Sapporo 2-Day Winter Trip

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

Otaru Snow Light Path Festival
The harbor town of Otaru is a fantastic winter destination near Sapporo (about 30 minutes by train) with a beautifully preserved canal area. In winter, the canal and nearby areas are is lit up at night by hundreds of glowing lanterns at night during the annual Otaru Snow Light Path Festival.
Niseko
For skiers or snowboarders looking for a taste of some of Hokkaido's top-tier slopes, the resorts of Niseko are considered by many the best in Japan, legendary for their massive amounts of high quality powder snow. The resort area is about two hours from Sapporo by train.

Questions? Ask in our forum.

Read our Sapporo Hotel Guide

Budget:

- Ocho Guest House
  Budget-friendly
  
  Featuring 1-star accommodation, Ocho Guest House is set in Sapporo, 3.8 km from Sapporo Station and 13 km from Shin-Sapporo Station. Among the facilities at this property are a shared kitchen and luggage storage space, along with free WiFi throughout the property. Otarushi Zenibako City Center is 21 km away and Otaru Station is 37 km from the guest house. At the guest house, units are equipped with a shared bathroom. A continental breakfast is available every morning at the guest house. Guests can also relax in the shared lounge area. Susukino Station is 1.7 km from Ocho Guest House, while Odori Park is 2 km from the property. Okadama Airport is 11 km away.
  View on Booking.com
  9.5Booking.com
- Guesthouse OYADO SAPPORO
  Budget-friendly
  
  Set 6.2 km from Sapporo Station, 10 km from Shin-Sapporo Station and 23 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. Susukino Station is 4.1 km from the guest house and Sapporo TV Tower is 4.5 km away. Each unit comes with a safety deposit box and some rooms come with city views. The units are equipped with heating facilities. There is a coffee shop and lounge. Otaru Station is 39 km from the guest house, while Sapporo Convention Centre is 4 km away. Okadama Airport is 14 km from the property.
  View on Booking.com
  9.4Booking.com
- Shabby House
  Budget-friendly
  
  Shabby House, a property with a garden, is set in Sapporo, 4.7 km from Sapporo Station, 14 km from Shin-Sapporo Station, as well as 20 km from Otarushi Zenibako City Center. With free WiFi, this 1-star guest house offers a 24-hour front desk and free shuttle service. The accommodation offers full-day security and luggage storage space for guests. At the guest house, units are equipped with a shared bathroom. There is a snack bar and lounge. The area is popular for cycling, and free use of bicycles is available at the guest house. Otaru Station is 36 km from Shabby House, while Susukino Station is 3.1 km from the property. Okadama Airport is 12 km away.
  View on Booking.com
  9.4Booking.com
- The Base Sapporo Susukino
  Mid-range
  
  Well located in the Sapporo City Centre district of Sapporo, The Base Sapporo Susukino is located 12 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 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. 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. Okadama Airport is 9 km away.
  View on Booking.com
  9.4Booking.com
- 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 away and Naebo Station is 1.5 km from the guest house. 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. Okadama Airport is 8 km away.
  View on Booking.com
  9.2Booking.com
- 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 Hokkaido University is 5 km away. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 8 km from the accommodation.
  View on Booking.com
  9.2Booking.com
- Hotel Sosei Sapporo MGallery Collection
  Luxury
  
  Situated a 12-minute walk from JR Sapporo Station, Hotel Sousei Sapporo ? MGallery offers spacious rooms with a private bathroom and free WiFi. Guests can enjoy shopping at Sapporo Factory, which is directly connected to the property. The hotel is conveniently located a 5-minute walk from Bus-Center-Mae Subway Station, and a 10-minute walk from Sapporo TV Tower and Odori Park. The lively Susukino area is 1.2 km away. Massage service can be arranged at an additional charge. On-site parking is available for an extra charge. Air-conditioned rooms at Hotel Sousei Sapporo ? MGallery have high ceilings, and include a large bathing room and separate toilet.
  View on Booking.com
  9.2Booking.com
- 41 PIECES Sapporo
  Luxury
  
  Well situated in the Sapporo City Centre district of Sapporo, 41 PIECES Sapporo is set 12 km from Shin-Sapporo Station, 20 km from Otarushi Zenibako City Center and 36 km from Otaru Station. This 4-star hotel offers luggage storage space and free WiFi. The property is 1.9 km from Sapporo Station, and within 100 metres of the city centre. 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. Okadama Airport is 9 km away.
  View on Booking.com
  9.1Booking.com
- Hotel Emion Sapporo
  Luxury
  
  Boasting a bar, Hotel Emion Sapporo is situated in Sapporo in the Hokkaido region, 1.4 km from Sapporo Station and 13 km from Shin-Sapporo Station. This 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk, an ATM and free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is located 20 km from Otarushi Zenibako City Center. Guests at the hotel can enjoy a buffet breakfast. Popular points of interest near Hotel Emion Sapporo include Hokkaido University, Kita-Juni-Jo Station and Sapporo Clock Tower. Okadama Airport is 7 km from the property.
  View on Booking.com
  9.1Booking.com
- 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. Okadama Airport is 5 km from the property.
  View on Booking.com
  9.1Booking.com
See more on Booking.com