We went during winter but we’ve been to Hokkaido in summer and if you like the outdoors you can always find things to do in Sapporo and around that area anytime of the year. What things to do in Sapporo will depend a lot on what time of the year you’e visiting so will start with the things in Winter and the things we actually did.
Odori Park – Not really a park so much as some green (except in winter) space in the middle of the city. Odori Park separates two main streets and runs for about 12 blocks. It’s a nice place to have a walk long along, even in the winter and can you to the Sapporo TV tower which serves as a good landmark for where you are in Sapporo. Not really a top “things to do in Sapporo” but you’ll find yourself there at some stage.
Skiing Near Sapporo – Kiroro is only 43km west of Sapporo and quite easy to get to, although there’s accommodation there so if you just want to ski you’re better off staying in Kiriro. Sapporo Teine is the closest ski area to Sapporp and only 20km from downtown Sapporo (about 35-40mins presuming you don’t get stuck in traffic). It consists of two connected ski areas, Teine Olympia and Teine Highland. Teine Olympia is great for beginners and kids and Teine Highland has some excellent steep tree skiing. Sapporo Kokusai is about 45km from Sapporo, and sees an average of 18 metres of powder each ski season! Can get a bit crowded but so can them all.
Salmon Tours – Between early October and late November, salmon can be seen from the bridges and riverfronts of Toyohira River and Kotoni-Hassamu River. I’ve seen a Salmon run in Canada and I have to say it was quite awesome to see, but to see them “running” through the middle of a city is something else. Don’t know of any other places you can witness this in this environment. There’s tours you can go on but they’re rather touristy (go figure), so just do a bit of research for the best places to see them, hire a car and check them out yourself.
Jozankei Onsen – If you haven’t tried an Onsen in Japan, you’re missing out. Perhaps it’s because I live in Hong Kong where for 9 months of the year it’s stinkin hot and humid and/or raining, but ordinarily I can’t stand hot baths but quite like the Japanese Onsens. I’ve stayed at a few around different places in Japan and they’re awesome. Apparently about 2.5 million people visit Jozankei Onsen every year, so if you’re afraid of showing off your willy, boobs and bum, maybe not for you! They’re just an hour from the center of Sapporo and there’s over 50 hot spring sources in this area.
Mt. Okura Observatory – Really just another viewpoint of Sapporo but with a small twist – the Olympic Ski Jump. For those of you don’t know Sapporo was the first city outside North America to host the Winter Olympics (in 1972) and there’s a (rather lame) museum near the bottom about that. To get to the actual observatory, you’ll need to take the chairlift up. If you’re lucky in winter you might be able to catch some practicing.
Mt. Moiwa – 360 degrees of Sapporo city. It’s not the most picturesque city around but if you’re really struggling for things to do in Sapporo I guess this is worth a visit. If you walk/hike up, there’s bear signs but I haven’t read reports about anybody seeing let alone having an issues with them. As usual some knobs on tripadvisor suggest wearing Bear Bells but forget about that, if a bear is going to attack, a bell isn’t going to scare them away is it.
Sapporo Beer Museum – I can’t really think of anything more boring than learning about the history of beer but if you’re into your beer then you might find this somewhat interesting. It’s free of charge, has 3 floors of stuff about the dudes associated with the beer, and loads of photos, posters and other shit featuring, you guessed it – beer. Of course there’s a bar and shop. Probably somewhere near the bottom of my personal things to do in Sapporo but again, worth going if you’re really into your beer.
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