PR

Is Sapporo Worth Visiting Compared to Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto & Other Japanese Cities? 10 Reasons from a 40-Year Local

English guide
5月 9th, 2025

Hey everyone! Welcome to my blog, especially those of you visiting from far away. I’ve been living in Sapporo for 40 years, and I’m excited to shareたっぷり (a ton of) its charms with you.

You might be wondering, “Is Sapporo really worth a special trip compared to super famous cities like Tokyo, Osaka, or Kyoto, or even other great spots like Okinawa, Sendai, or Fukuoka?” Yeah, I get it. Those other Japanese cities are fantastic, no doubt.

But you know, Sapporo has its own unique appeal that you just can’t find anywhere else. I’m pretty sure that by the time you finish this article, you’ll be wanting to come to Sapporo too. I’m a local, and I’m going to give you the honest, unvarnished truth, so I hope you’ll stick with me to the end.

Alright, let’s dive in! Here are 10 reasons why you should visit Sapporo, from my local perspective.

1. Breathtaking Four Seasons: A Dynamic Natural Canvas

First things first, Sapporo’s four seasons are truly stunning. I think it’s a scale of beauty you don’t often get in other big cities.

Spring brings cherry blossoms and lilacs, summer shines with lush greenery in pleasant, refreshing weather. Autumn paints the town in vibrant fall colors, and then there’s winter… Oh yes, Sapporo in winter is something else. The sight of everything blanketed in pure white snow is breathtaking.

  • Snowy Landscapes: The powdery white snow is so pure, just looking at it can feel cleansing. Skiing and snowboarding are obvious choices, but snowshoeing through a quiet forest is also an incredible experience.
  • The Fresh Green Season: As the snow melts, the vibrant green Wachstum (growth) that bursts forth is full of life. It’s the perfect season for relaxing in parks or going for a bike ride.

Of course, winter is bitterly cold, and all that snow can make getting around a bit tricky, that’s for sure. But the stunning scenery and unique winter activities more than make up for any inconvenience.

2. A Food Lover’s Paradise! Fresh Ingredients and Unique Local Cuisine

You’ve probably heard that “Hokkaido is a treasure trove of food,” and it’s no exaggeration to say Sapporo is its epicenter. There’s an incredible amount of delicious food made with the freshest ingredients.

  • Ramen: Sapporo is said to be the birthplace of miso ramen. The rich miso broth and thick, wavy noodles create an unforgettable taste. Each shop has its own unique style, so comparing them is part of the fun.
  • Genghis Khan (Jingisukan): This grilled mutton dish, cooked on a distinctive domed skillet, is tender and has very little gaminess. It’s one of Hokkaido’s soul foods. And it pairs perfectly with beer!
  • Seafood: You absolutely can’t miss out on the fresh seafood. Sushi and kaisendon (seafood rice bowls) are a must, but I hope you also try seasonal delicacies like crab, scallops, and sea urchin. A visit to the market offers a lively atmosphere too.
  • Soup Curry: This original curry style originated in Sapporo. It features a thin, soup-like curry बेस (base) with large, chunky ingredients, and the aroma of spices will definitely whet your appetite. It’s great that you can get plenty of vegetables too.
  • Sweets: Hokkaido is also a major dairy region, so sweets made with dairy products are exquisite. Soft-serve ice cream, cheesecakes, chocolates… temptation is everywhere!

【A Local’s Honest Take – Part 1】 I think the biggest reason Sapporo’s food is so amazing is the quality of the ingredients. For example, the corn harvested in summer is unbelievably sweet, even if you just boil it. Tourist spots are fine, but if you get the chance, it might be interesting to check out a supermarket frequented by locals and buy some seasonal vegetables or fruit. Even if you can’t cook them, you can eat fruit as is, and I think you’ll be surprised by the difference.

3. A Beautiful Harmony of City and Nature

One of Sapporo’s greatest attractions is the way it combines full-fledged urban functions with abundant nature right on its doorstep.

  • Odori Park: This is truly an urban oasis, stretching east to west through the city center. Flowers are replanted seasonally, making it a relaxing spot for citizens. It’s also famous as the main venue for the summer beer garden and the winter snow festival.
    • Odori Park is really pleasant from spring to autumn, but it gets incredibly crowded during events. Weekends during the beer garden and the entire Snow Festival period are especially packed, so if you want a leisurely stroll, early mornings or weekdays are your best bet.
  • Moerenuma Park: Designed by the world-renowned sculptor Isamu Noguchi, this is a beautiful park where art and nature merge. The vast grounds feature geometric mountains, fountains, and play structures, offering a full day of enjoyment. It’s a bit of a trip from central Sapporo, but well worth a visit by bus or rental bike.
    • Moerenuma Park is absolutely huge, so trying to see everything can take a fair bit of time. Also, in summer, some areas have little shade, so a hat and drinks are essential. But the sense of openness and the unique landscape are an experience you won’t find elsewhere.
    • Moerenuma Park Official Website (English available): https://moerenumapark.jp/english/

4. Spacious City Layout and a Sense of Openness: A Pleasure to Walk Around

When you walk around Sapporo, I think you’ll notice that the streets are wider and the sky feels more expansive compared to other major Japanese cities. This is thanks to the planned urban development during the Meiji era.

The grid-like street layout is easy to navigate, and the wide sidewalks are perfect for a leisurely stroll. There are also many roadside trees that show different colors with the seasons, which is lovely. I believe this sense of openness offers a different kind of charm than the dense feeling of Tokyo or Osaka.

5. Diverse Events to Enjoy Throughout the Year

Sapporo hosts major events seasonally, making it a city you can enjoy visiting any time of year.

  • Sapporo Snow Festival: This one is world-famous, isn’t it? The sight of a_huge_ snow and ice sculptures lining the streets is simply breathtaking. It attracts tons of visitors from both Japan and overseas.
    • The Snow Festival is truly amazing, but hotels get expensive during the early February event period, and it’s seriously cold! Make sure you bundle up. Also, it gets incredibly crowded, so plan your visit with plenty of time to spare.
    • Sapporo Snow Festival Official Website: https://www.snowfes.com/ (Multilingual support available)
  • YOSAKOI Soran Festival (early June): This is an energetic festival that combines Kochi’s Yosakoi dance with Hokkaido’s Soran folk song. Dancers in vibrant costumes perform powerful routines throughout the city.
  • Sapporo Lilac Festival (late May): Marking the arrival of spring, this festival sees about 400 lilac trees bloom majestically in Odori Park. There are wine gardens and music stages, making for a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.
  • Sapporo Autumn Fest (September-October): A foodie’s dream, this event brings together delicious foods from all over Hokkaido in Odori Park.

Besides these major events, smaller markets and music events are held frequently, so you might discover something new whenever you visit.

6. Experience Art and Culture: A City That Stimulates Creativity

Sapporo also has plenty of spots where you can immerse yourself in art and culture.

  • Sapporo Art Park (Geijutsu no Mori): This is a multi-facility cultural complex spread across vast grounds, featuring an art museum, an open-air sculpture garden, craft studios, and a concert hall. Being able to enjoy art amidst nature is a key attraction.
  • Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art: This museum houses and exhibits outstanding works of art from Japan and abroad, with a focus on artists connected to Hokkaido.
  • Sapporo Concert Hall Kitara: A concert hall renowned worldwide for its excellent acoustics. If you’re a classical music fan, I highly recommend paying a visit.

In addition to these, there are many unique galleries and live music venues dotted around, so I’m sure art lovers will find plenty to enjoy.

7. Feel the History of Development: Exploring Historical Buildings

Sapporo was a planned city, built as a base for Hokkaido’s development during the Meiji era. As such, historical buildings that tell this story are still carefully preserved today.

  • Akarenga Chosha (Former Hokkaido Government Office Building): This beautiful red-brick building is one of Sapporo’s symbols. The American neo-baroque architectural style is well worth seeing. Entry is free, and there are exhibits on Hokkaido’s history inside.
  • Sapporo Clock Tower: This is another famous Sapporo landmark. Its official name is the “Former Sapporo Agricultural College Drill Hall.” It’s also designated as a National Important Cultural Property.
    • It’s known as one of Japan’s “Three Major Disappointments,” but I’d say go expecting to see one of the “Three Major Disappointments” and don’t overhype it (lol). If you do that, you might find it’s actually quite a charming and not-so-bad place after all (lol). But here’s a tip not many people know: the Clock Tower is beautifully lit up at night, transforming it into a great sightseeing and photo spot.

Visiting these buildings will give you a sense of how Sapporo developed.

8. Easy Access to Onsen Paradises! A Relaxing Getaway

Hokkaido is famous for its hot springs (onsen), and there are many good ones in and around Sapporo.

  • Jozankei Onsen: This hot spring town is about an hour’s bus ride from central Sapporo. Known as “Sapporo’s Back Parlor,” it features ryokans (traditional inns) and hotels nestled along a lush, nature-rich gorge. Many facilities offer day-trip bathing, so you can easily enjoy the hot springs.
  • Public Baths (Sento) in Sapporo City: Believe it or not, there are several public baths within Sapporo city that use natural hot spring water. It could be nice to soak and experience the local atmosphere during a break from sightseeing.

Just a heads-up, the information here is current as of when I wrote this, so treat it as a general guide. Before you go, make sure to check the latest info on official websites and such!

9. A Convenient Hub for Exploring Vast Hokkaido

Sapporo has good access from New Chitose Airport, Hokkaido’s main air gateway, and the transportation network to various parts of Hokkaido is relatively well-developed, making it an incredibly convenient base for Hokkaido sightseeing.

  • Otaru: A port town famous for its retro canal and glasswork. It’s only about a 30-40 minute JR train ride from Sapporo, perfect for a day trip.
  • Furano & Biei: An area known for its lavender fields and beautiful rolling hills. It’s especially popular with tourists in the summer. Many day tours depart from Sapporo, or you could rent a car and explore at your own pace.
  • Others: Attractive tourist destinations like Lake Toya, Noboribetsu Onsen, and Niseko are also relatively easy to access from Sapporo.

Basing yourself in Sapporo should allow you to efficiently enjoy the charms of Hokkaido.

【A Local’s Honest Take – Part 2】 Hokkaido is genuinely vast, so if you get too ambitious trying to visit everywhere, you might find yourself spending all your time just traveling. This is especially true in winter when weather can disrupt transportation, so planning with some buffer time is crucial. If you’re basing yourself in Sapporo, I think it’s best to first thoroughly enjoy Sapporo and its surrounding areas. Then, if you have extra time, venture a little further out. It’s your precious vacation time, so I hope you prioritize a relaxed pace in one place over rushing around.

10. Actually, People Here Are Pretty Friendly… Maybe?

This includes a bit of my personal opinion, but I feel that people in Sapporo tend to be easygoing and kind. Of course, you’ll find all sorts of people everywhere.

Perhaps it’s due to the pioneering history of the land, but there seems to be a relatively open atmosphere towards new things and people from outside. If you get lost or run into any trouble, please don’t hesitate to ask someone nearby. I’m sure they’ll be happy to help.

In Conclusion: Sapporo Might Just Exceed Your Expectations

So, what did you think of these 10 reasons to visit Sapporo?

The stimulating glamour of Tokyo, the profound traditions of Kyoto, the energetic buzz of Osaka, the beautiful seas of Okinawa, the history and nature of Sendai, the delicious street food of Fukuoka… Other cities in Japan each have their own wonderful attractions.

But Sapporo possesses a unique charm, a harmony of grand nature and urban convenience, that you won’t find elsewhere. Delicious food, beautiful seasons, an open cityscape, and warm people – I’m confident it will make your trip special.

Of course, no city is perfect, and it’s not like Sapporo doesn’t have its “meh” aspects. But even considering those, I can confidently say it’s well worth a visit.

I hope this article has nudged your interest in Sapporo, even just a little. Please come and see Sapporo’s charms for yourself. I’ll be waiting for you!

タイトルとURLをコピーしました