Sapporo was known as the host city for the 1972 Winter Olympics. The capital city of northern Japan‘s Hokkaido Prefecture is also known as the “snow capital” with its annual festivities in winter. Sapporo is famous for its world-famous beer brand. Hokkaido is also a mix of traditional houses and skyscrapers and something is especially recognizable with many parks. If you are an art lover, let’s enjoy the relaxing moments in the northern Japanese city in your own way with our details guide for Sapporo itinerary (Sapporo suggested itinerary) on how to spend 36 hours in Sapporo at the weekend — the art city of Japan below.

Friday afternoon

15:00 walking in Moerenuma Park

The whole park is like a perfect sculpture picture. It is the idea of Japanese-American sculptor and landscape designer Isamu Noguchi. Launched in 2005, the park is located in the former garbage dump on the edge of the city. There are various buildings, including a glass pyramid similar to the Louvre Museum and a fountain which is placed between the grass and the high mountains. The best way to enjoy the work here is to rent a bike for around 100 yen per hour.

19:00 having dinner with the main dish is chicken

The underground restaurant named Q which was opened in 2014 serving grilled chicken and duck for dinner. Behind the big door, the massive industrial walls are a gentle space with a very relaxing meditation garden. Once settled in the restaurant, call a grilled chicken skewer, a ducklings duck, and smoked duck meat or grilled with salt.

22:00 enjoying the beer party

Ending your day with hand crafted beer at Sapporo is something that can not be missed. You can try the North Island Beer Bar and order a glass of black beer or go to the Taiyo Brewing, a new restaurant with eye-catching wooden furniture, to witness the staff busy with more than 10 beer spouts. You should call a glass of beer and eat special chef’s specialties. You can also choose to visit Provo, a 3-storey restaurant with graffiti-inspired decorations. Here you can drink beer while listening to music until late at night.

Saturday

10:00 enjoying the outdoor art

Starting your day at the Sapporo Art Park, an amusement park for art lovers. There is a specialized studio, sports room, exhibition space, seasonal festival, and museum. And the best is the outdoor Sapporo Sculpture Garden, with more than 70 works arranged along the roads. Visiting here, you can admire the works by Lee Ufan’s minimalist metal plates and Gustav Vigeland’s Nordic mannequins to the shades of amber by Japanese sculptor Shigeo Fukuda.

12:30 have lunch with ramen noodles

Ramen restaurant Menya Saimi is a suitable place for lunch. You will have to queue but make up for the delicious miso ramen noodles in the ramen countryside. Nothing is better with the perfect bowl of noodles, delicious delicates and accompanying dishes like bamboo shoots, green vegetables, and roasted pork are all very fresh.

14:30 wandering in the port area

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