Sapporo, Hokkaido: Visiting in Spring-Summer
The last stop on our Japan itinerary was Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island. Most travelers associate Sapporo with ski slopes and winter festivals, and for good reason. The city became world-renowned after hosting the 1972 Winter Olympics and ranks as one of the snowiest cities on the planet. But this isn't just any snow - it's 'japow,' Japan's famous powder snow, formed by Hokkaido's unique weather conditions. That's the winter wonderland Hokkaido is known for.
We visited Sapporo, Hokkaido in spring and got a different perspective on the region. Wondering when the best time to visit is? In the spring, you’ll enjoy cherry blossoms, while in summer, lavender fields are in bloom. The fruit-picking season starts in the summer and stretches into fall when the landscape is set ablaze with fall colors. In short, Hokkaido has something to offer year-round, depending on your preferences.
Contrary to popular belief, there are many things to do in Sapporo. But the most extraordinary Hokkaido attractions lie outside the city. We also quickly discovered that Hokkaido is a foodie paradise, rivaling Osaka for the title of Japan's culinary capital, known for its dairy, fruit, and seafood. Even Sapporo's airport duty-free shop sells fresh seafood and whole melons to take home as souvenirs!
For us, Sapporo, Hokkaido stood out as a Japan bucket list-worthy destination, and we hope this guide to visiting Sapporo, Hokkaido in spring and summer convinces you to add it to yours.
9 Amazing Sapporo, Hokkaido Attractions
Sapporo TV Tower
Standing 483 feet tall, the Sapporo TV Tower might not be the city's highest point, but it's a classic built in 1957 that resembles Tokyo Tower. It offers panoramic views of Sapporo's city center, Odori Park, and the surrounding mountains. After taking in the view from the observation deck, a stroll through Odori Park is a must. The park runs through the middle of the city and in spring and summer is alive with food carts and fountains. Throughout the year, it hosts awesome festivals, including the famous snow festival in February, the lilac festival from May to June, and the beer and music festivals from July onwards. Check out the full list on the Sapporo Travel Page.
Clock Tower
Just a short walk from Odori Park is the Clock Tower, one of Sapporo's iconic landmarks. Built in 1878, it features a clock imported from Boston and a small museum on the building's history. The design is reminiscent of the American Midwest, a nod to Sapporo's early development under American influence. This explains not only the city's grid layout but also why parts of Hokkaido's countryside, where agriculture and cattle farming were established by the U.S., might feel unexpectedly familiar.
Sapporo Beer Museum
Japan's beer scene is dominated by three names: Asahi, Kirin, and Sapporo. You drink Asahi while in Osaka, Kirin in Tokyo, and Sapporo, well...you get it! While Asahi might be more famous worldwide, Hokkaido is the birthplace of beer in Japan, making a visit to the Sapporo Beer Museum a must. Housed in a former brewery from the Meiji period, the museum offers an overview of the history of beer in Japan, preparation methods, and tastings, of course.
Mount Moiwa
On the edge of Sapporo, Mount Moiwa is a small mountain topped with an observation deck that offers one of Japan's best night views. It's a popular place to greet the sunset and stay after dark. Take the ropeway that leads to the viewpoint; alternatively, it’s an easy hike up the mountain through Moiwa Primeval Forest, which was designated Hokkaido’s first natural monument in 1921.
The Golden Triangle of Sapporo
While researching Sapporo city attractions, we learned that the best food in the city is found within three points: Nijo Market, Tanukikoji shopping arcade, and Susukino entertainment district. The points form a triangle on the map, which we made sure to end up in whenever we got hungry.
Now, Hokkaido cuisine has a few pillars you must experience – seafood, ramen, dairy, and fruit. In Meiji-era Nijo Market, you can grab a seafood breakfast bowl of crab, salmon eggs, sea urchin, tuna, and whatever else you fancy on a bed of rice. Then satisfy your sweet tooth with the most perfect-looking grapes and Hokkaido’s iconic juicy melons. Don’t be surprised by the price tag!
Tanukikoji shopping arcade is a covered shopping street lined with souvenir shops, karaoke, games, and eateries. Basically, a hub of Japanese fun that resembles the Akihabara neighborhood in Tokyo. While here, try the iconic Hokkaido soft serve and Shime parfait, normally eaten at the end of the meal, but rules are meant to be broken, right? Plus, this way, you’ll be sure to beat the queues that form in the evening.
Genghis Khan is an intimate venue specializing in grilled mutton. Here is another fun fact for you: Hokkaido is one of the few places in Japan where sheep are raised. And given Japan’s history of being invaded by Mongolia and mutton associated with it, you get Mongolian BBQ named no other than Genghis Khan. After eating Mongolian hot pot in China, it was interesting to taste traces of history that date back to the late thirteenth century in modern-day Japan. The restaurant is izakaya style, meaning you sit by the bar, eat, and go. It’s perfect for a quick lunch.
Susukino is packed with entertainment best enjoyed later in the day when it gets lively. The highlight here is Sapporo’s Ramen Alley where you’ll find one noodle shop after another lining the narrow lane. The thing to try here is Hokkaido-style ramen that’s miso-heavy and comes topped with sweet corn kernels and a cube of butter. It’s thick, creamy, and rich in flavor to combat Hokkaido’s climate. Each ramen store has a unique style so browse the photos on the windows, follow the lines, and your nose.
Sapporo City Parks
Visiting Hokkaido in spring and summer means prime hanami season – the Japanese custom of enjoying the fleeting beauty of flowers. Thanks to Hokkaido’s unique climate, the cherry blossom season is a little delayed; it peaks in May instead of April for the rest of Japan. Since Hokkaido is far less crowded, your experience will be more enjoyable.
Maruyama Park is one of the best places for viewing cherry blossoms in Sapporo. It also features the Hokkaido Jingu shrine and a virgin forest that has been designated a natural monument. Nakajima Park is an urban oasis with beautiful natural scenery that includes glimpses of the concrete jungle around it. On the grounds, you’ll also find Hoheikan, a Western-style hotel that welcomed special guests in the late 19th century.
Moerenuma Park, located thirty minutes from Sapporo, is a different kind of park. Rather, it’s a landscape sculpture project built on reclaimed ground and designed by Isamu Noguchi to celebrate the four seasons. At first glance, it’s a barren space, but first looks can be deceiving. The vast park is home to a hill that resembles the Windows screen saver on a clear day, a glass pyramid, fountain shows, art installations, and so much more. Multipurpose art you can enjoy all year round. A visit to Moerenuma Park makes for a perfect day trip from Sapporo. Be sure to rent a bicycle and grab a picnic.
Sapporo Art Park, on the other hand, weaves art installations into a forest to activate your senses. If you find hiking a bore, this park will surely change your mind. Not only can you go on a scavenger hunt for 70 art objects around the park, but you can also participate in workshops and create something yourself, be it pottery, dyeing, weaving, or woodworking. It's a fun way to spend the day if you are looking for things to do in Sapporo.
Makomanai Takino Cemetery
A thirty-minute drive from the city, this cemetery hosts some of the most striking Hokkaido attractions. Firstly, the Hill of Buddha. This impressive 44-foot Buddha statue designed by architect Tadao Ando is hidden within a dome, revealed only after you walk through a water hall and an echo tunnel. As you approach, you only see the tip of Buddha's head peeking from the dome. This is designed to heighten your senses and build anticipation. During the summer, lavender fields bloom around the dome, adding to the ethereal atmosphere.
The other two unusual attractions are 40 moai statues and a Stonehenge replica also designed by Tadao Ando to commemorate ancestors. These are actually the first things you see upon arrival at the cemetery, which can be a tad perplexing, especially for those who solely came for the Hill of Buddha, unaware that these exist.
Niseko
About two hours from Sapporo, Niseko is a famous ski destination with stunning views of Mount Yotei that resemble Fuji. In warmer months, Niseko offers activities and outdoor adventures including hiking, rafting, and golfing. But we came to see the Mountain Lights. It’s a large-scale art installation held from July to October at Niseko Hanazono Resort. The creator, British artist Bruce Munro, was inspired by fire and the indigenous Ainu people of Hokkaido. From afar, the lights are arranged into patterns and look like trails of fireflies. You can step into the fairytale by walking the paths along the patterns. The most magical part is taking the gondola and seeing the lights from above. Every year the exhibition grows, so hopefully there's something new and exciting when you come to see it.
Furano
There is no better place to indulge in hanami in the summer than the lavender fields in Hokkaido. They’ve been around since the 1940s and have evolved from agricultural production to major tourist attractions, especially the fields of Furano with a variety of flowers. Starting in late June, farms like Tomita gear up with lavender ice cream and tractors to tow cars full of tourists around the fields for photo ops. If you prefer to fly solo, be sure to rent a bike.
Nearby you’ll find Tomita Melon House, a market dedicated to melons. They are round, perfectly colored, unbruised, and ripe, so it’s hard to believe they are edible. If you prefer to pluck the fruit from the source, Furano is home to melon and cherry farms where you can harvest your own goods, and where fruit prices are not so steep. For something a little closer to Sapporo, visit Jozankei Fruit Theme Park.
Just a tad further north, you’ll reach Hinode Lavender Garden. This is the place to end your day to admire the lavender field illuminations that happen here in July for the Kamifurano Lavender Festival, which lasts two weeks and is not to be missed.
Biei Hills
Located near Furano, the Biei Hills are also home to multicolored flower fields often referred to as 'patchwork' because they resemble a patch quilt when in full bloom. One additional Hokkaido attraction here is Blue Pond, made famous when it became an Apple Mac wallpaper. The pond was created to control mudslides from the nearby mountain and ended up collecting minerals that resulted in the unique turquoise color. Put your skills to the test by photographing it too.
And there we have it! With Hokkaido being the last stop on our Japan itinerary, we head off to Korea. Check out our resources to finish planning your bucket list trip to Japan.