Hi there! Welcome to Sapporo!
Choosing souvenirs when traveling can be pretty tough, right? Especially if it’s your first time in Sapporo, you might think, “Well, I guess Shiroi Koibito is the safe bet?” I totally get it. It’s delicious, famous, and definitely a safe choice.
But, hold on a sec!
You’ve come all the way to Hokkaido, a treasure trove of food and nature, and its main city, Sapporo! So why not explore just a little bit further and find souvenirs that even locals think are great?
You’re probably wondering, “What do locals honestly choose?” or “What’s the real deal with this stuff?” As someone who lives right here in this city, I’m gonna give you the inside scoop, mixed with a bit of my own honest opinions and maybe some love. You can find most of these around Sapporo Station or New Chitose Airport, so check them out!
＜First Up: The Reliable Classic Sweets＞
Honestly, these are so famous you might already know them, but let me add a local’s comment.
- Shiroi Koibito (Ishiya Seika ISHIYA)
- My Honest Take: This is the undisputed king. It instantly screams “I went to Sapporo/Hokkaido!” The combination of the langue de chat cookie and white chocolate is genuinely delicious, and the larger boxes are great for sharing at the office or with neighbors. Actually, this souvenir has even ranked #1 in Japan for regional souvenirs. Apparently, more than 1 in 3 Japanese people think of this as the classic souvenir to buy when traveling, so that’s pretty impressive, right? I eat it sometimes too, and yeah, it’s honestly just good (haha).
- Royce’
- My Honest Take: Actually, Royce’ ranks #2 in those Japanese regional souvenir rankings. Alongside Shiroi Koibito, you could say it’s another one of Hokkaido’s, and Japan’s, most famous souvenir brands. I absolutely love their Nama Chocolate. It truly melts in your mouth; it’s amazing if you’ve never tried it. But let me tell you, the Potatochip Chocolate has a seriously addictive flavor. It’s so dangerously good that if you have it nearby, it’ll definitely be gone in a flash. They have a ton of variety, but just be aware the Nama Chocolate types need refrigeration and are best eaten quickly. If you haven’t tried it, you should definitely buy it once; it makes for a great gift people will enjoy.
- LeTAO
- My Honest Take: Its name comes from Otaru, the city where the main store is located. Their Double Fromage cheesecake is incredibly delicious, but it’s frozen, making it a bit tricky to take home. Their baked goods (like cookies) are elegant and always a safe bet, giving you that “Ah, this is LeTAO quality” feeling. They’re a bit pricey, but it’ll definitely make you look like you have good taste!
- Rokkatei
- My Honest Take: This place also has a die-hard following. Many domestic tourists get hooked on the Marusei Butter Sand. The raisin and cream flavor is irresistible. Their strawberry chocolate is cute too, and the retro packaging is definitely appealing. Ishiya Seika, Royce’, and Rokkatei – from a local’s perspective, these are probably the image of Hokkaido’s representative confectionery companies.
＜Full Hokkaido Flavor! Unique Sweets & Snacks＞
If you want something beyond the classics that makes people go “Ooh!”, try these.
- Yubari Melon Flavored Goods (e.g., HORI Yubari Melon Pure Jelly)
- My Honest Take: Real Yubari melons are expensive, but with the jelly, you can easily get a taste of that rich aroma and sweetness. It’s very sweet, but eating it now and then feels like a luxurious treat. It’s been a favorite among Hokkaido locals for ages. Eating it chilled is pure bliss! Definitely recommended for melon lovers.
- Sanpouroku (Ryugetsu)
- My Honest Take: The look, like a birch log, is unique, right? It’s a moist Baumkuchen (layered cake). It’s coated in white chocolate, which is a key feature. It’s quite filling, so people who love sweets should be happy with it. Reliably tasty, and the individually wrapped smaller versions are convenient for sharing.
- Shiroi Black Thunder
- My Honest Take: This is the Hokkaido-limited white chocolate version of the popular Black Thunder candy bar! I wonder if people overseas know Black Thunder? (haha). Just the word “limited” makes you want it, doesn’t it? It might be a hit with people who like Japanese snacks. It tastes good, it’s cheap, and perfect for casual gifts for friends.
＜Savory Snacks & Other Food Items＞
For the snack lovers or maybe the foodies in your life?
- Jaga Pokkuru / Jaga Pirika (Calbee)
- My Honest Take: Hokkaido potatoes are really delicious, you know! And this snack proves it. They have a light, crispy texture, and you keep reaching for more. Honestly, I’m not that crazy about them myself, but I know quite a few people who like them. I think the appeal is how easy they are to just snack on. They might disappear in seconds (haha).
- Kitakaro Hokkaido Kaitaku Okaki
- My Honest Take: A great choice for people who don’t have a big sweet tooth. These are fried rice crackers (okaki) with various Hokkaido flavors like scallop, shrimp, and kelp. They have a really robust flavor. This is a bit more of a sophisticated souvenir, so I imagine older folks might appreciate it. They’re quite substantial and won’t disappear too quickly.
- Dried Scallop Adductors (Hotate Kaibashira)
- My Honest Take: Delicious as a snack on their own, packed with umami! I thought scallops were mostly a Japanese thing, but apparently people in Chinese communities love them too (huh!). Not sure if they’ll catch on with Westerners, but this flavor definitely hits the spot for those who like it! They can be a bit pricey, but they’re light and easy to carry.
- Dried Salmon Jerky (Saketoba)
- My Honest Take: I love Saketoba. It’s basically soul food for me. A classic Hokkaido delicacy, the more you chew, the more flavor comes out. Perfect with sake or beer. If you’ve never tried it, I really hope you will. It’s easy to store and carry, too. Originally, it was a preserved food for the Ainu people, and the name comes from “Fuyu (winter) toba (leaves),” apparently because they used to make it by drying salmon outside in the winter!
- Ramen from Famous Hokkaido Restaurants (Souvenir Packs)
- My Honest Take: Sapporo Miso, Asahikawa Shoyu, Hakodate Shio… it’s great to be able to enjoy the taste of famous ramen shops at home. Honestly, while I think it’s impossible to perfectly replicate the restaurant’s taste, they manage to capture a pretty authentic deliciousness.
- Soup Curry (Retort Pouch)
- My Honest Take: Soup curry is another local dish originating in Sapporo. With the retort pouches, you can take that spicy flavor home. It’s a bit different from eating at a restaurant, but it’s a great way to easily recall the Sapporo vibe. I hope you’ll try it at various restaurants too.
- Kombu (Kelp) Products (Dashi Kombu, Tororo Kombu, etc.)
- My Honest Take: Looks plain, but it’s a powerhouse. How do people overseas feel about kombu, I wonder? (haha). Hokkaido kombu is really high quality, so anyone who cooks would appreciate it. However, apparently, its beauty and health benefits are getting noticed lately, so I can understand why people buy it as a souvenir.
- Processed Seafood (Matsumae-zuke, Ikameshi, etc.)
- My Honest Take: Matsumae-zuke (pickled herring roe, squid, etc.) is amazing with rice! (Needs refrigeration though). Ikameshi (squid stuffed with rice) is convenient as there are shelf-stable vacuum-packed versions. A true taste of Hokkaido. If you know anyone from a rice-eating culture, maybe consider this? No exaggeration, it’s seriously delicious, really.
＜Drinks＞
A bit heavy, but experience the local taste!
- Sapporo Classic Beer
- My Honest Take: The “Hokkaido Only” part is the biggest draw! It’s a crisp, easy-drinking beer loved by locals. This is the beer I choose when I drink at home too. It’s so easy to drink and tastes great. If I see a tourist buying this, I kinda feel like, “Oh, you know what’s good!” (haha).
- Yoichi / Nikka Whisky
- My Honest Take: Japanese whisky recognized worldwide. Yoichi is a bit far, but you can buy it in Sapporo. Apparently, global prices have been soaring or something lately, so it’s pricey and popular bottles can be scarce, but it might be worth splurging for a special someone.
- Guarana Drinks / Ribbon Napolin
- My Honest Take: Hokkaido’s local carbonated drinks. Well, these are more of a novelty item. Guarana has… a unique taste (haha). Napolin is an old-fashioned orange-ish soda. Not sure if people overseas will get it, but maybe it’s fun as a weird cousin of cola? The taste might be an adventure!
＜Goods, Crafts & Characters＞
Something tangible to remember your trip by?
- Lavender Goods
- My Honest Take: The classic image of Hokkaido souvenirs has long been Furano’s lavender. You’ll find lots of lavender goods in Sapporo too. The scent is relaxing, but preferences vary. If you know any Japanese people, there’s a decent chance they’ll recognize it as “Ah, from Furano.”
- Wood Carvings (Bear, Owl)
- My Honest Take: The super classic Hokkaido souvenir. It’s been the quintessential Hokkaido item since way back. Tourists might not know this, but locals (especially my generation) visiting their grandparents’ house have a high chance of finding one of these somewhere (haha). It brings on a real sense of nostalgia, a symbolic item from the old days. I think all locals would agree on this. They can be a bit pricey, but if you find one you like, go for it! (haha).
- Shima Enaga Goods
- My Honest Take: The “snow fairy” bird, the Shima Enaga, is just so cute! Apparently, they’re super popular lately, but honestly, I haven’t quite kept up with the craze myself. My honest reaction is more like, “Huh, so they’re popular.” But there’s a huge variety of goods, and they are definitely癒やされる (iyasareru – healing/soothing) to look at. “KAWAII” is a part of Japanese culture, so if it catches your eye, maybe go for it.
- Hokkaido Cosmetics
- My Honest Take: Cosmetics using natural Hokkaido ingredients like horse oil (bayu). They seem to be trendy lately, and quite a few cosmetic facilities have popped up around Hokkaido. My girlfriend wanted to go, so I’ve tagged along a few times, and they’re all stylish places. Products known for being highly moisturizing are popular, they’re practical, and you might find some hidden gems.
- Otaru Glassware
- My Honest Take: It’s sparkly and beautiful. Otaru is famous for it, but you can find shops in Sapporo too. Kitaichi Glass is famous, you know. Might be a nice memory to take home! Things like glasses and accessories. Be careful carrying them, as they’re fragile!
- Snow Miku (Hatsune Miku) Goods
- My Honest Take: Sorry, this isn’t really my area of expertise (haha). But this virtual singer was born from a Sapporo company, and she has passionate fans worldwide. Especially in winter, lots of limited Snow Miku goods come out, so it must be a thrill for fans.
One Last Thing!
The classic souvenirs are classics for a reason. But since you’re traveling, taking the time to peek into shops not in the guidebook, or finding something that just clicks with your taste – that’s part of the fun too, right?
I’d be really happy if this article could be a little bit of spice for your souvenir hunting in Sapporo!
Okay, have a fantastic time in Sapporo! Enjoy it to the fullest!
