Korean MOFA travel advisory: Your destination: no advisory · some areas of the country have advisories

Elsewhere in the country: Level 3 (leave the country) — some regions: L3 (leave): within 30 km of Fukushima Daiichi NPP and government-designated evacuation zones / rest of Japan: no advisory

Visits to the listed regions should be cancelled or postponed (see Details for other areas).

checked 2026-10-01 · Details ↗ This is the Korean government’s advisory — also check your own government’s travel advice.

Sapporo Travel Guide

Hokkaido's capital, loved for cool summers and snowy winters. Miso ramen, lamb barbecue and seafood are highlights, and Otaru, hot springs and the Biei countryside are easy day trips.

Snow-covered Odori Park stretching through downtown Sapporo. — Odori Park, Sapporo · Photo: Nkns / CC BY-SA 3.0

Plan your Sapporo trip

We never take payment — compare, then book on the official partner site.

Find flights Find stays Tours & tickets Local mode (taxi, delivery, SOS)

Seoul Incheon → Sapporo flights →

At a glance

Currency: JPY (¥)
Power & plugs: 100V · Type A/B
Driving side: Left
Tipping: Not expected
Local language: 日本語
How long to stay: 4 to 5 days (with Otaru or Biei)

Emergency numbers

Police110
Ambulance119
Fire119
Tourist hotline050-3816-2787

When to go

June-August is pleasantly mild, with lavender peaking nearby in July. September-October brings autumn colors, and December-February is popular for snow scenes and winter festivals, but expect sub-zero temperatures and icy streets. Cherry blossoms come late, around late April to early May.

Airport to the city

JR Rapid Airport train

The fastest, easiest way from New Chitose Airport Station to Sapporo Station, with a reserved-seat car available.

Time about 40 minCost about 1,100-1,300 yen

Airport bus

Stops at major hotels in central Sapporo. Heavy snow or traffic can make it slow.

Time about 70-90 minCost about 1,200-1,400 yen

Rental car

An option if you plan countryside drives. Avoid winter driving on snowy roads unless you're experienced.

Time about 1 hour to the cityCost varies by company, car and season

Getting around

Subway (Namboku, Tozai, Toho lines)

Three lines link Sapporo Station, Odori and Susukino; the backbone of city travel. IC cards work.

Underground walkways

Walk underground from Sapporo Station to Odori and Susukino, a lifesaver in winter or rain.

Streetcar

A loop line around the city that runs near the Mt Moiwa ropeway.

JR trains

For day trips such as Otaru, about 30-40 minutes from Sapporo Station.

Walking

The grid layout makes navigation easy. In winter, walk slowly on icy sidewalks.

Where to stay

Sapporo Station

Good for: First visit, airport and day trips

Airport trains and JR to Otaru leave from here, with malls all around.

Odori

Good for: Sightseeing, festivals

The central area with Odori Park and the TV Tower; busiest during winter festivals.

Susukino

Good for: Food and nightlife

A lively district full of ramen and lamb barbecue spots, open late. Ignore touts.

Around Nakajima Park

Good for: Quieter stays

A calm area south of Susukino with easy subway access to the center.

Otaru / Jozankei (overnight)

Good for: Canal views, hot springs

Otaru for canal night views, Jozankei for onsen ryokan; many travelers stay a night.

Map of stays in Sapporo

Compare prices from many booking sites on the map

Search stays in Sapporo in the app

Map & prices: Stay22 — you book on each site

Top sights

Odori Park
A long park through downtown hosting seasonal festivals. Winter festival dates and layouts change each year, so check the official site.
Sapporo TV Tower
A paid observation deck at the end of Odori Park with views over the park and city.
Clock Tower
A former agricultural college building and city symbol. It's smaller than many expect, so treat it as a quick stop.
Sapporo Clock Tower · Photo: ノボホショコロトソ / CC BY 4.0
Nijo Market
A market for crab, sea urchin and salmon roe; great for a seafood rice bowl breakfast.
Mt Moiwa observatory
Reached by ropeway, one of Sapporo's best night views. Service may stop in bad weather.
Mt Moiwa observatory · Photo: Adam Jones from Kelowna, BC, Canada / CC BY-SA 2.0
Beer museum
A historic brick building telling Sapporo's brewing story, with a tasting area and lamb barbecue restaurants nearby.
Otaru Canal
A canal lined with stone warehouses, loveliest when the gas lamps light up at dusk. About 30-40 minutes by JR.
Otaru Canal · Photo: 663highland / CC BY-SA 3.0
Biei and Furano (day trip)
Famous for summer lavender fields and rolling hills. It's far, so bus tours or rental cars are common.

Tours & tickets →

What to eat

Miso ramen

Sapporo's signature rich miso ramen, sometimes topped with butter and corn. About 900-1,300 yen.

Jingisukan

Lamb and vegetables grilled on a domed iron plate, a Hokkaido classic. About 2,000-4,000 yen per person.

Soup curry

Sapporo-style thin curry broth with large vegetables and chicken; you choose the spice level.

Seafood bowls and crab

Rice bowls topped with sea urchin, salmon roe and crab. Crab dishes are pricey, so check prices first.

Dairy desserts

Soft-serve and cheese desserts made with Hokkaido milk are hugely popular.

Daily budget (per person)

Budgetabout 7,000-9,000 yen per day: hostel, ramen, subway

Mid-rangeabout 18,000-23,000 yen per day: business hotel, lamb barbecue, seafood

Comfortabout 45,000 yen+ per day: upscale hotel, onsen ryokan, crab dinners

Amounts are rough figures in local currency. Check exchange rates before you go.

Sample itinerary

Day 1
JR from the airport to Sapporo Station, then the Clock Tower, Odori Park and TV Tower, and miso ramen in Susukino.
Day 2
Seafood bowl at Nijo Market, the beer museum in the afternoon, then lamb barbecue and Mt Moiwa night views.
Day 3
Day trip to Otaru by JR: canal walk and glass-craft street, canal lights at dusk, then back to Sapporo.
Day 4
Biei and Furano tour in summer, or Jozankei hot springs in winter, then soup curry for dinner.

Local tips

From December to March, sidewalks are icy and very slippery. Wear shoes with good grip, and consider slip-on ice cleats sold locally.
Winters are well below freezing, so bring a warm coat, gloves and a hat; indoors is warm, so dress in layers.
Hotels fill up early and prices rise during winter festivals. Check the dates and book ahead.
If you've never driven on snow, skip a winter rental car and use trains or bus tours. Japan drives on the left.
On cold or rainy days, use the underground walkways between Sapporo Station, Odori and Susukino.
Some small eateries and markets are cash only. Japan's tax-free shopping switches to a pay-first, refund-at-departure system from November 2026, so check official information.