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Sapporo

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Overview

Sapporo The guide was updated: 2024-07-19

With its rich natural landscape, stunning scenery, and distinctive seasons, Sapporo captivates the explorer in all of us. The capital of Hokkaidō, the most northern and second-largest island of Japan, was established in 1868; its vast open wilderness backed by magnificent mountains was highly appealing to the early settlers back then, just as much as to any visitor today.

Facts

Population:	2.0 million (2023)
Currency:	Japanese Yen (JPY)
Search Accommodation:	Hotels »
Emergency numbers:	Police: 110 Fire / Ambulance: 119
Newspapers:	The Japan News: japannews.yomiuri.co.jp The Hokkaido Shimbun: english.kyodonews.net/hokkaidoshimbun
Website:	www.sapporo.travel/en
Tourist information:	Hokkaido-Sapporo Tourist Information Centre (Sapporo Station) 4 Chome Kita 6 Jonishi, Kita Ward, Sapporo +81 11 213 5088 Opening hours: daily 8:30am–8pm

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Section in Sapporo

One of the last areas of Japan to be colonised, Sapporo was once the domain of the 'Ainu', an indigenous tribe with a distinct culture, whose history is on display in one of the city’s museums today. Adorned by parks and forests, complete with wildlife, it is a colourful, progressive, and energetic city that attracts the adventurous traveller. The legacy of Sapporo's vivid past is perceivable through various historical buildings. Historic landmarks include the former Hokkaido government office building, the Sapporo Clock Tower, the Hokkaido Shrine, and the Sapporo TV Tower. Having hosted the 1972 Winter Olympics and as a venue for the Sapporo Snow Festival, the city is also famous for winter sports. However, food and art lovers will enjoy themselves here as well. Sapporo Brewery and Shiroi Koibito Park, the Sapporo Symphony Orchestra, and Sapporo Artpark are popular sights, too.

Botanic Garden Hokkaido University

Botanic Garden Hokkaido University

Visit the botanical gardens on the outskirts of the city. There are plenty of pleasant walking trails and lawns, inviting you to take a break. The area includes a small Ainu museum, a greenhouse, and an alpine garden.

Historical Village of Hokkaido

Historical Village of Hokkaido

The Historical Village of Hokkaido has an outdoor reconstruction of Hokkaido life from the mid 19th Century. It shows 60 different types of buildings from this century and shows a town, fishing village, farm village and a mountain village.

Tokei-dai - Sapporo Clock Tower

Tokei-dai - Sapporo Clock Tower

This clock tower is a lasting reminder of Sapporo's comparatively recent past. The wooden building is of American design and one of the few remaining Western-style buildings. It is a witness of the help Sapporo received from the American government in the 1870's when the city was first developed.

Former Hokkaido Government Building

Former Hokkaido Government Building

This red brick building with its characteristic octagonal dome is beautifully lit after dark. It has been destroyed several times over the years and restored time and again to its former glory. The building is today listed as one of the National Important Cultural Properties, and a symbol of the city itself.

Sapporo TV Tower

Sapporo TV Tower

The Sapporo TV Tower is now used as an observation tower, offering a fantastic view of the entire city. It was built in 1957 and is located right by Odori Park.

Sapporo Maruyama Zoo

Sapporo Maruyama Zoo

The Maruyama Zoo covers a vast area and has an amazing variety of animals and birds, around 200 different species. It is a great place to take children, and visit (for example) the Tropical Animal House, the Bear House or the Kid's Zoo.

Sapporo Beer Museum

Sapporo Beer Museum

Hokkaido is where beer was born in Japan. This historic brewery opens its doors for a full tour and of course, sampling is a must. Sapporo Beer has been brewed here since 1877, and is one of the most popular brands in the country to-date. There is a beer garden on premises, with two restaurants.

Shiroi Koibito Park

Shiroi Koibito Park

Shiroi Koibito is a chocolate factory located in a picturesque fantasy land which is beautifully decorated. In the museum and on a factory tour you can see the process of confectionery production and taste some samples in the adjacent café.

Mount Okura Ski Jump Stadium & Museum

Mount Okura Ski Jump Stadium & Museum

Mount Okura is the place to encounter an Olympic ski jump stadium and put yourself into athletes' shoes for a short while. You can take the ski lift to the top and admire the beautiful view of the mountains and city. Close to it is the Sapporo Winter Sports Museum with interactive games for young and old.

Mount Moiwa

Mount Moiwa

With its 530 metres, Mount Moiwa is the highest landmark in Sapporo. Take the ropeway up to the top and stay until the sun has set to enjoy the change in lighting. Be aware that it can be chilly in winter.

Sapporo Snow Festival

Sapporo Snow Festival

Taking place in February, the Sapporo Snow Festival is an impressive event. Huge snow sculptures, one more fascinating than the next, dot Odori Park; some require a staggering 500 trucks filled with snow to be built.

Moerenuma Park

Moerenuma Park

With its fountain and hills forming many geometric shapes, Moerenuma Park is an attraction for all four seasons. In spring the trees look like a sea of cherry blossoms, in summer you can enjoy the refreshing fountain and wading pool facilities, in the fall the whole park is full of colourful leaves and in winter you can go cross-country skiing or sledding.

Odori Park

Odori Park

Originally Odori Park was built to separate the city centre, namely the administrative district, from the residential and commercial district. Nowadays, it serves as an oasis directly in the city and is used as a venue for several festivals throughout the year. YOSAKOI Soran Festival, Beer Garden and the Summer Festival as well as the Snow Festival and the White Illumination all take place here.

Takino Suzuran Hillside Park

Takino Suzuran Hillside Park

There are a lot of activities for both children and adults at Takino Suzaran Hillside Park. In the winter, you can go sledding and tubing or skiing on a gentle slope. In the summer, the park is full of pretty flowers and children can engage physically by bouncing on rubber, rolling huge red balls up the hills, exploring mazes and spider web climbing.

Hokkaido Shrine (Hokkaido Jingu)

Hokkaido Shrine (Hokkaido Jingu)

The Hokkaido Shrine is said to be the oldest temple in Japan. After a wonderful stroll through Murayama Park, you get to the Shrine. The entrance to the temple is very traditional with little stone pillars on either side and traditional ceremonies are held regularly.

Sapporo Dome

Sapporo Dome

Watch the local baseball or football teams Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters and Consadole Sapporo play on their home field. The dome has also been the venue of the 2002 FIFA World Cup and is the planned venue for future Olympic Games and Asian Winter Games as well.

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