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3 Days in Sapporo for First Timers

Curated by Jen Penga Tahoe-based writer who loves traveling, food, and adventures.

Three days in Sapporo gives you enough time to explore the city’s highlights, to experience the local culture and flavors, and to get outside the city to explore a lake, park, or mountain. Here’s how to make the most of three days in Sapporo.


Day 1

Get a comprehensive introduction to Sapporo on a guided sightseeing tour of the city. Visit top attractions, such as Odori Park, Sapporo Clock Tower, the former Hokkaido Government Office Building, Sapporo TV Tower, and Hokkaido Jingu Shrine. Then spend the afternoon sampling and learning all about Sapporo beer at the Sapporo Beer Museum or chocolates at the family-friendly Shiroi Koibito Park and Ishiya Chocolate Factory.

In the late afternoon, take the Mt. Moiwa Ropeway up to the summit and observation deck of Mt. Moiwa to enjoy panoramic city views at sunset and at night. There’s a restaurant up top, or head back down to Sapporo and spend the evening sampling local cuisine. A food tasting tour is a great way to try a variety of dishes, including miso ramen, a regional specialty.

Day 2

Spend the day enjoying outdoor activities outside of Sapporo. If you visit in winter, head to one of the area ski resorts, such as Sapporo Teine Ski Resort, Bankei Ski Resort, or Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort and spend the day skiing and snowboarding. If you visit in other seasons, head to Lake Shikotsu and Mount Tarumae or Nopporo Forest Park to go hiking or mountain biking. Alternatively, head to Furano and Biei to see the lavender fields and the Blue Pond.

After a busy day, soak your tired muscles at an onsen, or Japanese hot spring. If you travel to Lake Shikotsu, check out the onsens at Noboribetsu. If you stay closer to Sapporo, head to Jozankei Onsen or Hoheikyo Onsen, both located near the city.

Day 3

Start your final day off sampling fresh Hokkaido seafood at one of the bustling food markets in town, such as Nijo Market or Central Wholesale Market. Afterwards, take the train to the nearby port town of Otaru (about an hour by train), known for its well-preserved canal area and historic mansions. Be sure to check out the many shops along Sakaimachi Street, especially those devoted to glassworks or music boxes. Otaru is also a great place to sample more seafood, sweets and desserts, whiskey, and sake.

If you prefer to stay in Sapporo, take a cooking class and learn to make local favorites such as sushi and soba, or go shopping for souvenirs at an underground shopping plaza, such as Aurora Town or Pole Town. Then enjoy your final night out on the town in vibrant Susukino, which offers plenty of options to dine, drink, and dance the night away.

Special Offer
Popular in SapporoExperience authentic hand-made soba at a real soba shop!
4.8
(79)
Popular in SapporoExperience authentic hand-made soba at a real soba shop!
Experience the traditional 100% manufacturing process. Easy to explain in English and supported by visual demonstrations, it is ideal for guests who prefer hands-on learning to Guided lectures. This is not a cooking class for tourists, but a true opportunity to experience Japanese craftsmanship that combines practical traditions with Pro skills. This will be a real handmade soba restaurant with a history of over 10 years in Sapporo.You can experience authentic soba making at a hand-made soba restaurant run by an active soba chef. You will experience every step of the process yourself, from mixing buckwheat flour and water, to kneading, stretching and cutting it into small pieces with a kitchen knife. They use real utensils that they usually use in the shops and carefully selected buckwheat flour. Novices and children can participate with confidence, as the craftsmen will guide you carefully. After the experience, you can enjoy your own soba noodles. The "taste of soba made by yourself" is exceptional!Recommendations for travel memories and special moments with family and friends. Hokkaido is Japan's number one soba producer.Hokkaido is rich in nature and clean water, and these environments are ideal for growing soba noodles.It is especially well suited to growing high quality buckwheat noodles in cold weather. Hokkaido's soba is Rating for its excellent flavor and texture.Soba grown in Hokkaido is grown using mineral-rich water produced by the rich soil and cold climate.This results in noodles with rich flavor and a firm crunch. Experience traditional Japanese food from the Edo period, especially Top-rated soba noodles, in a fun and casual way! ・Authentic Japanese experience ・Full-fledged soba restaurant ・Traditional craftsmanship Practical cooking classes ・Popular locals · Small group/private experience Cultural food experience 3 minutes walk from Miyazawa station on the Tozai line on the Sapporo subway 4 parking spaces in front of the store Flow of soba making experience ① Mix buckwheat flour ② Stretching soba noodles ③ Cut the soba noodles ④ Sample your own buckwheat noodles The actual soba making experience time will be around 30 minutes.Then it was a tasting, and it took all the time. It takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes to finish everything. You don't need anything to bring or prepare.Please feel free to come. If you are a group guest or travel agency, please contact us directly.... More
  • 1 hour
  • Free Cancellation
from
$70
$63
Price varies by group size
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