6 Memorable Things to do in Sapporo - Travel Through Photography -

Famous for snow festivals, ice sculptures and beer, things to do in Sapporo are memorable and there’s something for pretty much every visitor! These 8 photos of Sapporo show some of the best parts and attractions of this bustling city.

Things about the city of Sapporo

Sapporo is the capital of Japan’s northern island Hokkaido. Being nestled in the mountains, and seeing a massive amount of snow – ranking high in the top 10 annual snowfall averages – it’s no wonder Sapporo snow activities are so popular.

In 1972, Sapporo was the host of the XI Olympic Winter Games. Sapporo is Japan’s 5th largest city with a population of around 2 million.

Sapporo Beer Museum and Factory

Sapporo Garden Park is home to Japan’s only beer museum, Sapporo Beer Museum. While learning about Sapporo Beer and the history of the beverage in general, tasting this famous Japanese beer is a perfect way to end the self-guided tour.

Sapporo Beer Factory/Museum is a perfect way to escape the chilly northern Japan winds and warm up inside with a refreshing beer. The lovely red brick building was built in 1890 as the Sapporo Sugar Company factory. This Hokkaido Heritage building was renovated in 2004 and provides not only an educational winter activity in Sapporo but the beer is super tasty as well!

Sapporo Fushimi Inari Shrine

Sapporo’s Fushimi Inari Shrine is one of the cities most visited spots. Built in the Meiji Era, this Shinto Shrine features a short and memorable walk under 27 Torii Gates leading to the shrine. These bright orange doorways are said to lead you to God.

Visiting Sapporo Fushimiinari Shrine in winter time gives a great contrast between the orange Torri Gates and the white snow that covers the ground. Be careful, as the path slopes slightly higher the closer to the shrine you get, this can make the path as slippery as a skating rink!

Hokkaido Shrine

Maruyama Park is home to this beautiful Sapporo sight. Said to enshrine the soul of Emperor Meiji, Hokkaido Shrine was constructed in 1871. This historically significant shrine is the center of the “Sapporo Festival”, or Sapporo Matsuri, every 14th to 16th of June.

Hokkaido Shrine is also a popular destination for travelers, for cherry blossom viewing when in season. The grounds of Maruyama Park are filled with the bright pink and red buds that are a Japanese icon.

Hokkaido's Shrine, Sapporo, Japan — Handwashing station on the Hokkaido Shrine in Sapporo

At the entrance, you will see a hand basin, as with many other religious sites around Japan. This hand washing basin is called ‘tsukubai’, and used as a ritual cleansing. Usually performed before a tea ceremony or in this case, entering a Shinto Shrine.

Sapporo Winter Festival

Massive structures in Sapporo's famous Winter Festival — Sapporo’s Winter Festival, Japan

Sapporo’s Winter Festival draws around 2 million visitors each and every year. With so much snow falling, on average 363 cm (143 inches) there has to be some use for the white powder. Huge and intricate designs built purely from snow are on show throughout Sapporo’s snow festival.

Running from January 30th to February 11th, Sapporo’s festival of snow and ice is one of the largest and most renowned in the world. Most of the attractions are held at Odori Park, Susukino, and Tsudome, but just walking around the city you can find little pockets of the festival.

Pikachu at Sapporo's Winter Festival on Hokkaido Island — Sapporo’s Winter Festival, Japan

While there are some towering displays, with enough detail to take weeks of delicate carving, many other characters make an appearance here. Pikachu, a first generation Pokemon for the hit cartoon, had multiple sculptures during my visit in 2016.

Sapporo TV Tower

Sapporo's TV Tower is a great place to visit at night — Sapporo TV Tower at night, Hokkaido, Japan

Built in 1957, This icon of Sapporo stands 147 meters high. Located in Odori Park, there is an observation deck at just over 90 meters above the ground. This gives an elevated viewpoint of Odori Park and the city of Sapporo.

If you’re visiting Sapporo at night, you will see the TV Tower illuminated with bright blue lights. It definitely adds a unique contrast to the night sky of Sapporo.

Sapporo Pokemon Store

The Pokemon center in Sapporo is a great place to visit — Sapporo’s Mega Pokemon Center, Hokkaido, Japan

Please note: Some links below are affiliate links. I earn a small amount through certain purchases you make, this does not increase the cost for you and helps support this site.

This isn’t a stop for every traveler. But, if you’re like me and have a soft spot for the cartoon you probably watched as a kid, it’s a perfect Sapporo activity to get out of the snowy winds.

I’ve never seen anything quite like it. I couldn’t even name half of the pokemon plush toys and other merchandise in the store. While this is a stop many travelers could skip, if you enjoy a walk around a pokemon store, Sapporo has one of the best!

Sapporo is the largest city on the northern island of Hokkaido, but it isn’t just another city. With plenty to see and do all year round, visiting Sapporo will be a memorable time for any traveler.

Book your tours in Sapporo from plenty to choose from!

If you enjoyed this post, you can do more by:

I’d love it if you would share this post to social media. Use the buttons to your left (down the bottom if you’re on mobile)
Join Horizon Unknowns monthly newsletter. Stay up to date with the blog and receive a couple of freebies to help you travel better!
Continue reading about Japan below!