Sapporo is the capital city of Hokkaido Prefecture, the northernmost of Japan's islands, and home to around 1.9 million people. Despite its size, the city is wrapped in nature, from the wide green stretch of Odori Park to the deep quiet of Maruyama Primeval Forest, all framed by stunning seasonal scenery. It’s also one of Japan’s great food destinations, drawing visitors from around the world for fresh crab, sea urchin, and salmon roe, hearty Jingisukan grilled lamb, classic Sapporo ramen, and rich dairy sweets. With international travelers spending more here than anywhere else in Hokkaido, Sapporo has firmly established itself as the region’s tourism capital.

The largest terminal station serving as a base for your trip
Sapporo Station serves as the main gateway for traveling around Hokkaido and is the largest transportation hub in the region. In addition to JR lines, it connects directly to the Namboku and Toho subway lines, as well as local buses and taxis, making it an ideal base for sightseeing. The station is also linked to major shopping facilities such as Sapporo Stellar Place and Daimaru Sapporo, where you can pick up local souvenirs and enjoy Hokkaido’s signature foods, from fresh seafood to Jingisukan grilled lamb.

Stop at the tourist information center inside the station for safe travels!
The Hokkaido-Sapporo Tourist Information Center is located within the Hokkaido-Sapporo Food & Tourism Information Center in JR Sapporo Station's west concourse and provides assistance in Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean. Beyond general sightseeing information, they also provide updates specific to the current season, such as flower blooming periods and ski resort information.

There are several cost-effective unlimited ride passes available for international visitors.

Hokkaido Rail Pass
This pass offers unlimited rides on reserved seats in ordinary cars on JR Hokkaido's limited express, rapid, and local trains.

JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass
This pass can be used on a wide range of JR lines, including JR Hokkaido lines covering the Hakodate and Sapporo areas, JR-EAST lines from the Tokyo metropolitan area to the Tohoku region, some private railways, and the Tokyo Monorail.

Hokkaido Expressway Pass
This pass, aimed at international visitors, offers unlimited trips on Hokkaido's expressways at a fixed price. It requires renting an ETC card together with your rental car, which will enable wireless payment of expressway tolls without having to stop. To use this service, you must apply when renting your car.

To address the shortage of taxi drivers, Japan’s version of ride-sharing services was introduced in the Sapporo traffic area in May 2024, with subsequent operations starting in late June of the same year. This service is expected to serve as an essential means of transportation, particularly during times when taxis are difficult to hail.

Service and use
This service is strictly managed by taxi companies. Drivers may use their personal vehicles to transport passengers for a fee, but the service management and driver training are fully handled by taxi companies to ensure safety.
Service is limited to specific days and times when taxis are scarce. In the Sapporo area (Sapporo, Ebetsu, and Kitahiroshima), taxis are primarily available from Thursdays to Sundays between 4 PM and 8 PM, and on Saturday and Sunday nights from 1 AM to 4 AM.
When requesting a ride via apps like Uber or GO, you can enable the ride-sharing option by selecting “I don’t mind ride-sharing.” You must pay directly from the app, as cash payments are not accepted. This service is also made with international tourists in mind, making it a convenient transportation option without any language barriers.

If you are traveling to Sapporo in winter (especially from December to March), it is essential to consider delays and cancellations due to heavy snowfall on JR trains.

In case of JR train suspensions or delays, please consider the following alternatives:

Airport shuttle buses
You can reach New Chitose Airport via airport shuttle buses that stop at Sapporo Station, Susukino, and other major hotel locations. However, when JR trains stop running, most people take the bus, creating long lines at Sapporo Station. You should head to the bus stop in advance, as buses will fill up quickly.

Combining subway and airport buses
To avoid congestion around Sapporo Station, you can take the subway to a city terminal. For example, you can go to Oyachi Bus Terminal and board the airport bus from there. The terminal serves as a hub for temporary shuttle buses during suspensions of JR trains.
Besides buses, you can also take a taxi from Oyachi Bus Terminal to New Chitose Airport. You have to book your ride in advance, but some taxi companies offer fixed-price rides to the airport, so we recommend booking these in advance for a stress-free trip.

Jozankei Onsen, known as Sapporo's secluded hot springs area, is another popular tourist destination. It can be reached via regular bus, but traveling with large luggage can inconvenience locals using the bus for their daily commutes.

Reservation-only Kappa Liner bus
This direct bus runs from Sapporo Station Bus Terminal to Jozankei Onsen without transfers and guarantees a seat, making it convenient for travelers with heavy luggage or those who prefer to sit. Reservations are always required, and early booking is recommended during busy times like the Lunar New Year, as it can get crowded. The trip takes about one hour from Sapporo Station to Jozankei Onsen. Please check the Jotetsu Bus official website for reservation details.

We also recommend checking offers on combined deals including a round-trip bus ticket and a day trip to the hot spring.

The world-famous Sapporo Snow Festival period is especially crowded.
Held for about a week in early February, the festival attracts large numbers of visitors from both Japan and overseas each year, making Sapporo extremely crowded. Both the Odori Park and Susukino sites are particularly crowded during weekend and holiday nighttime light-up hours (from around 5 PM to 10 PM).
This period also often coincides with the Lunar New Year, and hotels tend to be fully reserved months in advance. We recommend making preparations in advance and allowing ample time in your itinerary during your trip.

You should always have cash in case you find yourself in areas with no service or where cashless options are not available when traveling outside major facilities.
Winter in Sapporo is extremely harsh with heavy snowfall. Be sure to pack warm clothing to protect yourself from the cold. We also recommend wearing non-slip shoes or snow boots to walk on the frozen ground.

Sapporo stands out for the way its celebrated food culture, from fresh seafood and miso ramen to rich dairy sweets, blends with natural spaces like Odori Park and Maruyama Primeval Forest. In recent years, the city has continued to upgrade its transportation options for travelers, introducing Japan’s version of ride-sharing services through apps like GO and expanding direct buses to major sightseeing spots. By combining these conveniences with cost-effective travel passes and new late-night or early-morning transport options, your trip becomes even more flexible and comfortable.
At the same time, it’s important to be aware of peak travel challenges, such as limited hotel availability during the Sapporo Snow Festival and winter disruptions when accessing New Chitose Airport. Checking these details in advance and allowing extra time in your schedule will help ensure a smooth and memorable visit.
We hope this guide supports your planning and helps you enjoy an unforgettable journey across northern Japan. Take your time exploring Sapporo’s seasonal scenery and discover the many charms that make Hokkaido such a rewarding destination.