Sapporo is the capital of Hokkaido and as such offers a number of attractions.
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Nijo Ichiba (Fish Market)
Ask any Japanese person about Hokkaido and one of the first things they will mention is the food and especially the seafood. Crowded into small alleyways and located near the end of Tanukikoji is the seafood basket of Sapporo. This area offers a vivid and amazingly colorful look at the various kinds of fish and seafood consumed in Japan. There is everything from salmon roe to king crab. The atmosphere is permeated with the fish sellers voices advertising their stock. There are beer bars and a few small restaurants which offer a great chance to try some of the freshest and most well known seafood in Japan at quite reasonable prices. The scallops and the salmon roe are particularly highly thought of in Japan. Top
| Admission | - |
| Opening Hours | 10 am to 6 pm daily. Bars and restaurants open till late. |
| Closed | Sundays and Public Holidays. |
| Contact | - |
| Getting There | Japan, 〒060-0053 Hokkaidō, Sapporo-shi, Chūō-ku, Minami 3 Jōhigashi, 1 Chome 第一海鮮丸 |
At the centre of the park
Originally constructed approximately 110 years ago as a fire barrier between the northern and southern ends of Sapporo city when all buildings were made of wood. It is about 100 meters wide, 13 blocks long and marks the center of the city. Odori is the host area of many of Sapporo’s events and festivals including the Yuki Matsuri, the Yasokoi Dance Festival and the Sapporo Beer Festival. (Event Calendar) In the summer months the parks is a mecca for tired office workers and the general public wanting to relax and soak up some sun during Hokkaido’s beautiful summer months. The park is changed seasonally and will be adorned in flowers and shrubs during the summer months and covered with lights during the winter months. Use Odori Subway Station exits numbers 3 and 4 to put yourself in the middle of the park. Top
| Admission | - |
| Opening Hours | Various events are held throughout the year. |
| Closed | Parts of the park can be closed during construction phases of events. |
| Contact | - |
| Getting There | Odori, Chūō-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaidō 060-0042, Japan Catch the subway to Oodori station. The park runs from the Sapporo TV Tower west for 13 blocks. |
Okurayama Ski Jump and Sapporo Winter Sports Museum
Ski jump at Okuruyama
This 90 meter ski jump was constructed in 1972 when Japan hosted the Winter Olympic Games. Ski jumping events can be held here all year round during the day and night. A small chair lift lift will take you to the top where there is an observation deck and small cafe lounge with an incredible view of the city and it’s surroundings.
Located in the same area at the bottom of the ski jump is the Sapporo Winter Sports Museum. This museum exhibits materials from the Japanese Winter Olympics and other historical winter sports materials. There is a restaurant and souvenir shop. Located in the museum is also a very popular ski jump simulator which gives you some idea of what the jumpers do. Top
| Admission | Ski Jump : Junior High and Older ¥500 Elementary School Students¥300 Museum : High School and Older ¥600 Junior High School and Younger Free. Over 65 ¥450 (I. D. required) |
| Opening Hours | Ski Jump : 8:30 am to 6 pm daily : Aril 15th to October 31st 9 am to 5 pm daily : November 1st to March 31st Museum : 9 am to 6 pm daily : May to October 9:30 am to 5 pm daily : November to April |
| Closed | Ski Jump : April 1st to 15th Museum : Last Tuesday of every month and December 29th to January 3rd |
| Contact | - |
| Getting There | Japan, 〒064-0958 Hokkaidō, Sapporo-shi, Chūō-ku, Miyanomori 大倉山ジャンプ競技場 |
Hokkaido Old Government Building and the Hokkaido Archives
The old government building
This red brick neo-baroque western style building was the headquarters of the“Kaitakushi” or the Colonial Development Office. This department was responsible for the development and expansion of the Hokkaido region during the Meji era. Inside the building visitors are allowed to wander freely through almost all parts of the building. In several of the second floor rooms the Hokkaido Archives are housed. This archive consists of various fossils found in the Hokkaido region, tools and artifacts from the native Ainu tribes and various paintings, photographs and historical documents on the development of Hokkaido. Unfortunately there are very few explanations and signs for the exhibits in English. The building is also surrounded by a beautiful garden, which is almost always occupied by various artists. —> READ MORE. Top
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | 9 am to 5 pm daily |
| Closed | 29th December to 3rd January |
| Contact | 011-204-5019 |
| Notes | - |
| Getting There | 6 Chome-1 Kita 2 Jōnishi, Chūō-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaidō 060-0002, Japan |
Pole Town
Pole Town is an underground shopping mall stretching from Oodori subway station at the northern end to Susukino subway station at the southern end. Various specialty shops, drug stores, shoe stores, bag stores, restaurants and cafes can be found here. Pole town also connects to the Tanukikoji Shopping Arcade and various other shopping malls along the way. Top
| Admission | - |
| Opening Hours | 10am to 8pm. |
| Closed | Various public holidays and maintenance days. |
| Contact | - |
| Getting There | Sapporo-Ekimae Dori, Chūō-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaidō, Japan Starts at Oodori subway station and ends at Susukino subway station. |
Ramen Yokocho (Ramen Alley – Susukino)
Ramen are Chinese noodles adapted to Japan. Hokkaido is thought of by the Japanese as being the best area in the country for Ramen. The local specialty is “Miso Ramen”. This narrow alley is wall to wall ramen shops and a great place to try this delicious food. Remember to slurp your noodles as this is considered a compliment to the chef in Japan. Top
| Admission | - |
| Opening Hours | - |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | - |
| Getting There | - |
Lafiler Department Store
Specialty shops, grocery store, eateries, Starbucks. Connected to Susukino subway station. Top
| Admission | - |
| Opening Hours | Shops: 10 am to 8pm Restaurants : 11am to 11pm |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | - |
| Getting There | Japan, 〒064-0804 Hokkaidō, Sapporo-shi, Chūō-ku, 南4条西4丁目1番地 Connect to Susukino subway station and the Pole Town shopping mall. |
Sapporo Art Park
Approximately 30 minutes drive from the center of Sapporo, the Art Park contains an outdoor sculpture garden, the Museum of Contemporary Art, a craft hall and craft studios. This complex is surrounded by a natural woodland offering a peaceful stroll around the various art works. Top
| Admission | Adults ¥600 Junior High school and under Free |
| Opening Hours | 9:45 am to 5 pm daily |
| Closed | Mondays from November 4th to April 28th (Following day if Monday is a National Holiday), New Years Holidays |
| Contact | - |
| Getting There | - |
Sapporo Beer En (Sapporo Beer Garden)
Sapporo Beer Brewery was established in 1876 and is the oldest brewing company in Japan. There are guided tours of the brewery daily. The tours take about 40 minutes and include free drinks for 20 minutes at the end of the tour. Tours are all conducted in Japanese, although it is possible to get a (Japanese)-English language audiotape as you enter. All bookings for the tours are accepted at the front desk. There are also English pamphlets available at the front desk.
Other buildings of the factory have been converted into the “Biergarten” which is a huge all you can eat and drink “Jingisukan ( Genghis Khan)” or Japanese Mongolian BBQ, consisting of huge plates of lamb slices and vegetables, cooked on a hat shaped metal BBQ plate. The atmosphere is usually quite lively at night. Be sure to wear the paper bib provided to protect your clothing from oil splashes and place your bags in the plastic liners also provided. Be aware that your clothing will most likely have a very strong smell after being at any Genghis Kahn restaurant. Top
| Admission | Brewery Museum and Tour : Free Biergarten : Cost is usually between ¥2500 to ¥3500, depending on course chosen. |
| Opening Hours | 8:40 am to 4:40 pm : June to August. 9 am to 3:40 pm September to May. |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | - |
| Getting There | Japan, 〒060-0907 Hokkaidō, Sapporo-shi, Higashi-ku, Kita 7 Jōhigashi, 9 Chome−2 サッポロビール博物館 Catch a bus from number four station near the north exit of Sapporo Station, or any Sapporo Beer Factory bus. |
Sapporo Chuo Library
The Sapporo Chuo Library has a fantastic collection of all kinds of books and a very extensive foreign section. There are books on various subjects, novels, video tapes, cds and newspapers. The books, cds and videos are lent on a weekly basis or can be used in the machines at the library. It is free to join the library if you live in Sapporo. You must bring some I. D. showing you are a Sapporo resident. (Usually your alien registration card) There are also some English speaking staff that will be happy to assist you. There is a nice garden area surrounding the library and a cafe on the basement floor. Various small exhibitions are shown on the first floor. Top
| Admission | - |
| Opening Hours | 12 pm to 7 pm : Tuesdays, 9:15 am to 7 pm : Wednesday to Friday, 9:15 am to 5:15 pm : Saturday and Sunday |
| Closed | Mondays, National Holidays and last day of the month, New Year Holidays |
| Contact | - |
| Getting There | 13 Chome-1-1 Minami 22 Jōnishi, Chūō-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaidō 064-0922, Japan |
Sapporo City Hall
Sapporo City Hall is a 19 story structure located near the center of Sapporo. At the top of the city hall is an observation deck that can be visited free of charge. There is also a restaurant. Top
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | - |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 011-211-2111 |
| Getting There | North 1 West 2 From Oodori Subway Station take exit number 4 and head north. About 2 min. walk |
