This year for Christmas my husband wanted to go somewhere warm while I wanted to go somewhere snowy. We are very accommodating in our marriage so we decided to split the difference and ended up in Sapporo, the second snowiest city in the world. ;)
My first thought after arriving in the city was “my husband is going to kill me”. We had a “short” 8 minute walk to our hotel, except we had to drag all of our luggage through 5 inches of solid ice and snow. I thought for sure the wheels were going to fall off our brand new suitcases lol.
A few things to know if you are planning to visit around New Years –
Oh, and if you’re wondering what New Year’s Eve in Japan is like—basically, everything shuts down, and people just go home. We had such a hard time finding places open to eat! The few places that were open had insane lines.
14 Best Things to do in Sapporo
1. Take photos at the Iconic Nikka Whiskey Sign
When I think of Sapporo, one iconic image immediately comes to mind: the Nikka Whiskey Sign. Located in the Susukino District—my favorite part of the city—this landmark is impossible to miss.
Best Views of the Nikka Whiskey Sign
1. Right in Front of McDonald’s – The most popular spot is right in front of the McDonald’s (exact location here). Yeah, it’s usually packed with people taking selfies, but there’s enough space to move around. The best part? I didn’t have to wait in any crazy lines, which is a win in my book because I hate waiting around for photos. Even though there were swarms of people around at night all taking selfies, there is plenty of space for spots to clear up quickly.
One of my favorite photos from the whole trip was taken right in front of the McDonald’s. It just perfectly captures that wintery vibe of Susukino.
2. Second Floor of Cocono Susukino Shopping Center – For a different angle, I headed to the second floor of the Cocono Susukino Shopping Center (exact location here).
You don’t even need to go inside the mall—just take the outdoor stairs up to the second level, and you’ll see the spot right away.
When I was there at the end of December and early January, this spot was totally empty. But when I came back a few weeks later in mid-January, it was packed, especially at night. So, if you’re visiting during a busy time, be ready for a bit of a wait.
Tip – If you don’t care about getting that exact shot I recommend going up the stairs to the right of the line. It is basically the same view but with no wait and no crowds.
3. Inside McDonalds (Second Floor)
Okay, this one’s a hidden gem. If you’re freezing your butt off (because, let’s be real, Sapporo winters are no joke), head inside McDonald’s, grab a coffee or whatever, and go up to the second floor.
I ended up hanging out here a bunch just to warm up, and the views are so good.
On a snowy day, it’s like your own little cozy postcard moment. Plus, you can snap some cool shots of the Nikka Whiskey Sign through the windows without turning into an icicle.
2. Eat at Ramen Alley
If you love ramen, you have to visit Ramen Alley in Sapporo. This spot is known as the birthplace of miso ramen, a local specialty.
Unlike the soy sauce or tonkotsu-based ramen found throughout Japan, miso ramen has a rich, slightly sweet, and deeply savory broth made from fermented soybean paste. It’s heartier and bolder in flavor, perfect for Sapporo’s colder climate.
The alley is lined with small ramen shops serving up steaming bowls of Ramen.
One of my favorites is Shirakaba Sansou—definitely worth a stop! Plus, this area is super photogenic, so don’t forget to snap some pictures.
The lines in Ramen Alley can get pretty out of control. So if you find yourself not wanting to wait to eat I highly recommend checking out the restaurant directly next door, SHO-RIN Susukino. I feel like it gets overlooked just because of its location, but it’s a hidden gem!
3. Visit Susukino Street
Susukino in the winter is magic. Even when it’s freezing, the place is alive—people hopping between izakayas, steam pouring out of food stalls, and taxis sliding by on icy roads.
It’s the kind of place where you can wander with no plan, stop for a drink, and end up eating the best bowl of ramen of your life at 2 a.m.
4. Tanukikoji Shopping Street
This covered shopping street stretches for several blocks and is packed with cool shops, restaurants, and souvenir stands. You’ll find everything from traditional sweets and quirky fashion to duty-free items, making it a great spot for gift shopping or grabbing a quick street food snack.
I didn’t do a ton of shopping here, but one of my hotels was on the other side of Tanukikoji, so I had to walk through it every day to get to the Susukino district. By the end of my trip, I felt like I knew every shop along the way! It’s a fun and lively place to explore, even if you’re just passing through.
This covered shopping street stretches for several blocks and is full of cool shops, restaurants, and souvenir stands. You can find everything from traditional sweets to quirky fashion and duty-free items.
It’s also a great spot for picking up gifts or grabbing a quick street food snack. I didn’t do a ton of shopping here but one of the hotels I stayed in required me to walk through Tanukikoji street to get to Susukino Street so I ended up walking up and down this covered shopping street every day.
5. Check out the views from JR Tower Observation Deck
One of the best views in Sapporo is from the JR Tower Observation Deck. It’s the tallest building in the city, and from the 38th floor, you get an incredible 360-degree view of Sapporo and the surrounding mountains.
To get there, you’ll need to head to the 6th floor of JR Tower, where you can buy tickets for about $4.80 USD. Once you have your ticket, take the elevator behind the reservation desk straight up to the top.
Before you commit, there’s a live webcam at the ticket counter that shows the current weather conditions from the deck—super helpful if you want clear views.
The observation area itself is spacious and has plenty of seating, making it a great spot to relax and take in the scenery.
There’s even a little café where you can grab a hot cocoa for $3 USD or other drinks, soups, and snacks, all at reasonable prices. I actually wrote part of this guide while sitting up here, sipping my cocoa and enjoying the views! If you’re visiting Sapporo, this is definitely a must-do—whether it’s your first time or your second.
6. Visit Nijo Market
If you’re planning a trip to Sapporo and love food (who doesn’t?), Nijo Market should absolutely be on your itinerary. Located just a short walk from Odori Park it is pretty convenient to get there from most of town.
My hotel was about a 15 minute walk away so I ended up visiting a few times during my stay. I really enjoyed taking film pics here.
7. Eat one last bowl of soup curry (My favorite dish from Hokkaido)
Instead of ramen, they serve another local specialty—soup curry loaded with meat and vegetables. My favorite Soup Curry restaurant in Sapporo was SHO-RIN Susukino.
It was so good that I ended up eating there multiple times during my stay. The staff seemed genuinely shocked to see me show up every day—I’m guessing it’s not common in Japan to eat at the same place daily. Oops. 😂
Tip – Make sure you have plenty of cash! A lot of the restaurants only accept cash.
8. Take a bath…in public
The Japanese love their baths and public bathing is thriving in the north. I felt a little deceived when my husband and I thought our hotel had a hot tub—only to realize it was actually a public bath. And yes, you have to be naked to get in. But hey, its all part of the experience.
But in Japan, it is totally normal and they are popular!
Every single hotel I stayed in in Hokkaido offered a “spa” aka public bath.
9. Escape the cold in Pole Town
Pole Town is this cool underground shopping arcade that stretches beneath the city’s streets, connecting major spots like Sapporo Station and Odori Park.
It’s basically a maze of shops, cafes, and restaurants, all tucked away from the cold (or rain, depending on the season). You will see entrances all over town.
I love it because it’s perfect for shopping or grabbing a bite without worrying about the weather. Plus, it’s got this retro, old-school vibe that makes it feel like a hidden gem.
One of our favorite Vietnamese Restaurants was in here. It was called Saigon Fresh. Highly recommend checking it out if you are looking for somewhere healthy, gluten and dairy free to eat. They have options for you! And they take cards!
If you’re in Sapporo and need a break from the elements, Pole Town is the place to wander!
10. Visit the Red Light District
Sapporo’s red-light district, mainly located around Susukino, is known for its vibrant nightlife scene. It’s packed with bars, clubs, hostess clubs, and karaoke joints.
While it has a reputation for being a bit more on the wild side, it’s also a place where you can experience the city’s unique nightlife culture.
11. Mount Moiwa
Visiting Mount Moiwa is another must see in Sapporo. The ropeway ride to the top costs 2,300 JPY, and the views are absolutely worth it.
To get there, take the Sapporo City Streetcar to Ropeway Iriguchi Stop, then either hop on the free shuttle bus (just a two-minute ride) or walk about eight minutes to the ropeway station.
I highly recommend going just before sunset—that way, you get to see Sapporo in daylight, during golden hour, and all lit up at night. The view from the top is stunning, and if you’re with someone special, don’t forget to ring the Happiness Bell for good luck in love!
12. Ride the Noria Ferris Wheel
Riding the Noria Ferris Wheel in Susukino is such a cool way to see Sapporo from above, especially at night!
It’s actually on top of the Norbesa building, which makes it even taller than your average Ferris wheel.
The ride is super chill and smooth, giving you plenty of time to take in the city lights and mountain views. Plus, the gondolas are enclosed, so it’s a great year-round activity—even in the middle of winter.
Tickets are around 900 JPY (about $6 USD), and you can grab them right at the entrance. Since it’s open late, it’s perfect to do after dinner or drinks in Susukino. If you’re looking for a cool way to see the city, this is definitely worth checking out!
13. Sapporo Munich Christmas Market
If you’re in Sapporo during the holiday season, the Sapporo Munich Christmas Market in Odori Park is a must-visit.
It runs from late November until Christmas and brings a little bit of Germany to Hokkaido.
You’ll find stalls selling bratwurst, pretzels, mulled wine, and all kinds of cute Christmas decorations and gifts. The whole place feels super festive with twinkling lights, holiday music, and a cozy winter vibe. It’s the perfect spot to grab a hot drink, wander around, and soak up the Christmas spirit!
14. Sapporo White illumination
The Sapporo White Illumination is pure winter magic! Held at the same time as the Sapporo Munich Christmas Market, this event transforms Odori Park and parts of the city into a glowing wonderland.
Thousands of twinkling lights and illuminated displays create a dreamy atmosphere, making it the perfect spot for a winter stroll.
It’s completely free to visit, and with the Christmas market right there, you can sip on some mulled wine or hot cocoa while taking in the lights. Whether you’re snapping photos or just enjoying the festive vibes, this is one of the best ways to experience winter in Sapporo!
Spots in Sapporo that are often recommended as “must-sees” but aren’t worth the visit, in my opinion:
- Sapporo Clock Tower – You will see it anyway but it really isn’t noteworthy.
- Sapporo Tv tower – Also, not worth going out of your way to check out.