It's evident that Sapporo is a hotspot for tourists, largely due to its skiing, museums and attractions, food, and nightlife.
As far as sights go, those in Sapporo are many and varied. The Clock Tower takes the stage as the oldest building still standing, constructed in 1878 for the Sapporo Agricultural College (now the Hokkaido University). Sapporo TV Tower stands as a carbon copy of the Eiffel Tower, while Odori Park sits at the city center as a quiet place filled with flowers, trees, and fountains during the summer. Ishiya Chocolate Factory is one of the city's novelties with a tour, restaurants, and a souvenir store to indulge in, while the Sapporo Beer Garden and Museum offers a tour and history of Japan's unique brewing past. On the outskirts of the city, there is even a large historical village, called the Hokkaido Pioneer Village, which gives visitors a snapshot of Japan in the industrialized age.
In regards to the natural wonders of the region, Moiwayama, also called Moiwa Mountain, offers scenic overlooks of the city, Asahiyama Park has beautiful colors in the spring and fall also with scenic overlooks, Jozankei houses access to hot springs, Moerenuma Park offers a place to relax amongst landscape installations, and Hokkaido University Botanic Garden features two rock gardens, a rose garden, a lilac display, a greenhouse, and many others.
For art, the Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art modern art museum offers a collection that includes both Japanese and Western art and temporary exhibits, while the Sapporo Art Park makes for a great way to enjoy oversized sculptures outdoors.
Staged in early February, Sapporo's most famous event is the Sapporo Snow Festival. With an ice sculpture competition that attracts artists from around the world, the festival brings in close to two million tourists each year. It is held in the city center near Odori Park and features activities for all ages with the sculptures beautifully lit at night. Along with this winter theme, skiing and other winter mountain sports have been a continuously popular activity of the region. Mount Teine, which was featured in the 1972 Winter Olympics, is a ski mountain near the city with a good mix of beginner and experienced slopes. Niseko Ski Resort is also very famous, one of Japan's top destinations for skiing, located about two hours from Sapporo.
Skiing:
One of the biggest reasons tourists come to Sapporo is to hit the slopes for skiing and snowboarding. There are many great ski areas that are an easy day trip from the center of town. Very close by you'll find Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort and Sapporo Teine is where the 1972 Winter Olympics were held. It's divided into the family-friendly Olympia Zone and the more advanced Highland Zone.
Museums and Attractions:
Sapporo is well-known for its iconic museums and renowned landmarks. There are a number of shrines and museums in the city. Make sure you check out HokkaidÅ Shrine, Sapporo TV Tower, Sapporo Clock Tower, and the Sapporo Science Center.
Shopping:
Shopping here is an experience not to be missed. Shopping malls are the most popular places to enjoy browsing the stores. This is particularly nice during the snowy winter months when you can escape into the heated malls.
A nice way to explore destinations in Sapporo is with local tours that last just a few hours. This way you can see as much as possible in an efficient way with knowledgable guides. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Popular NO2! Fully enjoy Hokkaido, fully enjoy Japanese cuisine, soba-making experience, tempura, venison shabu-shabu set plan for $89 details
- Full Day Private Skiing / Snowboarding Tour in Sapporo for $232 details
- Sapporo Afternoon Walking Tour 2h 30mins for $53 details