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While the Sapporo area has enough winter attractions to easily fill an itinerary of several days or more, for those short on time, this moderately-paced itinerary offers a taste of some of the city's best wintertime highlights.

This itinerary focuses on Sapporo's biggest winter event, the Sapporo Snow Festival, as well as a day of winter sports at a ski resort, but depending on your timing and preferences, these can be swapped out with other options like a trip to the nearby port town of Otaru, Noboribetsu's hot springs or more time exploring Sapporo's other attractions.

Day 1: Sapporo Snow Festival and Downtown

Start
Start at New Chitose Airport
Take the JR Chitose Line into Sapporo
35 minutes
Sapporo Station
Walk to Odori Park
10 minutes
Sapporo Snow Festival
World famous winter festival 2-3 hours
The Sapporo Snow Festival is Sapporo's most well-known attraction, drawing over two million visitors from around the world each year in early to mid February. The monolithic snow and ice sculptures on display around Odori Park are the festival's main attraction, but local cuisine, live shows and winter sports exhibitions keep the energy high from morning till night throughout the weeklong event.
Walk to Susukino
15 minutes
Ramen Yokocho
Atmospheric ramen shop-lined alley in Susukino 45 minutes
A great place for a hot lunch on a cold winter day, the Susukino neighborhood's Ramen Yokocho is a small alley abuzz with visitors waiting to buy a bowl of the city's famous Sapporo style ramen.
Walk back to Odori Park
15 minutes
Sapporo TV Tower
Tower with a great view over Odori Park 45 minutes
While enjoying the snow festival, the observation deck at the top of the Sapporo TV Tower, located at the east end of Odori Park, offers a great vantage point over the festival festivities—especially at night.
Take the Loop 88 Factory Line to the Sapporo Beer Museum
20 minutes
Sapporo Beer Museum and Beer Garden
1-3 hours
The Sapporo Beer Museum is a popular destination for both beer and history fans which showcases the beverage's history in Japan and offers tastings at the end of the tour. Next to the museum, the Sapporo Beer Garden offers its famed "Genghis Khan" all-you-can-eat/drink mutton and beer dining experience.
Finish

Day 2: Winter Sports and Onsen Resorts

Start
Start in downtown Sapporo
Take a bus to Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort
90 minutes
Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort
Ski Resort with great snow near Sapporo City 4-7 hours
Despite its small size (with only 5 lifts and 7 courses), Sapporo Kokusai is known for receiving huge volumes of powder snow, and is one of Hokkaido's most popular resorts thanks to its close proximity to the city.
Take a bus to Jozankei Onsen
30 minutes
Hot Springs at Jozankei Onsen
Developed hot spring town 90 minutes or overnight stay
By Japan standards, Jozankei's hot springs are relatively new (discovered in just 1866), but the small town has since bubbled into an mini onsen resort town whose hot baths offer a relaxing finish to a day at the nearby slopes.
Finish

Recommended Additions

Otaru Snow Light Path Festival

Niseko

Hotels around Sapporo

Top rated in Sapporo
Budget:
    • Guesthouse OYADO SAPPORO
      Budget-friendly
      Set 6.5 km from Sapporo Station, 10 km from Shin-Sapporo Station and 24 km from Otarushi Zenibako City Center, Guesthouse OYADO SAPPORO offers accommodation situated in Sapporo. Featuring a bar, the 1-star guest house has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. Otaru Station is 40 km from the guest house and Susukino Station is 4 km away. Each unit comes with a safety deposit box and some rooms come with city views. There is a coffee shop and lounge. Sapporo Dome is 4.7 km from the guest house, while Sapporo TV Tower is 4.9 km away. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 14 km from Guesthouse OYADO SAPPORO.
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    • The Base Sapporo Susukino
      Mid-range
      Well located in the Sapporo City Centre district of Sapporo, The Base Sapporo Susukino is located 13 km from Shin-Sapporo Station, 20 km from Otarushi Zenibako City Center and 36 km from Otaru Station. Each accommodation at the 3-star hotel has city views and free WiFi. The property is 2.7 km from Sapporo Station, and within 700 metres of the city centre. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a microwave, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV, a balcony and a private bathroom with a bidet. At The Base Sapporo Susukino each room has bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Susukino Station, Odori Park and Odori Station. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 9 km from The Base Sapporo Susukino.
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    • Shabby House
      Budget-friendly
      Shabby House is a 60-year old traditional Japanese home that is situated in Sapporo. Nishisenjuyojo Station is a 3-minute walk away from the property. The accommodation offers a free shuttle service to the home upon prior request. Shabby House features free WiFi. Guests will find a coffee machine in the room. Bathroom facilities are shared. Free bicycle and umbrella rentals are available on site. There is a 24-hour supermarket behind the property. Sapporo Clock Tower is 2.9 km from Shabby House, while Former Hokkaido Government Office is 2.9 km from the property. Shabby House is 2.5 km from Odori Park. The nearest airport is New Chitose Airport, 40 km from the property.
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    • Ocho Guest House
      Budget-friendly
      Ocho Guest House is located within a 10-minute walk to Horohirabashi subway station and a 5-minute walk from Nakajimakoen Dori tram station. The dormitory rooms are furnished with simple yet stylish interior, and guests have access to the shared kitchen. Free WiFi is available throughout the property. Bunk beds come with reading lights, USB ports, power outlets, personal lockers and curtains to secure privacy. Bathroom facilities are shared with other guests. The kitchen is equipped with an electric kettle, toaster and a coffee maker. There is also a washing machine on site. A simple breakfast consisting of toast, coffee and tea is provided for free. The lively Susukino area can be reached with a 10-minute tram ride, while popular attractions including Odori Park and Sapporo Clock Tower are a 10-minute drive away. The nearest airport is New Chitose Airport, a 60-minute drive from the property.
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    • VILLA KOSHIDO kotoni
      Budget-friendly
      VILLA KOSHIDO kotoni is situated in Sapporo, 15 km from Otarushi Zenibako City Center and 17 km from Shin-Sapporo Station. With free WiFi, this 2-star hotel offers a shared lounge and a 24-hour front desk. The property is non-smoking and is set 5.1 km from Sapporo Station. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a microwave, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV, a balcony and a private bathroom with a bidet. The units feature a wardrobe. Otaru Station is 31 km from VILLA KOSHIDO kotoni, while Former Hokkaid? Government Office is 5 km away. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 8 km from the accommodation.
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    • Sapporo Guest House ˆÁ Anne
      Budget-friendly
      Featuring 1-star accommodation, Sapporo Guest House ˆÁ Anne is set in Sapporo, 14 km from Sapporo Station and 25 km from Otaru Station. The air-conditioned accommodation is 7.7 km from Otarushi Zenibako City Center, and guests can benefit from complimentary WiFi and private parking available on site. The accommodation offers a housekeeping service and bicycle parking for guests. At the guest house, the units have a shared bathroom. A Full English/Irish breakfast is available every morning at the guest house. There is a coffee shop on-site. Skiing is possible within the area and Sapporo Guest House ˆÁ Anne offers ski storage space. Shin-Sapporo Station is 26 km from the accommodation, while Kita-Juni-Jo Station is 13 km away. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 16 km from Sapporo Guest House ˆÁ Anne.
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    • BEACH AND FIELD INN
      Budget-friendly
      Offering quiet street views, BEACH AND FIELD INN is an accommodation set in Sapporo, 3.9 km from Sapporo Station and 10 km from Shin-Sapporo Station. This 2-star guest house offers luggage storage space and a shared lounge. Sapporo Convention Centre is 1 km from the guest house and Naebo Station is 1.5 km away. With a shared bathroom fitted with a bidet and slippers, units at the guest house also feature free WiFi. At the guest house, units are fitted with bed linen and towels. Otarushi Zenibako City Center is 22 km from the guest house, while Otaru Station is 38 km from the property. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 8 km from BEACH AND FIELD INN.
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    • Pirka Sapporo
      Budget-friendly
      Offering quiet street views, Pirka Sapporo is an accommodation located in Sapporo, 2.7 km from Sapporo Station and 12 km from Shin-Sapporo Station. Featuring a shared lounge, the 1-star guest house has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. At the guest house, all units have a tatami. At the guest house, all units are fitted with bed linen and towels. Otarushi Zenibako City Center is 22 km from the guest house, while Otaru Station is 38 km away. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 5 km from Pirka Sapporo.
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    • Hotel Classe Stay Sapporo
      Mid-range
      Conveniently located in the Sapporo City Centre district of Sapporo, Hotel Classe Stay Sapporo is set 12 km from Shin-Sapporo Station, 21 km from Otarushi Zenibako City Center and 37 km from Otaru Station. With a shared lounge, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The property is 2.7 km from Sapporo Station, and within 1 km of the city centre. All guest rooms come with a fridge, microwave, a kettle, a bidet, a hairdryer and a desk. At the hotel all rooms include bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near Hotel Classe Stay Sapporo include Susukino Station, Sapporo TV Tower and Odori Station. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 9 km from the accommodation.
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    • 41 PIECES Sapporo
      Luxury
      Set in the Sapporo City Centre district in Sapporo, 41 PIECES Sapporo offers 4-star rooms with free WiFi. The property is close to several well-known attractions, 800 metres from Sapporo TV Tower, 800 metres from Sapporo Clock Tower and less than 1 km from Former Hokkaid? Government Office. The property is 100 metres from the city centre and 1.9 km from Sapporo Station. All rooms in the hotel are fitted with a kettle. Complete with a private bathroom equipped with a bidet and free toiletries, the units at 41 PIECES Sapporo have a flat-screen TV and air conditioning, and certain rooms will provide you with a terrace. At the accommodation every room includes bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near 41 PIECES Sapporo include Susukino Station, Odori Station and Odori Park. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 9 km from the hotel.
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Experiences around Sapporo

Top rated in Sapporo