Sapporo travel blog — The fullest Sapporo city guide for a great trip on a budget for the first-timers

The nearby Moiwa peak, 531m high has an observatory on top, so people often come here to watch the sun set in Sapporo or watch the night sky. The cable car system takes people to the observatory to admire nature and enjoy a late-day meal with snacks and beer.

Moiwa Mountain has a height of 531m, is an ideal place for lovers of walking, if you do not have a good health, you can take a cable car to the top of the mountain. In winter, this mountain is also a popular skiing place.

Sapporo Beer Museum

This is considered the cradle of brewing industry in Japan. Sapporo is one of the top famous beer brands in the country of cherry blossoms. Visiting this museum you will be introduced to the history and process of brewing Japanese people. Especially, you will free tasting of many beers. Read more: Taste draft beer at Sapporo Beer Museum, Hokkaido.

Address: 9 Chome-1-1 Kita 7 Johigashi, Sapporo, Hokkaido 065-8633, Japan
Opened: 1890
Hours: 11AM–8PM

Tokeidai (Sapporo Clock Tower)

Tokeidai clock tower is not only a famous sightseeing spot in Sapporo but also considered a symbol of this city. This clock tower was built in 1878 with a unique western architectural style. Currently, this clock tower has become a miniature museum and attracts many tourists to visit every day.

Address: 2 Chome Kita 1 Jonishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0001, Japan
Height: 20 m
Opened: October 16, 1878
Hours: 8:45AM–5PM
Phone: +81 11-231-0838

Maruyama Park

Each season of the year, Maruyama-koen park wears another beautiful clothe. In the spring, the park is covered with bright pink colors of beautiful, delicate cherry blossoms. Fall is no longer a sparkling beauty, but instead are yellow and red leaves with mysterious beauty.

You not only can enjoy the natural scenery here, you can also visit the Okurayama Crystal House, a museum of Maruyama’s winter sports, Maruyama zoo, home to many rare animals.

Address: 3 Miyagaoka, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0959, Japan
Hours: Open 24 hours
Phone: +81 11-621-0453

Maruyama Zoo

Sapporo City Maruyama Zoo is home to over 177 different species and 924 individuals. Visiting here visitors will be admired the rare animals of the native as well as the world. In the zoo, there are also areas for kids, with many animals such as sheep, chickens and ducks, etc. There are many famous areas containing many rare animals such as Kangaroo house, predator bird birdcage, falcon and wild owl, chimpanzee, areas for reptiles and amphibians, gibbons, …

Address: 3番地１ Miyagaoka, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0959, Japan
Area: 22 ha
Opened: May 5, 1951
Hours: 9:30AM–4PM

Hokkaidō Jingu

Hokkaidō Shrine is a resting place of Meiji Emperor, a very important place for Japanese people. In particular, if you come in June, you will be admired the people here in traditional costumes visiting the temple to remember and show more respect to the ruler of the country.

Address: 474 Miyagaoka, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0959, Japan
Opened: 1869
Phone: +81 11-611-0261

Jozankei Onsen (Hot Springs)

Where more than 56 hot springs are gathered with temperatures of 60-80 degrees Celsius, can cure aches and pains, muscle aches, rheumatism … This destination is very crowded with tourists, resting.

Address: Jozankei Onsen higashi 3-chome,Minami-ku, Sapporo 061-2302
Phoe: 011-598-2012
Url: http://jozankei.jp/en/about/onsen

Sapporo Japan guide: What and where to eat?

Here are a few dishes that travelers should not miss while traveling in this beautiful city.

Miso Ramen

Miso ramen is one of the symbolic dishes for Japanese cuisine, the main ingredient of this dish is pork, egg, .. combined with the firm noodles, and a bold and rich broth.

Soft Ice Cream

This is one of the quite attractive street food in Sapporo, unlike other ice creams in other places, the ice cream in Sapporo is really very soft, smooth and without fat, plus the light sweetness make people like to eat. There are many flavors for diners to choose from such as matcha, lavender, chocolate, strawberry, .. Read more: Explore Yukijirushi Parlor Honten — Enjoy Japan’s Largest Ice Cream in Sapporo, Hokkaido.

Donburi or Chirashizushi

If you like seafood dishes of Sapporo cuisine, you can choose Donburi or Chirashizushi, there will be lots of fresh ingredients to choose from such as sashimi, crab, uni or egg.

Genghis Khan

One of local specialties must be tried in Sapporo, Ghengis Khan, consisting of lamb and vegetables that grilled in a hot pan placed on the table. The name of the dish comes from the shape of a baking pan that is thought to be the same as the Mongolian hat and the belief that lamb is a popular dish of Mongolian warriors. The most popular place to enjoy this dish is Sapporo Beer Garden (Address: 9 Chome-2-10 Kita 7 Johigashi, Higashi Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 065-0007, Japan / Hours: 11:30AM–10PM / Phone: +81 120-150-550), a beautiful building with red brick walls covered with ivy and has 2.400 seats or at restaurant Matsuo Jingisukan Sapporo Ekimae (Address: Japan, 〒060-0003 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Chuo Ward, Kita 3 Jonishi, 4 Chome−1-1 日本生命札幌ビルB1 / Hours: 11AM–3PM, 5–11PM / Phone: +81 11-200-2989).

It is an attractive dish with the main ingredient being lamb, cooked on cast iron pan. The pieces of lamb cut by the chef are thinly sliced, marinated with spices, served with various types of vegetables to customers self-cook and enjoy.

Curry Soup

Curry soup in Sapporo has a distinct flavor that is not available in any city or region in Japan that can be found. This dish is completely different from Japanese curries, it is more like a soup. You can go to Okushiba Shoten Ekimae Seiji Soup Curry Restaurant (Address: Japan, 〒060-0004 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Chuo Ward, Kita 4 Jonishi, 1 Chome, Chome / Hours: 11AM–10PM / Phone: +81 11-213-5660) to enjoy this delicious soup.

Shiroi Koibito

Shiroi Koibito biscuits, also known as “sweet white chocolate hearts” are often bought by tourists as gifts. They are made from white chocolate sandwiched between two slices of biscuits. You can visit the bakery Shiroi Koibito Park (Address: 2 Chome-11-36 Miyanosawa 2 Jo, Nishi Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 063-0052, Japan / Hours: 9AM–6PM / Phone: +81 11-666-1481 / Url: https://www.shiroikoibitopark.jp/english), Willy-Wonka-esque a place in palace style, to satisfy your passion for candy. Children who come here will definitely enjoy making cookies on their own, and young people will enjoy taking photos “taking a selfie”.

Ames Ikameshi

Ames Ikameshi (Stuffed Squid with Rice) is made from fresh squid, rice creates delicious and strange taste.

Hokkaido Scallops

A raw material for making many delicious and popular dishes such as grilled, boiled …

Salted Salmon Roe (Tsukko meshi)

If you visiting Sapporo, you must definitely enjoy salted salmon roe, this is the most delicious and attractive dish in Sapporo that many people love. The best restaurant for eating salted salmon roe is Hachikyo (Address: Japan, 〒060-0063 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Chuo Ward, Minami 3 Jonishi, 3 Chome, 都ビル / Hours: 6PM–12AM / Phone: +81 11-222-8940 / Url: https://www.hachikyo.com).

Uni

Sea urchin (Uni): Sea urchin, with its delicious, sweet and strange flavor, will definitely make you remember the delicious taste of the dish. The good and cheap restaurant in Sapporo you should go to taste Uni is restaurant Murakami Uni (Address: Japan, 〒060-0003 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Chuo Ward, Kita 3 Jonishi, 4 Chome−1-1 日本生命札幌ビル / Hours: 11:30AM–2:30PM, 5:30–10:30PM / Phone: +81 11-290-1000).

King Crab

Seafood dish with high nutritional content and delicious flavor, has conquered the taste of many people. To enjoy this delicious king crab, you can go to Sapporo Kani Honke (Address: 2-1-18 Kita 3-jo Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-0003, Hokkaido, Japan / Hours: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM / Phone: +81 11-222-0018) or restaurant Hyousetsu (Address: 2 Chome Minami 5 Jonishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0805, Japan / Hours: 11AM–11PM / Phone: +81 11-521-3046).

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, to and from Sapporo & Hokkaido you can refer to

• Hokkaido Day Tour from Sapporo: Asahiyama Zoo, Shirogane Blue Pond, and More
• Sapporo Highland Sightseeing Bus Tour with Meals
• Sapporo Private Day Tour with Local Licensed Guide
• Hokkaido Day Tour from Sapporo: Asahiyama Zoo, Shirogane Blue Pond, and More
• Hokkaido Enjoy Pass
• Furano and Tomita Farm Day Tour from Sapporo
• Sapporo Afternoon Bus Tour
• 4G Prepaid Sim Card (JP Airports Pick Up) for Japan
• 4G WiFi (Japan Pick Up) for Japan
• JR Pass for Whole Japan (7, 14, or 21 Days)

Are you looking for more Hokkaido travel guide and top things to do in Hokkaido: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Read more: Hokkaido travel blog — The fullest guide for a budget trip to Hokkaido, Japan.