Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Sapporo?
Should you spend 1 or 2 weeks in Sapporo?
Many travelers spend two to three days in Sapporo during their visit. After all, the snowy 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 weeks 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 week enough time in Sapporo?
One week provides ample opportunity to explore the entirety of Sapporo at your own pace to ski down the slopes, wander through the museums, enjoy the city's energy, and sample the delicious cuisine. Then you can use the city as a convenient base for venturing into nearby destinations where you'll discover exciting day trip options.
How to spend a week 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.
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.
With its exciting energy, Sapporo offers the chance to immerse yourself in its dynamic neighborhoods, cultural attractions, and fun activities. Set aside a full day to explore the city's historical sites and must-see landmarks.. It's the largest city on Hokkaido and is filled with unique activities for visitors.
Make sure to set aside around 3 hours for Susukino District, which is free. It's great for backpackers and is known for lively nightlife with numerous bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues in Sapporo.
A few tour suggestions include:
- 【Private Sightseeing Special City Tour from Sapporo Station】 ($158)
- Sapporo City Tour and Seasonal Events in Odori Park Exploration ($97)
- Private Transfer from Sapporo City Hotels to Otaru Cruise Port ($113)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Sapporo.
Shopping in Sapporo is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. 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.
It's worth around 2 hours for Nijo Market. Entry is free. It's known for fresh seafood, local produce, and vibrant market atmosphere.
It's worth around 2 hours for Sapporo Factory. Entry is free. It's known for being a unique shopping and entertainment complex housed in a former brewery building.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Perhaps the most famous place in Sapporo is Odori Park, so don't miss it. It might not be at the top of your list, but it's worth experiencing during your trip.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Sapporo.
After you've explored most of Sapporo, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Hokkaido: Biei Blue Pond and Furano Flower Farm Day Trip ($120)
- Hokkaido Jozankei Hoheikyo Dam Autumn Leaves Day Trip ($86)
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
With added time, spend another day on the ski slopes. After all, that's one of the main attractions here. You'll probably improve your skills every day, so check out some of the runs you haven't spent much time on yet.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Sapporo.
Is 2 weeks enough time in Sapporo?
With two weeks at your disposal, you'll have more than enough time to take in all that Sapporo has to offer, giving you the flexibility to unwind in your hotel or use Sapporo as a base for day trips to nearby destinations. You can relax while enjoying skiing and snowboarding, the famous sights and museums, and the big city activities at your own pace. We have some suggestions of things to do below, too.
Sapporo, Japan (©Y.Shimizu/©JNTO)
How to spend 2 weeks in Sapporo
With 2 weeks in Sapporo, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy everything the city has to offer at your own relaxed pace. You'll want to spend plenty of time skiing on the slopes and experiencing the city's neighborhoods. You can also relax at your hotel, or casually explore this city looking for hidden gems. Also, consider taking some day trips to nearby destinations where you can explore more of the region.
A few trip suggestions:
- Hokkaido: Biei Blue Pond and Furano Flower Farm Day Trip ($120)
- Hokkaido Jozankei Hoheikyo Dam Autumn Leaves Day Trip ($86)
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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