Sapporo
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Sapporo is the capital of Hokkaido Prefecture and is Japan’s fifth largest city by population. The city is famous for Sapporo Beer, Hokkaido Miso Ramen, tasty dairy products, and the annual Snow Festival. Compared to other parts of Japan, the weather is much milder in Sapporo, with an average summer temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit (22 degrees Celsius).
I went to Sapporo to experience the Snow Festival, and would love to return during summer to appreciate the famous flower fields, amongst other things. Below are some things to do while in Sapporo during the winter, but there is much more in and around the city than what is listed.
Places of Interest
Odori Park: Located in the center of Sapporo and separates the city into north and south. The park is the equivalent of twelve blocks in length and serves as the main site of the Sapporo Snow Festival.
Sapporo TV Tower: The Sapporo TV Tower is widely recognized landmark on the eastern side of Odori Park. You can take an elevator up to the observation deck to see a beautiful view of the city for 800 JPY. At night, the tower lights up and can be seen from quite a distance.
Susukino: Suskino is Sapporo’s entertainment district, lined with pachinko parlors, karaoke bars, and fun restaurants. During the Snow Festival, you can find impressive ice sculptures on display. It’s amazing what people can do with something so simple, and the artists make the sculptures beautifully.
Tsudome: This is Sapporo’s Community Dome, where various events are held throughout the year. During the Snow Festival, it hosts the more family-friendly area with local Hokkaido foods, and the snow slides. If you get to Tsudome early, you won’t have to wait in line as long for the snow slide!
Travel tip #1: Like much of Japan, the train system and bus lines make getting around the city a breeze. During the Snow Festival, there are additional buses running to help shuttle attendees between the different festival areas.
Food
Miso ramen with corn and butter: Probably one of the most famous dishes in Hokkaido, miso ramen features to pork bone-based broth to make a rich ramen. What makes this special compared to other ramen dishes is the thick chunk of butter and corn added as toppings to be mixed into the soup. The butter and oil create a film over the top of the soup, which makes it difficult for it to cool down—perfect for cold places like Sapporo and a must try!
Baked potato: Hokkaido produces two-thirds of all potatoes in Japan, which are used to make potato chips and even the famous Jagarico and Jagabee potato sticks. Jaga-butter, a steamed or baked potato topped with butter, is a popular snack in Hokkaido, especially in the cold winter months.
Zangi: There are some differing opinions on “zangi” and “karaage.” From what I can tell, zangi is deep-fried pre-seasoned chicken while karaage use powders with seasonings before being deep-fried. Either way, zangi is really tasty and you should definitely try some while in Hokkaido to sample any differences from what is considered karaage.
Royce’: Royce’ Chocolate was founded in Sapporo in 1983. It’s very popular throughout Japan, and is pretty good chocolate. They offer a variety of products, many of which can be found at the Royce’ shops sprinkled throughout Sapporo. It’s a great place to purchase some omiyage for colleagues and friends. Royce’ does not shop outside of Japan, so get it while in visiting Hokkaido.
Hokkaido crab: When people refer to “Hokkaido crab,” they’re not talking about a specific kind of crab. Rather, these are several types of crabs you can find and enjoy in Hokkaido. Hokkaido is known for its seafood—as is much of Japan—and the crab is no exception!
Snow Royal ice cream: Yukijirushi Parlor is famous for its special vanilla ice cream that was produced for Emperor Showa for a visit to Hokkaido in 1968. It is now only sold in these special parlors in Hokkaido. It’s a very simple ice cream, using raw milk produced in Hokkaido and has a high amount of milk fat (about 15%). The place itself is a little expensive, but the ice cream is incredibly creamy, smooth, milky, and delicious.
Travel tip #2: Hokkaido is known for its food, so bring your appetite if you’re heading to Sapporo. You can also book tours at the Sapporo Brewery–cheers!
Accommodation
APA Hotel in Sapporo is conveniently located near Odori Park, making it a great option if you’re visiting for the Snow Festival. If attending the Snow Festival, make sure to book accommodation early, as many places fill up quickly and prices climb as the festival approaches. I would book well in advance–6 months or more if possible. You can check booking.com for accommodation options.
Travel tip #3: If you’re visiting Sapporo and arriving through New Chitose Airport, be aware that the train into the city center takes approximately one hour. Additionally, the trains can be packed during the Snow Festival, especially during the final weekend. Be sure to give yourself ample time to access the airport.