Sapporo Streetcar (Sapporo Shiden)

Originating as a horse-drawn railway for transporting stone, the Sapporo streetcar has served as a key mode of transportation in central Sapporo for over a century, long cherished as part of everyday life. Since the completion of the loop line in 2015, it has made getting around the city center even more convenient. One of its distinctive features is the “side reservation” design on the downtown section, where the tracks run right alongside the sidewalk.

Major sightseeing areas such as Odori, Susukino, and Nakajima Park are located along the route. From the windows, passengers can enjoy not only Sapporo’s modern cityscape but also glimpses of quiet residential neighborhoods and traditional shopping streets.

Boarding and alighting follow a simple system: passengers board from the rear and exit from the front, paying the fare when they get off. There’s no need to take a numbered ticket or tap an IC card when boarding, and fares are a flat rate when using the streetcar only, making it easy to understand.

As part of local revitalization efforts, naming rights have been introduced for some stops. Sub-names displayed at stations and announced onboard add a unique character to each stop along the line.