Summary of Recommended Sightseeing Spots and Seasonal Events in Sapporo!

Hokkaido is packed with amazing sightseeing spots, including Sapporo, which has been ranked as one of Japan’s top three night-view locations, and theme parks run by Hokkaido confectioners where you can make your own sweets!

Designed by world-famous architect Tadao Ando, Hill of the Buddha is an enormous statue of the Buddha nestled inside a hill covered in lavender at Makomanai Takino Cemetery. The giant statue is unique in that only its head peeks out from inside of the hill. No matter what angle you photograph it from, it’s certain to be a hit on social media!

In both name and in reality, this is Hokkaido’s best shrine. It has been recognized since the Meiji period as a spiritual foundation for Hokkaido’s settlers.
The omikuji (fortunes) that you draw at the shrine supposedly contain the advice you need to live a good life at the present time. The fortune window also offers fortunes in English and traditional Chinese, so be sure to give it a try.

“Hangansama” is a pastry available only at this shrine, and you can purchase it at the shrine’s visitor rest area. It’s a hot-off-the-grill mochi rice cake filled with coarse red bean paste.

This factory makes the popular Hokkaido cookie “Shiroi Koibito” (which means “white lover”). Here you can observe the detailed artisanal skills that the Japanese people are known for on the sweets production line, where you can watch the workers’ performance-like making of candy.

Here you can also enjoy the unique experience of printing a photo you bring onto the tin of the popular souvenir Shiroi Koibito cookies! The printing takes about 30 minutes.

This is the ski-jumping venue that was used in the 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics. It is still used for skiing competitions, and world-class ski jumpers aspire to compete here. Visitors can enjoy both the excellent view and tour the connected Olympic Museum.
Enjoy the thrill of watching the competitions up close from the starting point!

The lookout point on this mountain, located 531 meters above sea level, is a famous iconic spot for seeing Sapporo’s night view, which has been named as one of the “top three night views in Japan.” Its awe-inspiring view includes the city of Sapporo as well as Ishikari Bay behind it. The summit also features the world’s highest elevation planetarium, a must-see!

There are a wide variety of events held in Sapporo in each season. If you add in some sightseeing locations to these events, you can discover an all-new Sapporo.

This event is held when lilacs, the city tree of Sapporo, are in bloom.

More than 300 teams perform Soran Bushi (a traditional Hokkaido fishery workers' song) while playing clappers.

A beer garden and the Hokkai Bon-Odori dance are held at Odori Park.

This large event with the theme "Hokkaido-Sapporo foods" assembles local culinary delights.

The Christmas Market of Sapporo’s sister city, Munich, is re-created at Odori Park. Gourmet food stalls line the park.

A familiar winter event in Sapporo during which some 800,000 lights adorn the city.

A famous Sapporo winter festival attended by more than 2 million people. Elaborate snow sculptures are put on display.

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