My 6 Absolute Favorite Things I Did in Sapporo, Japan!

Looking for fun things to do in Sapporo? Well, there’s certainly no shortage of them, but narrowing it down can be difficult!

So if you need some clarity on the true must-dos in the capital city of Hokkaido, I’m going to share my 6 favorite things I did here. 

Bailey and I have traveled Japan extensively and spent a lot of time in Sapporo. We’ve done way more than 6 things, but we’ve carefully selected our top picks that showcase the best of what the city has to offer. From bar hopping and fun food experiences to extensive sightseeing tours, we’re going to take you through the best things to do in Sapporo. 

1. Sapporo Bar Hopping and Food Tour

Bailey and I had an incredible time on this bar-hopping food tour, hence why it’s my #1 pick for things to do in Sapporo! I would actually recommend booking it as soon as you arrive so that you can get the lay of the land. We went back to the izakayas we visited later on in our trip, and our guide gave us a ton of great recommendations, which helped us to discover even more hidden gems that weren’t in the guidebooks. 

On the night of the tour, we met our guide and fellow participants. Group sizes for this tour are kept really small as izakayas tend to have limited seating, so it was a super personal experience. We went to three izakayas, which were well hidden, and since their signage was in Japanese, we would never have found them on our own. 

We got to have a drink at each stop, and we could choose whatever we liked, but our guide gave us some great recommendations, so we got to try local specialties, including sake, Japanese highballs, and Japanese sours, which are like a more interesting version of vodka, lemon, and soda! We tried tons of different food and bar snacks, too, that we wouldn’t have known to order by ourselves, so it was really worth going with a local guide. We ended the night feeling full and very happy, because this tour is an absolute blast.

2. Soba Noodle Making Class 

What we loved about this noodle-making tour is that it’s a very authentic experience. So if you’re keen to experience local life in Sapporo, then this tour is just the ticket. It was a real highlight of our time in the city! 

The hosts of this tour own a small soba restaurant in the Nishi Ward, which is a super local area. We took the train here because the restaurant is only a 2-minute walk from the station, and it was super easy. Alternatively, it’s a 15-minute taxi ride from the center of Sapporo. 

This is a private experience, so we had our guides’ full attention. They didn’t speak the best English, but knew enough to communicate effectively. We started by hand mixing the dough, and then learned the traditional method for cutting the noodles. After that, our hosts cooked them for us and served them along with a delicious sauce. We left very full and actually skipped dinner that night! 

We also had the option to make tempura. We didn’t choose this, but now, I wish we had! However, we ended up purchasing ready-made tempura vegetables and shrimp to accompany our noodles for 1,000 JPY (around $6 USD). There was tea and beer available to buy, too. 

All in all, this tour was a fun, wholesome, and delicious experience. We would highly recommend it for anyone looking to get off the typical tourist trail. It’s also very family-friendly, so this is our top choice in Sapporo for those traveling with kids! 

3. Private Sightseeing Tour in Sapporo

I think that this sightseeing tour is the best option for those who are short on time. It’s a private full-day tour of Sapporo that ensures you’ll see all of the top sights in one day, so it’s well worth it if you don’t have long here.

And better still, since it’s a private tour, it’s fully customizable, so you get to see what interests you the most. It also offers the chance to take advantage of fun seasonal events, like the famous Sapporo Snow Festival. 

Typically, you’ll be able to hit 3-4 major sights in one day with this tour, and there’s a HUGE list to choose from. Seriously, we were spoiled for choice! So whether you want to enjoy the iconic beer museum, visit a chocolate-themed entertainment park, have fun in the Susukino entertainment district, or get off the beaten path, Sapporo is truly your oyster. 

One thing we really loved about this tour is that our guide spoke fantastic English and was super knowledgeable about the history of Sapporo, so we learned a ton about the city. By the end of the day, we really felt like we knew the place so much better! I would recommend this to anyone who wants to see a lot without a lot of planning and organization involved. 

4. Watch a Sumo Show

If you want a cultural experience in Sapporo that’s fun, authentic, and totally unique, this Sumo Show Experience is such a standout. The event is hosted by an actual geisha, who welcomes you, explains the traditions, and guides you through the show with stories and humor that make the whole thing feel personal and lively.

You’ll watch former sumo wrestlers demonstrate techniques, rituals, and matches up close — and yes, you even get the chance to step into the ring yourself if you’re feeling brave (it makes for hilarious photos!). After the show, you can take pictures with the wrestlers, which is such a fun souvenir.

But here’s the part we really recommend: book the option that includes the meal! You’re served a delicious spread featuring Wagyu beef sukiyaki and crispy tempura, and it truly elevates the experience from “fun show” to “amazing night out.”

If you’re looking for something memorable in Sapporo that blends culture, entertainment, great food, and a whole lot of laughs, this is hands-down one of the best experiences you can book!

5. Private Tour of Nikka Whisky Distillery and Otaru

Sapporo is a fantastic city, but I really think it would be a shame not to get out and explore the wider region. This full-day tour made it so easy, and we like that you can opt for an English-speaking guide if you like, or choose the self-guided option and just enjoy the convenience and flexibility of private transportation. Either way, you’re in for a great time! 

After a seamless pickup at our hotel, our driver took us to the Nikka Distillery, where we took an in-depth tour. The Viator page for this tour states that the distillery visit isn’t included, but it’s actually free of charge! This was one of our favorite parts of the day because the tour was really interactive and we learned a ton about Japanese whisky and got to do a free tasting. 

Then, we continued on to the town of Otaru, which was so beautiful. We loved exploring the cute main street and walking along the canal, as well as the Sankaku Market, where we got to sample fresh seafood. It was a great way to get off the beaten path, and I would definitely recommend booking this tour if you like to get out of the touristy areas and explore more authentic, local spots. We hardly saw any other foreigners all day! 

Related Read: Still need a hotel? Our Where to Stay in Sapporo guide is a must, with advice on which area and hotel to choose.

6. Private Tour of Hokkaido’s Highlights

Hokkaido is one stunning island, and this full-day tour allows you to experience some of the most beautiful spots in just one day. And let me tell you, what a day it was! 

We kicked off the tour with a visit to Asahiyama Zoo, where we loved seeing all of the animals. Then, we went to the Shirogane Blue Pond, which is so beautiful it could honestly rival our beloved Moraine Lake in Canada during the summer. It’s not as bright blue during the winter, but it still looks incredible, as the snow and ice give it a Narnia-esque feel! We also got to visit the dramatic Shirahige Falls, which were also frozen over, but I think that actually made them look even more spectacular. 

We ended the day with a visit to Ningle Terrace, which I can only describe as a fairytale village! It’s filled with log cabins, cute shops, and fairy lights, so we loved strolling around here.

Honestly, this tour delivers a magical day out, and I have to give a special mention to our guide and driver, Kate, who took such great care of us. She was so thoughtful and a really informative guide. We would recommend this tour to anyone, but especially to those who don’t have a ton of time to explore Hokkaido by themselves. The region is just way too beautiful to miss! 

Related Read: For recommendations on how to plan out these and other activities, our 3-day Sapporo itinerary is what we followed on our last trip!

Where to Stay in Sapporo

Now that you know just how much Sapporo has to offer, you’ll want to spend at least a few days here. Luckily, there are a ton of hotels to choose from for all budgets. To help your search, we’ve narrowed it down to our top hotels for a variety of budgets!

JR Tower Hotel – $$$

Location and views are the main reasons for choosing the JR Tower Hotel in Sapporo. It’s located right above JR Station, so it’s super convenient if you’re taking the train to Sapporo. There isn’t much train noise, though, as the rooms are high up, which also means great views. There are also two hotel restaurants on the 35th floor of the tower with panoramic city views.

Rooms are a good size, have AC, and smart TVs with Netflix, which is a nice perk. Nightly rates start around ¥30,000 ($200 USD) and can be booked online.

The b Sapporo – $$

Located in lively Susukino, The b Sapporo is a sleek and modern hotel that makes exploring Sapporo a breeze. Rooms are compact but super functional, with comfy beds, great showers, and extras like mini-fridges and kettles. You’re just a short walk from restaurants, nightlife, and the nearest subway station, so it’s easy to get around. They even offer a tasty breakfast buffet to kickstart your day!

For a clean, stylish, and well-located stay that won’t blow the budget, this is a great pick. Rooms start around ¥15,000 ($100 USD) per night and can be reserved in advance here.

Lamp Light Books Hotel – $

This is the cutest hotel located on top of a bookshop and cafe. Lamp Light Books Hotel is also on a great shopping and eating street right in the heart of Sapporo and only an 800 JPY ($5.50 USD) taxi ride from Sapporo station. The staff is super helpful and speaks great English.

Rooms are spacious for Japan and cozy with a little reading area (in case you buy a book!). Room rates start as low as ¥6,750 per night ($45 USD). Check availability and book here!

Related Read: If an onsen is a must for you (and we can see why!) then our guide on the top onsen hotels around Sapporo will help you find the perfect place!

Thanks for reading!

There’s our short and sweet version of the must-do activities in Sapporo! We loved exploring this city, and these tours really helped us get the most out of our visit the last time we were here. I hope you have as much fun in Sapporo as we did!

For more help planning a trip to Japan, check out our full blog here. We’ve traveled across the country and have lots of tips to share for first-time travelers or those of you lucky enough to come to Japan often!

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