Clock Tower (時計台 Tokeidai), (Close to Odori Station.). This rather diminutive building has become a symbol of Sapporo, mostly by being the oldest building still standing. It was constructed in 1878 for the Sapporo Agricultural College (now the Hokkaido University) and would not look out of place in "Smalltown U.S.A." The inside has a small retrospective of its history. Visitor beware, as this is for some reason a mecca for Japanese tourists coming to Sapporo who feel that no trip to Sapporo would be complete without a photo in front of the Tokeidai, but was actually recently rated as Japan's third "most disappointing" tourist attraction!¥200. �
Ishiya Chocolate Factory, . The chocolate factory has an incredibly corny, but fun, tour building up to a view of the actual chocolate making floor, and ending with a random toy museum. Also there are two restaurants, a souvenir store, and an hourly robot show complete with annoying music. Famous for its white chocolate, which is sold under the brand "White Lovers" (白い恋人 shiroi koibito), and is only available in Hokkaido.¥600. �
Odori Park (Sapporo's most famous park, it is in the center of town and is considered to be a symbol of Sapporo. Although quite narrow (one might argue that it is a nice boulevard), the park is quite long, stretching over fifteen blocks across downtown Sapporo. Filled with (during the summer) numerous flowers, trees, and fountains, Odori Park provides a welcome respite from the maddening crowds of the surrounding city.). �
Sapporo TV Tower (さっぽろテレビ塔), (At the eastern end of Odori.), . A tourist trap carbon copy of the Eiffel Tower with an observation deck 90m high.¥700. �
Sapporo Beer Museum (サッポロビール博物館 Sapporo Biru Hakubutsukan), North 7, East 9 (Next to the Ario Shopping Center. On the Loop 88 Factory bus line from the Odori Subway Station. Close to JR Naebo Station (ask the attendant there for a map).), ☎ +81 01-1731-4368, . 9AM-6PM. Run by the Sapporo Brewing Company, offers free guided tours covering the history of beer in Japan and the process of brewing. The museum is not very big and the printed descriptions on the displays are in Japanese. Despite this, it makes an interesting trip. At the end of the tour you can taste all the different beers. Finish off the tour with more brews at the Beer Garden next door (see Eat).Beer sample ¥200, 3 samples ¥500. (43.071666,141.368836)�
Hyakunen Kinentou, Memorial Tower near Pioneer Village
Hokkaido Pioneer Village. A large historical village on the outskirts of Sapporo, offers a snapshot of Japan in the newly-industrialised age. The front gate (an old railway station) opens up into a series of opens alleys and buildings of the style pre-20th century. Also a variety of different gardens and shrines. Don't expect costumed performers however ? everything is self guided. An English map is available.¥630. �
100th anniversary Memorial Park (Hyakunen Kinento), (Just down the road from Pioneer Village.). This is the site of a giant (and somewhat imposing) tower which can be climbed, providing a good vantage point of Sapporo (though quite some distance from the city center) and surrounding mountains. This site is popular with school groups.Free. �
Moiwayama, (Can be reached by cable car, or with a car, the summit (and tourist centre) can be reached directly.). This mountain, also called Moiwa Mountain, overlooks the city and is especially worthwhile at night to observe the city lights.An entrance fee is charged for cars. �
View from Asahiyama overlooking Sapporo city
Asahiyama Park. A beautiful flower garden and natural park that overlooks the city center. Noted for being a good place for romance, and is particularly good for cherry blossoms in spring and autumn colors, and local wildlife such as squirrels and foxes (somewhat of a feral pest around Sapporo).Free.. �
Hokkaido Shrine. Free. �
Autumn at Houkaikyou Dam, Jozankei
Jozankei, (On the southern outskirts of Sapporo (but still nominally in the city), a 40-60 minute drive.). This area is famous for both its onsen (due perhaps to proximity to Sapporo) and the very beautiful autumn colours (especially around the Houhaikyou Dam). �
JR Tower. The newly redeveloped building near JR Sapporo Station marks the center of the city. It is higher than the TV tower observatory is. Affording panoramic views. As a bonus for men, the observation level has a men's room with a view! �
Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art (北海道立近代美術館), North 1 West 17, Chuo, ☎ +81 011 644-6881, . Tu-Su 10AM-5PM. Located in a small park, this modern art museum offers a collection that includes both Japanese and Western art, as well as as temporary exhibits.Adults ¥250, university students ¥150. (43.060062,141.330378)�
Sapporo Art Park (札幌芸術の森), 南区芸術の森２丁目７５ (West of Highway 453, several kilometers south of central Sapporo.), ☎ +81 011 592-5111, . Containing over 74 modern and contemporary sculptures, this art park makes for a great day trip. (42.940166,141.340849)�
Moerenuma Park, . A popular excursion for Japanese families, this park offers several acres of carefully manicured grass and monumental landscape installations. Highlights include a 5-story glass pyramid and a man-made mountain, from which one can see all of Sapporo.free. �
Hokkaido University Botanic Garden (北海道大学植物園 Hokkaido Daigaku Shokubutsuen), North 3 West 8, Chuo (From JR Sapporo train station, go south 3 blocks and west 5 blocks), ☎ +81 011 221-0066, . 9AM-4PM. A large botanical garden. There are two rock gardens, a rose garden, a lilac display, a greenhouse, and various other gardens. There's a small museum in the garden with artifacts from Hokkaido, some dating back to the Meiji period (no extra cost). In the winter, only the greenhouse and museum are of interest.¥400. �
Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art (札幌近代美術館), Chuo-ku N1 W17 (From Nishi 18 Station on the Tozai Line, 5 minutes on foot.). A modern museum filled with collections of contemporary works and especially glass objects, paskin of Ecole de Paris. The main hall is the center of exhibits of works owned by the museum and the special facility is reserved for "expo" of foreign and Japanese arts. Each summer the museum holds a special course for children. �
Former Hokkaido Prefectural Government Building (北海道府旧本府舎), Chuo-ku N3 W6 (Two minutes walk from Sapporo station, in between Odori Park and Sapporo Station), ☎ +81 11 231-4111. This beautiful western style red brick building is a famous site of Sapporo and worth taking a quick look, as it is located in the center.Free. �
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Sapporo
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Sapporo - updated Apr 2024
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Sapporo Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.
