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Area Guide

  • Sapporo Clock Tower
    The Sapporo clock tower building was built in 1878 as a drill hall for Sapporo Agricultural College, the precursor to today's Hokkaido University. Once inside the building, visitors can see the actual working mechanisms of the clock tower, including the ringing of the bell, on a large screen.
  • Odori Park
    Lying at the heart of Sapporo, Odori Park runs approximately 1.5 kilometers from east to west across the city. The park contains numerous attractions and facilities, such as flowerbeds, fountains, statues, and monuments. Odori Park also plays host to a number of large annual events, including the Sapporo Snow Festival, summer beer gardens, and the August Obon festival.
  • Susukino
    Sapporo's entertainment district concentrates approximately 4500 different restaurants, bars, and clubs into a compact area that makes up Japan's largest entertainment district north of Tokyo. The area is home to a number of restaurants famed for their distinctive Hokkaido taste, such as "Ramen yokocho" - a small side street lined with ramen restaurants.
  • Former Hokkaido Government Office Building
    Built in 1888 to an American style neo-baroque design, this building has been designated as a national important cultural property.
    As a representative of Japan's Meiji-era architecture, the building's lush front garden is a veritable oasis in the heart of Sapporo.
  • JR Tower Square
    Containing a shopping mall, bars and restaurants, department store, and hotel, this multiuse building brings together a variety of consumer destinations under one roof. Visitors can enjoy a 360° panoramic view of Sapporo from the observation deck on the 38th floor.
  • Sapporo Factory
    The Sapporo Factory is home to approximately 160 shops and facilities, including shops, entertainment destinations, restaurants, and hotels, making it one of Japan's largest commercial complexes.
  • Mount Moiwa
    Located in the center of Sapporo with an elevation of 531 meters, Mount Moiwa is the perfect location for taking in a stunning view of the city and its surroundings. Expect to see verdant greenery and striking red colors from spring to fall, while winter visitors to this year-round destination will see the city blanketed in a deep carpet of powder snow.
  • Mount Okura
    Mount Okura is famous for hosting the ski jumping competition at Sapporo Winter Olympics in 1972.
    Many visitors come to to see the jump platform with their own eyes, while the facility's 300-meter elevation allows for a birds eye view of Sapporo and the surrounding Ishikari plain.
  • Historical Village of Hokkaido
    This open air museum displays restored and recreated Meiji and Taisho-era architecture from Hokkaido. A horse tramway runs through the park, with visitors taking rides on a horse-drawn sleigh in the winter months. The charm of the sleigh ride set against a wintry backdrop make this one of this center's more popular attractions.
  • Sapporo Bier Garden
    The Sapporo Bier Garden dates back to 1889 and is known for its distinctive ivy-clad, red-brick exterior.
    The "Kaitaku-shi" beer brewed here is appreciated for its mellow and fragrant taste compared to regular beers.
  • Jozankei Hot Springs
    The mountain-clad Jozankei onsen (hot springs) resort is located in Shikotsu-Koya National Park in the center of Hokkaido. This region is perfectly suited for walking and hiking activities, with a common expression being that just stepping out of your accommodation gives the feeling of a walk in the woods.
  • Furano
    The resort town of Furano is a two hour train ride or a two and a half hour car journey north of Sapporo. In July the slopes around the town are covered in lavender, while visitors can also enjoy golf and downhill and cross-country skiing in the winter months.
    Furano also served as the location for the popular Fuji TV drama "Kita no kuni kara" (From the Northern Country).
  • Otaru
    Only a 30-minute train ride from Sapporo, Otaru was the economic hub of Hokkaido from the Meiji to the early Showa period. The city still retains many charming buildings from this era with many visitors coming to experience the town's unique charms and nostalgic atmosphere.
    Another popular attraction of Otaru is its reputation as one of the best places in Japan to eat fresh and delicious seafood at very affordable prices.
  • Hakodate
    The city of Hakodate can is approximately three hours by train or roughly five and a half hours by car from Sapporo.
    Hakodate's main attraction is the city's famous night view from Mount Hakodate, rated by many Japanese as one of the best three night views in the world.
    Popular local delicacies in Hakodate are sushi using the city's freshly caught seafood and shio (salt) ramen, which was first conceived in Hakodate.