Sapporo! Best Things to do in winter, spring, summer, autumn

Sapporo has a variety of must-see tourist attractions. Sapporo is a city with different attractions depending on the season. Here are some things to do in Sapporo by season.

Attractions and must-sees in Sapporo

Sapporo is the 5th largest city in Japan and capital of the northern island of Hokkaido. In less than two hundreds of years, Sapporo has enjoyed rapid growth from a settlement of only seven individuals to a thriving metropolis. In the language of the Ainu people, indigenous inhabitants of northern Japan, the word Sapporo means An essential river flowing through a plain. Today Sapporo is known for far more than its river. A snow festival is held yearly, and Sapporo is also famous for its ramen and beer. Travel to Sapporo by train is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass.

Sapporo is distinctive in its rectangular road system, based on the North American style. This system will help you in getting to where you want to go using Sapporo’s efficient public transport methods. The 3 lines all connect with JR Sapporo Station. As soon as you step off of your train, you’ll be greeted by all of that Sapporo has to offer. The station itself hosts the T38 Observation Deck, and is encompassed by shopping malls and distinctive restaurants, like the Sapporo Ramen Republic. Sapporo is known for its snow and winter sports, and if traveling there in Feb, you’re in for a special treat.

The week long Sapporo Yuki Matsuri, or Sapporo Snow Festival, features ice and snow sculptures and attracts over two million visitors annually. Odori isn’t the only park worth a visit in Sapporo. In the centre of Sapporo, you’ll find the Botanic Garden, which retains part of the area’s original forest. Or, you might consider the Sapporo Beer Museum, celebrating Hokkaido as the Birthplace of Japanese beer.

Below are the tourist attractions of Sapporo that I would like to recommend. Throughout the year you can have fun with these attractions.

 

Former Hokkaido Government Office Building (Red Brick Office)

Former Hokkaido Government Office Building is said to be a symbol of Hokkaido. The red brick building was built in 1888. This building has become a base for cultivating Hokkaido that began in the latter half of the 19th century.

Because it is made of red brick, it is also called “Red Brick Office”.

This building is an American neo-baroque style brick structure, most of bricks, wood, hard stone etc. uses road products. The height to the top of the tower is 33 m. At that time, it was one of the biggest buildings in Japan. Currently, it is designated as important cultural property from the country.

In the building, precious historical materials of Hokkaido settlement are displayed. There is also a document of Takeshiro Matsuura who explored Hokkaido and named “Hokkaido”. A huge Hokkaido map (replica) inside the hall was created by Takeshiro. There are countless names of places he heard from the Ainu race. The Ainu people are familiar with the topography of Hokkaido and have named them surprisingly finely.

Over 1,000 trees are planted in the front yard of the building. These trees make beautiful scenery in the transition of spring, summer, fall, and winter. Former Hokkaido Government Office Building is lit up at night.

Because this building is relatively near from JR Sapporo station, I often visit every time I go to Sapporo. The attractive point of this building is the beautiful atmosphere around the building, not to mention the power of the historical materials being exhibited. In summer you will be healed by diverse flowers and greens. In the winter, it is covered with pure white snow, you will be overwhelmed by the solemn atmosphere.

Data

〒060-8588
North３,West６,Chuo-ku,Sapporo,Hokkaido,Japan   map
☎011-204-5019(Weekday)
☎011-204-5000(The weekend holiday)
■Opening time ／8:45-18:00
■The closing day ／Dec.29-Jan.3
■The entrance charge／Free of charge

>>Find the best deal, compare prices, and read what other travelers have to say at Tripadvisor!

Sapporo TV Tower

The Sapporo TV Tower is located at the eastern end of Odori Park, a tourist attraction in Sapporo. Its height is 147.2 meters. It is much lower than Tokyo Sky Tree and Tokyo Tower, but its lovely appearance is loved by Sapporo citizens.

From the TV tower observatory, you can see the whole beautiful Odori Park. You can also see the mountains in the distance. I think that this tower is a sightseeing spot that you should go once when you come to Sapporo.

Data

〒060-0042
Odori Nishi 1-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo,Hokkaido,Japan   map
☎011-241-1131
■Opening time ／9:00-22:00(Opening hours may change due to additional events)
■The closing day ／Jan.1
■The entrance charge／720 yen (Adult), 600 yen (High school student), 400 yen (Junior high student), 300 yen (Primary school student), 100 yen (3 – 5 year old)

>>For more information and to see the tour program, click here!

Odori Park

Odori Park is one of the city’s leading sightseeing points in the center of Sapporo city. This park is 100 meters wide. It is located in the middle of a big road for about 1.5 km east to west.

Festivals are held frequently in this park. Every February, the famous Sapporo Snow Festival is held. From late July to mid August, a huge beer garden appear in this park. A festival of Bon Odori (Japanese style dance) is held in the middle of August. If you go to this park, you should always be able to encounter something fun.

Every time I go to Sapporo, it is customary to visit Odori Park. In the summer, I have memories of having delicious ice cream with my family. When I went there in January, they were preparing for the Sapporo Snow Festival and I enjoyed watching the preparations.

Data

Odori Nishi 1-chome ~ 12-chome, Chuo-ku,Sapporo,Hokkaido,Japan   map
☎011-251-0438(Information Center & Official Shop)
■Opening time ／10:00-16:00(Information Center & Official Shop)
■The entrance charge／Free of charge

>>For more information and to see the tour program, click here!

Sapporo Clock Tower

Sapporo clock tower is the symbol of Sapporo. If you see sightseeing guides about Sapporo, you surely should see the picture of this clock tower first.

This clock tower was built as a gymnasium of Sapporo Agricultural College (present Hokkaido University) in 1878. However, in 1903, Hokkaido University moved to the present place. At that time, Clock Tower was sold to the local government. Clock Tower was 130 meters more northeast than now, but it was relocated to its present location. After that, it has been used as a library for a long time.

This clock tower is made of wooden two stories. Now it’s surrounded by big buildings, so it’s not very noticeable. For this reason, some tourists are disappointed. However, if you send SNS to your friends, it might be good to take a picture in front of this building. Anyway, this building is a symbol of Sapporo. Your friend surely understands that you are in Sapporo!

Data

〒060-0001
North1,West2,Chuo-ku,Sapporo,Hokkaido,Japan   map
■Opening time ／8:45-17:10 (Admission until 10minutes before closing)
■The closing day ／Jan1-3
■The entrance charge／200 yen (Adult), Free (Younger than those in high school)

>>Find the best deal, compare prices, and read what other travelers have to say at Tripadvisor!

Nijo Market

The Nijo market is a market that has long provided fresh seafood to Sapporo citizens. It is not too big. Currently, they sell seafood for tourists rather than citizens of Sapporo. To the Nijo market, you can walk from Odori Park. You can eat the fish you bought as sashimi on the spot. There are also restaurants such as sushi and seafood bowl. So, if you want to eat fresh seafood for breakfast or lunch, you may take a walk from Odori Park to this market. The price is about 1000 yen to 3000 yen.

Data

Minami 3-jo ~ Higashi 1-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo,Hokkaido,Japan   map
■Opening time ／7:00 – 18:00(Shops), 6:00 – 21:00(Restaurants) = It depends on store
■The closing day ／None
■The entrance charge／Free of charge

>>Find the best deal, compare prices, and read what other travelers have to say at Tripadvisor!

Tanukikoji Shopping Arcade

Tanukikoji Shopping Arcade is one of the oldest shopping streets in Sapporo. It is a little walk from Odori Park. Approximately 200 stores are open in a long shopping street that is about 900 meters in the east and west.

Since there is an arcade roof in this shopping area, you can enjoy shopping in summer without having strong sunshine. There is no influence of snow in winter. It is a pedestrian-only arcade, so you can stroll fun.

If you walk through this arcade, you get the items you want mostly. Because there are various restaurants, you can eat at this arcade.

Data

Minami 2 & 3-jo Nishi 1-chome ~ 7-chome, Chuo-ku,Sapporo,Hokkaido,Japan   map
■Opening time ／It depends on store
■The closing day ／It depends on store

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Susukino

Susukino is Hokkaido’s biggest entertainment district. Of course it is smaller than Tokyo and Osaka, but the population of the night is around 80,000 people. There are many restaurants, pubs, etc.

Public security is relatively good. I also enjoy the scenery where a business person who came by business trip to Sapporo is walking alone. Women can walk alone by night.

Every February, at the Sapporo Snow Festival, Susukino is also a festival venue. Many snow statues and ice statues are set up and shine in the color of neon.

Data

Minami 4-jo Nishi, Chuo-ku,Sapporo,Hokkaido,Japan   map
■Opening time ／It depends on store
■The closing day ／It depends on store

>>For more information and to see the tour program, click here!

Hokkaido University campus

The main gate of Hokkaido University is a 7-minute walk from JR Sapporo Station. This university campus is widely open to citizens. This campus is approximately 1.77 million square meters in size. It is amazingly wide.

Actually, the best sightseeing spot I will recommend to you in Sapporo is this university. You can fully enjoy the nature and history of Sapporo in this campus.

On this campus there are lawn open spaces where streams flow and ginkgo trees. The beautiful wooden school building built in the 19th century is preserved. You can enjoy a wonderful landscape whenever you go in spring, summer, autumn or winter. There is also an information office for citizens and tourists. You can not miss the museum which displays the skeleton of the dinosaur etc. Admission is free.

>> The official website of Hokkaido University Museum is here

Hokkaido University is one of the leading universities in Japan. Like the University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, Nagoya University, etc., it is widely known in Japan as a traditional major national university. Why do not you spend your time on the quiet campus?

Data

〒060-0808
Kita 8-jo Nishi 5-chome, Kita-ku, Sapporo,Hokkaido,Japan   map

You can enter Hokkaido University campus at any time. Of course it is free. Since there are not many lighting facilities, it is desirable to take a walk from morning till evening. The information center “Elum Forest” is open from 8: 30 to 17: 00, including weekends. The campus may be closed when there is a school event, such as the day of entrance examinations.

>>Find the best deal, compare prices, and read what other travelers have to say at Tripadvisor!

Sapporo Beer Garden & Sapporo Beer Museum

In Hokkaido, beer has been brewed for about 150 years. This beer garden is operated by reusing an old red brick beer factory. Sapporo beer museum which introduces beer making in Hokkaido is near by too.

There are five restaurants in the Sapporo Beer Garden. At any restaurant, you can enjoy a special dish of Sapporo “Genghis Khan” with beer. This is a dish that bakes fresh rum etc in its own iron pot.

Among these restaurants, I recommend “Kessel”. It is a restaurant of the above picture. This restaurant is in an old building and the atmosphere is outstanding. If you are with children, I also recommend “Trommel”. This restaurant is a buffet style, in addition to Genghis Khan, you can eat sushi and crab as much as you want.

Next to the Sapporo Beer Garden is the same family Hotel Clubby Sapporo. Although this hotel is not a high-class hotel, the room is relatively large as a hotel in Japan, and it is popular with travelers with children.

Under Japanese law, individuals under 20 years of age cannot drink alcohol.

Data : Both are located in Sapporo Garden Park

Sapporo Beer Garden

〒065-0007
Higashi 9-2-10, Kita7Jo, Higashi-ku, Sapporo,Hokkaido,Japan   map
☎0120-150-550（Sapporo Beer Garden General Reservation Center）
■Opening time ／11:30～22:00（Last order at 21:30）
■The closing day ／Dec.31
■The entrance charge／Free of charge

>>Find the best deal, compare prices, and read what other travelers have to say at Tripadvisor!

Sapporo Beer Museum

〒065-8633
Kita 7-jo, Higashi 9-chome 1-1, Higashi-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido,Japan
■Opening time ／11:00-20:00 (Free Tour, No entry after 19:30)
■The closing day ／Dec.31 (Also temporary closed)
■The entrance charge／Free of charge
There is also a detailed tour with a Japanese guide for a fee (except Monday, reservation required).

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Nakajima Park

I sometimes stay at Sapporo Park Hotel adjacent to Nakajima Park and I will take a walk through Nakajima Park before breakfast. Every time I walk, I am satisfied with this park.

Nakajima Park is a traditional park that lasts more than 100 years, and the area is about 24 hectares. In the park, there are a large pond where you can play boating, a few historic buildings, a concert hall and so on.

You can enjoy beautiful autumn leaves in autumn. In winter, you can experience cross country skiing. Ski tools are available for rent in the park.

Data

〒064-0931
Nakajimakoen 1, Chuo-ku,Sapporo,Hokkaido,Japan   map
☎011-511-3924 (Nakajima Park Management Office)
■Opening time ／ All day
■The entrance charge／Free of charge

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Okurayama ski jumping stadium (Okurayama Viewing Point)

Actually, I am not good at high places. I was a bit scared when I climbed the top of this jumping base for the first time. I respected ski players who jumped off from such a high place.

Okurayama ski jumping stadium is located 30 minutes by car from the center of Sapporo. Visitors go up to the summit with lifts that players use. The top is 307 meters above sea level. From the observation deck of the summit you can look over Sapporo city and Ishikari plain.

Data

〒064-0958
Miyanomori 1274, Chuo-ku, Sapporo,Hokkaido, Japan   map
☎011-641-8585 (Okurayama General Information Center)
■Opening time ／8:30-18:00 (April 29–November 3), 9:00-17:00 (November 4–April 28)
■The closing day ／Closed occasionally
■Round trip of the lift ／500 yen (Adult), 300 yen (Elementary School Students or younger)

>>Find the best deal, compare prices, and read what other travelers have to say at Tripadvisor!

Mt. Moiwa

Mt. Moiwa is a mountain (altitude 530.9 m) located 5 km from the center of Sapporo. There is an observation deck at the summit of the mountain, you can see not only the city of Sapporo but also Ishikari plain and Ishikari Bay. This observatory is very popular among young couples.

To the top of the mountain, you will transfer a ropeway and a mini cable car. You can also drive along the sightseeing road by car and then take a mini cable car (although the road will be closed in winter). If you use this sightseeing road you will run through a beautiful virgin forest so if you go in the summer, I recommend using this road.

Mt. Moiwa also has the Sapporo Algaeyama Ski Resort. It is a ski resort that you can easily go from Sapporo city. The scenery is also very good. You can also rent a ski and so on.

Data (Sapporo mount moiwa ropeway, mini cablecar)

〒064-0942
Fushimi 5-chome 3-7, Chuo-ku, Sapporo,Hokkaido,Japan   map
☎011-561-8177
■Opening time ／10:30-22:00 (April1- Novemver 30,up final 21:30), 11:00-22:00 (December 1 – March 30, up final 21:30)  ／ 11:00-17:00 (December 31, up final 16:30)  ／ 5:00-17:00 (January 1, up final 16:30)
■The closing day ／Closed for about 15 days in November
■Round trip of the ropeway & mini cablecar／1,700 yen (Adult), 850 yen (elementary school or less)

>>For more information and to see the tour program, click here!

Moerenuma Park

“Moerenuma” is a swamp in the outskirts of Sapporo. However, it became a landfill of garbage and was hurt by human beings. To regenerate this land, the park began to be built in 1982. And in 2005, a huge park of about 190 hectares was completed.

Isamu Noguchi is a famous sculptor. He designed this park with the concept of sculpturing the earth. In the park there are Moelle mountain in the above picture, pyramid of glass, fountain pond with a diameter of 48 meters. In the spring, 2600 cherry blossoms bloom. In winter, you can enjoy cross country skiing. Rental ski is also available.

Data

〒007-0011
Moerenuma-koen 1-1, Higashi-ku, Sapporo,Hokkaido,Japan   map
☎011-790-1231 (Japanese only)
■Opening time ／7:00-22:00 (Park entrance closed at 21:00)
■The closing day ／None
■The entrance charge／Free of charge

>>Find the best deal, compare prices, and read what other travelers have to say at Tripadvisor!

Shiroi Koibito Park

Do you know a pastry named “Shiroi Koibito”? Shiroi Koibito is the representative sweet of Hokkaido and is often bought as a souvenir. It is a sweet sandwiching chocolate in langue de chat (a kind of cookie). “Shiroi Koibito” means “white lover” in Japanese, if translated directly.

“Shiroi koibito Park” is a theme park opened in 1995 by a company that manufactures this sweets. In this park, you can see the production line of Shiroi Koibito. In addition, you can experience making a big Shiroi Koibito (The tour corner of the production line is under renovation, unfortunately we can not visit until the end of May 2019).

Besides this, there is an English style garden “Rose Garden” where 120 kinds of roses are blooming. There are also exhibition floors including beautiful ceiling paintings and glassware. Illumination is also beautiful. The fairy tale world is well built, and it is quite crowded with young couples and children. Because the exhibition in the room is main, it can be enjoyed enough for half a day even in winter.

Data

〒063-0052
Miyanosawa 2-jo 2-chome, Nishi-ku, Sapporo,Hokkaido,Japan   map
☎011-666-1481
■Opening time ／9:00-18:00 (Park entrance closed at 17:00)
■The closing day ／None
■The entrance charge／Free of charge

>>For more information and to see the tour program, click here!

Maruyama Park

Maruyama Park is a vast park with a site area of 70 hectares. At the side of the park, there are Maruyama zoo and Hokkaido Jingu shrine, and it continues to deep primeval forest.

Compared to the parks in Tokyo, I feel that Maruyama Park is big in trees and deep in the forest. Every time I visit this park, I realize the size of nature in Hokkaido.

In the park there are also baseball stadiums, tennis courts and track and field stadiums. In May, cherry blossoms bloom a lot and people crowd.

Data

〒064-0959
Miyagaoka, Chuo-ku, Sapporo,Hokkaido,Japan   map
☎011-621-0453
■Opening time ／All day
■The closing day ／None
■The entrance charge／Free of charge

>>For more information and to see the tour program, click here!

Maruyama Zoo

If you would like to visit a zoo somewhere in Hokkaido, I strongly recommend going to the Asahiyama zoo in Asahikawa. At Asahiyama Zoo, animals are very energetic and amuse us. However, when it comes to polar bears, perhaps the polar bears in this Maruyama zoo may be more vigorous than the Asahiyama zoo. Polar bears swimming in the pool at Maruyama zoo are very active and the children are delighted.

Maruyama zoo is wide. There is also a vast primitive forest behind. You will be able to calm down and meet the animals. Currently, there are nearly 200 kinds of animals including polar bear, penguin, lion, elephant, giraffe and so on.

Data

〒064-0959
3-1 Miyagaoka, Chuo-ku, Sapporo,Hokkaido,Japan   map
☎011-621-1426
■Opening time ／9:30-16:30 (March-October, No entry after 16:00), 9:30-16:0 (November-February, No entry after 15:30)
■The closing day ／On the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month (the next day in case of holiday) ／Closed for 1 week each in April and November
■The entrance charge／600 yen (Adult), Free of Charge (under Junior high school)

>>Find the best deal, compare prices, and read what other travelers have to say at Tripadvisor!

Hokkaido Shrine

Hokkaido shrine is the foremost shrine in Hokkaido. Sapporo citizens often come to visit such as New Year’s Day and celebrations for children.

The precincts are very large. It is in the forest, and a majestic atmosphere is drifting. If you are lucky you will find a squirrel.

Many cherry blossoms bloom in May and many people come to see. Because it is close to Maruyama Park and Maruyama zoo, I recommend you to travel around these spots.

Data

〒064-8505
474 Miyagaoka, Chuo-ku, Sapporo,Hokkaido,Japan   map
☎011-611-0261
■Opening time ／7:00-16:00 (November-February), 7:00-17:00 (March), 6:00-17:00 (April-October)／0:00-19:00 (January 1), 6:00-18:00 (January 2-3), 6:00-16:00 (January 4-7)
■The closing day ／None
■The entrance charge／Free of charge

>>Find the best deal, compare prices, and read what other travelers have to say at Tripadvisor!

Horomitoge Lavender Garden (Sapporo Lavender Farm)

If you want to see lavender fields in Hokkaido in the summer, you should visit Furano. However, it takes two hours for cars from Sapporo to Furano. In contrast, Horomitoge is only a 30-minute drive from the center of Sapporo. Horomitoge is popular among people who want to see lavender fields easily.

Horomitoge is also an excellent observatory to look at the city center of Sapporo. “Horo” is a word omitting Sapporo. “Mi” means to see. “Toge” means pass. Horomitoge is familiar to locals as a place to see Sapporo.

Data

〒064-0945
471-110 Bankei, Chuo-ku, Sapporo,Hokkaido,Japan   map
☎011-622-5167 (Lavender Garden = Yumekobo Sato)

Observatory

■Opening time ／All Day
■The closing day ／December 1- March 30
■The entrance charge／Free of Carge ／Parking lot usage is 1 car 500-800 yen

Lavender Garden

■Opening time ／9:00-17:00
■Opening day ／Mid July to early August
■The entrance charge／Free of Carge ／Parking lot usage is 1 car 500 yen

>>Find the best deal, compare prices, and read what other travelers have to say at Tripadvisor!

Jozankei Onsen

There are hotels with hot springs in Sapporo city as well. For example, at the JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo in the station building of JR Sapporo Station, you can enjoy a wonderful hot spring. However, if you want to experience Japanese hot spring more seriously, I recommend you go to Jozankei Onsen on the outskirts of Sapporo. Jozankei Onsen is a hot spring town developed along the Toyohira River. There are many hotels with full-fledged hot springs in Jozankei Onsen.

It takes about 1 hour by direct bus from Sapporo station bus terminal to Jozankei Onsen. People in Sapporo use hot springs in Jozankei when they want to refresh.

At Jozankei Onsen, walking paths are being developed along the river. Many people enjoy autumn leaves while walking on this walking path in autumn. The red suspension bridge on the river is crowded as a shooting spot.

Data

〒061-2302
Jozankei Onsen higashi 3-chome,Minami-ku, Sapporo,Hokkaido,Japan   map
☎011-598-2012 (Jozankei Tourist Association)

>>Find the best deal, compare prices, and read what other travelers have to say at Tripadvisor!

 

Best Things to do in Sapporo in winter

If you go to Sapporo in winter, I recommend that you go in the first half of February when the famous “Sapporo Snow Festival” is held. In this festival, a lot of huge snow statues are set in Odori Park, and snow and ice images are also arranged in Susukino.

Every year, 2 million visitors from all over the world gather in this festival. For this reason, you should book hotels and airplanes as soon as possible.

>> The official website of Sapporo Snow Festival is here

>>Find the best deal, compare prices, and read what other travelers have to say at Tripadvisor!

If you can not book a hotel, think about going to Sapporo at times other than this festival. Sapporo in winter is very attractive except for this period. From mid-November to mid-March every year, the city of Sapporo is decorated with beautiful illumination. Every year during the Christmas season, a Christmas market is opened in Odori Park.

If you visit Sapporo in winter, I recommend you to see the city area of ​​Sapporo from the observation deck of Mt. Moiwa or Okurayama. The snow-covered cityscape is very beautiful. However, it is very cold, so do not forget your coat and gloves.

You can also enjoy skiing at Mt. Moiwa. Please refer to the official site of Sapporo Moiwayama Ski Resort  below for details.

>> The official website of Sapporo Moiwayama Ski Resort is here

>>Find the best deal, compare prices, and read what other travelers have to say at Tripadvisor!

 

Best Things to do in Sapporo in Spring

In Tokyo and Osaka, cherry blossoms are blooming from late March to early April every year. However, in Sapporo, cherry blossoms bloom almost at the end of April to the beginning of May. In this way, the season when full-bodied spring comes to Sapporo is considerably slow compared to Tokyo and Osaka. The atmosphere of spring begins to drift at a stroke from the second half of April, and it will be possible to enjoy flowers and fresh green from May to June.

If you want to see cherry blossoms in Sapporo, Maruyama Park introduced above is recommended. There are more than 150 cherry blossom trees in this park. Hokkaido Jingu Shrine (see the article above), located near Maruyama Park, is also famous for its cherry blossoms.

Every year in Sapporo plum blossom almost at the same time as cherry blossoms. In Tokyo and Osaka plums bloom earlier than cherry blossoms, but since winter is long in Hokkaido, when spring comes, it blooms at the same time. So, let’s enjoy cherry blossoms and plums at the same time!

From May to June, trees and grass grew steadily in various parts of Sapporo city, fresh green is beautiful. I would recommend walking around Hokkaido University, Nakajima Park, Maruyama Park, and so on.

 

Best Things to do in Sapporo in Summer

If you travel in Hokkaido in the summer, I recommend that you travel around not only Sapporo, but other tourist destinations. In the summer, many flowers bloom in the meadow. Because the temperature is relatively warm you can also go to highlands that can not go to other seasons. There are many wonderful sightseeing spots in Hokkaido, so please enjoy yourselves a lot.

In Sapporo, “Sapporo Summer Festival” will be held every year from late July to mid August. During this period, beer garden will be open every evening at Odori Park. Festival of Bon Odori (Japanese style dance) will be held in the middle of August.

In the summer, various parks and observation decks on the outskirts of Sapporo are crowded with tourists. At Horomitoge, beautiful lavender blooms.

>>Find the best deal, compare prices, and read what other travelers have to say at Tripadvisor!

At Maeda Forest Park, you can fully enjoy the forest bath. However, please note that it may be quite hot on sunny days in a park with few shade of shade.

>>Find the best deal, compare prices, and read what other travelers have to say at Tripadvisor!

 

Best Things to do in Sapporo in Autumn

In Hokkaido, signs of autumn will begin to drift in late August. It is still hot during the daytime, but it gets colder little by little in the morning and evening. And in September, full-fledged autumn will come to highlands. On the mountains of Hokkaido such as Daisetsuzan, the autumn leaves will come into full swing. And in Late October, autumn leaves will become full-scale even in Sapporo city. Snow will begin to fall in Sapporo in the latter half of November. Although it is a short while until then, the city of Sapporo is colored with beautiful autumn leaves.

If you go to the observation decks of Mt. Moiwa and the Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium introduced above, you can see beautiful autumn leaves.

Also, if you want to enjoy the autumn leaves a little early, we recommend Jozankei Onsen (see above) on the outskirts of Sapporo. From autumn to winter, many hot springs are crowded with many people. Good hotels in Jozankei are also popular, so they fill up quickly. So book your hotel early.

 

Now, let’s plan to make your vacation in Japan the best experience ever!

 

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