Must-SeeCitiesFoodBeer

Sapporo

Hokkaido's lively capital, known for miso ramen, its own beer and a long central park that fills with snow sculptures every February.

Photo: ノボホショコロトソ · CC BY 4.0
Best Time to Go
Feb, Jun–Sep
Our full guide to Sapporo is being written. It's on the Hokkaido list as Must-See and Hokkaido and Tohoku list as Worth a Detour.

Festivals, Events & Seasons

Must-See
Festival · Snow and ice

Sapporo Snow Festival

Hokkaido
February

Giant snow and ice sculptures fill Sapporo's Odori Park each February.

Guide Coming Soon

Go Next

1–3 of 18
Must-See
Mountains · Skiing

Niseko

Hokkaido
About 39 miles away

Japan's most famous powder snow.

Guide Coming Soon
Worth a Detour
Nature · Flowers

Furano

Hokkaido
About 55 miles away

Fields of summer lavender at the foot of the mountains, and deep winter powder.

Guide Coming Soon
If You're Nearby
Cities · Old towns

Otaru

Hokkaido
About 20 miles away

A canal town of old warehouses, glassmakers and seafood, close to Sapporo.

Guide Coming Soon

The Full Short List

Hokkaido

Powder snow, flower fields and seafood in Japan's wild north.

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