Top 10 Must-Visit Attractions in Sapporo, Japan
Sapporo Travel: Top 10 Must-Visit Attractions
When you think of Sapporo travel, which season comes to mind first? For me, it’s Odori Park blanketed in fresh, powdery white snow. As the central city of Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, Sapporo has such a distinct four-season charm: cool, crisp, and green in summer, and turned all silvery-white in winter. It’s only a three-and-a-half-hour direct flight from Incheon, and with its bounty of fresh seafood, ramen, and Sapporo beer, it’s no wonder it’s such a beloved destination. So today I’d love to share my own personal ranking of ten attractions you absolutely have to visit while traveling in Sapporo. Let’s start at No. 10 and count them down one by one!
No. 10. Moerenuma Park
Set on the outskirts of Sapporo, Moerenuma Park is a wonderfully unique place that the world-renowned sculptor Isamu Noguchi designed as a single, unified work of art — the entire park itself is the sculpture. What I find especially moving is the story behind it: land that was once a waste landfill was revived into an art park over the course of 15 years. With its glass-clad triangular ‘Glass Pyramid,’ the man-made Mount Moere, and a grand fountain show that shoots water high into the air, you’ll come away with picture-perfect photos in any season. I especially love renting a bike and taking a leisurely loop around the vast lawns, so if you have the time, I’d recommend setting aside about half a day here.
No. 9. Nijo Market
Nijo Market is a seafood market in the heart of Sapporo with over 100 years of history, and it feels like Hokkaido’s sea has been transported right into the city. Along its narrow alleys, stalls selling crab, sea urchin, salmon roe, and scallops are packed shoulder to shoulder, and honestly the time just flies by from browsing alone. But the real highlight here is tucking into a ‘kaisendon (seafood rice bowl)’ at one of the market’s restaurants, generously piled with freshly prepared sea urchin and salmon roe. Since it opens bright and early, it’s the perfect stop if you’d like to kick off your day in Sapporo with a hearty seafood breakfast.
No. 8. Susukino
Susukino is Sapporo’s largest entertainment district, counted alongside Tokyo’s Kabukicho and Fukuoka’s Nakasu as one of Japan’s three great nightlife quarters. Once night falls, the streets fill with neon signs of every color, and a lively atmosphere completely different from the daytime unfolds. Its true charm lies in the food tucked away in every alley — in particular, the rich, spicy broth of ‘soup curry’ and the ramen alley ‘Ramen Yokocho,’ open until dawn, are considered must-dos on any Sapporo night out. I highly recommend this neighborhood if you’d like to savor the Sapporo night to the fullest over a drink and some late-night bites.
No. 7. Hokkaido Shrine
Hokkaido Shrine sits wrapped in the lush forest of Maruyama Park, and it feels like a symbol of Hokkaido’s pioneering history. This storied shrine was founded in 1869 to pray for the development of Hokkaido, and to this day it’s the most visited shrine for locals making their first prayer of the New Year (hatsumode). In spring, the roughly 1,400 cherry trees on the grounds burst into bloom, making it one of Sapporo’s finest cherry blossom spots, while summer’s deep greenery and winter’s snowscapes each carry their own quiet beauty. After paying your respects, I love the little ritual of pausing to try the local wagashi sweet ‘hangetsu’ nearby — it’s a lovely way to round out a visit here.
No. 6. Sapporo Beer Museum
The Sapporo Beer Museum is the only museum in Japan dedicated to beer, and the red-brick building itself is a splendid sight to behold. As you stroll past the old brewing equipment and exhibits, you can trace the more than 140-year history of Sapporo Beer, which first opened its doors back in 1876 during Hokkaido’s pioneering era. Admission is free, but the real highlight comes after the tour, when you can sample freshly poured draft beer for a small fee. The crispness of a just-poured Sapporo Classic is truly something special, and it’s even better paired with ‘Genghis Khan,’ Hokkaido’s famous grilled lamb, at the ‘Sapporo Beer Garden’ right next door.
No. 5. Shiroi Koibito Park
Shiroi Koibito Park is a theme park run by Ishiya Confectionery, the maker of ‘Shiroi Koibito,’ one of Hokkaido’s signature sweets. With its red-roofed buildings, rose garden, and grand clock tower, it feels just like stepping into a European fairytale village — a truly wonderful place for photos. Through the glass you can watch the white langue de chat cookies being made, and the hands-on workshop where you bake your very own cookies is a big hit too. It’s a short subway ride out from the city center, but if you’re traveling with kids, or if you love sweet desserts and pretty scenery, you won’t regret making the trip.
No. 4. Sapporo Clock Tower
The Sapporo Clock Tower stands right in the middle of the city center and is one of Sapporo’s most beloved and symbolic buildings. Built in 1878 as the drill hall of the Sapporo Agricultural College (now Hokkaido University), this white wooden structure is designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan. For over a hundred years, its gentle bells have chimed across the city on the hour, every hour, and once night falls it takes on a whole different romantic mood under the lights. Its modest appearance has earned it the cheeky nickname of one of ‘Japan’s three most disappointing sights,’ but as the very spot where Sapporo’s history began, it’s a lovely place to swing by for a quick photo on a downtown stroll.
No. 3. Odori Park & Sapporo TV Tower
Odori Park is the green heart of the city, stretching about 1.5 km (0.9 mi) east to west across downtown Sapporo. From spring through autumn, its fresh lawns, flowerbeds, and fountains make a relaxing retreat for locals, and every February it transforms into the main stage of the world-famous ‘Sapporo Snow Festival,’ lined with enormous snow sculptures. At the park’s eastern end rises the red Sapporo TV Tower, and from its observation deck 90 m (295 ft) above ground, you’ll take in the arrow-straight sweep of Odori Park and the whole city at a single glance. Because it shows a completely different face with each season, it’s the perfect place to make the center of your Sapporo travels no matter when you go.
No. 2. Former Hokkaido Government Office (Red Brick Office)
The Former Hokkaido Government Office is a grand Neo-Baroque building made of red brick, affectionately nicknamed ‘Akarenga (Red Brick).’ From its completion in 1888, it served as the center of Hokkaido’s administration for about 80 years, and it was built up from a staggering 2.5 million red bricks — so you can just imagine its scale. Its octagonal dome, modeled after the Massachusetts State House in the United States, together with the pond and garden in the front yard, creates a gorgeous scene all year round. The contrast of pure white snow against the red brick in winter is especially beautiful, making it a photo spot you really don’t want to miss in Sapporo.
No. 1. Mount Moiwa Night View
The undisputed No. 1 of any Sapporo trip has to be the night view from the Mount Moiwa observation deck. At 531 m (1,742 ft) tall, Mount Moiwa is a peak where the primeval forest has been preserved intact, and even the ride up — transferring between the ropeway and a mini cable car — is a joy in itself. Standing on the summit observation deck, you’ll see the lights of downtown Sapporo sparkle out in a full 360 degrees, a scene so famous it’s counted alongside Nagasaki and Kitakyushu as one of the ‘New Three Major Night Views of Japan.’ As darkness settles in, the view grows ever more dazzling, like scattered jewels — it’s simply breathtaking. If you could only visit one place in Sapporo, I’d pick this one without a moment’s hesitation.
And there you have it — the ten attractions worth visiting on your Sapporo travels, all in one place. What did you think? From the jewel-like night view of Mount Moiwa to the red brick of Akarenga and Odori Park with its snow festival, I think Sapporo’s greatest charm is the way a polished cityscape and the great nature of Hokkaido live side by side. The ranking is entirely my own subjective pick, so please take it just for fun and feel free to build a route that suits your own tastes. I’ll be back again soon with more great travel tips — see you then!
