Sapporo: History, Parks and Culinary Delights

When choosing a hotel in Sapporo, the themes of your stay may be the deciding factor: options include city history, outdoor art, parks, markets and winter activities. Each place has a different focus. Consider whether you would prefer to plan historical exhibitions, sculptures and green spaces, a seasonal event or particular foods into your trip.

Historical and cultural sites

The Sapporo Clock Tower was built in 1878 as a drill hall for Sapporo Agricultural College. The building houses an exhibition featuring documents, photographs, models and videos about its history. The focus is on both its original function as the college’s hall and the later presentation of the building’s history.

The Historical Village of Hokkaido is an open-air museum about Hokkaido’s pioneering era. It recreates the industries, ways of life and cultures of the Meiji, Taisho and early Showa periods. Its scope therefore extends beyond a single building and encompasses various aspects of life and work at the time.

Parks, art and views

Odori Park stretches 1.5 km from east to west through central Sapporo. In winter, it hosts the Sapporo Snow Festival. If the festival is a deciding factor for your trip, check the event dates in advance.

Sapporo Art Park lies in the south of Sapporo. Its 7.5-hectare area, surrounded by forest, is home to 74 sculptures by 64 artists. In winter, visitors can explore the park wearing traditional Japanese snowshoes called kanjiki. The park therefore offers both an outdoor art collection and a distinctly winter activity.

At Moerenuma Park, a ten-minute hike leads to the summit of Mt. Moere. This time estimate gives you a specific guide for this climb when weighing up activities for your stay.

Sapporo TV Tower has an observation deck 90.38 m high, offering a 360-degree panoramic view of the city. If you want to see Sapporo from above, it offers a different perspective from a walk through a park.

The Forest of the Zoo covers about 2 hectares and lies on the boundary between Maruyama Zoo and Maruyama Primeval Forest, a natural monument. The natural monument designation applies to Maruyama Primeval Forest.

Markets and Sapporo’s food culture

Nijo Market was first established in the early Meiji period. It offers sashimi rice bowls and sushi made with fresh seafood that arrives in the morning. In Odori Park, local food trucks sell grilled corn on the cob. This gives you two specific culinary options: seafood dishes at the market and grilled corn in the park.

At Sapporo Beer Garden, you can enjoy draft beer with the signature dish Genghis Khan. Classic is also served there, a beer available only in Hokkaido. The offerings may change.

Sapporo Beer Museum offers a premium tour where you can sample “Fukkoku Sapporo Bakushu.” The tour’s availability and booking conditions may change; check these details when planning your visit.

Discover more destinations: Teshikaga, Shibetsu, Akkeshi, Hokuto, Rishirifuji, Iwamizawa, Samani, Bibai.

For the broader travel overview: Hokkaido.