Sapporo
Japan’s 5th largest city is the capital of Hokkaido. I would love to visit Hokkaido in the summer as I have heard it’s beautiful (and they don’t have tsuyu, Japan’s rainy season in June), but I save my money for winter trips.
If you are also visiting in winter, bring snow boots for walking the city and try to time it with the annual snow festival! Incredible ice sculptures that go on for quite a while. The one festival I went to, they didn’t have the usual food stalls due to COVID, but would have loved to experience that as well.
Hotels
Recommended
Sure :)
Notes
New Chitose is a small airport. This 3-star hotel is conveniently connected to the airport and perfect for those of us arriving late from international travel (I connect via Tokyo). A 40-minute train ride from Sapporo, I’ve only stayed here as I’m usually laying over on my way to a ski resort.
Coffee
Recommended
Highly
Notes
A tiny coffee stand below ground level. The staff were lovely and coffee was delicious. There’s also some steps nearby where you can sit and enjoy your beverage.
Restaurants
Soup curry
Name
Nemuro Hanamaru
Recommended
Highly
Notes
Conveyor belt sushi at Sapporo Station. Pretty much sums it up. Tasty, reasonably priced!
Soup curry is a Sapporo specialty. Think more soup than curry. Loaded with spices, vegetables, chunky meats. So good. This place had a small wait and it was off-peak so plan accordingly!
Highly
Scenic
Hokkaido Snow Festival
Name
Sapporo TV Tower
Recommended
Highly
Notes
Observation deck has panoramic views. We went at night and only challenge was minimizing our reflection in photos of the scenery. Maybe this qualifies more as touristy but meh.
A long park at the base of Sapporo TV Tower. If you can time your visit with the annual snow festival, do so! More info here.
Highly
Touristy
Recommended
Highly
Notes
A decent jaunt (30 min walk) from Sapporo TV Tower, it was a fun tour complete with beer tastings at the end. There is a free tour and paid. We did the free one. :)