Enjoy Hokkaido and Sapporo in 2 days and 1 night! A model itinerary for visiting gourmet spots and scenic spots without a car

*Prices include tax.

It takes about 40 minutes by train from New Chitose Airport to Sapporo Station. Sapporo city has multiple lines, including the subway, tram, and JR, making it easy to get to the city center as well as the suburbs. The appeal is that you can get around easily without worrying about driving in an unfamiliar area or having to look for a parking space.

Furthermore, one-day unlimited ride tickets are available for subway and streetcar travel, making them a great deal. There are also the "Donichika Ticket" (subway) and "Dosanko Pass" (streetcar), which can be used on Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, and the New Year holidays. Enjoy your trip around Sapporo while being rocked by train.

<First day>
Enjoy Hokkaido cuisine in the city center

Hokkaido is known for its food. On the first day, enjoy Hokkaido gourmet food in central Sapporo, centered around JR Sapporo Station, Odori Subway Station, and Susukino Station. In recent years, redevelopment has progressed, and new buildings have been constructed, leading to the opening of restaurants and cafes. The variety of gourmet food is also expanding.

First, enjoy the unique Sapporo scenery at Odori Park

Before your meal, take a walk through Odori Park to experience the atmosphere of Sapporo. Although it is located in the center of Sapporo, where many buildings stand side by side, it is a soothing space filled with greenery and stretches for about 1.5km from Odori Nishi 1-chome to Odori Nishi 12-chome. You will be greeted by about 4,700 trees and flowers that change with the seasons.

Various events are held throughout the year, including the Sapporo Lilac Festival, which signals the arrival of early summer, the Yosakoi Soran Festival, which attracts large numbers of dancers and spectators, and the Sapporo Snow Festival, a seasonal winter event.

Sapporo TV Tower, located at Odori Nishi 1-chome, is a classic tourist spot. It's a place that really makes you feel like you've come to Sapporo, so even repeat visitors should visit it every time. We also recommend going up to the observation deck and taking a panoramic view of Sapporo's cityscape. When taking a photo of the TV tower, try standing a little distance away and taking the photo through the fountains and flower beds at Odori Nishi 3-chome and Nishi 4-chome. This will give the photo depth and a sense of the seasons, making it look like it was taken by a professional.

Odori Park

3 minutes on the Tozai subway line from Odori Station, then about 6 minutes on foot

Enjoy clay pot soup curry at "Bagbag Minamiichijo Branch"

For lunch, try soup curry, one of Sapporo's specialties. Soup curry originated in Sapporo and can now be found all over the country, but there are said to be over 200 shops in the city, each with their own unique features.

Among them, the one we recommend you visit is "Bagbag Minamiichijo Branch." This restaurant is well-known among locals for its innovative combination of curry and clay pot.

There are four types of soup: "Original soup", "Japanese style soup", "Shrimp tomato soup" and "Coconut soup". After choosing the soup, you can also choose the spiciness. There are two types of rice: white rice and barley rice with turmeric. One of the fun things is being able to order the flavor you like. The aroma of spices will whet your appetite.

When in doubt, we recommend the popular chicken vegetable curry.
The fragrant chicken dominates the center of the clay pot, surrounded by a variety of vegetables such as eggplant, carrots, peppers, lotus root, okra, and potatoes, making for a dynamic and colorful dish. The spicy and deep flavor is addictive. It is served in a clay pot, so it stays piping hot until the very end.

Bagu Bagu Minamiichijo store

4 minutes on the Tozai subway line from Nishi 18-chome Station, then transfer to the Toho subway line at Odori Station for 6 minutes, and then walk for about 10 minutes.

Learn about the history of beer at the Sapporo Beer Museum

Sapporo Beer is well known for its star logo. It is said to have originated from the five-pointed star depicted on the "Hokushinki" flag used by the Hokkaido Development Commission during the Meiji period. Initially, a red star was used instead of gold, and that "red star" is still used on the label of "Sapporo Lager Beer".

The Sapporo Beer Museum, located in the Naebo area, one stop from Sapporo Station, is the oldest beer museum in Japan. You can experience the history of beer from the pioneering days.

This atmospheric brick building, along with the Sapporo Beer Garden Colonization Office next door, is designated as a Hokkaido Heritage Site as a valuable Meiji-era building. The "red stars" on the roof, chimney, and other places give it a sense of history.

The museum is free to explore, and valuable documents and collections are on display, allowing visitors to learn how beer brewing, which began in Sapporo as part of the Hokkaido development project, has been passed down to the present day.

After the tour, you can enjoy a tasting of freshly brewed beer (fees apply) in the Star Hall on the first floor. You can compare different types of beer, including Hokkaido-only draft beer "Sapporo Classic" and "Kaitakushi Beer" made by the Sapporo Kaitakushi Beer Brewery, which continues to brew in the area where it was founded. The photo shows a revived Sapporo Beer that can only be tasted by participants of a guided premium tour (fees apply). Be sure to try this special beer that is only available here and is not available for general sale.

Sapporo Beer Museum

6 minutes by subway on the Toho Line from Higashi-kuyakushomae Station, then a 6-minute walk

"Tanuki COMICHI" offers a wide range of Hokkaido gourmet foods, from seafood to Genghis Khan.

For dinner, we went to "Tanuki COMICHI", which just opened in the summer of 2022. Sapporo Tanukikoji Shopping Street is said to have started with Tanukikoji Shoten, which opened around 1873 (Meiji 6), and is one of the oldest shopping streets in Hokkaido. Tanuki COMICHI, which opened in the 2-chome area, is gaining popularity as a spot where you can enjoy "Hokkaido cuisine" in its entirety.

The stylish exterior of this shop catches your eye in a shopping street that exudes a traditional atmosphere. Your expectations will grow as to what kind of flavors you will encounter.

Once you step inside, you'll find yourself in an exciting alley-like space. The lanterns hanging from the ceiling create a nostalgic atmosphere.

This two-story facility is home to a collection of popular restaurants from all over Hokkaido. There is a diverse lineup of Hokkaido's signature delicacies, such as sushi and Genghis Khan, as well as Western and Chinese cuisine and sweets. You'll want to stop by multiple times a day, not just for a meal, but also for a break between sightseeing or a drink before heading back to your accommodation.

Hokkaido is all about seafood. The seafood bowl at Shihachi Fresh Fish Store is so full of ingredients that it almost spills out of the bowl, making it a very impressive dish. The recommended dish is the "Specialty!! Shihachi's 10 Kinds of Seafood Bowl" (1,848 yen). The ingredients are surprisingly thick and plump. It's the height of luxury.

Genghis Khan is also not to be missed. Enjoy the taste of Hokkaido at "The Original Takikawa Hanashiri Genghis Khan." There are two ways to eat Genghis Khan: grilling the meat marinated in sauce, or grilling it and then dipping it in sauce. The "Takikawa style" is to marinated the meat in sauce.

The meat is juicy and tender, and the vegetables are sweet and delicious. It goes well with both rice and beer.

Tanuki COMICHI

Approximately 8 minutes on foot

Experience Sapporo Culture's Shime Parfait at Nanakamado

"Shime Parfait" is a food culture that began in Sapporo and has gradually spread, with more and more stores opening in the city. It is now firmly established as a "standard Sapporo nightlife."

A collaboration between soft serve ice cream made with Hokkaido milk and local ingredients, with a colorful and fun appearance. For both Hokkaido residents and tourists, the Sapporo Shime Parfait is a masterpiece that tightly encapsulates the charm of Sapporo.

If you want to enjoy the culture of finishing off a meal with an adult feel, head to Nanakamado, a parfait specialty store for the night. The store is open from 6pm to midnight, and the atmosphere inside is subdued and elegant, perfect for adult time. Another feature of Nanakamado is that it incorporates Japanese tastes such as tea and sake into its parfaits.

The parfait that is brought to you is more than just a dessert; it is a work of art. You will be entranced by the delicate form and beautiful colors that are calculated down to the smallest detail. The gelato and all the parts of the parfait are all handmade, and they are carefully assembled one by one after receiving an order.

The parfaits, which use seasonal ingredients, each have a unique menu name. It might be fun to look at the names and choose one based on inspiration.

It uses a lot of fresh fruit, so it has a rich flavor but a light, refreshing aftertaste. It's a taste that sets it apart from any parfait you've had before.

Nanakamado

<the 2nd day>
There's lots to see! Enjoy the unique scenery of Sapporo in the suburbs

On the second day, travel a little further and visit some scenic spots. Just by going a little away from the city areas lined with buildings, you can encounter scenery rich in nature. Another great thing about Sapporo is that it has a comprehensive public transportation system, including JR, subways, buses, and streetcars, so you can get around easily even without a car.

Immerse yourself in a fairy tale world at Shiroi Koibito Park

Head west from the center towards Shiroi Koibito Park. You can see the park's symbol, the clock tower, even from a little distance away. Once an hour, the animals start moving along with the music, drawing you straight into a fairy tale world.

Once inside the park, you'll find a row of European-style buildings, and photogenic spots everywhere. In the rose garden, about 200 roses, mainly English roses, and seasonal flowers bloom in the summer, and in the winter, the area is decorated with illuminations, creating a romantic mood.

There are also areas that can be enjoyed as attractions. The Magical Marche in Chocotopia Market is a spot where you can feel as if you have entered a magical world of sweets and picture books. Sit on a teacup, pose in a flower field, and take your favorite photo.

If you come here, don't forget to buy souvenirs. There are so many types of sweets that are only available at the park, including "The Chocolate Story of Purumi and Ramuru" in the shape of chocolate fairies, that you may be overwhelmed. There are also a wide variety of goods such as hats, T-shirts, and key chains, so make sure to set aside enough time to choose souvenirs.

Shiroi Koibito Park

10 minutes by subway Tozai Line / 10 minutes by bus

Take a leisurely stroll around Maruyama, a place of relaxation for Hokkaido residents

The Maruyama area is just three subway stops away from Odori in central Sapporo. Dotted with cafes, restaurants, bakeries, and confectionery shops, the area is bustling with people on weekends. However, just one street away is a quiet residential area, and the area is also blessed with abundant nature.

Maruyama Park boasts a vast area and is home to a baseball field and athletic fields, as well as the Maruyama Zoo, where animals unique to the northern regions such as polar bears and snow leopards live. Discover the new charms of Hokkaido in the Maruyama area, where city and nature coexist in perfect harmony.

Stop by: Mame Kitchen MARUYAMA for takeaway bean rice balls

To accompany your walk, try some bean rice balls or bean smoothies from Mame Kitchen MARUYAMA, a bean specialty shop. The owner and registered dietitian Madoka Taniguchi lived in Honbetsu Town, Tokachi, Hokkaido, a major bean-producing area, and opened the shop with the desire to spread the appeal and potential of beans to many people. The "bean" design painted on the exterior is cute. They sell bean rice balls, bean smoothies, chili beans, and other dishes made with 100% beans from Honbetsu Town.

The onigiri is filled with beans. The colors of the beans and other ingredients, including the vegetables, are beautiful and make for a great photo. When you eat it, the beans are plump and sweet, and the Japanese-Western flavoring is fresh. It's an onigiri filled with surprises that will have you thinking, "Was beans really this delicious?" and finishing it off in no time. The miso soup, which is made with care, also has a gentle and comforting taste.

The beans used are a variety of types, including yellow soybeans, black soybeans, red beans, adzuki beans, Taisho Kintoki beans, and even rare varieties such as chestnut beans and Fukushiro Kintoki beans. Two types are used each day, so the excitement of wondering "which beans will be used today?" grows.

Another great thing about it is that it is rich in nutrients necessary for the body, such as iron, calcium, and B vitamins, in addition to protein and dietary fiber. We also recommend the "bean smoothie," which is made with whole beans and is rare nationwide.

Mame Kitchen MARUYAMA

Stop-in spot: Stroll around Hokkaido Shrine and be surrounded by greenery and silence

Hokkaido Shrine is another must-see spot in the Maruyama area. Its vast grounds cover an area of about 180,000 square meters, and are home to around 1,100 cherry trees and 120 plum trees, making it a famous cherry blossom viewing spot.

Passing through the second torii gate, you will feel a sense of tension. The approach to the main shrine, which stretches straight ahead, is filled with cherry blossoms such as Somei-Yoshino and Siberian cherry trees in spring, creating a stunning beauty. In summer, the shrine is lush with vibrant greenery, in autumn it is covered in vibrant autumn leaves, and in winter it is covered in pure white snow. You can enjoy the different expressions of the seasons, and standing in the solemn, quiet space feels like your soul is being cleansed.

Hokkaido Shrine enshrines four deities: Okunitama-no-kami, Onamuchi-no-kami, Sukunabiko-no-kami, and Emperor Meiji. After praying at the worship hall, walk past the teahouse and head towards Kaitaku Shrine.

As you stroll along admiring the trees, you might even see a Hokkaido squirrel cross right in front of you. Listening to the chirps of the birds, you'll leave the temple grounds through the torii gate, and your mind and body will feel refreshed and lighter than when you arrived.

Hokkaido Shrine

From "Maruyama Koen" Station, take the Tozai Subway Line to "Nishi 18-chome", then walk 7 minutes to "Nishi 15-chome" and transfer to the Sapporo City Tram and get off at "Ropeway Entrance"

Get a spectacular panoramic view of Sapporo from Mount Moiwa

Mount Moiwa is located almost in the center of Sapporo. From the summit, which is 531 meters above sea level, you can enjoy a 360-degree view of the Sapporo cityscape, Ishikari Bay on the Sea of Japan, and lush nature.

Take the ropeway from the base to the middle of the mountain, then take the mini cable car from the middle to the summit. If you want to get a little more exercise, you can use the mountain climbing trails and promenades just for the descent, giving you the feeling of hiking.

Mt. Moiwa itself is designated as a national natural monument as a primeval forest, and you can experience Sapporo's nature firsthand, including squirrels, Ezo red foxes, wild birds, and plants.

If you have time, we recommend waiting for the sun to go down and enjoy the night view. This is because Sapporo, along with Kitakyushu and Nagasaki, has been selected as one of the "New Top Three Night View Cities in Japan," and Mt. Moiwa is a representative night view.

It is also known as the "Lovers' Sanctuary," and the "Bell of Happiness" at the observation deck at the summit is a popular photo spot.

In the pitch black darkness, the lights of Sapporo city sparkle like jewels, creating a breathtakingly beautiful sight. The crisp air at the top of the mountain makes the particles of light sparkle even more clearly, accentuating their beauty.

Sapporo Moiwa Mountain Ropeway

Stop by: Try the popular "Chocomon" at Cafe Doroman Moiwa

If you've come all the way to the Mt. Moiwa area, treat yourself to some sweet treats at Cafe Doroman Moiwa. The cute white-walled exterior, inspired by a cake, and the rowan tree planted in front of the building are the landmarks.

The cafe space is a cozy space where you can feel the warmth of wood. There are large windows that give you a great view of Mt. Moiwa all to yourself.

The most popular menu item here is the "Chocolate Affogato." It is an artistic dessert made of rich terrine topped with ice cream and fresh cream, covered in a thin layer of chocolate. The high, three-dimensional design in the center is said to be meant to resemble Mt. Moiwa. When melted, warm chocolate is poured on top, the surrounding chocolate mountain gradually melts, revealing the ice cream inside.

The combination of terrine, ice cream, and hot sauce changes every season. Every combination is so gorgeous that it will bring a smile to your face the moment you put it in your mouth.
The beans are ground after an order is placed, and the coffee is carefully hand-dripped by a barista, resulting in a truly exceptional taste. Enjoy the mountain of chocolate while gazing at Mount Moiwa. A truly blissful experience awaits you here.

Cafe Doroman Moiwa

Classic Hokkaido cuisine and modern cuisine that is particular about both appearance and taste. Enjoy both on this two-day, one-night trip while experiencing Sapporo's rich nature. Why not consider a trip to Sapporo, a place so full of charm that you'll want to visit again and again, as your next holiday choice?

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