Sapporo

City

Last updated September 07, 2026 Reviewed by the Japan Voyage editorial team

Prefecture

Hokkaido

Type

City

N/A

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About This Destination

Hokkaido's capital known for its snow festival, soup curry, beer, and grid-pattern streets.

Sapporo is Hokkaido's modern capital, built on a distinctive grid pattern influenced by American city planning. The city hosts the world-famous Sapporo Snow Festival each February, drawing millions to see monumental ice sculptures along Odori Park. Sapporo's culinary scene is exceptional, from miso ramen in Ramen Alley to Genghis Khan lamb barbecue and rich soup curry. The historic Sapporo Beer Museum and nearby ski resorts make it a year-round destination.

Location

Prefecture: Hokkaido

Address: Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan

Nearest Station: Sapporo

Best time to visit: Early February for the Sapporo Snow Festival; summer for cool weather, beer gardens and nearby lavender fields

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Visitor Information

Credit Cards: Unknown

Food Options: Famous for miso ramen, soup curry, Genghis Khan lamb, and fresh seafood

Access

Hokkaido, Japan

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to Sapporo?

Fly to New Chitose Airport, then take the JR rapid train, which reaches Sapporo in about 40 minutes. The Hokkaido Shinkansen plus a limited express via Hakodate takes about 8 hours from Tokyo.

What are the top things to do in Sapporo?

Top sights include Odori Park and the TV Tower, the historic Clock Tower, the Sapporo Beer Museum, Susukino's nightlife and ramen alley, and the night view from Mt Moiwa.

When is the Sapporo Snow Festival?

The Sapporo Snow Festival runs for about one week in early February. Odori Park fills with massive snow and ice sculptures and draws around 2 million visitors, so book hotels months ahead.