Hey there, welcome to Sapporo!
I’m just a regular Sapporo local, been living here for 40 years. This time, I wanted to share some tips from a local’s perspective on how to enjoy winter in Sapporo, especially for you folks visiting from afar. Guidebooks are great, but I hope I can show you a slightly different, more real side of Sapporo.
Honestly, winter in Sapporo is pretty cold. Sub-zero temperatures are the norm, and we get a lot of snow. So, make sure you bundle up! A hat, gloves, and a scarf are essential items. Winter boots with good traction are also important. It’s warm inside buildings, so dressing in layers you can easily take off is a good idea.
Getting around by subway is convenient. There are three lines – the Namboku, Tozai, and Toho lines – and they cover most of the main spots in the city. JR Sapporo Station, Odori Station, and Susukino Station are all connected underground, which is great for getting around without getting wet on cold or snowy days. For more details on the subway lines and how to navigate them, I’ve written a detailed guide on my site: “Sapporo Subway, Complete Line Guide! Convenient Ways to Ride & Money-Saving Tips“, so feel free to check it out.
When You Think of Winter in Sapporo, This is It! Classic Events
Sapporo has a few can’t-miss events in the winter.
- Sapporo Snow Festival Sapporo Snow Festival Official Website (English) This is pretty much synonymous with winter in Sapporo. Odori Park is lined with massive snow sculptures, and the Susukino site features ice sculptures lit up, creating a really magical atmosphere. The Tsudome site has things like snow slides, making it popular with families too. However, it gets incredibly crowded during the festival. Especially on weekends and in the evenings, it can be tough just to walk around. The trick is to dress warm and give yourself plenty of time. The Odori site tends to be a little less crowded золотоthe further west you go, perhaps.
- Sapporo White Illumination Sapporo White Illumination Official Website (This site is in Japanese, but there seems to be an English page too. Try looking for it!) This festival of lights starts a bit before the Snow Festival and brightens up the Christmas and New Year period. Odori Park and the Susukino area are adorned with sparkling illuminations, creating a romantic vibe. It’s very photogenic, so it’s popular with couples too. Again, this also gets quite crowded, especially on weekends and around Christmas. The Odori Park site, in particular, sometimes has one-way pedestrian traffic, so it’s a good idea to allow extra time.
- German Christmas Market in Sapporo German Christmas Market in Sapporo Official Website (This site is in Japanese, but there seems to be an English page too. Try looking for it!) This is a German-style Christmas market held in Odori Park. You can find hot wine, sausages, German crafts, and more, giving you a taste of an authentic Christmas atmosphere. The atmosphere is fantastic, but to be honest, the food and drinks can feel a bit like tourist prices, you know? Still, enjoying hot wine in that setting is something special.
Fun Even in Winter! Recommended Tourist Spots
Besides the events, Sapporo has plenty of attractive places in winter.
- Odori Park Odori Park Official Website (English) It’s usually a place relajarsefor locals, but in winter, it becomes the main venue for the Snow Festival and illuminations. Even when there are no events, taking a stroll through the snowy landscape really makes you feel like you’ve arrived in Sapporo, and it’s quite pleasant.
- Susukino This area is famous as a nightlife district, but it’s also packed with delicious restaurants and bars. Think Ramen Alley, or Gengis Khan (lamb BBQ) restaurants. There can be some touts at night, so just be a little mindful of that as you walk around. But there’s also the fun of discovering great eateries.
- Sapporo TV Tower Sapporo TV Tower Official Website (English) This is a landmark at the east end of Odori Park. From the observatory, you can get a panoramic view of Odori Park and the Sapporo cityscape. The night view, especially during the illuminations or Snow Festival, is amazing. On weekends and during events, the elevator to the observatory can get pretty crowded, and you might have to wait. It’s a good idea to go with plenty of time. Check the official website for observatory fees and opening hours. This is just a guide at the time of writing, so “please” be sure to check the latest information on the official website yourself.
- JR Tower Observatory T38 This observatory is in the tower directly connected to JR Sapporo Station. The view from 160 meters above ground offers a different kind of impact than the TV Tower. There’s also a cafe, so it might be nice to spend some time relaxing while enjoying the view. The great thing about the tower is that you can enjoy Sapporo’s snowy scenery from the warmth of indoors. I’ve written more about the view from here on my site, “View from JR Tower Observatory T38, a Local Talks About Sapporo’s Panorama“, so check it out if you’re interested. Make sure to check the official website for fees and hours.
- Former Hokkaido Government Office Building (“Akarenga”) Akarenga (Red Brick Office) Access etc. (AKARENGA HP) (English) Known affectionately as “Akarenga” (Red Brick), this is a historic building. It’s built in an American neo-baroque style, and the contrast between the red bricks and the snow is particularly beautiful in winter. The area near this Red Brick Office is sometimes lit up with blue illuminations, and the contrast of the red bricks, white snow, and blue light is truly beautiful – it’s a subtly recommended spot.
- Shiroi Koibito Park Shiroi Koibito Park Official Website (English) This is a theme park for “Shiroi Koibito,” a classic Hokkaido souvenir. You can watch the cookie-making process and even try your hand at decorating cookies. The illuminations are beautiful, and it’s popular with families and couples. The buildings are charming, almost like a European townscape. The whole park has a sweet, confectionery world vibe, so it might be a bit too much сладкоеfor those who aren’t into that? But, there are limited-edition sweets you can only buy here, and you won’t have trouble finding souvenirs. Grabbing an original parfait at the cafe is also recommended.
Winter-Only Activities Too!
- Skiing and Snowboarding There are several ski resorts near Sapporo that you can visit for a day trip. Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort is quite popular and relatively easy to access from the city. Enjoying the powder snow is one of Hokkaido’s charms.
- Snowshoeing Snowshoeing is a great way to walk on snow without any special skills. You can stroll through parks and forests, spot animal tracks, and enjoy the quiet, snowy scenery.
- Smelt Fishing (Ice Fishing) Ibarato River Smelt Fishing Tour (Dolphins) (Japanese) Toreta Koya Fujii Farm Smelt Fishing (Japanese) Ice fishing experiences on Rakuten Travel (English) This is a fun activity unique to Hokkaido in winter. You drill a small hole in a frozen river or lake and fish for small fish called “wakasagi” (smelt). Near Sapporo, you can try it at places like the Ibarato River or Lake Shinotsu. For easy-to-try tours, I’ve introduced some on my site, “Easy Ice Fishing Near Sapporo! A Beginner-Friendly Experience Guide“, so check it out if you’re interested. [A Local’s Honest Take ①] It’s fine even if it’s your first time. Fishing gear rentals are available, and there are many tours that will teach you how to fish, so you can go empty-handed and still have fun. Some places will even fry up the smelt you catch on the spot as tempura, and it’s exceptionally delicious! However, it’s colder on the ice than you might imagine, so make sure you’re really well-prepared for the cold. Bringing lots of hand warmers is a good idea. The season is generally from late December to early March. It can change depending on the ice conditions, so be sure to check beforehand.
Indulge in Sapporo Gourmet!
Warm food becomes especially appealing in the cold winter. Sapporo has tons of delicious things to eat.
- Ramen: You can’t miss miso ramen. The rich soup really warms you up when you’re cold.
- Soup Curry: A local specialty originating from Sapporo. It’s spicy and warms you from the inside.
- Gengis Khan (Jingisukan): Hokkaido’s soul food. You grill lamb on a special domed skillet.
- Seafood: There’s an abundance of fresh seafood. You should definitely try sushi and kaisendon (seafood rice bowls).
- Shime Parfait (〆パフェ – Closing Parfait): It’s a Sapporo thing to finish off a night of drinking with a parfait. There are many parfait specialty shops open late.
A Little Advice from a Local
- Make good use of the underground shopping arcades (Pole Town & Aurora Town)! The underground arcades connecting Odori, Susukino, and Sapporo Station are essential routes for locals in winter. Even if there’s a blizzard outside, you can move around comfortably underground, and there are plenty_of shops, making it convenient for a bit of shopping or a break. Tourists might overlook them, but knowing about them will be super helpful.
Finally
Winter in Sapporo is harshLy cold, but because of that, the snowy landscapes and illuminations are truly beautiful, the warm food is delicious, and it’s an incredibly charming season.
The information I’ve shared here is based on my personal feelings and what I know as of May 2025, so things like prices and times might change. Therefore, when you’re planning your trip, “please” make sure to check the latest information on official websites and such.
It might be a short stay, but I really hope you enjoy winter in Sapporo to the fullest and make lots of great memories. If you run into any trouble in the city, don’t hesitate to ask someone around you. I’m sure they’ll be kind and help you out.
Well then, take care and have a fantastic trip to Sapporo!
