Sapporo walking tour & city guide

Odori Park and the city center

Odori Park runs for about 1.5 kilometers through the center of Sapporo, dividing the city into north and south. In February it hosts the main site of the Sapporo Snow Festival, when giant snow and ice sculptures draw visitors from around the world. In summer it fills with flower beds, fountains and a beer garden.

At the eastern end of the park, the Sapporo TV Tower offers views along the length of Odori. Nearby stands the Sapporo Clock Tower, a wooden building from 1878 and a symbol of the city, while the red-brick former Hokkaido Government Office Building is another historic landmark.

Susukino and Sapporo by night

Susukino is the largest entertainment district north of Tokyo, a neon-lit area of restaurants, bars and karaoke. Its famous Ramen Yokocho, a narrow alley of tiny ramen shops, is the classic place for a late-night bowl of miso ramen, a style that originated in Sapporo.

A heated underground walkway connects Sapporo Station to Odori and Susukino, making it easy to get around in winter. For a panoramic view of the city lights, take the ropeway up Mount Moiwa.

Seasons and day trips

Winter brings deep snow and festivals, while summer is pleasantly cool compared to the rest of Japan. The canal town of Otaru, the flower fields of Furano and Biei, and the hot springs of Jozankei are popular trips from Sapporo.