Sapporo, Japan-4-day-itinerary

Sapporo 4-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and Exploration

  • Morning: Arrive at New Chitose Airport (CTS) and take the JR Hokkaido Bus to Sapporo Station ( approx. 35-40 minutes, ¥1,000)
  • Afternoon: Check-in at Hotel Okura Sapporo or similar
  • 2:00 PM: Visit the Sapporo Clock Tower, a historic landmark and symbol of the city (free admission)
  • 4:00 PM: Explore the nearby Odori Park, a beautiful park that stretches for 1.5 km through the heart of Sapporo (free admission)
  • 7:00 PM: Enjoy dinner at Sushi-no-Midori, a popular sushi restaurant with fresh seafood

Day 2: Snow Festival and Local Delights

  • 9:00 AM: Visit the Sapporo Snow Festival ( Odori Park, free admission)
  • 12:00 PM: Try some local specialties at Nijo Market, a seafood market with fresh sushi and sashimi
  • 2:00 PM: Visit the Sapporo Beer Museum, learn about the history of beer in Japan (free admission, but ¥500 for tasting)
  • 6:00 PM: Enjoy dinner at Genghis Khan, a popular restaurant serving grilled lamb and other Hokkaido specialties

Day 3: Day Trip to Otaru

  • 9:00 AM: Take the JR train from Sapporo Station to Otaru Station ( approx. 30 minutes, ¥640)
  • 10:00 AM: Visit the Otaru Snow Light Path Festival (free admission)
  • 12:00 PM: Enjoy lunch at Kita no Ajitsuke, a restaurant serving delicious seafood and local specialties
  • 2:00 PM: Explore the charming town of Otaru, visit the Otaru Canal (free admission)
  • 5:00 PM: Return to Sapporo by JR train

Day 4: Maruyama Zoo and Shopping

  • 9:30 AM: Visit the Maruyama Zoo, home to over 1,000 animals (¥800 admission)
  • 12:30 PM: Enjoy lunch at Soup Curry GARAKU, a popular restaurant serving delicious soup curry
  • 2:00 PM: Visit the Sapporo Factory, a shopping mall with a variety of stores and restaurants (free admission)
  • 5:00 PM: Return to Hotel Okura Sapporo or similar for some rest

Transportation:

  • JR Hokkaido Bus: ¥1,000 from New Chitose Airport to Sapporo Station
  • Subway: ¥200-¥400 per ride, or buy a prepaid IC card like SAPICA
  • JR Train: ¥640 for round-trip from Sapporo to Otaru

Tips and Other Things:

  • Try some of the local specialties like crab, soup curry, and white chocolate
  • Don’t forget to try some fresh seafood at Nijo Market or Kita no Ajitsuke
  • Learn some basic Japanese phrases like “konnichiwa” (hello), “arigatou” (thank you), and “sumimasen” (excuse me)
  • Be prepared for cold weather, especially in winter months

Where to Stay:

Things to Know:

  • The best time to visit Sapporo is during the winter months (February and March) for the Snow Festival
  • The city has a convenient subway system, but be prepared for some walking
  • Many restaurants have English menus, but it’s still a good idea to learn some basic Japanese phrases