Japan
Sapporo
Snow in winter, cool air in summer. The city centre is walkable and the airport train is straightforward.
Updated August 15, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors
- Gateway airport
- New Chitose Airport (CTS)
- Best season
- Feb (Snow Festival), Jun–Sep
- Time zone
- Asia/Tokyo
- Sights covered
- 38 places
Sights worth seeing
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Museums & galleries
Sapporo Beer Museum
The Sapporo Beer Museum is housed in a striking red-brick building, originally built in 1890 as a sugar refinery before being repurposed and opened as a museum in 1987. As Japan's only museum dedicated to beer, it traces the history and brewing process of Sapporo Beer, and the Sapporo Beer Garden on the building's south side offers tastings and meals as well.
Temples & religious sites
Hokkaidō Jingū
Hokkaido Jingu is a Shinto shrine located within Sapporo's Maruyama Park, known as Sapporo Jinja until 1964. It enshrines four deities, including the spirit of Emperor Meiji, along with figures from Hokkaido's early pioneering era such as Mamiya Rinzo.
Museums & galleries
Sapporo Clock Tower
The Sapporo Clock Tower is a wooden building erected around 1878, originally built as a facility of Sapporo Agricultural College (now Hokkaido University). True to its name, it has a bell-tower-style clock mounted at the top, and it's known as the oldest clock tower in Japan.
Museums & galleries
Hokkaido Museum
The Hokkaido Museum is a comprehensive museum located within Nopporo Forest Park, opened in 2015. It was created by merging the collections of the formerly separate Historical Museum of Hokkaido and the Ainu Culture Research Center, and is also nicknamed "Mori no Charenga" (Charenga of the Forest).
Views & landmarks
JR Tower
JR Tower is a 173-meter, 38-story complex connected to Sapporo Station, combining a shopping mall (Sapporo Stellar Place), Daimaru department store, a cinema, a hotel, and office space under one roof. For travelers, the highlight is the observation deck on the top floor, offering views over the city, the Ishikari Plain, and, on clear days, the distant mountains—giving a great overview of the city's layout.
Museums & galleries
Historical Village of Hokkaido
The Historical Village of Hokkaido is an open-air museum inside Nopporo Forest Park, displaying 52 relocated or reconstructed buildings from Hokkaido's pioneer era spanning the Meiji to Showa periods. The exhibits are divided into four zones, town, fishing village, farm village, and mountain village, letting visitors walk through and compare how people lived across Hokkaido at the time.
Nature
Mount Moiwa
Mount Moiwa sits about 5 km southwest of downtown Sapporo, with a ropeway carrying visitors up to a summit observatory overlooking the city and the Ishikari Plain. In winter it also operates as a ski area, so it can be enjoyed differently by season, with both daytime views and night scenery on offer.
Museums & galleries
Moerenuma Park
Moerenuma Park is a large park on the outskirts of Sapporo, whose overall design was led by Japanese-American sculptor Isamu Noguchi. Alongside playgrounds and outdoor sports fields, Noguchi's sculptures and landforms are placed throughout the grounds, so the landscaping itself can be experienced as a work of art.
How many days do you need?
Routes grouped by travel distance so each day stays comfortable.
Average temperature by month
5-year average
Getting there
Check flights to Sapporo first
Pick a departure airport and date to jump straight to results for New Chitose Airport (CTS).
Check fares and seat availability on the flight search site.
Getting around the city
What you will actually use to get around Sapporo, and whether you need a car.
- Metro & rail
- Three subway lines radiate from Odori and Sapporo Station. City sightseeing mostly happens within that radius.
- Buses & trams
- The streetcar and buses are useful in winter, though the subway is the most reliable on heavy snow days.
- Transit cards & payment
- SAPICA or Kitaca; Suica and ICOCA are also widely accepted.
- Airport to city
- JR Rapid Airport reaches Sapporo Station from New Chitose in around 40 minutes. Buses run too, but the train is steadier in winter.
- Car rental
- Winter driving is not advisable without snow experience. In summer a car is a big advantage for Biei and Furano.
Book transport
Fares and timetables change often, so we don't list them here. Check the operator or the booking site for current prices and schedules.
Getting to other cities
Useful when you're combining several cities. Times are approximate; fares and timetables change often, so we don't list them.
Transit options connecting Tokyo and Sapporo.
- Flight · flight hrs approx. 1 hrs 30 mins, incl. airport transfer total approx. 3~4 hrs Convenient transit between the two cities. Please check official booking sites for current schedules.
- Train · approx. 5~6 hrs Convenient transit between the two cities. Please check official booking sites for current schedules.
- Ferry · approx. 15~18 hrs(1 night) Convenient transit between the two cities. Please check official booking sites for current schedules.
Transit options connecting Kyoto and Sapporo.
- Flight · 공항 이동과 수속 포함 approx. 4~5 hrs (flight approx. approx. 2 hrs) Convenient transit between the two cities. Please check official booking sites for current schedules.
- 철도 · approx. 9~10 hrs or more Convenient transit between the two cities. Please check official booking sites for current schedules.
- Ferry(차량 동반 시) · approx. 20~30 hrs Convenient transit between the two cities. Please check official booking sites for current schedules.
Transit options connecting Osaka and Sapporo.
- Flight · approx. 2 hrs Convenient transit between the two cities. Please check official booking sites for current schedules.
- Train(Shinkansen+Limited Express Transfer) · approx. 9 hrs to 11 hrs Convenient transit between the two cities. Please check official booking sites for current schedules.
- Ferry · approx. 30 hrs approx. Convenient transit between the two cities. Please check official booking sites for current schedules.
Sapporo Tours & Experiences Booking
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GetYourGuide
Klook
Tiqets
KKday
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Airalo
Yesim
Saily
Drimsim
Where to stay
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Visit stories: Sapporo
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Guides by theme
Best value
Where should I stay in Sapporo for the best value without losing subway access?
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5-star & luxury
Where should you stay in Sapporo for a 5-star or luxury trip?
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Pool villas & resorts
Where to stay in Sapporo for a pool villa or resort-style hotel
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Family travel
Where should families stay in Sapporo, Japan?
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Couples & honeymoon
Where should couples stay in Sapporo for a honeymoon trip?
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Central & near stations
Where to Stay in Sapporo for Easy Access to Odori, Sapporo Station and the Subway
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Best time to visit
When Is the Best Time to Visit Sapporo?
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First-time guide
How to plan your first trip to Sapporo, Japan
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Getting around
How do you get around Sapporo, and is the airport train worth it?
Read guide →