Hokkaido’s Sapporo City is often ranked first in prefectural charm rankings and is a popular city visited by many people not only from Japan but also from around the world. As the capital city of Hokkaido, it enjoys a cool climate throughout the year and is brimming with recommended spots for scenic views and delicious gourmet experiences.
In this article, we introduce a model course that allows you to enjoy Sapporo for a full day. We will introduce a model course that can be navigated using only public transportation, without the need for a rental car, making it enjoyable even for those who do not have a driver’s license.
目次
- 1 9:30 AM: Start Your Journey at “Sapporo Station” – Just 37 Minutes from New Chitose Airport by JR
- 2 10:30 AM: View Odori Park from the “Sapporo TV Tower”
- 3 11:30 AM: Not Disappointing at All! The “Sapporo Clock Tower”, One of Japan’s Three Great Disappointing Landmarks
- 4 12:00 PM: Enjoy Lunch in Sapporo! Heading to “Machino Sushiya Shikihana-maru, Tokeidai Store” for Sushi
- 5 3:00 PM: Check-in at the Hotel! Relax at “La’gent Stay Sapporo Odori” with its Hot Spring
- 6 5:00 PM: Explore Sapporo’s Historic Shopping Street, “Sapporo Tanukikoji”
- 7 9:00 PM: If Time Permits, Venture into the Nightlife of “Susukino”!
9:30 AM: Start Your Journey at “Sapporo Station” – Just 37 Minutes from New Chitose Airport by JR
The journey begins at ‘Sapporo Station‘, the gateway to Sapporo. Sapporo Station is located in the center of Sapporo city and has three stations: JR and two subway lines (Namboku Line and Toho Line). At Sapporo Station, you can enjoy dining and shopping at facilities like the Daimaru Sapporo department store and the Sapporo Stellar Place shopping complex.
If you’re visiting Sapporo from outside Hokkaido, aim for Sapporo Station first from New Chitose Airport. Using the Rapid Airport service from JR ‘New Chitose Airport Station‘, which is directly connected to the airport, you can reach Sapporo Station in as little as 37 minutes. If you’re coming from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, taking the first flight of the day will get you to Hokkaido around 8 a.m., allowing you to enjoy a full day of sightseeing from the morning.
10:00 AM: Stroll Through “Odori Park”, a Relaxation Spot for Sapporo Citizens
The first destination is ‘Odori Park’, a place of relaxation for the citizens of Sapporo.
Although it’s only one subway stop away from Sapporo Station, Odori Park is about 900 meters away, so it’s recommended to walk there. Between Sapporo Station and Odori Park, there is an underground walkway, commonly known as ‘Chikaho‘, which allows you to move without worrying about the weather. Since there are no traffic signals along the way, you can get there without stopping. You can find the entrance to Chikaho by exiting the west gate of JR Sapporo Station and proceeding to the left.
Odori Park is a lush green park in the heart of the city, complete with fountains and flower beds. It’s equipped with benches and playground equipment, making it an ideal spot for picnics and a playground for children.
Furthermore, various exciting events are held in Odori Park throughout the year. Planning your trip around these events is one of the joys of traveling in Hokkaido.
Annual Recommended Events (Examples)
| Spring | YOSAKOI Soran Festival |
| Summer | Sapporo Beer Garden |
| Autumn | Sapporo Autumn Fest |
| Winter | Sapporo Snow Festival |
Odori Park
Address: 〒060-0042, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
10:30 AM: View Odori Park from the “Sapporo TV Tower”
Another enjoyable aspect of Odori Park is the view from the ‘Sapporo TV Tower‘ located within the same premises. The Sapporo TV Tower, a 147.2-meter-tall broadcasting tower, is a landmark of Sapporo. It is characterized by its bright red exterior, which is lit up at night.
From the observation deck at a height of 90.38 meters, you can get a panoramic view of Odori Park and the cityscape of Sapporo. Many of the images used in Sapporo’s tourist brochures were taken from here.
The view during the day is splendid, but at night, it becomes a recommended dating spot where you can gaze at the city’s illuminations. In addition to the observation deck, there are souvenir shops selling limited-edition goods and restaurants.
Sapporo TV Tower
Address: Nishi 1-chome, Odori, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
11:30 AM: Not Disappointing at All! The “Sapporo Clock Tower”, One of Japan’s Three Great Disappointing Landmarks
The ‘Sapporo Clock Tower‘ is said to be one of Japan’s three great disappointing landmarks, along with Harimaya Bridge in Kochi Prefecture and Holland Slope in Nagasaki Prefecture. Despite often being labeled as a disappointing spot, it actually is a bustling tourist destination that comes highly recommended. Located just about a 5-minute walk from Odori Park, it’s definitely worth a visit.
The Sapporo Clock Tower, officially known as the ‘Former Sapporo Agricultural College Drill Hall’, is designated as an important cultural property by Sapporo City. It was constructed following the recommendations of Dr. Clark and relocated to its current location in 1906. Characterized by its pure white exterior and large clock, it has long been a symbol overseeing the lives of Sapporo citizens. Although it has come to be known as a disappointing spot due to being surrounded by modern buildings as Sapporo developed, it undoubtedly remains a prime spot for memorable photographs during a visit to Sapporo.
Sapporo Clock Tower Address: 2 Chome, North 1 West, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
12:00 PM: Enjoy Lunch in Sapporo! Heading to “Machino Sushiya Shikihana-maru, Tokeidai Store” for Sushi
Sapporo is a treasure trove of various gourmet foods, and for this model course, we introduce a popular restaurant located near the Sapporo Clock Tower, ‘Machino Sushiya Shikihana-maru, Tokeidai Store‘.
Shikihana-maru is a sushi restaurant operated by Hanamaru Inc., which has expanded its outlets not only in Hokkaido but also in Tokyo. It’s not a conveyor belt sushi place, but rather focuses on counter and table seating. Hokkaido is famous for its high-quality and delicious sushi, and Shikihana-maru satisfies visitors with its exceptional quality sushi.
During lunchtime, set menus are offered at reasonable prices. Due to its popularity, both during lunch and dinner times, it’s recommended to visit with some time to spare. Reservations are possible only between 1 PM and 3 PM on weekdays during the lunch period.
Machino Sushiya Shikihana-maru, Tokeidai Store
Address: 1-1, Nishi 2-chome, Kita 1-jo, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Sapporo Clock Tower Building 1F
1:30 PM: Let’s Go Shopping for Hokkaido Souvenirs at “Kita Kitchen Aurora Town Store”
After lunch, it’s time to go shopping for Sapporo souvenirs. While classic sweets are recommended, for something a bit more stylish and tasteful, ‘Kita Kitchen‘ is the place to go. It is located in the Aurora Town underground mall beneath Odori Park.
Kita Kitchen is a select shop featuring Hokkaido-produced ingredients. The buyers have curated a wide range of sweets and processed products made with carefully selected local ingredients. They offer items like retort-packaged curry and soup, which are not commonly found in typical souvenir shops, making it an excellent choice for special gifts.
Kita Kitchen Aurora Town Store
Address: Sapporo Underground Shopping Street Aurora Town, Kotori no Hiroba, Nishi 2-chome, Odori, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
3:00 PM: Check-in at the Hotel! Relax at “La’gent Stay Sapporo Odori” with its Hot Spring
When it’s 3 PM, it’s time to check into your hotel to drop off your luggage. There are many hotels in Sapporo, but ‘La’gent Stay Sapporo Odori‘ is highly recommended. It’s just a 3-minute walk from Odori Park and a 5-minute walk from Susukino, making it an excellent base for exploring Sapporo.
The hotel offers a total of 10 types of rooms, including singles, moderate doubles, and superior twins. The rooms are popular for their simple yet functional interiors and amenities. There is also a Japanese-style twin room with tatami mats, which is ideal for families with young children.
The hotel features ‘Pon no Yu‘, a large public bath with natural hot springs. There are two distinctively designed baths, incorporating abundant Japanese elements. It’s a relaxing space that makes you forget you’re in the city. Since the baths are gender-separated and switch between men and women, enjoy a bath both on the night of arrival and the next morning.
La’gent Stay Sapporo Odori
Address: 26-5, Nishi 5-chome, Minami 2-jo, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
5:00 PM: Explore Sapporo’s Historic Shopping Street, “Sapporo Tanukikoji”
After a short rest at the hotel, spend the time before dinner exploring ‘Sapporo Tanukikoji‘, an old shopping street in Hokkaido that dates back to 1873. It spans 7 blocks with a total length of about 900 meters and houses around 200 shops. As an arcade-type shopping street, its design is unique to the northern country, allowing you to shop without worrying about snow or rain.
Inside the arcade, you’ll find a variety of shops, including those selling daily necessities and clothing, eateries, and souvenir shops, making it enjoyable just to walk around. Also, at Tanukikoji 2-chome, you’ll find ‘Honjin Tanuki Daimyojin Shrine (Tanuki Shrine)’, which has been watching over Tanukikoji for many years. We highly recommend visiting the shrine to pray for a safe journey.
6:30 PM: For Dinner, Head to “Genghis Khan Daruma Main Store” for Hokkaido’s Famous Jingisukan
For dinner, you will savor Jingisukan, a staple of Hokkaido cuisine. There are many restaurants in Sapporo city, but one that is loved by locals and tourists alike and often featured in guidebooks is ‘Genghis Khan Daruma Main Store‘.
In the restaurant lined with counter seats, a charcoal grill with a special Jingisukan pot is set up as soon as you take your seat. Once the pot is heated, fresh lamb meat and vegetables are placed on it for a hearty grilling. Daruma’s meat is known for being tender and without a gamey taste, making it delicious even for those who are usually not fond of lamb. The menu is very simple, focusing on meat, vegetables, and rice, but this simplicity allows you to enjoy the exquisite taste of carefully selected ingredients.
Genghis Khan Daruma Main Store
Address: 1F, Crystal Building, Minami 5 Jonishi 4, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
9:00 PM: If Time Permits, Venture into the Nightlife of “Susukino”!
If you have room in your stomach and time to spare, venture out to the night town of ‘Susukino’. Susukino is known as the largest entertainment district in Hokkaido and is famous as a city that never sleeps. There’s an array of establishments to enjoy the night, including karaoke, bars, and snack bars.
Additionally, Susukino is where you’ll find the iconic sign of Nikka Whisky, a sight often featured in guidebooks. The possibilities for enjoyment in Susukino are endless. Find your favorite spot and enjoy.
Sapporo Can Be Thoroughly Enjoyed in Just One Day! Use This Model Course to Plan Your Trip!
We have introduced a one-day model course for sightseeing in Sapporo. The city is brimming with various attractions, including scenery, food, and shopping, and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. If you are planning a trip to Sapporo, consider this model course as a reference for your travel plans.
There are many more tourist spots in Sapporo than those introduced here. For additional tourist information, be sure to check out AVA Travel as well!
AVAトラベルの記事は、日本旅行に詳しい様々な地域のライターによって執筆されています。
The articles on AVA Travel are written by writers from various regions who are knowledgeable about travel in Japan.
