Japan’s northern island Hokkaido is most well-known for its vibrant capital city of Sapporo. Here are 5 must-do things when you come down!
People often associate Hokkaido’s capital city Sapporo with the famous beer brand Sapporo Beer. However, there is a lot more to this iconic town than a measly alcoholic drink, from delicious fresh fish to stunning natural beauty, Sapporo is jam-packed with all the things foreigners love Japan for!
Delicious Seafood!
As a separate island from Japan’s mainland island of Honshu (where Tokyo is), Hokkaido is almost like its own country. Given its position surrounded by the ocean, Hokkaido is a self-sufficient prefecture that produces its own ingredients including fish, meat, and dairy.
Everyone knows the raw fish in Japan is on another level of freshness, given its status as an island nation, however, this is particularly true for Sapporo, given its smaller land size and independent supply chains. Just about any seafood restaurant you dine at in Sapporo will offer the freshest cuts of tuna and salmon that will leave your mouth watering for more!
Amazing Nature Walks
Hokkaido is known for its ideal farming conditions, giving rise to some of the most beautiful plantations you’ll see across Japan. Known for its lush gardens, colorful forests, and mountainous landscapes, there are plenty of day trips that are worth doing around Sapporo.
Personally, I’d recommend Maruyama Park and Horomitoge Garden, both of which are within an hour’s walking distance from Sapporo’s central business district. There, you can find bright pink cherry blossom trees during spring, rusty gold and red leaves during autumn, and gorgeous garden plants all year round!
Sapporo TV Tower
It’s not a complete trip to Sapporo without a selfie in front of the infamous Sapporo TV Tower! Japan has always loved its French culture and architecture, having established countless delicious French-style bakeries, cafés, and Eiffel Tower look-alikes across the nation!
You’ll never lose track of time with the big digital clock that can be seen from Sapporo TV Tower a mile away! I recommend you check it out at night when the bright colors light up to give you a Christmas holiday vibe every day of the year.
The Neon Lights Of Sapporo City
Speaking of bright lights, Sapporo is full of blaring neon broadway signs that light up the city all night long. Countless restaurants, cafés, and karaoke clubs beckon the attention of hundreds and thousands of tourists and locals looking to have a great night.
The great thing about Sapporo is that it offers a more “digestible” version of Tokyo’s largest shopping district Shibuya, given it’s not quite as big and crowded but still delivers a similar lively atmosphere.
Shop At Seicomart!
We’re all familiar with Japan’s many convenience stores like Family Mart, 7-Eleven, and Lawson. In addition to these, Hokkaido has its own exclusive combini branch called Seicomart. You can find countless branches all over Sapporo, offering unique products that aren’t available at other convenience stores.
One of Hokkaido’s specialties is its dairy, with products often labeled as “Hokkaido milk” which is said to offer a fresher taste, creamier texture, and a slight “vanilla” flavor. Seicomart is home to many exclusive products such as Hokkaido milk, Hokkaido ice cream, and Hokkaido butter biscuits; so be sure to try them all when you come to Sapporo!
Of course, if you are planning to visit Japan, you’ll need a way to get around the country as efficiently and affordably as possible. Japan Rail provides an abundance of travel passes to suit your travel needs. So whether you are traveling individually or as a group, the JR Pass is every traveler’s go-to for getting around and making the most of your time in Japan!