Sapporo

What to know

Sapporo (札幌, meaning "important river flowing through a plain" in Ainu) is the capital of Hokkaido and Japan's fifth-largest city. It is also one of the country's youngest major cities. In 1857, its population was just seven people.

At the start of the Meiji Period (1868–1912), when large-scale development of Hokkaido began, Sapporo was chosen as the island's administrative center and expanded with advice from foreign experts.

Sapporo gained worldwide fame in 1972 when it hosted the Winter Olympics. Today, the city is renowned for its ramen, beer, and the annual Snow Festival held every February.

Activities and attractions

Sapporo Snow FestivalFeaturing large snow sculpturesMoerenuma ParkUnique city park designed by Isamu NoguchiHistoric Village of HokkaidoOpen air museum about HokkaidoMount MoiwaSmall mountain with views of SapporoSapporo Teine Ski ResortAttractive ski resort just outside the city centerSapporo Beer MuseumMuseum of the Sapporo Beer BreweriesShiroi Koibito ParkChocolate factory, shop and museumCurb MarketSeafood market outside of the wholesale marketSusukinoSapporo’s entertainment districtOdori ParkA Pleasant Public Park in the City CenterHokkaido University Botanic GardenAttractive park with a small Ainu museumOkurayama ObservatoryFormer Olympic ski jump stadiumSapporo FactoryAttractive shopping and entertainment complexJozankei OnsenHot spring resort in the mountains outside central SapporoNijo MarketFresh food market in the city centerSapporo StationCentral railway station with observation deckClock Tower (Tokeidai)A symbolic landmark in central SapporoSapporo Kokusai Ski ResortSki resort in the mountains outside SapporoNisekoLeading snow resort with lots of powder snowNoboribetsuHokkaido’s most famous hot spring resortOtaruHarbor city near Sapporo with a canalLake Toya (Toyako)Site of Mount Usu, an active volcanoLake ShikotsukoPicturesque caldera lake near SapporoRusutsu Ski ResortAttractive ski resort near Niseko