10 Best Things To Do in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan [with Suggested Tours]

Are you planning to travel to Sapporo, Japan soon? Read our tips below on the things to do in Sapporo with suggested tours.

When we talk about Sapporo, three things come into my mind; Snow, Beer, and the Filipino movie, Kita Kita (I see you.) Sapporo is Japan’s fifth-largest city and the capital of Hokkaido Prefecture. It got its name from the Ainuic word “Sat Poro Pet,” meaning dry, great river which refers to Toyohira River. This place has many American influences as the US government helped in the city’s development. With a blend of nature and technology, US and Japanese influences, Sapporo is a great place to visit in the country.

Klook.com

List of things to do in Sapporo, Japan

1. Drink Sapporo Beer

Sapporo Breweries is the oldest Japanese beer brand and was originally made in Hokkaido. This beer is one of the most popular and loved in the country, so you should definitely get a sip. They are not brewing anymore in Sapporo, though, but the old factory has been turned into a Beer Museum! Visit the Sapporo Beer Garden and Beer Museum, and don’t forget to take a sip of their beer.

To get to Sapporo Beer Garden and Museum, take the Chuo bus from the Sapporo Station and stop at Sapporo Biru-en. The entrance is free. However, it is open from 11:30 AM to 8:00 PM. The beer museum is closed on Mondays or on Tuesdays if the Monday before is a holiday.

Suggested Tour: Sapporo Beer Garden

2. Visit the Former Hokkaido Government Office

Getting there: 7-minute walk from JR Sapporo Station, South Exit

Nicknamed as Akarenga (Red Bricks), this building is American Neo-Baroque styled. Americans helped in Sapporo’s development, so the buildings were inspired by trendy designs in the US in the 1880s. It also has a beautiful garden surrounding it. Going to this place is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Sapporo.

The building is open from 8:45 AM to 6:00 PM, while the garden is open from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Admission is free for all visitors. However, from December 29 to January 3, it’s closed.

Suggested Tour: Sapporo Private Day Tour with a Local Licensed Guide

3. Ring the Fortune Bell

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Barbie Forteza (@barbaraforteza) on Dec 4, 2019 at 1:37am PST

Getting there: Take a bus from Maruyama Koen Subway Station T06 to Moiwa Sanroku Ropeway Iriguchi

Ride the Mt. Moiwa Ropeway and see the view of Sapporo on your way to the top. Go during sunset or during the night, as it is one of the best in the country. The center is the fortune bell or the bell of love; it is believed that a couple’s love will flourish if they ring it together. Wonder what it does for single people, though?

Suggested Tour: Hokkaido Enjoy Pass

4. See the Historical Village of Hokkaido

Getting there: Take JR Bus 22 from Shin-Sapporo Station and get off at Kaitaku-no-mura

You might see a lot of American-inspired buildings, but how about from the locals? In the Historical Village of Hokkaido, you can see buildings from the Meiji to Showa periods. There are 52 structures separated by zone or villages; the town, fishing, farming, and mountain villages.

Suggested Tour: Kimono Rental

5. Have fun kach.howe@gtravelgurus.com

DISCLOSURE: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links. So when you make a purchase we sometimes make a small commission, at no extra cost to you. The cost to you remains the same, sometimes even cheaper if we have negotiated a special deal for our readers.We use all of the companies we have listed here and that’s why they are in this list, but of course we need to keep GTravel Gurus running as well as it can, which is exactly what you’re helping with if you do decide to buy or book something through an affiliate link! If you have any more questions about the companies we use or any other companies you’re looking at, just email us and we’ll be happy to help.Please see our full disclaimer page for more information.