Winter snow, ramen & Hokkaido nature
Sapporo
札幌 · Snow, beer & the wild north
The capital of Hokkaido and gateway to Japan's wild north. Sapporo is famous for its dazzling winter snow festival, rich miso ramen, fresh seafood and easy access to powder ski slopes and hot springs.
Top sightsSights
Sapporo Snow Festival
A February spectacle of giant snow and ice sculptures filling Odori Park.
Odori Park
A green ribbon through the city center, with the Sapporo TV Tower at one end.
Nijo Market
A bustling market piled with Hokkaido crab, uni and salmon roe.
Mount Moiwa
A ropeway to a summit with one of Japan’s best night views.
Historic Village of Hokkaido
An open-air museum of Meiji-era pioneer buildings.
What to eatFood
Miso ramen
Sapporo’s hearty invention — rich miso broth built for cold winters.
Soup curry
A spiced Hokkaido curry soup loaded with vegetables.
Fresh seafood
Hokkaido crab, scallops and sea urchin at their absolute peak.
Good to know
- Winter is peak season — book far ahead for the Snow Festival in early February.
- Sapporo is the base for world-class powder skiing at Niseko and Furano.
- Summers are cool and green, a refreshing escape from Honshu heat.
Getting there
New Chitose Airport (CTS) connects to all of Japan; the Hokkaido Shinkansen also links toward Honshu.
Next city
Nara