A leisurely trip to Sapporo on the city tram. A local writer will guide you through everything from gourmet food to night views

Enjoy home-roasted coffee at the popular Sapporo cafe "Morihiko (Chuo Ward Office Station Branch)"

ATELIER Morihiko

Since its establishment in 1996, Morihiko has been a beloved cafe among Sapporo locals for its in-house roasted coffee and homemade desserts. The cafe has been attracting attention with the opening of new stores with different concepts, including its first store, which was renovated from an old house, and a store housed in a former warehouse that hosts art events. Atelier Morihiko, located in the Chuo-kuyakusho-mae tram station area, was created with the theme of being a "coffee museum." The open, large windows and antique furniture create a harmonious atmosphere inside the store, making it a very attractive place.

The shop is a relaxing space where you can enjoy carefully hand-brewed coffee in the soft sunlight. The menu ranges from standard blends to seasonal coffees, all of which have a deep flavor. The shop also sells baked goods and coffee beans, so you can enjoy the memories of your trip at home.

Recommended as a souvenir: Handmade soap made with natural ingredients from Hokkaido

Siesta Labo.

Next to Atelier Morihiko is Siesta Labo., a direct store of SAVON de SIESTA, a soap brand that uses plenty of natural ingredients from Hokkaido. The soaps they sell are carefully handcrafted one by one in a workshop attached to the store. They are made with consideration for the skin, with no unnecessary ingredients added, and using a manufacturing method that does not impair the quality of the natural ingredients, so they are recommended for people with sensitive skin.

Soaps made from ingredients that are part of Hokkaido's bounty, such as organic azuki beans grown in Tokachi and birch from Shimokawa Town, where 90% of the total area is covered by forest, are especially popular. The snowflake-shaped paper soap "Hatsuyuki" is a very popular souvenir that is uniquely Hokkaido. In addition to soaps, bath salts and room fragrances are also sold.

Recommended gourmet food in Tanukikoji Shopping Street. Enjoy Hokkaido cheese at a hidden restaurant

Stew and Raclette Shop Cocotte

If you get off at Nishi 8-chome Station or Shiseikan Shogakko-mae Station, you will soon find yourself at Tanukikoji, a bustling shopping street in Sapporo with over 140 years of history. Cocotte, a stew and raclette restaurant, is located inside this arcade.

The highlight of this shop is the raclette cheese from Takara Farm in Kimobetsu, Hokkaido. Made from the milk of cows raised on grass without pesticides or chemical fertilizers, this exceptional product won the gold medal in the raclette category at the Japan Cheese Awards 2016. Pour the cheese, which has been melted in a special heater, over vegetables and meat to enjoy its rich flavor and smooth texture.

Another signature dish is the beef stew made with carefully simmered Hokkaido beef. The large chunks of beef are marinated in red wine for about two days, and are so tender that they can be easily torn apart with a spoon. The delicious flavor of the meat spreads in your mouth. Once you try it, your concept of beef stew may change. They also have a wide selection of homemade sangria and wine to enjoy with your meal.

After drinking, head to a popular restaurant serving "Shime Parfait," a new food culture in Sapporo

Parfait, coffee, sake, Sato

Recently in Sapporo, a "parfait" is becoming a standard evening snack after a night of drinking, rather than a "ramen" to finish off the day. The custom of finishing off the day with a parfait made with soft serve ice cream made from freshly squeezed milk and seasonal local ingredients after enjoying Sapporo gourmet food is gradually spreading among locals and tourists alike.

"Parfait, Coffee, Sake, Sato," located in a back alley in Tanukikoji 1-chome, is another shop with a wide selection of parfaits. In addition to soft serve ice cream made with milk from Hokkaido, the shop also offers ice cream, sorbets, mousses, baked goods, and other items that are all carefully made in-house. The parfaits are also carefully designed with careful consideration given to the texture and flavor changes, and are all highly aesthetically designed. They also have a wide selection of coffee and carefully selected alcoholic beverages, making this a shop where you can enjoy three things: sweets, cafe, and bar. After touring the city, why not try the new Sapporo food culture of "shime parfait"?

After walking around the city, enjoy the Sapporo night view, one of the "New Top Three Night Views of Japan"

Mount Moiwa and Norbesa Ferris Wheel

After enjoying a walk around the city, why not enjoy Sapporo's night view, which is one of the three new major night views in Japan? You can also take the city tram to Mount Moiwa, one of the classic night view spots. A free shuttle bus runs from the bus stop "Minami 19 Nishi 15", which is a one-minute walk from the Ropeway Iriguchi Station, to Moiwa Sanroku Station.

From the observation deck at the summit of Mt. Moiwa, you can see the cityscape of Sapporo, as well as the Ishikari Plain and Ishikari Bay during the day, and the majestic mountains of Hyakumatsuzawayama, Teineyama, and Toishiyama in the distance. When the sun goes down, it transforms into a romantic night view spot, where colorful jewels shine!

There is also a more convenient spot in the city where you can enjoy the night view. If you ride the Ferris wheel "nORIA" at the commercial facility "Norbesa" just outside Susukino Station, you can get a 360-degree view of Sapporo city from a height of 78 meters above the ground. The Sapporo night view, which is counted as one of the three most beautiful night views in Hokkaido, is sure to leave you deeply moved.

Cafes, miscellaneous goods, and restaurants serving delicious food made with the bounty of Hokkaido... This time we've introduced spots along the streetcars, but there are many more wonderful spots in the vast city of Sapporo. Nijo Market, where you can enjoy fresh seafood, and Nakajima Park, rich in nature and chosen as one of the 100 best urban parks in Japan, are also located in the center of Sapporo, so it's great fun to take a leisurely stroll. Be sure to stretch your legs and discover the charms of the area.
Top image courtesy of dboystudio / Shutterstock.com

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*Some content was updated on August 20, 2019.