Sapporo
Sapporo is the capital and largest city of Hokkaido, known for miso ramen, Sapporo beer and the February Snow Festival.
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Sapporo is the capital of Hokkaido Prefecture and the largest city on Hokkaido, the northernmost of Japan's four main islands. It sits on the Ishikari Plain in the southwest of the island and is the largest city north of Tokyo. The core was laid out on a grid of streets modeled on Kyoto. Odori Park runs east to west through the middle, dividing the government and office district to the north from Susukino, the entertainment district to the south. Sapporo hosted the 1972 Winter Olympics, the first Winter Olympics held in Asia.
Miso ramen and winter snow are the two things Sapporo is best known for. The city is regarded as the birthplace of miso ramen, and soup curry and jingisukan, lamb grilled at the table, are local dishes. The Snow Festival runs in February, mainly at Odori Park, and draws more than 2 million visitors. Summers are warm and humid but not oppressively hot, which suits time outdoors and the summer beer garden in Odori Park.
Sapporo in five
- Book Snow Festival rooms months aheadThe festival runs eight days in early February (4–11 Feb in 2027 per the city listing). Hotels near Odori fill first, so lock the room before flights.Sapporo Snow Festival
- Take the Rapid Airport train from New ChitoseIt reaches Sapporo Station in about 37 minutes and runs all day. Buy an IC card at the airport or tap a contactless card where accepted; cash still helps at small ramen counters.
- Base near Sapporo Station or OdoriBoth sit on the Namboku subway line, one stop apart, with Susukino one more stop south. Pick by whether your evenings are ramen and bars or trains and shopping.Where to stay in Sapporo
- Visit the Beer Museum before 6pmIt is free to enter, open 11:00–18:00 and closed on Mondays (Tuesday after a holiday). Tastings and guided tours cost extra; check the official page for the tour booking.
- Skip the JR Pass for a Sapporo-only tripSapporo, Otaru and Noboribetsu cost little by single ticket. Consider a JR Hokkaido pass only if you chain several long limited express rides.Is the JR Pass worth it?
Things to do in Sapporo
See all attractions in Sapporo
Need to know
- Getting there
- New Chitose (CTS), Rapid Airport to Sapporo, about 37 min
- Getting around
- Three subway lines, trams and JR; the center is walkable
- Best base
- Sapporo Station or Odori; Susukino for nightlife
- Time needed
- 2–3 days; add 1 day each for Otaru and Noboribetsu
- Accommodation tax
- ¥300, ¥400 or ¥1,000 per person, per night (city plus Hokkaido), from April 2026 Read more
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Festival
- Best
- Good
- Poor
- JanuarySnow16 rainy days6 snowy daysHigh-3°Low-9°Snow, coldJanuarySnow
Poor
- High
- -3°
- Low
- -9°
- Precipitation
- 73 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 6
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, cold
- FebruarySnow16 rainy days6 snowy daysHigh-2°Low-9°Snow FestivalFebruarySnow
Poor
- High
- -2°
- Low
- -9°
- Precipitation
- 70 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 6
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow Festival
- MarchSnow13 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh3°Low-4°Melting snowMarchSnow
Poor
- High
- 3°
- Low
- -4°
- Precipitation
- 80 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 5
- Days with storms
- 0
Melting snow
- AprilRain12 rainy daysHigh11°Low2°Cool, blossom lateAprilRain
Good
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 89 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, blossom late
- MayRain13 rainy daysHigh17°Low7°Blossom, lilacMayRain
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 97 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Blossom, lilac
- JuneRain13 rainy daysHigh20°Low12°Yosakoi, mildJuneRain
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 127 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Yosakoi, mild
- JulyPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh25°Low17°Warm, dryJulyPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 140 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, dry
- AugustRain16 rainy daysHigh25°Low18°Beer gardensAugustRain
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 206 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Beer gardens
- SeptemberRain12 rainy daysHigh21°Low14°Autumn FestSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 132 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn Fest
- OctoberRain14 rainy daysHigh14°Low7°Autumn colorOctoberRain
Good
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 122 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn color
- NovemberRain17 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh7°Low0°First snowNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 128 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
First snow
- DecemberSnow17 rainy days6 snowy daysHigh-1°Low-6°IlluminationsDecemberSnow
Poor
- High
- -1°
- Low
- -6°
- Precipitation
- 84 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 6
- Days with storms
- 0
Illuminations
Average daily high and low in Sapporo, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Festivals: Jul Pacific Music Festival
Right now in Sapporo
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
3
- Feels like
- 0°
- Humidity
- 91%
- Wind
- 9 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 38%
Sapporo
06:56 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today8°2°38%Tuesday: Snow. High 8°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 38%.
- Wed8°1°100%Wednesday: Snow. High 8°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Thu14°1°58%Thursday: Drizzle. High 14°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 58%.
- Fri16°3°69%Friday: Rain. High 16°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 69%.
- Sat3°1°45%Saturday: Snow. High 3°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 45%.
- Sun3°1°12%Sunday: Snow. High 3°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 12%.
- Mon3°-5°29%Monday: Snow. High 3°, Low -5°. Chance of rain 29%.
Updated 06:31 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 157.5 JPY
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Coming up
Every year
- JulPacific Music FestivalSapporo
Day trips by train
- Otaruabout 35 min by rapid trainCanal, glass shops and sushi street; the Rapid Airport runs from Sapporo Station.
- Noboribetsuabout 1 hour 10 min by limited expressHell Valley and hot spring towns; take a Hokuto or Suzuran limited express.
- Hokkaido beyond the city1–3 hours by train or carFurano, Biei and Niseko need a car in summer, or a winter ski shuttle.Read the guide
Before you go to Sapporo
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Rules for Sapporo, checked
- Check entry requirements on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa page before you fly, since visa-free entry depends on your passport.Source
- Declare food, plants and animal products on your arrival form. Japan restricts many of them, so check the Customs page before packing.Source
- Tipping is not expected in restaurants or taxis. Pay the bill at the counter or register.
- Dial 110 for police and 119 for fire or ambulance.
Plan around Sapporo
Sites, timing and how to book a room in festival week
Read the guideBest time to visit JapanSeason by season, including Hokkaido's snow and summer
Read the guideIs the JR Pass worth it?Price your route first; many trips do better on single tickets
Read the guideMoney in JapanCash, cards and IC cards, and where you still need yen
Read the guideBest eSIM for JapanCompare plans before you land at New Chitose
Read the guideSapporo FAQ
How many days do you need in Sapporo?
Two full days cover the city: Odori and the Clock Tower, the Beer Museum and Susukino. Add a day for Otaru and another for Noboribetsu if you want the coast and hot springs.
Is the Sapporo Snow Festival worth it?
Yes, if you like crowds and cold. Entry is free, the Odori site is easy to reach and the ice sculptures light up after dark. Book rooms months ahead and dress for well below freezing.
Where should I stay in Sapporo?
Near Sapporo Station for trains and the airport, or near Odori for the park and Snow Festival. Susukino is best for food and nightlife. All three are on the Namboku subway line.
Is there an accommodation tax in Sapporo?
Yes, since 1 April 2026, city and Hokkaido taxes combined: ¥300 per person, per night for rooms under ¥20,000 per person, ¥400 for ¥20,000–49,999 and ¥1,000 above that. It is paid to the accommodation.
Does the bullet train go to Sapporo?
Not yet. The Hokkaido Shinkansen stops at Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto, and the extension to Sapporo is now expected around the end of fiscal 2038. Fly into New Chitose or take limited express trains.
Is Sapporo worth visiting in summer?
Yes. Summer is dry, mild and long, and there is no rainy season. Odori hosts beer gardens in July and August, and Sapporo makes a good base for renting a car to Furano or Biei.