Welcome to Vibrant Sapporo
Experience the dynamic city of Sapporo, nestled in the northernmost reaches of Japan's main islands. Beyond its renowned snow festival and delectable snow crab, Sapporo offers an array of year-round attractions. Discover urban parks, emerging galleries, trendy shops, and tantalizing dining experiences that transform the city into a haven of creativity.
Since hosting the 1972 Winter Olympics, Sapporo has undergone a remarkable metamorphosis. Crumbling old houses, basements, and narrow passageways have become the canvas for a blossoming local art scene. Wander through galleries and shops that showcase innovative and captivating creations. Alongside this cultural renaissance, Sapporo boasts lush green spaces, a laid-back community, and a spirited devotion to outdoor activities, earning it favorable comparisons to Portland, Oregon.
Traveling to Sapporo has never been easier. Hop on the Hokkaido Shinkansen, a high-speed bullet train that initiated service last year, to swiftly traverse the beautiful landscapes of Japan. Whether you visit during the snowy winter or any other season, Sapporo promises an unforgettable experience for every adventurer.
1) Fun in the Green Expanse at 3 P.M.
Gardens abound and sculptures galore, but a park that is essentially a sculpted masterpiece in itself? This is what Moerenuma Park aims to embody. This remarkable space is the brainchild of Japanese-American landscapist and sculptor, Isamu Noguchi, and is situated over a decommissioned landfill on the city's north flank. Unveiled to the public in 2005, this massive 400-acre spectacle hosts a range of architectural marvels like a glass pyramid reminiscent of the Louvre and a water feature, all seamlessly merged with rolling greenery, sloped landscapes, and a cone-shaped hill that towers over 200 feet. With winding trails that are favorites for dog-lovers strolling with their spitz-like shiba inus, touring the full extent of this vast outdoor canvas is best done on a bicycle (available for hire starting from 100 Japanese yen, approximately 90 cents, per hour).
2) 7 P.M. Chicken Dinner
A single letter in elegant script marks the entrance to Q, a stylish subterranean restaurant that opened in 2014 and that serves ramen by day and upscale yakitori at night. Heave open the heavy sliding door to reveal a vaguely industrial space — minimalist concrete walls, steel beams, exposed ceiling — dominated by a glass-topped communal table straddling a Zen-like garden. Once seated, order expertly grilled skewers of crisp chicken skin, curried thigh meat and tender tails with salt, as well as the bacon-wrapped egg, which is sliced tableside to reveal oozy yolk. Pair these plates with the smooth, chilled sake from Tatenokawa. Dinner for two, about 7,000 yen.
3) 10 P.M. Better Beers
Don’t let the ubiquity of the city’s namesake lager fool you: There is a thriving local craft beer scene afoot in Sapporo. Taste it at the cozy Beer Bar North Island with a glass of its Coriander Black, a rich, coffee-scented ale brewed in neighboring Ebetsu. Then stroll a block to Tsuki to Taiyo Brewing, a newer brewpub with wood-paneled walls, a long blond-wood bar and tables in the rear that invite lingering. Ten taps are devoted to a rotating selection of excellent Japanese craft beers, often including one brewed on-site, which pair well with the kitchen’s scrumptious snacks, like sizzling handmade gyoza with citrus-ponzu sauce or fried Hokkaido potatoes with crisp purple, red and orange flesh. End the night farther down the road at Provo, a third-floor loftlike hangout with graffiti art on the walls, well-worn leather couches and a dance floor where D.J.s keep the party going late.
Saturday
Discover Outdoor Art at Sapporo Art Park
Embark on your day of exploration in Sapporo by heading to the Sapporo Art Park, located just south of the city center. This unique theme park caters to art enthusiasts, offering a variety of ateliers, genre-specific studios, exhibitions, seasonal festivals, and even a museum. Immerse yourself in creativity as you wander through the park's sprawling grounds.
One of the highlights of Sapporo Art Park is the awe-inspiring Sapporo Sculpture Garden. Nestled within a wooded area, this captivating space features more than 70 striking sculptures scattered along picturesque trails. As you stroll through, you'll encounter a diverse range of artworks, including minimalist rusted-metal panels by Lee Ufan and somber Nordic figures crafted by Gustav Vigeland. Don't miss the contemporary conga line of canary-yellow silhouettes created by renowned Japanese sculptor Shigeo Fukuda. The garden is open for visitors from April onwards, offering a serene and thought-provoking experience. Admission fee is 700 yen.
For a truly immersive artistic journey, make sure to explore the various ateliers and studios within the park. These spaces provide opportunities to learn traditional crafts, engage with artists, and even witness the creation process firsthand. Additionally, Sapporo Art Park hosts exciting seasonal festivals throughout the year, where you can engage with local artists and celebrate the vibrant art scene of Sapporo.
Indulge your passion for art at Sapporo Art Park, where nature and creativity blend seamlessly to create a unique cultural experience. Don't forget to check out the impressive sculptures at the Sapporo Sculpture Garden and allow yourself to be captivated by the sheer talent and artistry on display.
Delicious Miso Ramen at Menya Saimi
While waiting in line outside Menya Saimi, a popular ramen shop in Sapporo, remember the Swedish proverb "The one who waits for something good never waits too long." The wait is definitely worth it once you taste the mouthwatering bowls of miso ramen (750 yen), which is a classic Sapporo specialty.
This humble spot is renowned for serving the best miso ramen in the city, and it's not hard to see why. The noodles have the perfect chewiness, the broth is delicately balanced with complex flavors, and the vibrant toppings create a colorful and flavorful blend. From the crisp bamboo shoots to the fresh green scallions, succulent roast pork, and the zingy yellow freshly-grated ginger, every spoonful is a delightful experience.
If you're looking for an authentic taste of Sapporo's miso ramen, Menya Saimi is the place to be. So go ahead and indulge in this beloved local specialty, leaving your taste buds craving for more!
The work of Hokkaido’s designers at the Museum Store.
6) 2:30 P.M. Exploring Cultural Creations
In close proximity to the Nijo fish market, a wooden edifice from the Taisho era, spanning three levels, evolved into a central hub for innovative talent following the inception of an avant-garde retail and gallery setup in 2014. Take a tour of the ground-floor Museum Store that boasts a variety of products such as oversized knitted garments by the Sapporo's Esther brand, artisan-crafted Hokkaido deerskin bags by 24K, and leggings illustrating eccentric patterns like oversized stacks of pancakes coated in sticky syrup. Mount the stairs to discover the second-level Clark Gallery & Shift - a minimalist space painting the walls white and serving as a platform for contemporary art specialties by emerging local talents. This venture plays a significant role in a partnership with Shift, an online periodical that also has its operational base in the same location, proactively engaging in exhibiting the creativity brewing in Sapporo.
7) 4 P.M. Chocoholic Delight
Switch out a standard coffee tasting session for an exploration of unique tastes from single-origin cacao beans. Your palate-spotting destination is none other than Saturdays Chocolate Factory Cafe, an innovative chocolatier that's just two years old, boasting a stylish shop and café on premises. Witness magical creation of limited-edition chocolates behind glass-panelled walls of the mini-factory. Shop exotic chocolate bars swathed in colorfully patterned sleeves, or surrender to the frosty allure of a chocolate shake, a heavenly concoction crowned with a smattering of frozen berries, served in quaint half-pint clear glass jars (480 yen).
A recent exhibition at Clark Gallery & Shift.
8) 5:30 P.M. Subterranean Creative Spaces
Imagine the excitement of experiencing art in a non-traditional setting - beneath the hustle and bustle of city streets. In a brilliant maneuver to use otherwise vacant areas, a pair of underground locations have been converted into no-cost art venues. The first one, cleverly set in a subway tunnel, is known as the Sapporo Odori 500-m Underground Walkway Gallery. This innovative gallery stretches a third of a mile, delivering intriguing contemporary art pieces, including paintings and sculptures, right to the commuters. The only thing separating the rush-hour crowd from these fresh artworks by emerging Japanese artists is a pane of protective glass. Meanwhile, a second distinctive gallery, CAI02, is nestled below a bustling food court. Despite its petite footprint, this trailblazing gallery emanates a strong artistic spirit. It recently showcased a floating golden sheet, held aloft by strategically positioned fans, designed to inspire the critically acclaimed sound artist Junichi Oguro's kinetic installation.
9) 7 P.M. Fine Frying
Hokkaido is a seafood paradise whose bounty surfaces in more places than just high-end sushi bars. One excellent example is Tempura Kobashi, a refined tempura restaurant hidden on the third floor of a nondescript high-rise. Duck under the white noren (curtains) and take one of the nine seats along the smooth, L-shape counter, behind which the cheerful chef deftly prepares tempura sourced mainly from the sea. The omakase meal (from 4,500 yen) includes a series of delicately fried pieces, presented one at a time, which recently included crisp shrimp heads, tender fillets of local kisu fish and seasonal Hokkaido asparagus. A rice bowl with tempura-fried crab, a Sapporo specialty, signals the impending end of the meal that culminates with a sensational plate of vanilla ice cream nestled against a steaming sweet potato with candylike flesh and flash-fried skin.
Exploring Sapporo's Night Lights
Experience an unforgettable evening in Sapporo as you admire the breathtaking panoramic views from the summit of Mount Moiwa. This newly renovated observation complex offers unobstructed vistas of the surrounding mountains during the day, but it truly comes alive at twilight when the city transforms into a sparkling spectacle that stretches for miles towards the Sea of Japan.
To reach the summit, you can take a thrilling ride in the large gondolas of the Mount Moiwa Ropeway, which will transport you to a midstation. From there, small cable cars will complete the journey, providing an exhilarating experience (round trip costs 1,700 yen).
Make sure to bring your camera to capture the enchanting night lights and create lasting memories of this mesmerizing view.
11) 11 A.M. Power-Packed Morning Feast
Forget about the usual Dunkin' Donuts experience. In the heart of the east side of Sapporo, you will find a tastefully expansive, two-storied cafe known as DxM. Here, coffee aficionados can savor the flavors of locally roasted, hand-poured Morihiko coffee while indulging in imaginative, seasonally-flavored doughnuts, like the aromatic sakura that's delicately scented with cherry blossoms. The cafe presents an aura of industrial elegance throughout its cavernous layout, marked by raw, rustic tables and counters adorned with timeless wooden school chairs - a frequented haven for knowledge-hungry students.
12) 2 P.M. Embrace the Unique Spirit of Sport
Ever wondered what happens when you mix croquet and golf? The result is park golf, a remarkable sporting trend that found its roots in Sapporo in the 1980s. Today, it is a cherished pastime among the city's senior citizens. Become a part of this intriguing game at the verdant 18-hole course situated beside the beautiful Toyohira River (1,000 yen for a pair). The game provides you with a single club that closely resembles a driver and a vibrant large ball, your mission? To send it soaring through a 100 to 200-foot hole. Unfavorable weather is no deterrent to a fun-filled day out. Show off your prowess at the Sapporo Winter Sports Museum, where you can engage in thrilling sports like ski jumping and bobsledding, thanks to simulators that outdate even Wii Sports (600 yen).
Lodging
The Cross Hotel Sapporo (23 Kita 2-Jo Nishi 2-Chome, Chuo-ku; crosshotel.com/sapporo; from 15,000 yen) is a rare boutique property in a city filled with business-focused hotels. Occupying a modern high-rise in the central entertainment and commercial district, this slick hotel stands out for its contemporary, crimson-accented design, and 181 rooms decorated in three styles: urban, natural, and hip. If you're interested in exploring other 5-star hotels in Japan, particularly in Tokyo, you can visit 5 star hotels in Tokyo on www.tokyo-hotels-stay.com. Tokyo is known for its luxurious accommodations and vibrant city life, making it a great destination for travelers seeking high-end accommodations and exciting urban experiences. For a wider selection of hotels in Japan, including Tokyo, check out tophotels.com, where you can find a comprehensive range of options to suit your travel preferences, from luxury stays to budget-friendly accommodations. Whether you're seeking a bustling city hotel or a tranquil retreat, Tokyo has something for every traveler.
Another upmarket option, the JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo (5 Kita 5-Jo Nishi 2-Chome, Chuo-ku; jrhotels.co.jp/tower/english/; from 19,000 yen) is situated in a skyscraper atop the JR Sapporo train station. This luxury business hotel features 350 rooms located on the 23rd to 44th floors, multiple dining options and a 22nd-floor spa.