Nobuka, a seasoned Hokkaido tourism pro, has been exploring the region for over 15 years, penning over 1,000 travel articles for magazines and websites. Drawing from this extensive experience, Nobuka will share insights on how to enjoy Sapporo and valuable advice to enhance your travel experience.

Sapporo, the largest city in Hokkaido, offers the allure of being surrounded by nature alongside its urban landscape. Sapporo receives relatively heavy snowfall during winter, and within a 15 to 30-minute drive from the city center, you'll find multiple ski resorts. From late December to mid-March, you can revel in snowy landscapes right in the heart of the city, and it's not uncommon to see snowbanks taller than a person, even in the city.

Especially noteworthy is the Sapporo Snow Festival held annually in early February, primarily at Odori Park. This extensive event features massive snow and ice sculptures renowned worldwide. Each year, the festival attracts around 2 million visitors from all over the globe during its 8-day run.

Even before or after the Snow Festival, there are plenty of activities to enjoy in the city, thanks to its abundant snowfall. From sledding and skiing to experiencing igloos and other snow-related fun, there's no shortage of winter recreation.

One crucial difference between a winter trip to Sapporo and visiting in summer is the type of footwear you'll need. While Sapporo's underground passages and some roads are heated, many areas, including roads and sidewalks, can be slippery. It's wise to wear snow-ready shoes or attach anti-slip grips to your footwear to prevent accidents.

If you can't get them before your visit, you can purchase appropriate footwear or grips at stores in New Chitose Airport, Sapporo Station, or the city's underground shopping malls. Also, note that you can reach Sapporo Station from the airport without ever stepping outdoors.

New Chitose Airport is the gateway to Sapporo. To get from the airport to Sapporo, you can choose from the train, bus, taxi, or rental car, but the train is recommended. It's the best choice, especially in winter when roads can be congested due to snowfall and both buses and cars may move slowly.

You can reach Sapporo Station in about 40 minutes from the airport's New Chitose Airport Station on the JR line's "Airport" train. There are around five trains per hour daily (increasing to six per hour starting March 16, 2024), so you can usually board relatively quickly. For international travelers, the ability to use the Japan Rail Pass or JR Hokkaido Rail Pass, which offers unlimited rides on JR lines, adds to the appeal of taking the train.

For touring around Sapporo city, and checking out landmarks like the Sapporo Clock Tower, Odori Park, Susukino, and Hokkaido Shrine, you can quickly get to these major attractions by walking or using the subway or tram.

If you plan to take the subway or tram multiple times a day, cost-effective day passes are available. A single ride on the subway costs around 210 yen; on the tram, it's a flat rate of 200 yen. So, if you plan to ride three or four times a day, purchasing a day pass is more economical.

Subway One-Day Pass
・Unlimited subway rides for a day
・Adults: 830 yen, children: 420 yen (cash only)
・Available at subway ticket vending machines and designated ticket sales locations

Donichika Kippu (Saturday, Sunday, and Holiday Pass)
・Unlimited subway rides on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and from December 29th to January 3rd
・Adults: 520 yen, children: 260 yen (cash only)
・Available at subway ticket vending machines, subway station offices, and designated ticket sales locations

Streetcar One-Day Pass
・Unlimited tram rides for a day
・Adults: 500 yen, children: 250 yen (cash only)
・Available on trams, at Odori Station ticket counters, and at designated locations

On the other hand, when heading to popular suburban tourist spots like Jozankei Onsen, Okurayama Observatory, and Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill, you'll typically take a bus. While some bus companies offer day passes, some destinations may require different bus companies, so it might be more cost-effective to pay for each ride separately.

For trips to Jozankei Onsen, the Kappa Liner bus service (reservations required) is convenient. It's a tourist bus that offers comfortable seating and passes through most of the bus stops from the city center to Jozankei Onsen, making it faster and more comfortable than regular bus services.

Renting a car during winter, however, is not highly recommended. Roads in particularly snowy areas can be very slippery, and visibility is often poor, making even local residents hesitant to drive. Unless you have experience driving in snowy conditions and are comfortable with it, it's safer to rely on public transportation.

Nobuka has carefully selected recommended spots for a full day of winter travel in Sapporo that not only include the city's classic tourist attractions but also offer unique winter experiences and stunning views. To make it easier to navigate, especially for first-time visitors to Sapporo, she's chosen convenient locations and minimal transfers.

The Sapporo TV Tower is an iconic symbol of the Sapporo skyline, an essential tourist spot for anyone visiting the city. Its prominent presence makes it easy to locate even from a distance, so you won't have trouble finding it! The tower stands at 147.2 meters, with the observation deck situated at 90.38 meters above ground level, accessible via a one-minute elevator ride.

Central Sapporo is roughly divided into north, south, east, and west quadrants centered around the TV Tower. From the observation deck, you can enjoy panoramic views of the city resembling a chessboard, with roads neatly laid out in these cardinal directions. The observation deck wraps around the central part of the tower, offering a 360-degree view.

You'll be facing east when you get off the elevator on the observation deck. On the south side, you'll glimpse the bustling downtown area of Susukino just to your right. And on the west side, you'll see expansive Odori Park stretching further west. On clear days, you can even spot the sea and wind turbines in the distance towards the left on the north side.

Of course, enjoying the panoramic views is the main attraction of the observation deck, but there's more to do than just taking in the scenery!

The "Scary Window," located on the southeast side of the observation deck, features inclined windows that extend all the way down to the floor, offering a terrifying view of the cars and pedestrians below. Leaning against the glass for a few trick photos is popular with many tourists!

You can also enjoy Japanese cultural experiences and shopping on the observation deck. There's the "TV Dad Shrine," where you can find capsule toy machines for fortune-telling omikuji.

After taking in the Sapporo cityscape from above, it's time for a 70-minute bus journey.

After the TV Tower, you'll head towards Hoheikyo Onsen, nestled deep in the mountains of the Jozankei Onsen area. You'll take the Kappa Liner (reservation required) all the way to its final stop. It's a bit of a long journey, but as you leave the city behind, you'll be treated to the sight of snow-covered mountain scenery, making the ride quite enjoyable.

Hoheikyo Onsen is a day-trip hot spring facility located deep in the mountains with few buildings around. In the heart of winter, you can enjoy charcoal-grilled Jingisukan barbecue inside a huge "kamakura" snow hut! (Reservation required)

This event is held every winter, but the size and duration varies depending on the amount of snowfall and temperature. In 2024, due to relatively low snowfall until the first half of January, the kamakura was slightly smaller in size. However, it's still a unique experience definitely worth experiencing firsthand!

Jingisukan uses tender, fresh cuts of loin, marinated in a special sauce. It's delicious straight off the grill, even without dipping it in sauce. The melt-in-your-mouth texture of the meat is irresistible. While it's a well-known way of eating for some, lightly toasting a piece of naan bread and wrapping the grilled meat is also recommended. Give it a try!

In 2024, the kamakura experience is available for groups of 4 to 6 people only. However, even for groups of 3 people or fewer, there's no need to worry about dining options. At the "ONSEN Dining" facility within the premises, you can also enjoy Jingisukan as well as Japanese soba noodles and Indian curry. The soba noodles are made purely from buckwheat flour, without any added wheat flour, allowing you to savor the delicate flavors of traditional Japanese cuisine. The curry is prepared by Nepalese staff, offering an authentic taste of the region. Each dish has earned a stellar reputation, to the extent that some people come just for the meal without soaking in the hot springs.

For those not using the kamakura, there are convenient packages available which include round-trip taxi rides and access to the hot springs. You can pick your meal of choice on-site.

After your meal, you can unwind in the open-air hot springs while admiring the snowy scenery. Towels are available for purchase or rent, so you don't need to worry about bringing your own. Body soap and shampoo with conditioner are also provided in the bathing area.

If needed, there's also a makeup room within the facility for touch-ups. If you're short on time or feeling rushed, just tying up your hair and taking a quick dip is also recommended. These hot springs are well-known as "beauty hot springs," leaving your skin moist and smooth enough that you might feel you don't even need moisturizer or lotion after bathing.

The hot spring water, drawn directly from the ground without any dilution or heating, is rich in natural minerals. Despite the chilly air outside, with temperatures below freezing that might make your hair feel like it could freeze, your body from the neck down will feel comfortably warm. It's such an ideal way to relax!

The approximately 70-minute Kappa Liner return ride from Hoheikyo Onsen to Sapporo is a good time to rest a bit more after bathing and offers the perfect opportunity for a sweet treat. When you get back to the city center, you'll disembark at "Kita 2-jo Nishi 3-chome" bus stop. Once you go through the Susukino district, keep an eye out on your right-hand side for landmarks like the Sapporo TV Tower and the Sapporo Clock Tower; your stop will be just after.

Snow Brand Parlor is a renowned old-fashioned café in Sapporo, offering a variety of desserts, including ice cream parfaits. One signature item is the "Snow Royal" ice cream (880 yen).

They have more than 30 types of parfaits and it's easy to get lost in deciding which one to choose. Nobuka recommends the seasonal limited edition parfait that changes every three months. Until February 2024, they're offering the "Pure White Snowman" parfait for 1,280 yen. Underneath the snowman, there's cream cheese, jelly made with water from the Daisetsuzan Mountains, and shiratama (small balls of rice flour).

The Pure White Snowman is delicious, with a smooth texture and refreshing sweetness. It's only available until the end of February 2024, but a new parfait will debut in March. Typically, in winter they offer parfaits inspired by snowmen, so if you want to try one, be sure to visit Sapporo in winter!

After indulging in some sweets, head over to one of Sapporo's top-rated landmarks, the Sapporo Clock Tower. When you exit Snow Brand Parlor, turn right, go through one traffic light, and walk a short distance until you spot it on your left.

Built in 1878 as part of the Sapporo Agricultural College (now Hokkaido University), the clock tower was suggested by Dr. Clark, the first vice-principal. It was relocated about 100 meters south in 1906 due to road construction, where it has stood to this day, chiming every hour.

It's a famous spot for taking photos, but the captivating interior is also worth seeing. Since last entry is 5:00 PM, depending on when you visit, it might be better to explore inside first and then take your time for the exterior photo session.

Once you're done exploring inside, it's time for a photo session. Since Sapporo Clock Tower is surrounded by buildings and often bustling with pedestrians and tourists, getting the perfect shot might require a bit of finesse. Here are three recommended spots for capturing great photos:

This is a classic photo spot where you can take a shot looking up from the bottom left of the clock tower. It's located within the premises and faces the road, so you'll easily spot it. They've even set up smartphone stands for convenient photos.

For the perfect shot of the entire building, Nobuka's top photo spot at the Sapporo Clock Tower is here. Surprisingly, the second-floor terrace of the building directly opposite the Sapporo Clock Tower is open to the public for photography purposes, and it's free of charge. Simply cross the street, head towards the building directly opposite the clock tower, and climb the outdoor staircase to reach it.

This is a hidden gem for photography enthusiasts. Located just across the road to the left rear with the clock tower in the background, a corner of the Sapporo City Hall grounds is opened to the public as the "Clock Tower Photography Spot." This location provides unique depth to capture the entire building in a photo, unlike anywhere else.

While you can photograph the exterior of the Sapporo City Clock Tower at any time, late afternoon until around sunset is recommended, when the front of the building gets good sunlight. Twilight also offers a beautiful contrast between the blue sky and the illuminated building. For reference, in mid-February, the sunset in Sapporo is generally around 5:00 PM.

Nobuka says, "If you still want to make the most of your time in Sapporo, I recommend enjoying the night view before dinner. The sight of the city covered in pure white snow, illuminated by the orange glow of streetlights and building lights, is truly stunning. Whether it's from the observation deck of the Sapporo TV Tower or other viewing spots around the city, you'll be treated to a breathtaking sight!"

As Hokkaido's largest, central city, it's also influential as the gourmet capital of the region, boasting a plethora of delicious ingredients including fresh seafood, meat, and dairy products. From sushi to Sapporo-style miso ramen and soup curry, there's a wide variety of culinary delights to explore. Curious about the gastronomic wonders of Sapporo? Check out what's available!:

Sapporo, as the central hub of Hokkaido, offers convenient access to various destinations across the region. There are plenty of places you can visit on a day trip. Here are a few easy-to-arrange day tours based in Sapporo.

Family-friendly Private Tours in Sapporo

These private tours in Sapporo are tailored for families with children and conducted by English-speaking guides. The itineraries are designed around family-friendly attractions, ensuring an enjoyable experience for both parents and kids. Languages available: English

Embark on an affordable day tour that combines the excitement of skiing at Sapporo International Ski Resort on the outskirts of Sapporo, with a visit to Otaru Aquarium where you can enjoy observing penguins strolling in the snow. The tour is guided by Chinese instructors and available in Japanese, English, and Chinese.

Explore the neighboring town of Otaru from Sapporo with a private guided walking tour. This tour allows you to customize your itinerary based on your preferences, ensuring you have a unique, personalized travel experience. Available in Japanese and English.

Embark on a private tour with a Chinese-speaking driver who has lived in Hokkaido for many years. Choose from popular tourist destinations such as Furano and Lake Toya for a day trip from Sapporo, and customize your itinerary to explore your favorite places. Available in Japanese and Chinese.

Winter in Sapporo offers a charm unique to this snowy city, unlike any other region in Japan. It's filled with experiences that you can only enjoy in a snow-covered metropolis. From the pristine white landscapes to activities like skiing and outdoor hot springs amidst snowy scenery, there are plenty of winter-exclusive activities to indulge in and create memories that are sure to stay with you forever. For those planning a trip to Sapporo in winter, be sure to consider this itinerary and enjoy!

(*The information in this article is accurate as of February 2024. Please check official websites for the latest updates.)