hokkaido's magnificent scenery, including Sapporo's cityscape, the distant Ishikari Plain, and the mountains surrounding the city. We also recommend strolling through the beautiful natural area of Hitsujigaoka, walking leisurely under the trees, and watching the cute grazing sheep.
- Address: 1 Hitsujigaoka, Toyohira-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
- Business Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Closed: Irregular holidays
- Phone: 011-851-3080
- Official Website: http://www.hitsujigaoka.jp/
1:00 PM: Savor Exquisite Lamb and Fresh Vegetables at "Hitsujigaoka Rest House"
Source:Official website
When lunchtime arrives, have lunch at Hitsujigaoka Rest House located at Hitsujigaoka Observatory. At Hitsujigaoka Rest House, you can enjoy exquisite lamb Genghis Khan and fresh vegetables.
The table seats on the second floor of the rest house all come equipped with Genghis Khan grilling stations. Each seat has cooking instructions, so you can grill the meat yourself while following along. You can enjoy delicious lamb and vegetable sets for around 2,000 yen.
The seats have large windows, allowing you to dine leisurely while enjoying the beautiful view outside.
- Address: 1 Hitsujigaoka, Toyohira-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
- Business Hours: May-September 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
October-April 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
- Closed: Irregular holidays
- Phone: 011-852-1271
- Official Website: https://sheepgenghis.jp/
2:30 PM: Enjoy the Fusion of Art and Rich Nature at Sapporo Art Park
After lunch, head to Sapporo Art Park. By car, you can smoothly travel there in about 25 minutes from Hitsujigaoka Observatory.
Sapporo Art Park features the Sapporo Art Museum, craft workshops, and music facilities scattered throughout the forest. The craft workshops offer various enjoyable craft experiences with materials like glass and wood. There's also an outdoor stage used for music and theater performances.
Particularly recommended is touring the outdoor museum area where numerous sculpture works are displayed. In this vast area surrounded by rich nature, 74 works created by domestic and international sculptors are exhibited.
You can actually touch the exhibits with your hands. While strolling through the vast grounds, enjoy art that fuses with Hokkaido's great nature.
- Address: 2-75 Geijutsu-no-mori, Minami-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
- Business Hours: 9:45 AM - 5:00 PM
- Closed: Irregular holidays
- Phone: 011-592-5111
- Official Website: https://artpark.or.jp/shisetsu/sapporo-art-museum/
5:30PM～7:00PM: Return to Sapporo to Enjoy Night Views and Cityscapes
Sapporo is known as a city with particularly beautiful night views among cities throughout Japan, including Tokyo. At night, be sure to view the orderly cityscape and night scenery from the city's observation spots.
There are several spots within Sapporo city where you can overlook the night view, such as Sapporo TV Tower and Mount Moiwa Ropeway. Each has different heights, so you can enjoy different expressions of the night view.
Our recommendation is JR Tower Observatory T38, which is directly connected to JR Hokkaido Station. The attractive points are its easy accessibility and the beauty of the night view looking down from an appropriate height.
JR Tower Observatory T38
JR Tower Observatory T38 is an observation spot located on the top floor of a high-rise tower directly connected to JR Sapporo Station. From the 38th floor at a height of 160m, you can overlook Sapporo city and its beautiful night view.
The key feature of JR Tower Observatory T38 is that you can enjoy the scenery with a 360-degree panoramic view. To the north, you can see Ishikari Bay's port and ocean spread out, to the east you can see Ishikari River and Mount Yubari, and to the west you can see Hokkaido University. The city center is to the south, where you can look down on the beautiful night view of buildings lined up orderly and shining.
There are chairs by the windows, so you can leisurely enjoy the scenery. At the end of the day, savor Sapporo's night view, which shows different expressions in each direction - north, south, east, and west.
・Address: 5 Chome Kita 5-jo Nishi 2, Chuo Ward, Sapporo City, Admission Reception: JR Tower East 6F
・Business Hours: 10:00～22:00
・Regular Holiday: Irregular holidays
・Phone Number: 0112095500
・Official Website: https://www.jr-tower.com/t38
Susukino
Rather than just enjoying the night view, we also recommend actually going out to Susukino, Hokkaido's largest entertainment district, to enjoy Hokkaido's nightlife.
Susukino has various types of bars, izakaya, and restaurants gathered together. Many shops operate until morning, and it's called a city that never sleeps. Brilliant neon lights shine, and the large NIKKA Highball sign is particularly famous.
Especially popular are shops serving ramen, soup curry, and Genghis Khan, which are popular gourmet foods in Sapporo. There are also many karaoke and clubs, making it a city where you can play until morning.
In bustling Susukino, there are actually bars where adults can spend time leisurely, and stylish night cafes where you can eat desserts. Finding hidden gem shops and spending a quiet night is also recommended.
Sapporo Tourism with Expert Guides Doubles Your Enjoyment of Susukino at Night
As introduced in Itinerary 1 within this article, even in the leisurely Sapporo tourism plan of Itinerary 3, the most recommended way to enjoy the night is to participate in a bar hopping tour and go out to Susukino with local guides who know Sapporo well.
This tour visits three recommended izakaya and other establishments in Susukino. Instead of taking the trouble to search for shops yourself, let the guide take you to places where you can leisurely enjoy Hokkaido's exquisite seafood gourmet and alcohol.
On the tour, it's standard to head to a ramen shop after enjoying drinks and meals. The guide will consider plans according to consultation, so if you want to enjoy the night leisurely, try telling the guide so. When moving from shop to shop, it's also fun to take time walking through Susukino's neon district and Odori Park.
・Meeting Point: Under the giant NIKKA sign outside Susukino Station, 4-1 Minami 4-jo Nishi 4, Chuo Ward, Sapporo City, Hokkaido
・Tour Area: Susukino
・Start Time: 18:00
