| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | Open 24 hours |
| Contact | 011-1251-0438 https://odori-park.jp/ |
| Notes | Sightseeing spot, paid parking underground, festivals throughout the year (see below), toilets at park |
| Location / Getting There | Odori Park runs horizontally right through the middle of Sapporo. It is a 10 minute walk from Sapporo Station. It is also directly above Odori Subway station. The park can be easily accessed from 3 subway stations along the Tozai Line (subway orange line). 7 Chome Odorinishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0042 |
Odori Park is the most famous park in Sapporo, if not Hokkaido. It runs through the heart of Sapporo and is home to the some of the biggest festivals throughout the year. The park runs for twelve blocks and separates the city into north and south. At the eastern most end you can find the iconic TV Tower which has great views overlooking the park. The park was originally constructed as a large street, which also served as a firebreak in 1871. In 1872, the street was named ‘Shiribeshi Dōri’ but this name was not popular so it was renamed ‘Odōri’ in June 1881. Odori meaning ‘large street’ in English. The park itself didn’t become a park until 1909.
Annual Events at Odori Park
| February (2nd week) | Sapporo Snow Festival |
| May (middle of the month) | Lilac Festival. |
| June (2nd week) | Yosakoi Soran Festival |
| July (from mid July) | Sapporo Beer Garden Jazz Festival |
| August (to mid August) | Sapporo Beer Garden |
| September | Sapporo Autumn Festival |
| November (end of month) | Sapporo White Illumination |
The park is hugely popular especially during the warmer months. There are benches that line the park, and the grass areas throughout the park are a great spot to sit and have lunch, or a drink, and relax. There are numerous fountains to admire and to dip your feet in the hotter months. Swings, slides, a stage for performances, and beautiful flower gardens can be found throughout the park. On the western most block are the rose gardens and the Sapporo City Museum. Big events are held at Odori Park. The biggest being the Summer Beer Garden and the Snow Festival are at this park.
| Cost per night | ¥7,800 single rooms ¥11,000 double rooms ¥12,000 - ¥18,000 twin rooms |
| Check-in | 15:00 |
| Check-out | 10:00 |
| Contact | 0138-22-1155 https://www.promote-hakodate.com/ |
| Restaurant | Buffet restaurant 6:30 - 21:00 |
| Wi-fi | Yes |
| Parking | 55 parking spaces ¥500 cars / ¥1000 trucks / ¥0 bikes |
| Notes | Amenities in room, coin laundry, vending machines (soft drinks and alcohol), AED, smoking and non smoking rooms, dryer free, free welcome coffee in lobby, free amenity corner, taxi arrangement, free computer corner, massage service 2 minutes walk to convenience store 2 minutes walk from drugstore |
| Location | Located in central Hakodate it's a 10 minute walk east from Hakodate station, or a 1 minute walk from Matsuzake-cho tram station. Opposite Kankanji 16-18 Matsukazecho Hakodate, Hokkaido 040-0035 |
Hotel Promote Hakodate is one of the many hotels found in central Hakodate. It is along one of the main roads that has the tram lines along it. It is just a one minute walk from Matsukaze-cho tram stop and is directly across from Kankanji. It is also a seven minute walk from Hakodate train station. The rooms here are clean and comfortable. The hotel has 98 guest rooms. This includes 81 single rooms, 11 double rooms, and 6 twin rooms. The twin rooms have nice views over the city. All the rooms have free internet, TV’s, paid video, full bathroom and kitchen amenities, and air conditioning. On arrival, guests receive a free welcome coffee.
In the lobby you can also find the computer corner that is available 24 hours. There are vending machines in the hotel that serve soft drinks and alcohol. If you want to buy anything, the hotel is just a 2 minute walk from a convenience store and a drug store. The floors also have a coin laundry and free dryer. There is one restaurant in the hotel. This is buffet style and serves both Japanese and Western food.
| Opening Hours | 9:00 - 12:00 13:00 - 16:00 |
| Closed | Weekends and public holidays |
| Contact | 011-261-7502 http://www.moj.go.jp/isa/about/region/sapporo/index.html |
| Notes | Free parking |
| Location / Getting There | Located in central Sapporo by Odori Park on west 11. It is an easy walk from Nishi juitchome Station subway station (Tozai Line). Take exit 1 and walk diagonally across the park, past the fountain. The immigration bureau is on the 7th floor. 12 Chome Odorinishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0042 |
For all foreigners living in Japan, you will inevitably come to the immigration bureau at some point. The main immigration bureau is in Sapporo but there are also immigration offices in Asahikawa, the New Chitose Airport, Tomakomai, and Kushiro. For visas it is juts a matter of checking off what’s needed and can take a few trips back and forth. It can either be an easy or difficult experience. In Sapporo, upon entering the building, you will need to sign in, get a badge and go through the security gate. Immigration is on the 7th floor. The staff here generally speak little English which can make things a little more difficult. There is a small help desk on the left hand side of the door and is manned by two old Japanese guys. They too, speak very little English but will help you with forms. All the visa forms here are here; student, work, spousal, permanent residence, and specialist visas.
The immigration bureau can get busy so be prepared to wait. They do close for lunch as well so early mornings are usually best to get there. Once you have all your forms ready take a ticket and wait (don’t forget to bring your passport and alien registration card). One convenient thing about the immigration building is that it is a short walk from the central city hall (if you live in the area) so any extra forms you may need, are a quick walk away. When picking up a new visa you need to pay for it. There is a convenience store on the B1 basement floor and it is here you will buy a stamp equivalent to your visa cost (usually from ¥3000 to ¥6000). Take the stamp back to the 7th floor and you are done. For more information on types of visas, click here.
| Opening Hours | 10:00 - 19:00 |
| Closed | Wednesdays |
| Contact | 011-846-4557 https://www.eaglejp.co.jp/ |
| Rental Prices | ¥4700 - ¥30,500 per day (depending on bike class) *Credit card and valid drivers license needed Hourly rate also available. |
| Bike storage for winter | ¥20,000 from November to April |
| Notes | Motorbikes, snowmobiles, trikes, buggies, rental, new & second hand for sale, riding gear, parking available |
| Location / Getting There | Eagle Motorcycle is a 20 minute drive from central Sapporo. Located in Shiroishi. Drive east onto Ebetsu road, Eagle Motorcycle is on the left. For public transport, take the Tozai subway (orange) line to Nangojusan-chome station. Exit 3, turn right and 10 minute walk to Ebetsu road, and turn left. 12 Kita-1-15 Hondori, Shiroishi Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 003-0027 |
Touring around Hokkaido on two wheels is heaven. If you are looking for motorbikes, quad bikes, trikes, snow mobiles, or even snow blowers, Eagle Motorcycle is THE place! All these bikes, whether they be cruisers, sports bikes, tour bikes, trail bikes, or snow mobiles, are for sale or for rental. They have a huge selection plus a tonne of second hand bikes. They also have a garage for repairs, storage during winter, plus they can get your bike of choice ready for registration and on the road! The staff here are friendly and are keen to help with any enquiry. Depending on the season, their floor showroom changes to suit the need. Winter time will see mainly snowmobiles and snowblowers. Summer, everything else on two, three or four wheels.
Eagle Motorcycle is made up of primarily two floors, with a garage and rental gear next door. The first floor (or ground floor) has a showroom with the latest bikes on sale. They also have quad bikes and trikes here as well plus snowmobiles in the winter. Further back, you can find riding gear and accessories for your bike (their stock is limited, for more riding gear it is better to head further along Ebetsu Road). You can find the staff desk here too. On the second floor you can find all the second hand bikes. They have a huge selection of bikes from scooters to sports bikes to huge cruisers and touring bikes. You can definitely find something here in your price range! They also have rentals here too, just ask the staff! For the range of rental bikes click here. For general bike prices click here.
| Opening Hours | 8:30 - 20:00 |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 011-213-5088 |
| Notes | Tourist information centre, English speaking staff, ATM, money exchange, coffee shop, wheelchair access |
| Location / Getting There | Located at Sapporo station, across from the east exit. It is next to the Hokkaido Dosanko Plaza. 〒060-0806 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Kita Ward, Kita 6 Jonishi, 4 Chome, JR Sapporo Station West Concourse |
For those newly arrived in Sapporo, or Hokkaido for that matter, this centre is an extremely useful resource to have access to. The information centre is convenient to find and easily accessible. The centre is located across from the east exit at Sapporo Station and is part of the Hokkaido Dosanko Plaza. The large counter here is attended by helpful employees who can speak English. They are happy to assist you with any inquiries you may have whether it be for the JR train to bookings and hotels.. There are plenty of brochures with information not only of Sapporo, but of all the main sightseeing cities in Hokkaido.
The Sapporo Information Centre also has a money exchange machine which is very handy. This machine has ten different languages to choose from making it easy to use and about a dozen different currencies to exchange. For other quick money, there is an ATM on the premises. There are prepaid sim cards to use for your phone which are available here. Also for electrical appliances there are charging stations. So, for those just arriving and need some extra info, the Hokkaido Sapporo Information Centre is the perfect spot.
| Opening Hours | 8:30 - 20:00 |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 011-213-5053 http://www.dousanhin.com/shop/sapporo_jr |
| Notes | Hokkaido goods store, part of tourism information center, parking available; ¥340 per hour (Sapporo Station North Exit Underground Parking) |
| Getting There | The plaza is directly across the walkway from the Sapporo station west ticket gate. 060-0806 Sapporo Kita-ku Kita 6 Jo Nishi 4-chome JR Sapporo Station West Street north exit |
The Hokkaido Dosanko Plaza is part of the large tourism information center at Sapporo station. The information center not only has the Dosanko Plaza but also a cafe area and help desk. The Dosanko Plaza makes up the food section here. It is a small supermarket that sells over 2,000 specialty Hokkaido food products and souvenirs. All the items sold here can be found only in Hokkaido. It makes the perfect spot to pick up some souvenirs to take home with you. This store is not only a popular spot for tourists, but you will find many of the locals come here to pick up some specialty food items.
The Dosanko Plaza is full of delicious Hokkaido produce including items such as seafood, butters and cheese, meats, large crab, local vegetables, local liquor such as sake, wine and beer. They also have some nice sweets and confectionary here. Every three months, the store introduces a new item so keep an eye out. Apart from the food products, there are also handmade arts and crafts you can pick up as a souvenir. Some of these items include Ainu carvings and fabrics. The Hokkaido Dosanko Plaza is easily accessed as it is right by the western ticket gates at Sapporo station and is one of the first places you will see upon exiting the station.
