Sapporo, Hokkaido: Five Amazing Places to See!

Sapporo is the capital of Hokkaido and is well-known among international travelers regarding tourism in Japan. Despite being the center of a large prefecture, this city stands out from other urban areas with its spacious layout and rich natural surroundings. Here are five fantastic spots you shouldn’t miss when visiting Sapporo in 2025!

Sapporo Beer Museum

The Sapporo Beer Museum is an exciting place to learn about beer in Japan! This museum is inside a historic red-brick building built as a sugar factory in 1890. Later, it became a beer brewery and Japan’s only beer museum in 1987. The museum tells the story of Sapporo Beer and how Hokkaido played a significant role in Japan’s beer-making history. 

Inside, you’ll find old beer bottles, posters, and equipment used to make beer long ago. If you join a guided tour, there’s a tasting session where adults can try different types of Sapporo Beer, including a special one made using a recipe from 1877! Right beside the museum is the Sapporo Beer Garden, where visitors can savor delicious food in huge beer halls. 

The museum also underwent a significant renovation in 2016. To improve the roof, walls, and chimney, another big repair is planned for 2025. But don’t worry—the museum and beer garden will remain open!

Nijo Fish Market

This market has been around for over 100 years, starting in the Meiji period (1868-1912) when fishermen from Ishikari Bay came here to sell their fresh catch. Today, it’s a bustling location filled with colorful seafood, fresh fruits, and cheerful shopkeepers calling out to customers. The market is always packed with fresh crabs, sea urchins, ikura (salmon roe), and all kinds of fish straight from Hokkaido’s waters.

Walking through the market, you’ll find over 15 fish shops selling the freshest seafood and stalls with dried fish and other tasty Hokkaido specialties. There are also fruit and vegetable stands, where you can try juicy Yubari melons and sweet grapes. 

Looking around, you’ll spot glass fishing float lanterns and fish-shaped signboards, making you feel like you’re in a little fishing town. In the evening, you can visit Noren Yokocho, a cozy alley with small restaurants serving sushi and grilled seafood. It’s a great place to relax and enjoy the flavors of Hokkaido!

Are you looking for great snacks from places as far as Sapporo? Check out TokyoTreat! TokyoTreat delivers limited-edition Japanese noodles, drinks, snacks, and sweets right to your door so you can enjoy the latest Japanese treats directly from Japan!

Sapporo Maruyama Zoo

Situated in Maruyama Park, just a short trip from downtown Sapporo, the zoo is surrounded by nature. It first started in 1951 after the success of a traveling zoo from Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo. This is the oldest zoo in Hokkaido and is home to around 170 species of animals, including polar bears, snow monkeys, Siberian tigers, red pandas, and even the rare flying squirrel! 

Additionally, visitors can warm up in cozy indoor areas while watching tropical animals such as kangaroos and giraffes. The zoo is designed to feel like the animals’ natural habitats! You can watch them play, swim, and explore like in the wild.

One of the biggest highlights is the Elephant House, where elephants live together as families and even swim in Japan’s first indoor elephant pool! There’s also a petting zoo where kids can meet smaller animals nearby.

Sapporo Satoland

Sapporo Satoland is a fun-filled agricultural park in Higashi-ku. Founded in 1995, this massive park is like a mini countryside right in the city. It’s an excellent spot to learn about Hokkaido’s farming traditions, with flower fields, a farm, playgrounds, and even a barbecue area. The park transforms with the seasons – bright flowers in spring and summer, golden fields in fall, and a snowy paradise in winter!

There’s so much to do at Satoland! Hop on a horse-drawn carriage or a quirky bicycle to explore the park. Get your hands dirty by harvesting fresh Hokkaido vegetables like corn and potatoes. You can stop by the petting farm to meet friendly goats, sheep, and ponies if you like animals. And when winter comes, grab a sled and glide across the snow, or try fun winter activities like snowshoeing!

Moerenuma Park

Moerenuma Park is a giant wonderland of nature and art in Sapporo. Once a garbage landfill, it became a stunning park designed by the renowned Japanese-American artist Isamu Noguchi. Everything here, from the rolling hills to the shiny metal Tetra Mound, was carefully designed to immerse you in a work of art.

The star of the park is Mount Moere, a 203-foot-tall hill that gives visitors a fantastic view of the whole area and the city beyond. There’s also the famous glass pyramid, Hidamari, where you can relax, visit a gallery, or grab a bite at the restaurant.

The park is full of exciting activities all year long! People love riding rental bikes, playing in the huge sports fields, and viewing vibrant blossoms in spring. Festivals like the Moerenuma Park Fireworks Festival light up the summer sky. Visitors can go cross-country skiing, sledding, or just play in the snow in winter.

Why should I visit Sapporo this year?

Sapporo offers a unique mix of history, culture, and nature, making it an excellent destination to explore this year. Whether you’re discovering the rich brewing history at the Sapporo Beer Museum, tasting fresh seafood at Nijo Fish Market, or enjoying the peaceful beauty of Moerenuma Park, there’s something for everyone! 

Moreover, the changing seasons in this city also bring different experiences and unforgettable moments, from colorful flower fields in spring to snowy landscapes in winter. So, what part of Sapporo interests you the most? Let me know in the comments!