Summary of Recommended Sightseeing Spots and Seasonal Events in Sapporo!
Sapporo is located in the heart of Hokkaido. It’s an amazing location where both big cities and abundant nature exist in harmony, making it a popular tourist destination. No matter what season you visit during, there are always plenty of fun activities to enjoy! This article will introduce our carefully selected spots and events for you to enjoy in Sapporo!
1. Scenery You can Only See 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!
Hill of the Buddha
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!
Basic Information on the Great Buddha of Makomanai Takino Cemetery
- Address
- 2 Takino, Minami-ku, Sapporo City
- Tel
- 011-592-1223
- Hours
- 9:00 am - 4:00 pm (Nov.-Mar. 10:00 am - 3:00 pm)
- Admission
- ¥300
- Closed
- End-of-year and New Year holidays and on maintenance days
- Credit Cards
- Not accepted
- URL(Japanese)
- http://takinoreien.com
Hokkaido Shrine
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.
Basic Information on Hokkaido Shrine
- Address
- 474 Miyagaoka, Chuo-ku, Sapporo City
- Tel
- 011-611-0261
- Hours
- 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
- Admission
- Free
- Closed
- Open 365 days
- Credit Cards
- Not accepted
- URL(Japanese)
- http://www.hokkaidojingu.or.jp/
Shiroi Koibito Park
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.
Basic Information on Shiroi Koibito Park
- Address
- 2-11-36 Miyanosawa-nijo, Nishi-ku, Sapporo City
- Tel
- 011-666-1481
- Hours
-
9:00 am - 8:00 pm (after Apr. 2019: until 6:00 pm)
Note: Parts of the park are sometimes closed for renovations. - Admission
- Free (There will be a charge beginning in June 2019.)
- Closed
- Open 365 days
- Credit Cards
- Not accepted
- URL(English)
- http://www.shiroikoibitopark.jp/english/
Okurayama Viewing Point
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!
Basic Information on Okurayama Viewing Point
- Address
- 1274 Miyanomori, Chuo-ku, Sapporo City
- Tel
- 011-641-8585 (Okurayama General Information)
- Hours
- 9:00 am - 5:00 pm (Apr. 27-Nov. 4, 2019: 8:30 am - 6:00 pm)
- Price
- Round-trip lift fare 500 yen
- Closed
- Early- to mid-April, during competitions and formal practices, and during bad weather. Ask the facility staff.
- Credit Cards
- Not accepted
- URL(Japanese)
- http://okura.sapporo-dc.co.jp/index.html
Mt. Moiwa Ropeway
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!
Basic Information on Mt. Moiwa Ropeway
- Address
- 5-3-7 Fushimi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo City
- Tel
- 011-561-8177 (Mt. Moiwa Ropeway)
- Hours
- 10:30 am - 10:00 pm (Dec.-Mar.: opens at 11:00 am)
- Price
-
Ropeway+Morris Car round-trip fee 1700 yen
For both transports, the final ascent is at 9:30 pm. May change without warning. - Closed
- During bad weather or improvements. (Check the website.)
- Credit Cards
- Available at some locations. (Ask for details.)
- URL(Japanese)
- http://moiwa.sapporo-dc.co.jp/
2. Sapporo-Only Events
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.
<Mid-May~Early June> Sapporo Lilac Festival
This event is held when lilacs, the city tree of Sapporo, are in bloom.
<June> YOSAKOI Soran Festival
More than 300 teams perform Soran Bushi (a traditional Hokkaido fishery workers' song) while playing clappers.
<Mid-July~Mid-August> Sapporo Summer Festival
A beer garden and the Hokkai Bon-Odori dance are held at Odori Park.
<September> Sapporo Autumn Fest
This large event with the theme "Hokkaido-Sapporo foods" assembles local culinary delights.
<Late November~December> Munich Christmas Market in Sapporo
The Christmas Market of Sapporo’s sister city, Munich, is re-created at Odori Park. Gourmet food stalls line the park.
<Late November~Mid-March> Sapporo White Illumination
A familiar winter event in Sapporo during which some 800,000 lights adorn the city.
<End of January~Start of February> Sapporo Snow Festival
A famous Sapporo winter festival attended by more than 2 million people. Elaborate snow sculptures are put on display.
©Hokkaido Broadcasting Co., Ltd.
3.To the Readers of This Article
Thank you for taking the time to read this article through to the end.
We would appreciate your help in answering a short 5-question survey, the answers to which will help us to make more useful articles related to your trips to Japan!