Sapporo Hotel Online Reservations by Japan-Vacation-Hotel-Reservations.com

By Train
From Tokyo
Ueno - Sapporo (by sleeping express "Hokutosei"): 16 hrs.
Tokyo - Morioka (by super express Tohoku Shinkansen "Yamabiko"), Morioka - Hakodate (by express "Hatsukari"), Hakodate - Sapporo (by express "Hokuto"): 10 hrs. 40 min.

From Osaka
Osaka - Sapporo (by sleeping express "Twilight Express" via Hokuriku honsen): 21 hrs. 5 min.

By Ferry
From Tokyo
Tokyo - Tomakomai (by Blue Highway Line /03-3578-1127): 30 hrs.

From Nagoya
Nagoya - Tomakomai (by Taiheiyo Ferry / 052-203-0227): 38 hrs. 45 min.

*From Tomakomai to Sapporo, take JR express "Suzuran" or "Hokuto" (45 min.) or take a Chuo Bus or Donan Bus (1 hr. 20 min.)

Local Transportation
Almost everywhere in the central city is accessible by three subway lines; Tozai-sen, Nanpoku-sen, and Toho-sen. It is convenient to take a city train to go to Mt. Moiwa-yama. The ticket costs 170 yen to cover all sections. There are also bus lines; Shiei Bus (city bus), Hokkaido Chuo Bus, and Jotetsu Bus. It is recommended to buy a one-day pass for 1,000 yen which is valid for subway, city bus, and city train.(Sapporo-shi Transportation Bureau / 011-896-2708)

Sapporo Lincle Bus
This city shuttle tour bus started its service in April 1996. The 2-hour leisure car runs every 30 min., stopping at 17 famous sightseeing spots. A one-day pass costing 1,500 yen is valid between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Runs April 27 - November 3 (Hokkaido Chuo Bus / 011-231-0500)

Leisurely excursion by tour wagon
There is a course to visit the old prefectural office building, and another going round Odori Park, both of which take 40 min. You can catch a bus at Odori Nishi-4-chome. How about taking a tour and indulge in the mood of pioneering age? It runs everyday between the end of April and November 3.
10:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. / 011-512-9377

Places to visit
The Old Hokkaido Government Building, known as Red Bricks
This solemn brick building was built in 1888. The architecture, representing the city of Sapporo, is well known as Red Bricks, and has been officially designated as an important cultural asset. You can observe the state of the frontier age from the various materials and photographs displayed within the building (free of charge). At night the building is illuminated to generate a different atmosphere.

Open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and National Holidays / 011-231-4111
* 10 min. walk from JR Sapporo Station

Mt. Moiwa-yama, the night view looks as if the city is mounted with jewels
Located 531 meters above sea level, in the south-west part of the city, Mt. Moiwa-yama is the right spot to see all of Sapporo. Going up to the top by ropeway and chair lift, you can look over not only the city of Sapporo, but also the Ishikari Plain and Ishikari Bay, and sometimes even Mt. Daisetsu-zan on a sunny day. Also the night view with lights which look like a panorama mounted with jewels is really breathtaking.

General ticket 1,300 yen (round tickets for ropeway and lift included) / Moiwa-yama Ropeway : 011-561-8177
* From city train Ropeway Entrance Station, walk for 8 min. to Ropeway Sanroku Station

Ishiyama Greenbelt, an interesting place which has a stone age feel
This is a park built in the site of the Sapporo Soft Stone Quarry in October 1996. The area is divided into north and south. In the North Block, there are observatory terraces and tennis courts. In the South Block, there are dynamic outdoor sculptures with the earth as a subject, as well as an amphitheater which makes you feel as if you went back to the ancient Roman era. Standing in this unique place, you may feel like you are in another time.
Admission free / For more information, call Sapporo-shi, Landscape Gardening Sec. at 011-211-2525

* 10 min. bus ride from subway Makomanai Station, get off at Ishiyama Rikkyo, then walk for 2 min.

The Clock Tower, records the passing moments of Sapporo, but it is currently under repair
The Clock Tower, symbol of Sapporo, built in 1878, is the oldest among the existing clock towers, and has been designated as a national cultural property. It is scheduled to reopen to the public in October 1998.
011-231-0838

* 3 min. walk from subway Odori Station

Chizaki Rose Garden, filled with 4,000 roses in bloom
Chizaki Rose Garden, located 93 meters above sea level, commands a view of the whole city. It is gorgeous to see 4,000 roses of 400 different kinds in full bloom in an area of about 18,000 square meters near Mt. Moiwa-yama. Although the best season is at the beginning of July, some flowers bloom at the beginning of September.
Admission 500 yen / Open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. between May 1 and the third Sunday of October / 011-551-1430

* 7 min. drive from City train Ropeway Entrance Station

Sapporo Factory, the great complex facility including spa and art museum
This complex facility was built at the site of the Sapporo Beer Company's main factory. Utilizing the red brick building in the original form, the atrium (the biggest in Japan) was built at the center of the spot. Other facilities include a shopping mall, restaurants, hotel, sport club, and spa. It is drawing attention as a place where one can enjoy a whole day.
011-207-5000

* 5 min. walk from subway Tozai line Bus Center Mae Station

Hitsuji-ga-oka Observatory, a statue of Dr. Clark standing on the grassy plain
You will be amazed to have the real feeling of Hokkaido, which is typically associated with a plain and large landscape, in such close proximity to the town. You can see an avenue lined with poplar trees, sheep relaxing on the grassy plain, and the statue of Dr. Clark which was erected in 1976 as a memorial of the 100th anniversary of Hokkaido University as well as the 200th anniversary of the foundation of the USA. The hill commands a view all the way to Ishikari Bay. The landscape has earned a favorable reputation especially at night.

Admission 300 yen / Open everyday 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. (9 a.m. - 5 p.m. between November and April) / 011-851-3080

* Take a Chuo Bus, get off at Hitsuji-ga-oka Tenbodai, walk for 1 min.

Local Food
The Sapporo Beer Garden
Genghis Khan, grilled on a hot plate in the shape of Hokkaido and draft beer is the best! Their special sauce is made from more than twenty different spices and fruits. The most popular item on the menu is all-you-can-eat-and-drink for 100 minutes for 3,400 yen including lamb Genghis Khan, vegetables, and beverages (draft beer, juice, and oolong tea).
Open everyday 11:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Higashi-9-chome, Kita-Nana-jo, Higashi-ku, Sapporo-shi / 011-742-1531

Cafe Rose
The cafe in the Chizaki Rose Garden is a secret location for seeing the night view. You can relax in the leisurely atmosphere and enjoy the illumination. The original item, Rose ice cream (600 yen / 300 yen during a day), has a subtle flavor of rose, and is well liked by many people.
Open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. (need 500 yen admission fee for entering the park)

Fushimi-3-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi / 011-551-1430

Snow Brand Parlor
This shop is under the direct management of Snow Brand where you can eat fresh ice cream only available in Hokkaido. The choice ice cream with 16% butterfat, "Royal Special" (620 yen), is patronized by the Imperial Household Agency. Also "Excellence" is popular with a moderately sweet taste. If you are in a group of four or five, how about trying the giant parfait, "I am a NO.1 "(3,880 yen)?

1 and 2 floor Fukoku Seimei Building, Nishi-3-chome, Kita-Ni-jo, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi / 011-251-3181

Cafe Ranban
This cozy cafe is located not far away from the center of Susukino. The big glass windows are open on sunny days, which lets a nice breeze blow into the shop. Drink are served with tasteful Japanese cups and saucers, and they also sell some cups made by artists. Just stop by to have a fresh coffee (380 yen) in the morning.

Nishi-5-chome, Minami-San-jo, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi / 011-221-5028

Guest House Barley
This is the dining bar where Mr. Nukita (look at a Local Celebrity) works as a chief chef. His original dishes using only selected ingredients makes you feel like coming back again soon. The entire menu is excellent. Lunch course 1,000 yen and up, Dinner course 3,500 yen and up.

Hotel Clubby Sapporo, Higashi-3-chome, Kita-Ni-jo, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi / 011-242-1111

Festivals & Events
Snow Festival (beginning of February)
The forty-eighth Snow Festival was held this year. In 1950, some high school students made six snow sculptures in Odori Park, and it was the beginning of this most famous festival in Hokkaido. The festival attracted more and more spectators each year until it finally became one of the major festivals in the world. The big annual snow event is held at three locations; Odori Park (main site), Makomanai, and Susukino for a week in the beginning of February. There are about 330 big and small snow sculptures displayed, some of which are made by participants from abroad.

Sapporo Lilac Festival (the end of May)
After a long winter, when the streets are filled with the sweet fragrance of lilac and the fresh breeze blows in town, the people enjoy various events. In Odori Park where the light purple and white lilac are blooming, some events including music festivals, open tea ceremony, and the distribution of lilac plants, are carried on.

Yosakoi Soran Festival (the beginning of June)
Some students of Hokkaido University introduced the Yosakoi Festival to Sapporo, after they saw the original Yosakoi Festival in Kochi prefecture, and were moved by the enthusiasm of all the participants. In the first festival held in Sapporo, there were only ten teams, but the number has increased each time until this year when finally as many as 183 teams with more than a million spectators took part in. The upbeat Soran tune with fervent arrangement and the rhythm beaten by naruko (a clapper) makes you feel like joining the dance circle.

Pacific Music Festival (PMF) (July - August)
Leonard Bernstein, both a great composer and a conductor, was the originator of this music festival. It was initiated with a purpose of fostering young artists all over the world. The festival is held for about a month (July through August) at several locations with Sapporo as the major site. A variety of programs including workshops and recitals by world famous musicians are really enjoyable.

Hokkaido Jingu Sai Festival (the middle of June)

Sapporo Summer Festival (the end of July - the end of August)
Beer gardens are open until the end of August from 5-chome to 10-chome of Nishi, Odori Park. However it is often chilly at night even in summer.

Toyohira-gawa River Fireworks Festival (the end of July - the beginning of August)

Susukino Festival (the beginning of August)

Sapporo International Festival (the end of July - the end of August)

The Clock Tower Festival (the middle of September)

Sapporo Marathon (the beginning of October)

Sapporo Chrysanthemum Festival (the beginning of November)

Sapporo International Ski Marathon (the beginning of February)

Museum And Art
Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art
In the large garden spotted with colorful mobile outdoor sculptures, lies Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art. Its main exhibitions are; art works by Hokkaido artists, glass crafts by Art Nouveau, and the works by Jules Pascin and others from Ecole de Paris. Especially valuable is the glass crafts collection, in terms of both quality and quantity. The special exhibition cerebrating its 20th anniversary will start in November 1997.

Admission 250 yen / Open 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., closed on Mondays (during winter, Mondays and National Holidays are also closed) / 011-644-6881

* 2 min. walk from subway Tozai line Nishi-8-chome Station

Hokkaido Museum of Literature
The museum is located in Nakajima Park. Some source materials about the authors who are related to Hokkaido, such as Arishima Takeo, and their works are displayed. It is clear to see how many literary men are produced from this land, as well as how those pieces of literary works are influenced by the nature of the locality. Those displays are in chronological order, while others such as Ainu oral literature, novels, poetry, and tanka ,haiku (Japanese traditional poem), are displayed categorically.

Admission 250 yen / Open 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., closed on Mondays and National Holidays / 011-511-7655

* 7min. walk from subway Nanboku line Nakajima Koen Station or Horohirabashi Station

The Museum of Winter Sports
In February 1998, Japan will host the Winter Olympics for the second time. The first host site of the Winter Olympics in Japan was here in Sapporo. As is obvious from the name of the museum, there are resources and some equipment related to winter sports exhibited. Especially the exhibit showing the development of skies is outstanding. In winter, they rent skies for free in order to encourage cross-country skiing, so that tourists can stop by and have a good time. For free ski rental, call 011-521-1039.

Admission free / Open 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., closed on Mondays, the following day of National Holiday, the year-end and New Years Holiday / 011-521-1002
500 meters from subway Nanpoku line Nakajima Koen Station

Sapporo Meissen Museum
This museum, opened in February 1997, is dedicated to Meissen ceramics,@and was authorized by the company to make their ceramics public outside Germany for the first time. Those artistic ceramics are breathtakingly gorgeous. The most distinctive feature of the museum is that most every display is composed of a single piece of work. The artist representing the company created based on free conceptions while maintaining high quality and tradition. You can pretend to be a collector for a while, being surrounded by more than 260 pieces of beautiful art.

Admission 1,200 yen / Open 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. / 011-222-1919
* Sapporo Factory Ni-jo wing 4 floor / 5 min. walk from subway Tozai line Bus Center Mae Station

Sapporo Art Park
The harmony between nature and art is the principle objective of this complex. The site, as large as 40 hectares, contains a museum of art, a sculpture garden, studios, a music hall, and outdoor stage, to form a comprehensive art site. The big annual summer event, the Pacific Music Festival, is held here as the main stage. There are also lodges where you can stay for a long period of time for composition and practicing activities.

There is no charge to enter the park, admission to Sapporo Sculpture Garden 600 yen, admission to the museum varies / Open 9:45 a.m. - 5 p.m. (9:45 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. from June 1 to August 31), closed on Mondays only between November 4 and April 28 (if Monday is a national holiday, the following day is closed instead), also closed year-end and New Years Holidays / 011-592-5111

* 12 min. bus ride from subway Nanpoku line Makomanai Station

The Sapporo Beer Museum
Sapporo is the first producer of beer in Japan. If you would like to know more about beer, this is the place to visit. There are guides to thoroughly explain the history of beer and the brewing process. You can taste some beer here, and there is also a beer hall next to the museum which will fully satisfy your appetite.

Free admission / Open 8:40 a.m.- 6 p.m. (entrance closed at 4:40 p.m.) between June and August, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. (entrance closed at 3:40 p.m.) in other months, closed year-end and New Years Holidays / need a reservation for a group more than 10 people / 011-731-4368

* 10 min. bus ride from JR Sapporo Station