Sapporo is a winter wonderland, but that doesn’t mean it can’t also be a summer sensation! Here are 5 fun things to do in Hokkaido’s capital!
Summer is well upon us in the Land of the Rising Sun, and for those lucky (or unlucky) to be there at this time of year, you’ll understand the sheer humidity that extracts all your sweat like a vampire! Fortunately, the northern island of Hokkaido suffers a little, actually, a lot less in terms of heat and humidity. This is because of its higher altitudes and proximity to the Siberian winds, which can freeze your socks off! As such, the weather in summer is actually quite nice, with temperatures and climates that feel more like a breezy spring.
Smell the summer flowers!
Summer is a time when beautiful flower gardens sprout up all across Hokkaido, likely due to the ideal climate for floral growth. Places like the Horomitoge Lavender Garden and Odori Park in Sapporo are local favorites for flower garden viewing. You may even catch a few cherry blossom trees lingering around the early summer due to their later bloom in the region. Impressively, many of Sapporo’s high altitude mountains still remain snow-capped even throughout summer, a sign of the city’s much cooler summer temperatures compared to the central and southern parts of Japan.
Cool off with Hokkaido dairy
Sapporo is home to Japan’s exclusive Seicomart convenience store. Stocked to the brim with premium dairy products sourced from the world-famous dairy farms of Hokkaido, you best believe these milk treats are the creamiest and richest you’ll ever taste! In particular, I vouch for Hokkaido’s cheese ice cream range, which offers the sweet taste of creamy milk and the slight savory tang of cheese (think of a cheesecake ice cream!).
Find cool air at Mt. Moiwa’s summit!
Perhaps the best free observatory point in all of Sapporo is the breathtaking view from Mt. Moiwa‘s summit! You can get here via a 2-3 hour hike or cable cars, though I would recommend the hike for a more rewarding experience. At the top are various souvenir shops selling local delicacies of Hokkaido such as okaki (cheese rice crackers) and delicious chocolates and candy. If it’s a hot day, you’d probably crave a refreshing drink from the vending machines or cafe and restaurants available in the vicinity.
Stroll around Sapporo City at night!
If you really want to stay out of the heat for good, try going for an evening stroll around Sapporo City. While the daytime is already quite pleasant, the night can get even cooler to the extent that you’ll find yourself wearing a jacket in the summer! Beyond that, Sapporo is such a beautiful city when the sun goes down and the city lights go up. From the romantic Sapporo TV Tower to the big Nikka sign, it really is a dazzling atmosphere for a leisurely walk.
Feast on the best sushi in town!
Whether you go to Toriton or, my personal favorite, Matsuriya Yamahana, so long as you’re in Hokkaido, the land of seafood, you’re guaranteed a premium sashimi experience! The raw fish at these surprisingly affordable establishments is truly unbelievable in its marbling, freshness, and aesthetics. Dare I say, a standard plate of salmon sashimi nigiri has perhaps twice the amount of fish you’d get at a standard sushi joint like Kura or Sushiro.
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