Must-see attractions in Sapporo

  • Sapporo Beer Museum

    Sapporo

    This legendary Sapporo attraction is in the original Sapporo Beer brewery, a pretty, ivy-covered brick building. There's no need to sign up for the tour;…

  • Cityscape of Sapporo at odori Park, Japan

    Ōdōri-kōen

    Sapporo

    This haven in the heart of the city is fully 13 blocks (1.5km) long, with the TV Tower at its eastern end. Among the green lawns and flower gardens are…

  • Ōkura-yama Ski Jump Stadium

    Sapporo

    This ski-jump slope was built on the side of Ōkura-yama for the Sapporo 1972 Winter Games. At 133.6m it's just slightly shorter than Sapporo TV Tower,…

  • Kaitaku-mura

    Sapporo

    This expansive collection of historical buildings (and some recreations), in Nopporo Shinrin-kōen east of central Sapporo, shows the diversity of…

  • Moerenuma-kōen

    Sapporo

    Completed in 2005, this former waste-treatment plant to the northeast of the central city is now an impressive reclaimed green belt. It was originally…

  • Hokkaidō Museum

    Sapporo

    This museum does an admirable job of explaining Hokkaidō's multilayered history, from the age of the woolly mammoths to the age of the steam locomotives,…

  • Sapporo TV Tower

    Sapporo

    Beating Tokyo Tower by two years, Sapporo TV Tower (147m) arrived in 1956, bringing with it the modern television age. It was designed by 'Dr Tower' Naitō…

  • Hokkaidō Ainu Center

    Sapporo

    In an office building across the street from Hokkaidō University Botanical Garden, this cultural centre is run by the Hokkaidō Ainu Association and has a…

  • Centennial Memorial Tower

    Sapporo

    Construction of this modernist tower, designed by architect Iguchi Ken, started in 1968 to mark Sapporo's centennial (it was completed in 1970). The…

  • Hokkaidō University Botanical Garden

    Sapporo

    Among the highlights of this meandering, 14-hectare outdoor garden maintained by Hokkaidō University, is a collection of 200 plants and herbs historically…

  • Old Hokkaidō Government Office Building

    Sapporo

    Known by all as Akarenga (red bricks), this magnificent neo-baroque building was constructed of bricks in 1888 and is surrounded by lovely lawns and…

  • Moiwa-yama Ropeway

    Sapporo

    At 531m, Moiwa-yama has fantastic, panoramic views over the city. Part of the fun is getting there. First you take a gondola for five minutes, then switch…

  • Black Slide Mantra

    Sapporo

    This sculpture in Ōdōri-kōen by Japanese-American artist Noguchi Isamu is hands-on art at its best: made of black stone to stand out in the snow, the…

  • Hokkaidō Museum of Modern Art

    Sapporo

    Hokkaidō's top collection of modern art includes many works from artists who were born here, lived here or were inspired by the northern island…

  • Chitosetsuru Sake Museum

    Sapporo

    Fans of Japan's national drink will enjoy this museum, which – though English signage is lacking – has visually understandable displays about the history…

  • Hokkaidō Brewery

    Sapporo

    This is one of the current brewing and bottling facilities for Sapporo beer. Guided tours are led (in Japanese only) by very enthusiastic brand…

  • Hokkaidō University

    Sapporo

    Established in 1876 this university is a scenic spot, with a number of unique buildings, including the Furukawa Memorial Hall and the Seikatei. The bust…

  • Sapporo Clock Tower

    Sapporo

    No Japanese tourist can leave Sapporo without snapping a photo of the city's signature landmark and oldest building, the clock tower. Built in 1878, the…

  • Tower Three-Eight

    Sapporo

    Defeating Sapporo TV Tower when it comes to views and class (but not cultural significance!), the 38-floor JR Tower (173m) has a spacious observatory with…

  • Hokkaidō-jingū

    Sapporo

    Dating back to 1869, this is one of the oldest shrines in Hokkaidō and is known for its spectacular cherry and plum blossoms in spring. It's inside…

  • Old Sapporo Court of Appeals Building

    Sapporo

    This impressive building at the western end of Ōdōri-kōen was built in 1926, of tuff stone, to serve as Sapporo's High Court. Inside are a few galleries…

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