By Dan Forteza
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While many travelers see the city of Sapporo as a transit hub to access Hokkaido’s mountains and hot springs, there are enough worthwhile attractions to keep you here for days. Summer is the season for beer and food festivals. In February, despite the harsh cold, Sapporo’s population literally doubles during the famous Festival of Snow and Ice.
But if you only have 2 days in Sapporo and surely don’t want to miss those must-see places in the city, this blog is for you. Here, I’ve put together my do-it-yourself Sapporo itinerary, specifically for budget travelers, which includes Sapporo’s top attractions.
Read also: My 7-day Japan itinerary with cost breakdown
Hi there! First of all, I am Daniel – a solo backpacker from the Philippines. If you don’t know my story yet, feel free to read this article where I talked about how I quit my job in order to travel. This article was also featured on TripZilla Philippines.
WHERE IS SAPPORO?
Sapporo is the largest city on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido. It is also the fifth-largest city of Japan by population. It is about 1-½ hour flight away from Tokyo and could take up to 8 hours if you go by bullet train from Tokyo.
If you go in winter as I did, everything is so white and pristine…a beautiful winter wonderland for people like me who grew up in a tropical country!
Language: Japanese
Currency: Japanese Yen (JPY)
Airport: CTS
Preferred mode of transportation: Trams / Subway
Time Zone: GMT +9
HOW I GOT THERE:
Coming from Tokyo, I bought a cheap flight ticket to Sapporo via Jetstar Air. It was actually much cheaper (and of course way faster) than going by a bullet train. There are a lot of economy flights going to Sapporo so it’s better if you go by plane.
I suggest you check Kayak (click HERE) as they usually offer cheap fare rates compared to other booking sites.
Read also: My 5-Day Itinerary in Tokyo On A Budget.
HOW TO GET AROUND?
- Subways and Trams are the best way to get around Sapporo. But as I mentioned in my budget travel tips blog – “walk as much as you can!”
- Subway – Sapporo has three subway lines that can take you to many places throughout the city. Fares are generally anywhere from 200 yen to 360 yen per ride, depending on how far you’re going. Tickets can be purchased at vending machines outside the stations.
- Trams or Streetcars – Sapporo’s tram network is one of the city’ more unique transportation methods. With only about seven minutes between each streetcar, it is one of the fastest ways for you to get around some areas of town. The fare is only 200 yen, so it’s a reasonable alternative to subways or trains.
If you already have a prepaid Suica card, you can still use it in Sapporo to pay for transport. If you haven’t, you can buy a Suica card online at GoVoyagin.com for pickup at Narita or Haneda airport.
TIP: Your navigation would be much easier if you are using Google Maps. Google Maps was my savior in Sapporo! In Japan, it is very reliable and accurate. If you’re looking for travel directions, it will give you all different options and how much it will cost for each option. You can either buy a sim card here or rent a pocket wifi here for pick-up at various airports across Japan.
WHERE DID I STAY?
I arrived at New Chitose Airport (CTS) at around 8:00 AM from a 1-½-hour flight from Tokyo. Outside CTS airport, there are buses departing every 15-20 minutes from about 5:30 am to 10:30 pm. Taking a bus is the cheapest option (costing JPY 1,030) and take about an hour to downtown Sapporo with stopovers from various stations and hotels around the city.
- So I then took the airport shuttle bus to go downtown Sapporo at Minami 3 Jo Susukino stop where my hostel is about 2-3 minute walk.
- Bus ticket from CTS airport to Minami 3 Jo Susukino – 1,030 JPY (9.7 USD)
- Capsule Inn Sapporo: 2-night stay (click here to book)
- Hostel room type: Capsule Type Bed
- Hostel rate: 2,500 JPY (23 USD) per night
- Important: This hostel is for MEN only
NOTE: There were no private bathrooms in the hostel, only the so-called indoor ONSEN. As a foreigner, it was a bit strange for me to strip off naked and bathe side by side with other people. But at the end of the day, it was a unique yet memorable experience I would treasure! Don’t worry, cameras are not allowed inside the onsen bathroom. Keep in mind also the Onsen etiquette in the photo below.
You can book a room at any Sapporo hotel through Agoda or Booking.com. I usually book my room accommodations through booking.com. Room accommodation ranges from cheap hostels to luxury hotels. Book hostels through booking.com as they have free cancellation or pay-at-the-hotel option.
If Sapporo hostel isn’t to your liking, try AirBnb. Airbnbs are immersed in neighborhoods, condos, and townhomes. There is a feeling you get when you stay in an Airbnb that makes you feel like you belong in that city or town. Since it is someone’s home, there is a certain amount of pride you feel while staying there. I have used Airbnb on some of my other trips and I loved it!
If you’re new to AirBnB, then you can get up to 42 USD free travel credit by signing up via this link.
MY 2-DAY SAPPORO ITINERARY
DAY 1:
1st Stop: SUSUKINO
Susukino is a vibrant and busy pocket of Sapporo. This is also called the downtown of Sapporo. Around Susukino, there are plenty of restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and shopping centers. There is a subway stop here and an underground passageway connecting you to Odori Park and other parts of the city. I spent most of my time in this area since it is closed to my hostel, Odori park, and the TV tower.
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- Duration (getting there + visiting): 2 hours
- Nearest train / tram station: Susukino station
2nd Stop: Tanukikoji Shopping Street
Located between Odori Park and Susukino, this above-ground but covered shopping street is a number of blocks long. So if you’re going to Odori Park from Susukino by foot as I did, you’ll pass Tanukikoji Shopping Street. This place is full of bars, food shops, game arcades, souvenir shop, animal cafe, drugstores, and everything! Perfect to buy some cheap souvenirs haha!
- Duration (getting there + visiting): 2 hours
- Nearest train / tram station: Tanukikoji station
3rd Stop: Odori Park
In summer, this park is beautifully decorated with flowers and fountains. In winter, it becomes spectacular because of the famous Yuki Matsuri, the Festival of Snow and Ice. However, when I visited in late February, the festival had just ended and the park was still covered in snow.
- Duration (getting there + visiting): 1 hour
- Nearest train station: Odori Station
4th Stop: Sapporo TV Tower
You should definitely visit this TV tower as it is one of the main landmarks in Sapporo. The tower is located along Odori Park, and from its observatory deck, you can enjoy panoramic views of Sapporo City and the park below. You can buy tickets here in advance.
- Duration (getting there + visiting): 1 hour
- Nearest train / tram station: Odori station
DAY 2:
5th Stop: Sapporo Tram Ride
Riding the tram in Sapporo was an interesting experience since Tokyo does not have streetcars. Unlike the subway, the tram lets you enjoy the sights and sounds of the city while traveling. The fare was also very affordable at only 200 Yen. The tram’s circular loop brought me around Sapporo and eventually to my next destination — Fushimi Inari Shrine.
NOTE: On weekends and holidays, they offer the special Dosanko Pass, which gives unlimited rides for one day for only 360 Yen. Children can also ride free when accompanied by an adult carrying the pass.
- Duration (getting there + visiting): 1 hour
6th Stop: Fushimi Inari Shrine
Visiting this shrine requires a short uphill hike from the nearby tram stop. The area is peaceful and scenic, especially during winter when the falling snow creates a beautiful atmosphere. The long row of torii gates at the entrance was especially memorable and provided plenty of great photo opportunities.
- Duration (getting there + visiting): 2 hours
- Nearest train station: Nishisen Juroku Jo station
7th Stop: Sapporo Clock Tower
A Japanese friend once told me that the Sapporo Clock Tower is Hokkaido’s most famous landmark because it is one of the oldest structures in the region. Built in 1878 during the early development of Sapporo, the tower stands just about 200 meters from Odori Park.
There is an entrance fee to go inside, but I decided to admire it from outside. Honestly, taking a good photo with the clock tower was enough for me!
- Duration (getting there + visiting): 1 hour
- Nearest train station: Odori station
8th Stop: Mt. Moiwa
The viewpoint at Mt. Moiwa offers one of the best panoramic views of Sapporo City and Ishikari Bay. This is definitely something you should not miss while in Sapporo.
Using Google Maps directions, you can hike for a little over an hour from Ropeway Iriguchi station through a well-marked trail lined with Buddhist statues. However, be extra careful during winter because the trail can become heavily covered in snow.
If you prefer not to hike, you can take a shuttle bus instead. From Ropeway Iriguchi tram stop, walk about 3 minutes to the free shuttle bus going to the cable car station. From there, two cable cars will bring you to the summit: one to the halfway station with a gift shop, and another to the top where you’ll find an observatory deck and café.
You can also book a Sapporo Night Tour here.
- Duration (getting there + visiting): 3–4 hours
- Nearest tram station: Ropeway Iriguchi station
What do you think of this 2-day Sapporo itinerary?
I hope that you find this 2-DAY SAPPORO ITINERARY useful!
There are other awesome (and cheap!) Sapporo tours available at Viator Sapporo.
If you have more days to spend in Sapporo, you can also include these places in your itinerary:
- Hokkaidō Shrine
- Jozankei Onsen Hot Spring
- Maruyama-koen Park
- Shikotsu-Tōya National Park
- Moerenuma Park
- Sapporo Beer Museum
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask in the comment section below.
BOOKING ESSENTIALS
- Hotel / Hostel
- Booking.com — I usually book my hostel accommodations through Booking.com. Room accommodations range from budget hostels to luxury hotels, and many properties offer free cancellation or pay-at-the-hotel options.
- Airbnb — Try Airbnb for cozy and comfortable rooms during your Sapporo trip. I’ve used Airbnb on several of my travels and loved the experience!
Have you tried Airbnb? Sign up using my link and get up to 42 USD (2,200 PHP) off your first stay. Click this link to claim the discount.
- Flights
- KAYAK — Most of my flight bookings are through KAYAK, one of the world’s leading travel search engines.
I suggest checking KAYAK (HERE) since they often offer cheaper fares compared to other booking websites.
- Sapporo Package Tours
- Viator — One of the leading resources for finding and booking travel experiences around the world.
Click here to find the best Viator deals in Sapporo.
Dan Travels 