Sapporo is the capital of Hokkaido and as such offers a number of attractions.
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The popular concert hall
Completed in 1997 the Sapporo Concert Hall or Kitara as it is locally known is a beautiful structure which hosts many of the Sapporo Symphony concerts. The main hall can seat over 2000 people while the second hall can seat over 450. Kitara’s crowning glory is a gigantic 4,976 piece pipe organ made by Alfred Kern of France which took about two years to build. The ticket center is located on the first floor and there is a restaurant and a small shop inside that are open to all to visit. Top
| Admission | Varies depending on event |
| Opening Hours | Ticket center and shop : 10 am to 5:30 pm when no evening concert. 10 am to 7 pm when evening concert. Restaurant : 11:30 am to 9 pm when no evening concert. 11:30 am to 10 pm when evening concert. |
| Closed | 1st and 3rd Monday and other occasional holidays |
| Contact | - |
| Getting There | Japan, 〒064-0931 Hokkaidō, Sapporo-shi, Chūō-ku, Nakajimakōen, 1−15 札幌コンサートホール・キタラ Take the Nanboku subway line to Nakajima Park station. The hall is located near the center of the park. 5 min walk |
Sapporo Dome
This huge structure was initially designed and constructed for the 2002 Japan-Korea Soccer World Cup. Construction was completed in 2001 and the dome has a regular seating capacity of over 42 000 people. After the end of the world cup the dome is now regularly used for baseball matches and is the home ground of the Nippon Ham Fighters Baseball Club. It also plays host to a variety of exhibitions, concerts and shows. The dome has the ability to transport its entire playing surface from inside to outside with the field hovering on an air cushion and pushed by electric wheels. This allows for for indoor and outdoor events and also the field area can then be used for shows and seating at large scale concerts. The dome contains several fast food restaurants and a fans cafe as well as a souvenir shop for event and sports goods. Most major or large scale events in Sapporo will be at the Sapporo Dome. Top
| Admission | Varies depending on event. |
| Opening Hours- | |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 011-200-8066 |
| Getting There | Sapporo Dome, 1 Hitsujigaoka, Toyohira-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaidō 062-0045, Japan Take the Toho Subway Line to Fukuzumi Station (Last Stop). It is about a 10 min walk north. (Follow the crowd!) |
The courtyard in Factory
Also constructed in 1876 as part of the Sapporo Beer Breweries enterprise, these large red brick warehouses and factory areas were renovated in 1993 to form the massive shopping and entertainment complex known as Sapporo Factory. There are a large number of specialty stores and restaurants. This shopping complex also houses Japans largest indoor park in the massive atrium area of the shopping center. In this area small concerts and various exhibitions and shows are often held. There is also the Universal Cinema 11 movie theater complex which houses an Imax screen and the Nissan Motor Gallery, with some of the latest models of cars on display from the Nissan Motor Company. Top
| Admission | - |
| Opening Hours | Shops : 10 am to 8 pm Restaurants : 11 am to 10 pm (Times may change seasonally) |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | - |
| Getting There | Japan, 〒060-0032 Hokkaidō, Sapporo-shi, Chūō-ku, Kita 2 Jōhigashi, 4 Chome サッポロファクトリー |
Sapporo Science Center
The science center is based around involvement as well as observation. This means that children can have an especially fun time using and playing with some of the exhibits in a hands on fashion. There are English pamphlets available to help you with your tour. Top
| Admission | Adults ¥700 |
| Opening Hours | 9:30 am to 4 pm daily |
| Closed | Mondays, public holidays, last Tuesday of every month and New Year holidays |
| Contact | - |
| Getting There | - |
Spica (STV Media Park)
Part of STV’ s televisions media facilities. The media park holds various events throughout the year which can be attended by the public. (Please check with the Spica staff for details) There is also a restaurant and a small shop for media and other event related souvenirs can be purchased. Top
| Admission | - |
| Opening Hours | 10 am to 7 pm Daily |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 011-280-7812 |
| Getting There | North 1 West 8 Chuoku Take the Tozai Subway Line to Nishi-Juichome Station. It is a 5 min. walk. |
Stella Place & JR Tower
Stella Place along with Dimaru Department Store was completed in 2003 and is one of the latest editions to the Sapporo shopping scene. The nine story shopping center consists of two main areas Stella Place Center and Stella Place East. Inside you will find 161 specialty stores and 22 restaurants of varying styles. There is also a cinema on the 7th and 8th floors comprising 12 screens for all the latest movie action. JR Tower is attached to Stella Place and is 38 stories high. Located inside there are varying offices, a medical center, hotel and even a hot spa resort. There is also a wonderful observation deck on the 38th floor which gives a spectacular view of Sapporo. On the observation deck there is a cafe, souvenir shop and a bathroom with a fantastic view. (Sorry boys only!) Top
| Admission | Tower Observatory : Adults ¥900 High school to 4 yo. ¥500 Under 4 yo. ¥300 |
| Opening Hours | Shops : 10 am to 9 pm Restaurants : 11 am to 11pm Tower : 10 am to 11 pm |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | Stella Place : 011-209–5100 JR Tower : 011-209–5050 |
| Getting There | Japan, 〒060-0806 Hokkaidō, Sapporo-shi, Kita-ku, Kita 6 Jōnishi, 2 Chome−2−1 Sapporo Station, Sapporo |
Susukino
Just south of of Tanukikoji and marked on the corner by the massive Nikka Whiskey sign is the Susukino entertainment district. This area stretches for about six blocks north to south and east to west. There are almost 5000 restaurants, bars, cafes, night clubs and hostess bars in this area. It is one of the most famous entertainment areas in Japan and the largest of its kind north of Tokyo. The bars and clubs can range from the cheap to the extremely expensive. This area is crowded most days until the morning hours but particularly so on Friday and Saturday nights. If you wish to find a restaurant on these days try to book ahead or be prepared to wait. If you’re out for a few drinks then consider using one of the “Nomihodai” or all you can drink plans. In Hokkaido these plans are offered at most restaurants and often bars too. For the price of two or three drinks you can consume all you like for a set period of time. Times are generally offered for 30, 60, 90 or 120 minutes. Prices vary from about ¥1000 to ¥3500+ depending on the course chosen and the bar. Many bars and restaurants in this area will be open until very late in the morning or sometimes even 24 hours. Some restaurants may not open their doors until about midnight. Many establishments are closed on Sundays. Top
| Admission | - |
| Opening Hours | Most places open in the evening to late evening. |
| Closed | Most places are closed Sundays and other various national holidays or event days. |
| Contact | - |
| Getting There | Japan, 〒064-0804 Hokkaidō, Sapporo-shi, Chūō-ku, 南4条西4丁目1番地 |
Takino Suzuran Hillside Park
The park has many activities including a fishing pond. The pond is very well stocked with fish and even the worst fisherman should be able to get a catch or two here. There are also bicycles for rent and walking treks. There is a small river and waterfalls located within the park to be enjoyed and a lovely restaurant in the park also. In the winter it is possible to rent skis for some cross country fun. This park can be quite crowded on weekends so if you looking for some quiet time then a week day visit is recommended. Top
| Admission | Fishing Pond : Adults ¥2100 per hour Children ¥1800 per hour (both prices include equipment rental) Bicycles : Adults ¥250 Children ¥100 per two hours Skis : Adults ¥520 Children ¥310 |
| Opening Hours | - |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | - |
| Getting There | - |
Tanukikoji shopping mall is a covered mall area in the center of Sapporo. Consisting of seven blocks. The first 6 blocks have various shops hotels, and dinning areas. The seventh block has a much older roof and consists mainly of restaurants. Tanukikoji shopping mall is also connected to the “Pole Town” underground shopping area by escalators and step at the 3rd and 4th blocks. Be sure to check out the small Tanuki Shrine half way along the mall. Top
| Admission | - |
| Opening Hours | 10 am to about 8pm Some shops and restaurants open later. |
| Closed | Various public holidays and maintenance days. |
| Contact | - |
| Getting There | Sapporo-Ekimae Dori, 4 Chome Minami 3 Jōnishi, Chūō-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaidō 060-0063, Japan |
Tiera
Tiera is a community center located at Miyanozawa Subway Station. It gives people a chance to get involved in many different sorts of activities and types of study. The center contains a soundproof recording studio, theater studio, rooms ranging in size from 24 to 108 people seating and a computer room. Tiera Hall has a seating capacity of 436 people and can be used for plays, musicals and concerts. There is also Media Plaza about “learning”. Top
| Admission | - |
| Opening Hours | Community Center : 8:45 am to 10 pm Media Plaza : 9 am to 9 pm |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 011-671-2200 |
| Getting There | Miyanozawa Subway Station |
Sapporo TV Tower. Hokkaido.
The Sapporo TV Tower is the tallest tower in northern Japan and stands 147.2 meters tall. The tower offers an observation deck at the top which can be accessed by elevators, and even by stairs in the summer months. The view from the top of the tower is an excellent way to get a general orientation of the city and its surrounding areas. Great views of the snow festival and lighting displays are also to been seen. Top
| Admission | Elevator fees : Adults ¥700 High School Students ¥600 Junior High School Students ¥400 Elementary School Students ¥300 Children ¥100 |
| Opening Hours | 9 am to 9 pm daily : late April to late October. 9 am to 10 pm daily : July to August. 9:30 pm to 9 pm daily : late October to late April. |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | - |
| Notes | - |
| Location / Getting There | Soseigawa Dori, 1 Chome Ōdōrinishi, Chūō-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaidō 060-0042, Japan |
