Hey there! Welcome to Sapporo! Having been born and raised in Sapporo for 40 years, I’m here to share some insider tips to help all you visitors from overseas make the most of your shopping pengalaman in Sapporo. I’ll be packing this with real, local-only info you won’t find in guidebooks.
When you think of Sapporo, fresh seafood, Genghis Khan (Mongolian-style BBQ), and other delicious foods probably come to mind. But actually, Sapporo is also a fantastic city for shopping. From sophisticated department stores and large malls like AEON bustling with locals, to shopping arcades lined with unique shops, it truly has many different faces.
Today, I’ll introduce Sapporo’s shopping spots with my own honest opinions, including a bit of my personal bias.
Right by Sapporo Station! Top-Tier Department Stores & Malls with Great Access
First off, let’s start around Sapporo Station, the gateway to Sapporo. It’s easily accessible from New Chitose Airport and has many hotels, making it a popular base for sightseeing.
Daimaru Sapporo
https://www.daimaru.co.jp/sapporo/ (This is the official Japanese website, but they seem to have some floor guides and info in English. Using your browser’s translation feature is also an option!)
Directly connected to Sapporo Station, Daimaru Sapporo is a classic department store you can’t miss. From luxury brands to cosmetics, fashion, and a basement food hall (depachika) packed with Hokkaido’s delicious treats, the selection is top-notch.
The depachika, especially, is a wonderland just to look at. It’s great for souvenir hunting, of course, but I also recommend buying some tasty side dishes or sweets to enjoy back at your hotel for a little treat during your stay.
They have a tax-free counter for international visitors, and the staff are used to assisting, so you can feel at ease. However, it does get quite crowded on weekends and holidays. The depachika is lively, especially in the evening, but you might have to queue for popular stalls. Then again, that just shows how appealing it is, right?
JR Tower – Sapporo Stellar Place & APIA
- JR Tower Official Website: https://www.jr-tower.com/ (Japanese, but useful for shop searches)
- Sapporo Stellar Place: https://www.stellarplace.net/ (Also Japanese. Check out the shop list for stores that interest you)
- APIA: https://www.apiadome.com/ (Japanese as well)
Also directly connected to Sapporo Station, like Daimaru, JR Tower houses two large shopping malls: Sapporo Stellar Place and APIA.
Stellar Place has a great selection of fashion brands, appealing to everyone from younger generations to adults. There are plenty of stylish cafes and restaurants, so you won’t have trouble finding a spot for a break while shopping. They also have a cinema, so if you have time, watching a Japanese movie could be an interesting pengalaman.
APIA has a more casual atmosphere, with many variety shops, drugstores, and souvenir shops. Since it’s an underground mall, it’s great that you can shop without worrying about the rain or snow.
A Local’s Honest Take: JR Tower is incredibly convenient, and I use it often myself. However, it’s so big that you might get a bit lost at first figuring out where everything is. I recommend grabbing a floor map from an information counter and checking the stores you want to visit beforehand. Also, it gets really crowded on weekends! The restaurant floors, in particular, are packed during lunchtime, so it might be wise to go at slightly different times.
Tokyu Department Store Sapporo
https://www.tokyu-dept.co.jp/sapporo/ (Japanese site. You might find interesting events by checking their special promotions information.)
Just a short walk from Sapporo Station’s South Exit is Tokyu Department Store. This is another established department store where you can enjoy shopping in a relaxed atmosphere. The special product fairs held in their event hall are popular events that even locals look forward to.
It’s a little bit of a walk from the station, but because of that, it might be slightly less crowded than the department stores directly connected to the station at certain times. It could be a good option if you want to take your time choosing items.
Enjoy Unique Shopping in the Odori Area
The Odori area, just one subway stop from Sapporo Station or a walk through the “Chi-Ka-Ho” underground walkway, is another shopping hotspot.
Marui Imai Sapporo Main Store & Sapporo Mitsukoshi
- Marui Imai Sapporo Main Store: https://www.maruiimai.mistore.jp/sapporo.html (Japanese)
- Sapporo Mitsukoshi: https://www.mitsukoshi.mistore.jp/sapporo.html (Japanese)
Near Odori Park, you’ll find the long-established department stores Marui Imai and Mitsukoshi. Both have a rich history and are highly trusted by locals.
Marui Imai has two buildings, Ichijo-kan and Odori-kan, offering a wide selection. Especially for Hokkaido’s famous sweets and crafts, you can’t go wrong here.
Mitsukoshi has a somewhat more subdued atmosphere and is recommended for those who want to enjoy a leisurely shopping pengalaman. Their depachika is also well-stocked, so be sure to check it out.
These two department stores are perfect for finding slightly more upscale items or proper souvenirs. However, being established stores, some might find them a bit intimidating. But even window shopping is fun, and the depachika are easy to pop into, so don’t worry.
Sapporo PARCO
https://sapporo.parco.jp/ (Japanese, but the shop info and floor guide are helpful.)
For the latest in youth fashion and culture, Sapporo PARCO is the place to go. It’s filled with unique brands and stylish accessory shops.
They often have limited-time pop-up stores, so you might find something new every time you visit. If you want to experience Japan’s “kawaii” culture, I definitely recommend stopping by.
Tanukikoji Shopping Arcade
https://tanukikoji.or.jp/ (Japanese, but you can search for shops.)
A short walk south from the Odori area brings you to the Tanukikoji Shopping Arcade. It’s one of Sapporo’s oldest shopping arcades, stretching from 1-chome to 7-chome with a continuous line of shops.
You’ll find souvenir shops, drugstores, restaurants, game arcades, and even some slightly more “underground” type places – it’s a truly diverse and interesting space. The arcade roof means you can enjoy it regardless of rain or snow, which is a big plus. You should definitely take a stroll through; you might find some unexpected treasures. The Tanukikoji Shopping Arcade is really deep, and you could easily spend a whole day exploring it and still not see everything. If you want to dive deeper into what makes Tanukikoji so fascinating, I’ve written more about it in this article here (https://sapporolocalvoice.com/tanukikojishoppingstreetsapporo/), so please check it out. You’re sure to discover something new!
Venture a Little Further to Suburban Mega Malls
If you have some extra time, I also recommend the large shopping malls in the suburbs. They offer a different kind of charm compared to central Sapporo.
AEON Mall Sapporo Hassamu
https://www.aeon.jp/sc/sapporohassamu/ (Japanese site)
AEON Mall Sapporo Hassamu, a short walk from Hassamu Station on the JR Hakodate Main Line, is simply huge! Fashion, general goods, electronics, books, restaurants, a supermarket – you can find pretty much anything here. In fact, it’s one of the largest AEON Malls in Hokkaido. I use it often myself, and honestly, there’s probably nothing you can’t find here for daily life (lol).
It’s particularly popular with families, offering plenty of facilities and events for children. You can easily spend a whole day here, so it’s a good option if you have the time. Just be aware that because it’s so big, you’ll do a lot of walking if you try to see everything. The trick is to decide which stores you want to visit and plan your route efficiently.
AEON Mall Sapporo Hiraoka
https://sapporo-hiraoka.aeonmall.com/ (Japanese site)
This is another large AEON Mall. It’s located in Hiraoka, Kiyota Ward, a bit further from the city center, so access is usually by bus or car. It has a large parking lot, making it convenient if you’re renting a car.
The basic store lineup is similar to Hassamu, but the tenants can differ slightly, so you can choose based on your preferences.
Mitsui Outlet Park Sapporo Kitahiroshima
https://mitsui-shopping-park.com/mop/sapporo/english/ (They have an official English website!)
This one is a bit outside Sapporo city, in Kitahiroshima, but if you want to enjoy shopping bargains, Mitsui Outlet Park Sapporo Kitahiroshima is a must-visit. It features many outlet stores of popular domestic and international brands.
Direct buses run from both New Chitose Airport and Sapporo Station, making it surprisingly accessible. Bus schedules and fares can change, so please be sure to check the latest information on their official website before you go.
Many stores offer tax-free shopping, and the food court is extensive, so you can enjoy a full day there. However, it gets very crowded on weekends and during sale periods, so it’s best to go with plenty of time to spare. Popular brand stores may even have entry restrictions. If you’re looking for more tips on how to make the most of Mitsui Outlet Park Sapporo Kitahiroshima, I’d be happy if you checked out another article I wrote here (https://sapporolocalvoice.com/mitsuioutletparksapporokitahiroshima/). You might find some great deals!
A Few More Shopping Tips
Finally, here’s a bit of extra information that might be useful when shopping in Sapporo.
- Tax-Free Shopping: Many department stores, large retailers, and some specialty shops offer tax-free procedures. Don’t forget your passport! The location and method for tax-free procedures are best confirmed at each store’s information desk.
- Sale Seasons: Department stores and fashion buildings in Japan usually have major sales in summer (around July onwards) and winter (around January onwards). If your visit coincides with these periods, you have a good chance of getting things at great prices.
- Eco Bags: Many stores in Japan charge for plastic bags, so bringing an eco bag is convenient and environmentally friendly.
- IC Transit Cards: IC transit cards like Suica or PASMO can be used not only on Sapporo’s subways and buses but also for payment at convenience stores and some shops, making them very handy to have.
Wrapping Up
So, what did you think? Did you get a better idea of Sapporo’s shopping spots?
What I’ve introduced here is just a fraction of what’s available; Sapporo has many more attractive shops. I hope you can use this article as a reference to find your own favorite spots and thoroughly enjoy your shopping pengalaman in Sapporo.
Please remember that information like prices, opening hours, and access methods are current as of May 2025, when this article was written, so always double-check the latest details on official websites before you head out!
If you run into any trouble while you’re out and about in the city, don’t hesitate to ask someone nearby. People in Sapporo are generally kind and will surely help you out.
Well then, I hope you have the best trip to Sapporo!
