If you are looking for a winter destination that offers more than just skiing and snowboarding, you might want to consider Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island. Sapporo is Japan's fifth-largest city, and one of the youngest major cities in the country. It became world-famous in 1972, when it hosted the Olympic Winter Games, and since then, it has been attracting visitors with its annual Snow Festival, its delicious ramen, and its vibrant culture and nightlife.
Sapporo Snow Festival
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One of the main attractions of Sapporo in winter is the Sapporo Snow Festival, which is held every February in various locations across the city. The festival features hundreds of snow sculptures, ranging from small statues to massive structures that can reach up to 15 meters in height. Some of the sculptures are based on famous landmarks, characters, or events from around the world, while others are original creations by local artists or international teams. The sculptures are illuminated at night, creating a magical atmosphere that attracts millions of visitors every year.
The festival also offers various activities and events, such as snow slides, ice skating, concerts, and food stalls. The main venues of the festival are Odori Park, which is the center of the city and where the largest sculptures are displayed; Susukino, which is the entertainment district and where the ice sculptures are located; and Tsudome, which is a large dome that hosts snow attractions for children and families¹.
Sapporo Cherry Blossom
If you visit Sapporo in spring, you can also enjoy the beauty of cherry blossoms, which usually bloom from late April to early May. Sapporo has many parks and gardens where you can admire the pink flowers, such as Moerenuma Park, which is a unique city park designed by the famous sculptor Isamu Noguchi; Botanic Garden, which is an attractive park with a small Ainu museum; and Maruyama Park, which is one of the most popular spots for hanami (cherry blossom viewing) parties.
Top Attractions in Sapporo
Besides the seasonal attractions, Sapporo has many other places to visit throughout the year. Here are some of the top attractions in Sapporo that you should not miss:
- Sapporo Beer Museum: This museum is dedicated to the history and culture of Sapporo Beer, which is one of the oldest and most popular beer brands in Japan. You can learn about the brewing process, see historical exhibits, and taste different types of beer at the end of the tour.
- Shiroi Koibito Park: This park is a chocolate factory, shop, and museum that produces Shiroi Koibito, a famous cookie with white chocolate filling. You can watch how the cookies are made, sample various sweets, and buy souvenirs at the park.
- Historic Village: This open-air museum showcases the life and culture of Hokkaido in the Meiji and Taisho periods (1868-1926). You can see various buildings and structures that were relocated or reconstructed from different parts of Hokkaido, such as farmhouses, schools, shops, and churches.
- Mount Moiwa: This small mountain offers panoramic views of Sapporo and its surroundings. You can reach the summit by taking a cable car and a mini cable car, or by hiking along a nature trail. There is also an observatory deck, a restaurant, and a planetarium at the top.
- Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium: This stadium was used during the 1972 Olympic Winter Games for ski jumping events. You can see the ski jump tower and slope from afar, or take a chairlift to the top and enjoy the view from 307 meters above sea level. There is also a museum that displays memorabilia from the Olympics.
Side Trips from Sapporo
If you have more time to spare in Hokkaido, you can also take some side trips from Sapporo to explore other parts of the island. Here are some of the best destinations that you can visit from Sapporo:
- Otaru: This harbor city is about 30 minutes away from Sapporo by train. It is known for its canal, which is lined with old warehouses that have been converted into shops and restaurants. Otaru is also famous for its glassware and music boxes.
- Niseko: This ski resort is about two hours away from Sapporo by train or bus. It is one of the most popular snow destinations in Japan, as it offers plenty of powder snow and slopes for all levels of skiers and snowboarders. Niseko also has hot springs (onsen) where you can relax after a day on the snow.
- Noboribetsu: This hot spring resort is about two hours away from Sapporo by train or bus. It is Hokkaido's most famous onsen town, as it has various types of hot springs with different minerals and colors. Noboribetsu also has a theme park called Noboribetsu Date Jidaimura, which recreates the Edo period (1603-1868) with ninja shows, samurai performances, and costume rentals.
- Lake Toya: This caldera lake is about two and a half hours away from Sapporo by train or bus. It is the site of Mount Usu, an active volcano that has erupted several times in the past century. You can see the volcanic landscape and craters around the lake, or take a boat cruise to enjoy the scenery. Lake Toya also has onsen and fireworks displays in summer.
- Lake Shikotsu: This caldera lake is about an hour and a half away from Sapporo by bus. It is one of the deepest and clearest lakes in Japan, and a popular destination for fishing, kayaking, and camping. Lake Shikotsu also has onsen and ice sculptures in winter.
Sapporo Food and Drinks
One of the best things about visiting Sapporo is trying its local food and drinks, which are influenced by the climate, culture, and history of Hokkaido. Here are some of the specialties that you should not miss in Sapporo:
- Ramen: Sapporo is famous for its ramen, which is a noodle soup dish with various toppings. The most common type of ramen in Sapporo is miso ramen, which has a rich broth flavored with fermented soybean paste. You can find many ramen shops in Sapporo, especially in Ramen Alley, which is a narrow street with over 20 ramen restaurants.
- Soup Curry: This dish is a fusion of Japanese curry and soup, which originated in Sapporo. It consists of a spicy broth with vegetables, meat, and rice. You can customize your soup curry by choosing the level of spiciness, the type of meat, and the toppings.
- Genghis Khan: This dish is named after the Mongolian ruler, who supposedly ate lamb meat grilled on a metal helmet. It is a popular dish in Hokkaido, where lamb meat is more available than other parts of Japan. You can cook your own genghis khan on a dome-shaped grill at your table, and dip it in a savory sauce.
- Seafood: Hokkaido is surrounded by the sea, which provides abundant and fresh seafood for its cuisine. You can enjoy various kinds of seafood in Sapporo, such as crab, scallop, salmon, squid, sea urchin, and more. You can find seafood at markets, restaurants, or izakaya (Japanese pubs).
- Sweets: Sapporo has a sweet tooth, as it produces many kinds of sweets and desserts that are popular across Japan. Some of the famous sweets from Sapporo are Shiroi Koibito cookies, Royce chocolate, Rokkatei confectionery, Ishiya cafe cakes, and LeTao cheesecakes.
- Beer: Sapporo is the birthplace of beer in Japan, as it started brewing beer in 1876. Sapporo Beer is one of the oldest and most popular beer brands in Japan, and you can taste it at the Sapporo Beer Museum or the Sapporo Beer Garden. You can also try other local beers from microbreweries or craft beer bars in Sapporo.
Travel from Tokyo to Sapporo
If you are traveling from Tokyo to Sapporo, you have several options to choose from:
- By plane: The fastest and easiest way to travel from Tokyo to Sapporo is by plane. There are frequent flights from Tokyo's Haneda or Narita airports to Sapporo's New Chitose Airport, which take about 90 minutes. The fare varies depending on the season and the airline, but you can find some low-cost carriers that offer cheap flights if you book in advance.
- By train: The most scenic way to travel from Tokyo to Sapporo is by train. You can take the shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo Station to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station, which takes about four hours. Then you can transfer to a limited express train to Sapporo Station, which takes another three and a half hours. The total fare is about 27,000 yen (240 USD) one way.
- By bus: The cheapest way to travel from Tokyo to Sapporo is by bus. There are overnight buses that depart from various locations in Tokyo
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