A Sapporo Local’s Guide to Es Con Field Hokkaido: Day Trip Guide

Hey there! As someone who’s lived in Sapporo for ages, let me tell you about a really special place you should check out if you’re visiting from overseas. It’s called “Es Con Field Hokkaido,” a brand-new, seriously impressive ballpark that’s been the talk of the town lately. It’s perfect for a day trip, so you should definitely keep it on your radar!

Sapporo Day Trip OK! What Kind of Place is Es Con Field Hokkaido?

So, Es Con Field Hokkaido is the new home stadium for the professional baseball team, the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (Official Website – Japanese). It’s located in Kitahiroshima City, right next to Sapporo, making it just the right distance for a day trip from Sapporo.

Check the Official English Visiting Guide -> ES CON FIELD HOKKAIDO Visiting Guide

But it’s not just a baseball stadium. It’s part of a larger area called “Hokkaido Ballpark F Village.” Of course, you can watch baseball games, but there’s also great food, shopping, and various activities to enjoy. It’s the kind of place where you could easily spend a whole day and not get bored.

World-Class Stadium Experience! Here’s What’s Amazing!

This Es Con Field is seriously huge and just incredibly big, spacious, and sparkling clean!

• One of the World’s Largest Glass Walls: One side of the stadium is almost entirely glass. When the weather’s nice, sunlight pours in, giving it a really open, airy feeling. Just like an MLB park, right?
• Giant Video Screen: This is also apparently one of the biggest in the world, and the impact is incredible. It makes watching the game super immersive.
• Natural Grass Field: Rare for a domed stadium in Japan, it features natural grass, likely another nod to Major League Baseball. The green is really easy on the eyes and feels great.
• Feel the Presence of Heroes: Oh, and you know Shohei Ohtani, the superstar tearing it up in the Major Leagues? He actually started his pro career right here with the Nippon-Ham Fighters! Inside the stadium, you’ll find huge photo panels of him and other star players who came from the Fighters. It’s a must-see for fans!

Stay or Bathe Inside the Stadium?! An Unbelievably Unique Experience

One of the most interesting things about Es Con Field is that it actually has a hotel (“tower eleven hotel”) and even an onsen (hot spring) and sauna (“tower eleven onsen & sauna”) inside the stadium!

You can actually watch the game from your room or while soaking in the hot spring – it’s a pretty wild experience you won’t find many other places.

【Honest Take from a Local ①】 Honestly, when I first heard about it, I thought, “Wait, you can get in an onsen inside the ballpark?” (laughs). But experiencing a hot spring at a stadium might just be one of the rarest things you can do in the world. On game days, you could be listening to the roar of the crowd while relaxing in the bath… pretty unique, huh? Conversely, seeing the onsen and hotel rooms from the spectator seats is also kind of a funny sight.

Family-Friendly Fun! There’s a Kids’ Play Area Too

It’s also a great spot for families with children. There’s a fantastic, large, and clean indoor play area called “Lipovitan Kids PLAYLOT by BørneLund” (requires an admission fee).

【Honest Take from a Local ②】 I actually took my relatives’ kids there the other day, and they had an absolute blast. Being indoors, you don’t have to worry about the weather either. Sure, it costs money, but having a safe space where kids can run around and play freely is a huge plus for parents, you know?

Hokkaido Gourmet Paradise! Foodies Will Be Thrilled

Es Con Field puts a serious emphasis on food. Famous restaurants and delicious specialties from all over Hokkaido are gathered here, so much so that some people apparently come just for the food, not only the baseball.

Sushi, ramen, Genghis Khan (Mongolian BBQ), sweets… there’s truly so much variety, you might have trouble deciding what to eat! Keep an eye out for stadium-exclusive menu items too.

Enjoyable Even on Non-Game Days! Stadium Tours Are Popular

You might be wondering, “Is it fun to go even when there’s no game?” Absolutely!

On non-game days, they offer popular stadium tours (fee required) where you can see areas normally off-limits, like the dugouts (where players sit) and the bullpen (where pitchers warm up). Just walking around the spacious stadium is pleasant, and there are plenty of great photo opportunities.

Explore F Village Too!

The “F Village” area surrounding Es Con Field has other cool facilities as well:

• A stylish bakery called “Truffle Bakery.” Their bread is really popular, and I hear it’s a favorite among celebrities too.
• Shops selling outdoor gear and apparel.
• There are even glamping facilities and private villas available for rent.

Seriously, the whole area feels like a giant resort complex. You can tell they put a lot of effort into creating it.

How’s the Access from Sapporo?

To get to Es Con Field from central Sapporo, you’ll mainly use the JR train.

1. Take the JR Rapid Airport train or similar from JR Sapporo Station to “Kitahiroshima Station” (approx. 17 minutes).
2. From Kitahiroshima Station, you can take a shuttle bus (approx. 5 minutes) or walk (approx. 20-25 minutes).

【A Little Honest Talk】 Coming from Sapporo Station or Susukino, you do need to take the JR train and then transfer to a bus or walk. Some people might find this little extra step a bit inconvenient, especially with luggage. However, access roads are improving, and the shuttle buses run frequently, so it’s probably smoother than you might think. And trust me, it’s definitely worth the trip!

Please note that times and fares are approximate as of this writing. Be sure to check the latest official information yourself. Checking the JR Hokkaido official website is your best bet.

JR Hokkaido Official Website (English) -> JR Hokkaido Railway Company

By the way, Kitahiroshima City, where Es Con Field is located, also has the “Mitsui Outlet Park Sapporo Kitahiroshima” right nearby. It’s packed with brand shops where you can enjoy shopping at great prices. If you have extra time, stopping by here along with Es Con Field could be a great plan. This outlet mall is also a popular spot for international visitors.

Crowd Information

As you’d expect, it gets quite crowded on game days, especially on weekends, holidays, and when popular teams are playing. Parking lots fill up quickly, and you might find lines at the restaurants inside the stadium.

If your main goal is to watch a game, arriving early is recommended. You can soak in the atmosphere, grab something to eat, and settle in. On non-game days or weekdays, you can generally enjoy a more relaxed visit.

Wrap-up: Sapporo’s New Must-See! Let’s Go to Es Con Field!

So there you have it – my introduction to Es Con Field Hokkaido as a fantastic day trip destination near Sapporo.

With its state-of-the-art facilities, unique experiences, delicious gourmet food, and open atmosphere, it’s a place full of charm that everyone can enjoy – baseball fans, non-fans, families, and couples alike.

If you’re coming to Sapporo, why not venture out a little further and experience this amazing new ballpark? Maybe combine it with some shopping at the nearby outlet mall. I’m sure it’ll be a memorable part of your trip!