Sapporo 5-day itinerary

1. Stop 1

   Clock Tower

   This rather diminutive building has become a symbol of Sapporo, mostly by being the oldest building still standing. It was constructed in 1878 for the Sapporo Agricultural College (now the Hokkaido University) and would not look out of place in "Smalltown U.S.A." The inside has a small retrospective of its history.

2. Stop 2 · 97 min walk

   Shiroi Koibito Park

   Formerly "Ishiya Chocolate Factory". The factory has an incredibly corny, but fun, tour building up to a view of the actual chocolate making floor, and ending with a random toy museum. Also there are two restaurants, a souvenir store, and an hourly robot show complete with annoying music.

3. Stop 3 · 92 min walk

   Ōdōri Park

   Sapporo's most famous park, it is in the center of town and is considered to be a symbol of Sapporo. Although quite narrow (one might argue that it is a nice boulevard), the park is quite long, stretching over fifteen blocks across downtown Sapporo. Filled with (during the summer) numerous flowers, trees, and fountains, Ōdōri Park provides a welcome respite from the maddening crowds of the surrounding city. In winter, there's not much to see.

4. Stop 4 · 11 min walk

   Sapporo TV Tower

   A tourist trap carbon copy of the Eiffel Tower with an observation deck 90 m high.

5. Stop 5 · 21 min walk

   Sapporo Beer Museum

   Run by the Sapporo Brewing Company, offers free self-guided tours or "premium" guided tours (only in Japanese, ¥500) covering the history of beer in Japan and the process of brewing. The museum is not very big and while the printed descriptions on the displays are in Japanese, cards are provided offering English translations. Two short movies about the history of the brewery also have English subtitles. At the end of the tour you can taste all the different beers.

Eat · Nijō Ichiba: Sapporo's equivalent to Tokyo's famed Tsukiji Fish Market, this is where the best of Hokkaido's catch is traded — and like its Tokyo counterpart, there are many restaurants here offering top-quality, cut-price sushi and sashimi. Popular with locals and tourists alike.

1. Stop 1

   Hokkaido Pioneer Village

   A large historical village on the outskirts of Sapporo, offers a snapshot of Japan in the newly-industrialised age. The front gate (an old railway station) opens up into a series of opens alleys and buildings of the style pre-20th century. Also a variety of different gardens and shrines. Don't expect costumed performers however — everything is self-guided. An English map is available.

2. Stop 2 · 194 min walk

   Moiwayama

   This mountain, also called Moiwa Mountain, overlooks the city and is especially worthwhile at night to observe the city lights.

3. Stop 3 · 27 min walk

   Asahiyama Park

   A beautiful flower garden and natural park that overlooks the city center. Noted for being a good place for romance, and is particularly good for cherry blossoms in spring and autumn colors, and local wildlife such as squirrels and foxes (somewhat of a feral pest around Sapporo).

4. Stop 4 · 23 min walk

   Hokkaido Shrine

   Hokkaido Shrine is a listed stop in this neighborhood.

5. Stop 5 · 265 min walk

   Jōzankei

   This area is famous for its onsen (due perhaps to proximity to Sapporo), and for the very beautiful autumn colours (especially around the Hōheikyō Dam). Accessible by public bus from the JR Sapporo station with multiple departures daily for ¥830 one-way.

Eat · Aji No Tokeidai: The best-known ramen noodle chain in Sapporo, now franchised around the country. Many famous people have eaten here including former Japanese prime minister, Tomiichi Murayama.

1. Stop 1

   JR Tower

   The redeveloped building near JR Sapporo Station marks the center of the city. It is higher than the TV tower observatory is. Affording panoramic views. As a bonus for men, the observation level has a men's room with a view!

2. Stop 2 · 27 min walk

   Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art

   A modern museum filled with collections of contemporary works and especially glass objects, Pascin of École de Paris, as well as temporary exhibits. The main hall is the center of exhibits of works owned by the museum and the special facility is reserved for "expo" of foreign and Japanese arts. Each summer the museum holds a special course for children.

3. Stop 3 · 62 min walk

   Snow Brand Milk Products Historical Museum

   Large museum on the premises of Snow Brand Milk Products factory, where the company first produced butter in 1925. After learning about dairy farming and milk products, visitors can sample ice cream and milk made at the factory.

4. Stop 4 · 201 min walk

   Sapporo Art Park

   Containing over 74 modern and contemporary sculptures, this art park makes for a great day trip.

5. Stop 5 · 289 min walk

   Moerenuma Park

   A popular excursion for Japanese families, this park offers several acres of carefully manicured grass and monumental landscape installations. Highlights include a 5-story glass pyramid and a man-made mountain, from which one can see all of Sapporo. Rental of bicycles is available, from 07:00-19:00.

Eat · Ramen Yokochō: Also known as Ramen Gai, this alley is chock full of ramen shops of all varieties. Get butter corn ramen, crab ramen, and even scallop ramen. It's touristy but fun, and locals come here as well.

1. Stop 1

   Hokkaido University Botanic Garden

   A large botanical garden. There are two rock gardens, a rose garden, a lilac display, a greenhouse, and various other gardens. There's a small museum in the garden with artifacts from Hokkaido, some dating back to the Meiji period (no extra cost). In the winter, only the greenhouse and museum are of interest.

2. Stop 2 · 5 min walk

   Former Hokkaido Prefectural Government Building

   This beautiful western-style red brick building is a famous site of Sapporo and worth taking a quick look, as it is in the center.

Eat · Sapporo Beer Garden: At the same location as the Beer Museum is the Beer Garden, an incredibly popular Genghis Khan (mutton barbeque) restaurant. Even though the dining rooms span three large buildings, come early and expect to wait.

1. Stop 1

   Otaru

   Listed as a next stop from Sapporo. Check the regional train or bus the night before.

2. Stop 2

   Niseko

   Listed as a next stop from Sapporo. Check the regional train or bus the night before.

3. Stop 3

   Shikotsu-Toya National Park

   Listed as a next stop from Sapporo. Check the regional train or bus the night before.

Eat · Pack snacks from town. Do not count on a full menu at a small station.