Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Sapporo?
Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Sapporo?
Many travelers spend two to three days in Sapporo during their visit. After all, the vibrant city has plenty to explore such as skiing and snowboarding, the famous sights and museums, and the big city activities.
Sapporo is the capital of Hokkaido, and it's a popular winter destination with skiing and other winter sports in the area. You'll also find many parks, viewpoints, and hot springs nearby. There are many places to explore outdoors, whatever the season.
Do you have one or two days to visit Sapporo? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one day enough time in Sapporo?
Sapporo, renowned for its numerous sights and attractions, is a major draw for tourists. So with one day, you'll probably feel rushed to see the main attractions. You really need more time to appreciate everything that the vibrant city has to offer. Many visitors prefer to have two to three days to fully enjoy the city. If you have one day or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're in town.
How to spend a day in Sapporo
Snow skiing takes the spotlight during the winter season, so set aside at least a day to hit the slopes. 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.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Starry Sapporo Special Ski Twilight Adventure(Ski &Hot Spring) ($219)
You'll absolutely want to spend some time enjoying the food scene in this city, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine for a meal or two. The local cuisine focuses on the world class fishing in the area as well as the great agriculture. Pork is a common meat ingredient and many dishes include ramen, vegetables, or grilled seafood.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Sapporo Bar Hopping Food Tour ($97)
- Private Market Tour and Cooking Class with Kanae, a Sapporo Local ($82)
- Private Japanese Cooking Class in Sapporo with Local Host Kanae ($72)
Sapporo is a very walkable city. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. The city center, where you'll find many of the attractions, is walkable. Susukino Station is about a 20 or 30 minute walk from JR Sapporo Station.
Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Sapporo?
Since it's a large city, you'll probably need more than a weekend to take advantage of everything to do in Sapporo. Two or three days still gives you a good amount of time to explore, though, as you'll have a chance to experience at least some of the major attractions. In addition to the great snow skiing and fun museums and landmarks, visitors can enjoy the food, nightlife, and shopping by staying for a weekend.
Sapporo, Japan (©Y.Shimizu/©JNTO)
How to spend 2 days in Sapporo
With a weekend (two to three days) in Sapporo, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.
Plenty of amazing museums and famous landmarks make Sapporo a special place to visit. Spend at least one full day visiting the sights that are appealing to you. There are a number of shrines and museums in the city. Make sure you check out Hokkaidō Shrine, Sapporo TV Tower, Sapporo Clock Tower, and the Sapporo Science Center.
It's worth around 2 hours for Sapporo Beer Museum. Entry is free. It's known for its exhibits on the history of Sapporo Beer and opportunities to sample a variety of beers.
You'll want to have around 2 hours for Sapporo TV Tower. It's a nice activity for families and is known for offering panoramic views of Sapporo city and the nearby mountain ranges from its observation deck. It's around ¥800 for adults, with discounted prices for children and seniors to access the observation deck.
Make sure to set aside around 1 hour for Sapporo Clock Tower, which is ¥200. It's great for backpackers and is known for its historic clock mechanism and status as one of Sapporo's oldest and most iconic buildings.
Hokkaido Shrine is worth visiting for around 2 hours, which is great for families. Known for its traditional Shinto architecture, cultural significance, and seasonal festivals, entry is free.
A few tour suggestions include:
- JR Tower Observation Deck T38 Ticket in Hokkaido ($9)
- Sapporo: Illuminated Landmarks and TV Tower Night View Tour ($156)
This city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. The city's nightlife scene is laid back and mostly concentrated in the Susukino area. In particular, King Xmhu is famous for its party nights and wild decor.
Public transit in Sapporo is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the city quite easily. Most visitors use the subway system to get around. There are three lines - the Namboku Line, Tozai Line, and Toho Line- all of which pass through Odori Station. The city also has a streetcar and buses.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Sapporo, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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