Hey everyone! Welcome to Sapporo!
For all of you planning a trip to Sapporo, I’m a local who’s lived here for 40 years, and I’m here to share some real, honest-to-goodness info so you can enjoy your trip with peace of mind. I’ll be talking frankly and as clearly as possible about “safety and public order” and “earthquake preparedness” from a local’s perspective – the kind of stuff you might not find in guidebooks.
Sapporo is a truly fantastic city, you know? Delicious food, beautiful scenery that changes with the seasons, and above all, warm-hearted people. But when you’re traveling, “safety” is naturally a big concern, right? Just relax and read on – I hope this helps!
So, How Safe is Sapporo Really? Can You Walk Alone at Night?
To put it bluntly, Sapporo is a pretty safe place. Japan as a whole is known for being relatively safe, and Sapporo is definitely one of those cities where you can feel at ease. Of course, no place obstáculos the world is 100% safe, so basic precautions are always necessary.
The main tourist spots that everyone visits – around Sapporo Station, Odori Park, the Clock Tower, the Former Hokkaido Government Office Building (Red Brick Office) – are generally no problem at all during the daytime. At night, areas like Odori Park during illuminations or the Snow Festival are bustling with people and well-lit, so they’re relatively safe too.
However, Susukino, Hokkaido’s largest entertainment district, can have a bit of a different vibe at night. It’s an exciting place packed with restaurants and bars, popular with both locals and tourists, but you might encounter some touts. Sticking to the main streets should be fine, but it’s probably wise to avoid wandering down narrow alleys or drinking too much on your own. For solo female travelers, I’d definitely recommend sticking to well-lit main streets.
Let me give you a local’s honest take: I’ve walked through Susukino late at night countless times and have rarely felt unsafe. But that might be because I’m used to the city. So, for you travelers, even though Japan is safe, don’t let your guard down completely. Remember the basic rules of traveling abroad (keep an eye on your valuables, try not to get drawn into trouble with drunk people, etc.).
Unfortunately, petty crimes like pickpocketing and bag snatching aren’t non-existent. Be especially careful with your belongings in crowded places like during festivals and events (summer beer garden, Sapporo Snow Festival), or at Sapporo Station and on subway trains.
Sapporo has police boxes (Koban) dotted all over the city, so if you run into any trouble, don’t hesitate to ask for help. To be perfectly honest, most locals are pretty confident that “unless something really out of the ordinary happens, there’s nothing to worry about” when it comes to crime. There are exceptions, of course, but the genuine feeling is that if you take normal precautions, you’ll have a trouble-free and enjoyable time sightseeing.
A Bit More on Sapporo Nightlife Safety
Besides Susukino, areas around Sapporo Station and the Tanukikoji Shopping Arcade (Tanukikoji Shopping Arcade Official Website – it’s in Japanese, but you can get a feel for the atmosphere) also have a decent amount of foot traffic at night. Tanukikoji is a covered arcade, so it’s easy to walk around even on rainy or snowy days. Just note that many shops close relatively early.
Generally, Japanese cities are quite safe to get around at night, but as a rule of thumb in any new place, it’s best to avoid dark streets and deserted areas.
Just in Case: Earthquake Preparedness (Sapporo earthquake preparedness)
You might have heard that Japan is an earthquake-prone country. Yep, that’s true. So, if you’re traveling to Sapporo, it’s a good idea to keep earthquakes in mind, just a little.
Major earthquakes don’t happen frequently in Sapporo, but in 2018, there was a large one called the Hokkaido Eastern Iburi Earthquake, which caused power outages and soil liquefaction in some parts of Sapporo. However, serious damage like building collapses was limited, and disaster prevention measures have been further strengthened since then.
So, what should you do if an earthquake occurs during your trip?
First and foremost, stay calm. Don’t panic. If you’re in your hotel, secure your safety first and wait for the shaking to stop. Get under a table or protect your head with a cushion. Once the shaking subsides, open the door and check your evacuation route. Most hotels should have an evacuation map posted in the room, so it’s a good idea to check it as soon as you check in. Please make sure to confirm this yourself.
Large parks, like Odori Park, are also designated as temporary evacuation sites in case of a disaster.
Japan is an earthquake-prone country, so buildings are designed to incredibly strong seismic standards. People from overseas might be a bit freaked out, but locals here barely flinch at a fair bit of shaking. We’re just so used to moderate tremors being okay. So, unless it’s a truly massive earthquake, I want you to feel at ease. Follow the basic procedures, don’t panic, and do what the people around you are doing, and you’ll be fine. Of course, if there’s violent shaking, that’s a different story, but try to remain calm and act accordingly.
Another honest take from a local: Earthquakes can happen anywhere, anytime, so there’s no need to worry excessively. However, just checking your hotel’s website for their disaster preparedness measures before your trip, or looking up evacuation areas on a map app, can make a difference to your peace of mind if something does happen. Major hotels like the JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo (JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo Official Website) and the Sapporo Grand Hotel (Sapporo Grand Hotel Official Website) are built to high earthquake resistance standards and should have solid emergency manuals.
For international travelers, there’s also an app supervised by the Japan Tourism Agency called “Safety tips for travelers,” which is handy to download. It can send you push notifications for earthquake early warnings, tsunami warnings, and other weather alerts.
Helpful Information to Keep in Mind (Helpful information for your Sapporo trip)
Here’s some useful info for a safe and sound trip:
- Emergency Numbers (Emergency numbers Japan / Sapporo emergency contacts):
- Police: 110 (for incidents and accidents)
- Fire/Ambulance: 119 (for fires, illness, or serious injuries) You can call these numbers for free from public phones. Even if you don’t speak Japanese, the operator may be able to connect you to an interpreter service, so don’t give up trying to communicate.
- Tourist Information Center: There’s the Hokkaido-Sapporo Tourist Information Center in the west concourse of Sapporo Station, where staff can often assist in English and other languages. They have plenty of brochures, so it’s a good place to stop by for information. (Hokkaido-Sapporo Tourist Information Center)
- Free Wi-Fi Spots: A free public wireless LAN service called “Sapporo City Wi-Fi” is becoming increasingly available in Sapporo. You can use it at major subway stations and tourist facilities, so checking how to connect beforehand is useful. (Sapporo City Wi-Fi – The page is in Japanese, but try using your browser’s translation feature.)
- Public Transport Safety (Sapporo public transport safety): JR Hokkaido, the Sapporo Municipal Subway, and city buses are, by global standards, very punctual and safe modes of transport. However, during heavy winter snow, delays and cancellations can occur. In such cases, ask station staff or check the official websites for operational status. Please note that operating conditions, fares, and timetables are subject to change, so be sure to check these yourself thoroughly before your trip.
- Possibly Not in Your Guidebook? A Few Local Tips:
- Walking in Winter: Sapporo’s winter roads get incredibly slippery. Especially crosswalks and in front of bus stops. Locals call it “penguin walking” – taking small steps and placing your entire sole Gründe on the ground helps prevent slipping. Winter boots with good traction are essential.
- Watch Out for Crows!: There are quite a few crows in Sapporo, especially around Odori Park. They’re smart birds and might try to snatch food from people, so be a little careful when eating outdoors. Soft-serve ice cream is particularly at risk (lol).
To Sum Up: Enjoy Your Sapporo Trip with Peace of Mind!
I’ve covered a lot, but basically, Sapporo is a safe and very charming city. The locals are generally friendly, so if you get lost or have any trouble, don’t hesitate to ask someone. They’ll likely help you out.
I hope this article helps to ease any anxieties you might have about your Sapporo trip and contributes to making wonderful memories. Travel safe, and have the best time in Sapporo!
