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Autumn in Sapporo

Recommendations for Fall Sightseeing

*Updated October 15, 2019 Here are some great ideas for people looking to enjoy autumn in Sapporo. This is the perfect time of year to see the city decorated in changing leaves, sample a smorgasbord of culinary delights from the fall harvest, check out the hot springs or enjoy a variety of other leisure activities.

Sapporo Adorned in Autumn Leaves

The incredible flavors of fall, experience the real charm of hokkaido in the hot springs, fun activities surrounded by autumn leaves, the sapporo international short film festival and fall art events, the mesmerizing beauty of the view on a fall night, get ready for fall.

Unlike southern Japan, the lack of residual summer heat makes fall in Sapporo especially pleasant. Even if it gets warm during the day, the temperature still drops to nearly 10°C after the sun goes down, so be sure to bring a light jacket. As October progresses, that morning and evening chill becomes more intense, so you might want to pack a sweater, cardigan or scarf to keep yourself warm.

Sapporo is decorated in beautiful colors during the autumn. This is a great time to go for a walk amongst the ginkgo and maple trees as you capture the season’s reds and golds in photos. You won’t have to travel far to find this beautiful fall scenery, as changing leaves can be seen in both the downtown and suburbs of Sapporo.

Recommended Fall Foliage Spots

Sapporo is a treasure trove of autumnal flavors and the best Hokkaido ingredients. Salmon is particularly popular at the end of the season when it is deliciously fatty and filled with nutrients. Other seasonal delights include pickled salmon roe and cuisine made with harvest vegetables.

Recommended Fall Sapporo Cuisine

Autumn is the perfect time of year for a trip to the hot springs. The chloride hot springs of Jozankei, Sapporo are only an hour drive from the city center but surrounded by majestic natural scenery completely different from the city, making it a great place to take in the changing leaves from the comfort of the baths. There are lots of ways to enjoy a trip to Jozankei, whether you drive over for a quick day trip or relax in the free foot baths.

The Atmosphere of Jozankei Onsen

There are lots of ways to see the fall colors, whether traversing the foot of the mountains by horseback or gazing out at the Toyohira River valley from a café. The mountains in the area are even more beautiful when painted in the shades of autumn leaves. Also be sure to check out the many places where you can pick fresh fruit!

• WILD MUSTANG’S : Horseback rides along the Mt. Hakkenzan ridge through the fall foliage
• Jozankei Farm : Fresh fall fruit picking
• AMUSE SPORTS : Canoe through beautiful valleys

The main theater for the Sapporo International Short Film Festival is at Sapporo Plaza 2・5 in Tanuki Koji 5. This event features screenings of documentaries, dramas and animated shorts from across the globe. Throughout November, you can take in a variety of art and music at Sapporo Art Stage, an event series located mainly in Sapporo Ekimae-dori Underground Walkway. Many of these are completely free, so you’ll definitely want to check them out! Or, if you want to take in fine art against a backdrop of autumn leaves, you might want to visit Sapporo Art Park, or check out the Hokkaido Museum, which is surrounded by gorgeous natural scenery.

• Sapporo International Short Film Festival : Projecting global appeal from Sapporo
• Sapporo Art Stage : A fall event for both Sapporo locals and tourists alike
• Hokkaido Museum : The history, natural wonder and culture of Hokkaido
• Sapporo Art Park : An over 40 ha forest of fine art and creativity

Sapporo was selected as one of the top three cities for nighttime views in Japan, so the evening scenery is not to be missed! One of the reasons for this is the multitude of excellent vantage points for taking in the cityscape at night, such as from Mt. Moiwa, Mt. Okura or the JR Tower. The chill, clear air of the fall season makes the scenery even more beautiful to behold.

Recommended Night View Areas

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Home » Asia » Japan » Sapporo

EPIC SAPPORO Itinerary! (2024)

Sapporo is the capital of Hokkaido, Japan’s gorgeous wild northern island! It’s the fifth-largest city in Japan and contains a vibrant urban center. Let’s get into your exciting Sapporo itinerary!

It’s filled with spectacular scenery, unique western architecture, incredible food, and very friendly locals. Additionally, it has mild summer weather and long, snowy winters which offers Sapporo tourists plenty of varying attractions and activities year-round!

With this Sapporo travel guide, you’ll discover the city’s top attractions as well as a few hidden gems! We’ve also made sure to include plenty of insider tips, food recommendations, and exciting day trips to nearby areas.

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Best Time to Visit Sapporo

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Here is a quick look at the seasons so you can decide when to visit Sapporo!

The best time for Sapporo sightseeing is in summer (June – August). This is when the temperature is mild and pleasant, making for a refreshing climate for sightseeing!

Fall (September – November) is one of the best times to travel to Sapporo city. The rich autumn colors burst through the city and the temperatures remain comfortable from September to October, with the colder fall temperatures usually not arriving until mid/late November.

Although the winter months (December – February) are cold and chilly, Sapporo tourism really picks up during the annual Sapporo Snow Festival in February. If you’re a fan of winter sports, Sapporo has many world-class ski resorts, as well as picturesque winter scenery!

Spring (March-May) is another great time to visit Sapporo, Japan. The winter chill starts to wear off and warm temperatures begin to breath new life into the island!

Choosing the right accommodation that fits with your itinerary for Sapporo will only enhance your trip. There are lots of options in varying styles and budgets around Sapporo. Deciding where to stay depends on the vacation vibe you’re going for!

Susukino is the best place to stay in Sapporo to be close to all the action! This area is one of the largest entertainment districts in Japan. It’s Sapporo’s lively hub and offers a slew of hotels, restaurants, bars, shops, and many popular Sapporo attractions.

For ramen lovers, Susukino is home to Ramen Yokocho, a narrow street that contains numerous ramen restaurants! This area is especially ideal for first-time visitors and tourists spending a quick weekend in Sapporo.

The Nakajima Koen district is a great option for travelers seeking a more relaxing vacation in Sapporo. This area offers a calm and peaceful setting and contains Nakajima Park, one of the most popular parks in the city.

Since this area isn’t as high in demand as Susukino, you’ll find more budget accommodation options. The Nakajima Koen district is well connected by public transportation, so traveling in and out of the city center will be a breeze!

If you’re eager for an unparalleled experience unlike any other, consider exploring the innovative world of capsule hotels in Sapporo .

Best Airbnb in Sapporo – Cute japanese studio

When visiting Japan, it’s always handy to live close to a public transport option. This Airbnb is just moments away from the tram and subway station. The apartment is bright, with a mixture between the western and Japanese style. The kitchen is fully equipped and ready for use. You can walk to Susukino or Odori park without a problem.

Best Budget Hotel in Sapporo  – Tmark City Hotel Sapporo

The Tmark City Hotel Sapporo is a great value-for-money! All rooms include a flat-screen TV and a fridge. The en suite bathroom comes with a bathtub, a hairdryer, and free toiletries. A buffet breakfast is included in most hotel rates or can be purchased for an extra fee.

Best Luxury Hotel in Sapporo – Sapporo Grand Hotel

The Sapporo Grand Hotel is located in the heart of the city and is perfect for the luxurious traveler planning a trip to Sapporo! Guests will enjoy an on-site restaurant, spa center, fitness center, and more! All rooms feature a flat-screen TV, coffee machine, refrigerator, and a bidet!

Best Hostel in Sapporo – Time Piece Apartment

The Time Piece Apartment hostel is a small guest house in a central location. Public transportation is within walking distance and the hostel is just a quick 10-minute walk from downtown. Hostel perks include free breakfast, free Wi-Fi, security lockers, and luggage storage.

If you prefer to stay in hostels, check out more options in our Sapporo hostel guide.

Time Piece Apartment is one of our favourites in Sapporo but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Whether you’re spending two days in Sapporo or two weeks, you’re going to need to figure out how to get around. Luckily, the city is very compact and public transportation options make reaching all of your Sapporo points of interest easy and convenient!

For traveling within the city, the subway system is your easiest option and will take you wherever you need to go. Sapporo has three subway lines that travel throughout the city. Tickets can be purchased at vending machines outside the subway stations.

Sapporo was designed on a grid, which makes driving extremely easy for tourists to navigate! There are many car rental services throughout Japan and many companies also have English websites that allow you to reserve a car in advance.

Keep in mind that if you plan to drive in Japan, you must be at least 18 years old and have an international driver’s license. You’ll need to arrange for your international license before coming to Japan, as they don’t issue the international driver’s license to foreigners inside the country.

If you’re planning a Sapporo/Hokkaido itinerary, the train system in Sapporo is part of an extended network that spans all of Hokkaido.

Odori Park | Sapporo TV Tower | Sapporo Clock Tower | Tanukikoji Shopping Street | Sapporo Beer Museum

The first day of your itinerary for Sapporo will see you exploring the city’s historic sites before continuing on to a couple of unique cultural attractions!

Day 1 / Stop 1 – Odori Park

• Why it’s awesome: A calming park in the center of Sapporo that hosts many events throughout the year.
• Cost: Free!
• Food nearby: Nijo Market is a historic fish market that sells fresh seafood as well as ready to eat snacks and drinks. It’s a great place to pick up some picnic provisions to take with you to the park.

Located in the heart of Sapporo, Odori Park is an oasis in the big city. The park was created in 1869 and spans nearly 1 mile, covering roughly 19 acres. There are many lush and colorful flower gardens that coat the park floor. It’s one of the city’s top tourist attractions and a great place to start your Sapporo itinerary!

There are many events held throughout the year that give guests a wide-ranging taste of Japanese culture and Hokkaido’s culture in particular. The most well-known events are the Sapporo Lilac Festival and the Sapporo Snow Festival.

The Sapporo Lilac Festival is held every spring for 10 days (usually in May). The park is home to about 400 lilac trees that are in full bloom during the festival and permeate the air with their sweet scent. It’s an exciting festival that marks the end of Winter and the start of the warmer months ahead. During the festival there are events and activities, as well as food and drink stalls.

The Sapporo Snow Festival is held every February for 7 days. During this time, the park is filled with hundreds of snow statues and ice sculptures. Since snowfall in Sapporo during winter is common there’s always the chance of snow during the festival.

If you’re touring Sapporo when these events are being held, we definitely recommend checking them out! 

The park is easily accessible and frequented by locals and travelers alike. It’s open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The park is clean and orderly and there are multiple food and drink stalls. There is also a beer garden set up during summer months where all the major Japanese breweries compete with each other for the best beer!

Insider Tip: Inside Odori Park, there’s a tourist information center, public toilets, and free park Wi-Fi!

Day 1 / Stop 2 – Sapporo TV Tower

• Why it’s awesome: Famous TV Tower where guests can enjoy unobstructed panoramic views of Sapporo.
• Cost: USD $7.00
• Food nearby: Otaru New Sanko is located inside the Sapporo TV Tower. This restaurant serves western dishes in a cozy setting with spectacular views!

The Sapporo TV Tower is located inside of Odori Park making it the perfect next stop on your Sapporo itinerary! The tower was built in 1957 and is a 482-feet high TV tower with an observation deck.

The tower is open to tourists who can enjoy the gorgeous views of Odori Park and the surrounding area of Sapporo.

It takes 60 seconds by elevator to reach the observatory deck, which is 297-feet up. There is a souvenir shop in the observation deck where you can pick up all your Sapporo souvenirs! You’ll also find telescopes and volunteer guides to provide visitors with facts and insight on the tower.

In the evening, the tower lights up with an illumination of dazzling lights that contrasts beautifully against the night sky. Many visitors prefer to visit the tower just before evening hours; the glare from the sun will be gone and the crowds tend to thin out.

The TV Tower is one of the most popular Sapporo landmarks and is open every day.

Day 1 / Stop 3 – Sapporo Clock Tower

• Why it’s awesome: The Sapporo Clock Tower is a symbol of Sapporo and a major landmark in the city center.
• Cost: USD $2.00
• Food nearby: Soup Curry Garaku is a Japanese curry restaurant with a casual atmosphere, phenomenal food, and cold beer.

The Sapporo Clock Tower was built in 1878 and is the oldest clock tower in Japan. The clock continues to run and keep time, and the chimes can be heard every hour. The small building is full of education and history and a great quick stop on your Sapporo itinerary.

Inside the clock tower, you’ll find a museum spread out over two floors. There are displays of the building’s history and the development of Sapporo. There are also English-speaking volunteers in the building to provide anecdotes beyond the exhibits themselves. They aid guests by answering any questions they may have and give further information on the displays.

Sapporo was developed with assistance from the American government and the Sapporo Clock Tower building is of American design. The Sapporo clock tower museum is quite small in size and you’ll probably only need to set aside approximately 30 minutes for this stop on your Sapporo itinerary.

Insider Tip: October 16th is the clock tower’s founding day. On the 16th of every month volunteer tours of the clock tower are given to the general public twice a day!

Day 1 / Stop 4 – Tanukikoji Shopping Street

• Why it’s awesome: Tanukikoji shopping street is an iconic Japanese-style shopping arcade with a variety of shops and eateries.
• Food nearby: Ramen Shingen is your classic cozy ramen restaurant that’s popular with both locals and tourists!

The famous Tanukikoji shopping arcade was established roughly 150 years ago! It’s located between Minami Nijo and Minami Sanjo and is one of the oldest and finest shopping areas in Sapporo, Hokkaido! The street stretches a little more than half a mile and is completely sheltered, meaning the area can be enjoyed regardless of the weather.

It contains around 200 shops, including restaurants, clothing stores, souvenir shops, and all kinds of other specialties and local shops! The street is sectioned off into seven different sections. You could spend hours walking through the different sections of the street and taking your own self-guided Sapporo walking tour! Stop for a bite to eat, browse for souvenirs, wander and window shop, or have a seat and people watch!

Don Quijote is a large 24-hour supermarket that sells almost anything you could think of! The supermarket is 5 stories high and offers everything from Japanese candies and snacks to cosmetics to costumes! It’s a great store to walk around and see Sapporo’s eclectic offering of souvenirs and products; this is definitely one of the coolest places to visit in Sapporo! This is a great stop if you’re backpacking Japan , and you need to revamp the items in your backpack.

Tanukikoji shopping street stays lively every day and is a hub of entertainment in Sapporo. Tall ceilings with bright lights and hanging decorations make this street totally Instagram worthy! This stop is fun for all ages and interests and is a must-see attraction on your Sapporo itinerary!

Day 1 / Stop 5 – Sapporo Beer Museum

• Why it’s awesome: The Sapporo Beer Museum provides historical information and insight into the history of beer production in Japan. 
• Cost: Free to enter (paid tours available).
• Food nearby: The Sapporo Beer Garden contains several restaurants that offer all-you-can-eat specials as well as single menu items.

The Sapporo Beer Museum is the only beer museum in Japan. The building that the museum sits in was erected originally as a factory of the Sapporo Sugar Company in 1890 and only opened as the Sapporo Beer Museum in 1987.

The history of the Sapporo Beer dates back to the Meiji period (1868 – 1912) and the museum is registered as a Hokkaido Heritage site (on the list of historic sites of Japan).

The museum has three floors and is free to enter! There are exhibitions throughout the museum where guests can learn more about the history of beer and its production in Japan.

There are also guided tours, called “premium tours” offered. However, these tours are only given in Japanese. Guests who don’t speak Japanese can read the translated (English) version of the descriptions on printed panels and exhibits found along the tour.

A beer tasting opportunity is also included in the guided tour where guests can sample beer not available for purchase and only offered through this tour option. Tours cost USD $5.00 and last approximately 50-minutes.

There is also a museum bar where visitors can purchase Sapporo Beer. Beer tastings are also available. The museum gift shop offers a variety of items, including key holders, the popular museum pilsner glass, classic beer jelly chocolate, and more!

The building also houses the Sapporo Beer Garden in the south wing, adjacent to the museum. It offers visitors the chance to enjoy all-you-can-drink Sapporo beer direct from the brewery as well as all-you-can-eat mutton BBQ.

The Sapporo Beer Museum is closed on Mondays, make sure to add this to your Sapporo itinerary Tuesday – Sunday only!

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Historical Village of Hokkaido | Sapporo Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill | Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art | Sapporo City Maruyama Zoo | Shiroi Koibito Park

Your two-day itinerary in Sapporo will see you discovering more of the local culture and history! We’ve also included a few fun attractions that are totally unique to Sapporo! 

Day 2 / Stop 1 – Historical Village of Hokkaido

• Why it’s awesome: This outdoor museum features historical buildings that show Hokkaido as it was during the Meiji and Taisho eras.
• Food nearby: There is a restaurant located inside the Historical Village of Hokkaido that serves typical Japanese cuisine in a relaxed setting.

The Historical Village of Hokkaido is an open-air museum located on the outskirts of Sapporo. The village exhibits around 52 period-buildings from different areas of Hokkaido, dating from the Meiji to the Taisho eras periods (1868 to 1926). The village is spread out over an area of 133 acres and is recreated to reflect what pioneer life in Hokkaido would have been like.

There are four different sections: a town, fishing village, farm village, and a mountain village. All of the buildings in the village are set up to look exactly as they would have when they were in use, providing guests with a unique and historical experience.

The attention to detail is exceptional. The rooms are fully furnished with tools, books, pieces of equipment, and articles of clothing from the different time periods being showcased. English descriptions are presented throughout the village providing visitors with a chance to learn even more about the history and culture of the people living during the pioneering days of Hokkaido.

There are volunteers spread throughout the village that provide commentary and demonstration activities. During the summer months, visitors can also take a horse-drawn rail ride and tour the village with a leisurely carriage ride!

If you’re planning a Sapporo itinerary during winter, a horse-drawn sled is operated in the snow-covered village. Visitors will be able to wear old winter clothes, enjoy sledding, bamboo skiing, and other winter activities from the olden days!

Insider Tip: Before you visit the village, download the pocket curator app of the Historical Village of Hokkaido. This multilingual commentary app will guide you through the buildings and provide you with even more insight! The app is available in multiple languages, including English, Korean, and Chinese.

Day 2 / Stop 2 – Sapporo Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill

• Why it’s awesome: This famous observation hill offers a commanding view of the city down below.
• Cost: USD $5.00.
• Food nearby: Sushiro Toyohira Nishioka Shop is a conveyor belt sushi and ramen restaurant with affordable prices and a lively atmosphere.

The Sapporo Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill offers panoramic views of Sapporo and lovely pastoral views of grazing sheep during the summer months.

It also offers great views of the Sapporo Dome, which is the city’s baseball and soccer stadium. It’s a beautiful place with calming scenery and a great area to relax and escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

The focal point of Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill is the statue of Dr. William Smith Clark, the father of pioneers in Hokkaido. He is famous for the phrase, “Boys, be ambitious!” His right arm is raised as he points “toward the eternal truth which lies far in the distance.” The statue is one of Sapporo’s most photographed statues.

Various events are also held throughout the year, including events showcasing the seasonal tastes of Sapporo, lavender picking , and sheep shearing!

The Sapporo Snow Festival Museum is also located inside observation hill and introduces the history of the Snow Festival. It details the process of making snow sculptures, shows videos of the past snow festivals, as well as posters, photos, and model sized replica of the ice sculptures. 

The museum is free to enter (after you pay to enter the Sapporo Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill).

Insider Tip: During winter, the observation hill turns into a snowy winter wonderland! The observation hill snow park offers plenty of winter attractions, including free sled rentals and adult-sized igloos!

Day 2 / Stop 3 – Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art

• Why it’s awesome: The collections of art in the museum primarily focus on the works of art by Hokkaido-associated painters and sculptors.
• Cost: USD $5.00
• Food nearby: Toriton Sushi Maruyama is a popular place for sushi in Sapporo. Their menu offers a wide range of sushi and seafood options, many dishes are offered to guests on a sushi conveyor belt.

The Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art opened in 1977 in Sapporo, Japan. It showcases artwork spanning multiple generations of Japanese culture, including a permanent exhibition and seasonally changing temporary exhibitions.

There are approximately 4,800 pieces of art in the museum, including paintings, glasswork, and special exhibitions from local and international artists. The well-manicured lawns that surround the museum also contain a number of modern art sculptures.

It includes both the indigenous art of Hokkaido and worldwide artworks. The museum is a cultural center in Hokkaido and offers visitors to Sapporo a chance to learn about the region’s cultural development in a creative manner.

The temporary exhibit rooms are changed three to four times a year.  Many exhibits showcase the unique Japanese art form of Ukiyo-e , which translates to “pictures of the floating world.” This style flourished in Japan from the 17th – 19th centuries.

Day 2 / Stop 4 – Sapporo City Maruyama Zoo

• Why it’s awesome: The Sapporo City Maruyama Zoo is a small, nature-oriented zoo that offers visitors a chance to see animals up close.
• Cost: Adult admission is USD $6.00, children 15 years old and younger visit for free.
• Food nearby: Rokkatei Jingu Chaya is a dessert restaurant offering unique Japanese pastries and tea.

The Sapporo City Maruyama Zoo opened in 1951 and is the oldest zoo in Hokkaido! The zoo is currently home to 168 different species and 737 animals. The zoo works to recreate the animal’s natural habitats and surroundings to allow the animals to act according to their natural instincts.

The main attraction of the zoo is the polar bear enclosure. The polar bear is on the brink of extinction in the wild, and the Maruyama Zoo is a special place where you can get an up-close view to see these magnificent animals.

Some of the other highlights of the zoo include the African zone with lions, hippos, zebras, and giraffes, the tropical birdhouse, the marine mammal house, and the Ezo brown bear house.

If you’re trying to figure out what to do in Sapporo with kids, the zoo offers a petting zoo perfect for children. It contains mostly farm animals, including sheep, chickens, geese and small friendly animals. There are also several animal feedings throughout the day where kids will have a chance to see the animals eating.

The zoo is not too large and can be easily seen in 2-3 hours. It’s located close to public transportation and is very reasonably priced.

Insider Tip: The zoo is located inside Maruyama Park. If you have some extra time on your Sapporo itinerary, make sure to walk around the park and enjoy the stunning scenery and tranquil ambiance. 

Day 2 / Stop 5 – Shiroi Koibito Park

• Why it’s awesome: Shiroi Koibito Park is a museum and factory dedicated to chocolate and sweets!
• Cost: The park is free to enter, a factory tour is USD $6.00 and individual attractions have separate fees.
• Food nearby: The Cafe Restaurant Antoripo is located inside Shiroi Koibito Park and serves simple curry pots, sweets, and drinks.

Shiroi Koibito is one of Hokkaido’s most famous sweets; it’s a light sandwich cookie with a rich, white chocolate filling. The Shiroi Koibito Park is a spin-off of this famous Japanese sweet and dedicated to all things sweet!

The park is divided into two areas: the outdoor amusement facilities and the indoor factory tour facilities. There are also numerous restaurants and sweets shops spread through the park.

The Soft Cream House is a crowd favorite! This small ice cream stand serves melt in your mouth soft-serve ice cream, chocolate drinks, and coffee. The Chocolate Lounge also comes highly recommended and is a great place to sample the park’s delectable choices of chocolate, including chocolate fondue pots!

Guests can visit the Sweets Workshop Dream Kitchen and take part in a sweet themed activity! Book a cooking baking class or a cookie decorating class!

Tours of the factory are offered where guests can see how the Shiroi Koibito cookies are made. View the different areas of the factory and see the cookies being made right in front of your eyes! Of course, cookie samples are included in the tour.

If you’re planning a Sapporo trip itinerary with kids, make sure to check out Gullivertown Pocke. This children’s town is lined with small shops and houses, and the white lover railway offers rides on a mini train! There’s also an area where kids can change into fun costumes!   

This stop on your Sapporo itinerary is perfect for children and chocolate lovers!

Time Peace Apartment

The Time Piece Apartment hostel is a small guest house in a central location. Public transportation is within walking distance and the hostel is just a quick 10-minute walk from downtown. If you like this hostel, you’ll LOVE our guide to the best hostels in Japan.

• Free Breakfast

Sapporo City Central Wholesale Market | Former Hokkaido Government Office | Nakajima Park | The Hokkaido University Museum | Hoheikyo Hot Spring

If you’re planning a 3-day itinerary in Sapporo, you’re going to need a few more activities to fill your time. Here are 5 more fun attractions we recommend checking out!

Sapporo City Central Wholesale Market

• Nicknamed “Hokkaido’s Kitchen”.
• There are approximately 60 stores selling a variety of items!
• The market is open year-round.

Sapporo is blessed with an abundance of vegetables, fruit, and fresh seafood, and the Sapporo City Central Wholesale Market and the adjacent Outside Market showcases this variety wonderfully!

Every morning, fresh produce and fish are delivered to the market. The vendors serve these products either as is or made into tasty local dishes! The market is very reasonably priced and provides guests with a great chance to sample to local flavors of Sapporo!

Hokkaido is synonymous with raw seafood, and salmon roe is especially popular! These shiny and plump internal egg masses as a local favorite and the market is the best place to try out the freshest salmon roe in Sapporo! Or, if you’re not a fan of raw fish, Melcard Kitchen Maru offers tasty grilled fish dishes. The fish is cooked with the local flavors of Hokkaido and is another very popular local dish.

You’ll see an abundance of vendors with fresh and cooked crab. Keep an eye out for the large king crab and the exotic-looking hairy crab! In terms of produce, melon is one of the most popular items. You can buy it whole, or by the slice. Corn is another popular item, and it’s so sweet you can eat it raw!

In addition to seafood and produce, you’ll also find vendors selling unique Japanese desserts and souvenirs, including Sake made in Hokkaido. Most stalls at the market are open every day from 8:00 am – 3:00 pm.

Former Hokkaido Government Office

• Admission is free! 
• Open Monday – Friday.
• The building includes a conference room, a museum shop, a tourist information desk, exhibition rooms, and a library.

The Former Hokkaido Government Office Building, also known as the Red Brick Government Building, is a great place to learn about the history of Sapporo. The museum contains materials and information on the history of Hokkaido and is completely free to visit!

The building was constructed in 1888 and is a great example of American neo-baroque architecture. Approximately 2.5 million bricks were used in the construction of the building and the sight of the rusty reds and orange bricks against Sapporo’s natural surroundings is a sight to behold!

The Former Hokkaido Government Office was used for 80 years until the new government office was built. The building and its exhibits on display are open to the public on weekdays and have a volunteer staff to assist guests and provide more insight and history about the building.

If you’re planning a 3-day itinerary in Sapporo and have the time in your sightseeing schedule, plan a stop at this museum and listening to the volunteers who will provide you with a more intimate look at the history of Sapporo and Hokkaido.

Nakajima Park

• Entrance is free!
• Spacious park with lots of attractions.
• Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Nakajima Park is located in the middle of downtown Sapporo next to the Susukino district. It’s a large public area with a number of interesting attractions and cultural facilities.

The Hoheikan is a historic guest house/hotel that was built in 1880. It was constructed to accommodate and impress visiting foreign dignitaries. It’s the oldest wooden building of its type in Japan.

The building’s interior has large spiral staircases, Corinthian columns, chandeliers, and original furnishings. It is open to the public and is free to visit! 

The Sapporo Astronomical Observatory is also located inside the park and is equipped with a telescope for observing astronomical objects. The Sapporo Concert Hall Kitara is an intimate concert hall in the park with amazing acoustics and a nice selection of performances throughout the week.

There’s also a traditional Japanese garden in the park that houses a traditional Japanese tea house.

Aside from its cultural facilities, it’s a lovely place to enjoy a nice break from the city. There are multiple streams as well as a large lake. It’s a great place to go for a jog, take a peaceful stroll, have a picnic, or just sit and enjoy the beauty of Sapporo’s natural scenery.

The Hokkaido University Museum

• Free admission!
• Open every day except for Mondays from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
• The museum is well organized and thoughtfully laid out

The Hokkaido University Museum houses important scientific specimens and academic resources. The museum’s collection includes over three million documents and specimens, which the university has been collecting since it first opened over 140 years ago! Of particular focus is a huge skeleton of a Holstein bull and a life-sized mock-up of a woolly mammoth.

There is an interactive exhibit room where guests can touch specimens and at the museum laboratory, you can see research taking place.

Following a major renovation in 2016, the museum also now features new exhibits that highlight the latest research taking place at the 12 academic departments at Hokkaido University. There is also a cafe on-site that serves light meals and alcoholic beverages. If you’re planning more than a 2-day itinerary in Sapporo, this free museum is definitely worth checking out! 

Hoheikyo Hot Spring

• Entrance is USD $9.00 for adults and USD $5.00 for children.
• Features 3 hot spring baths.
• 100% pure, natural spring water.

The Hoheikyo Hot Spring is an outdoor hot spring bath surrounded by nature. It contains Japan’s largest open-air bath with a maximum bathing capacity of 200 people. If you’re backpacking through Asia, stop here to rest your weary bones.

The hot springs are not temperature-controlled and the water is poured directly from the ground into each bathtub, so it does not touch the air at all as it is being transferred. Since it is poured without oxidation, the water does not require chlorine. The quality of the spring remains constant and the healing properties of the water are high.

There are also two restaurants on the property that serve Indian and Japanese cuisine, each is highly rated! Visiting the Hoheikyo Hot Spring is the perfect relaxing vacation excursion in Sapporo!

Whether you’re spending one day in Sapporo or more, safety is an important thing to keep in mind when traveling to a new city!

Overall, you should have nothing to worry about when you visit Sapporo! The city is considered extremely safe for tourists to visit and just like all the other areas of Japan, Sapporo has an extremely low crime rate.

However, you should always follow the rules of common sense when traveling. Avoid walking alone late at night, never leave your drinks unattended, and always keep an eye on your personal belongings.

Winters in Sapporo can be harsh due to the Arctic wind from the north. Blizzards and snowstorms are not uncommon. If you’re visiting Sapporo during this time make sure to pack adequate winter clothing to manage the icy climate.   

If you’re renting a car and traveling outside of the city, wildlife is still very abundant, which can lead to accidents between cars and wild animals. When you are driving in Hokkaido, you will frequently see signs reminding you to watch out for animals. 

The Ezo deer are probably the most common animals to run across the roads. Be sure to adhere to the speed limit, drive carefully, and pay close attention.

Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance for Sapporo

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Day trips from Sapporo are a great way to explore even more of Japan’s gorgeous landscape! They also offer travelers a chance to learn more about the culture. These trips highlight the areas outside the city and are a great option if you’re spending 3 days in Sapporo, or more! 

Day Trip to Furano, Biei, and Blue Pond

Enjoy a day trip from Sapporo to Hokkaido’s most scenic areas! Witness even more of this gorgeous island and enjoy a day of hassle-free sightseeing!

Travel to the Biei and Furano areas to admire stunning flower-carpeted fields, see native trees and foliage, and visit the famous Blue Pond! Lastly, you’ll stop by a farm garden to rest and enjoy a local curry lunch, (vegetarian option available upon request). This relaxing day trip is a great option if you’re spending 3 days in Sapporo, or even a few weeks!

Hokkaido’s Top Sightseeing of Farm Tomita, Shikisai no Oka in Biei, and Blue Pond

See the best spots in Hokkaido and admire the idyllic landscape. Start your day at Campana Rokkatei and take in the picturesque view of grapevines sprawling across the rolling hillsides. Visit the Furano Wine Factory with its vast lavender field and panorama views of Mt. Tokachi ranges. This is also where lunch will be served.

You can also travel to the Farm Tomita, the most historical tourist lavender farm in Japan and see the vast fields of flowers that bloom over the hills of Shikisai-no-Oka. Finish your day at the Shirogane Blue Pond before heading back to Sapporo.

Explorer Hokkaido! Lake Shikotsu, Toya, and Mt Usu Tour

Experience two famous lakes of Hokkaido! Start at Lake Shikotsu and admire the majestic beauty of water. There will be an option to take a “Lake Shikotsu Cruise” to admire the scenic beauty from a different perspective.

Next, why not head to Kinoko Okoku in Otaki to enjoy a bit of rest and have lunch and explore Toyako Manseikaku. Carry on to Lake Tya to see more gorgeous and unspoiled Japanese nature. Finish up at Usuzan Ropeway, where you’ll ride the ropeway and enjoy the breathtaking landscapes! This Hokkaido trip is perfect for nature lovers!

Lake Shikotsu Mountain Bike Tour from Sapporo

Pay a visit to the scenic areas of Lake Shikotsu by mountain bike!

The best way to do this is on a moderate 5-hour course with an expert guide and take in the breathtaking views of the surrounding scenery. Pedal past the Lake Shikotsu area, along with the calm clear waters of the Chitose River! Traverse the natural landscape and keep an eye out for the occasional wildlife!

Enjoy a relaxing break at the lake and lunch (own expense) from a lakeside restaurant. Included in your tour are a local guide, mountain bike, helmet and gloves, and round-trip transport from select locations. Tour groups are limited to just 10 participants to provide for a more intimate experience.

Explore Otaru & Yoichi

Another great trip is one from Sapporo to Otaru, Hokkaido’s gorgeous seaside city! Start your day at the Yoichi Distillery, where the famous Nikka Whiskey is produced! Learn about whiskey production and then try a sample for yourself!

Next, travel to Otaru city and enjoy some time to explore the canal area and Sakaimachi shopping street, followed by a tasty seafood lunch full of local fish and produce! Lastly, take the ropeway up Tengu Mountain and enjoying the scenic views of Otaru Port and Ishikari Bay. See several Otaru highlights in a day with this hassle-free tour option!

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Find out what people want to know when planning their Sapporo itinerary.

How many days are enough for Sapporo?

Sapporo is a huge city, so you’ll need at least 3 days to fully explore it.

What should you include on a Sapporo winter itinerary?

Make sure to include these top snowy Sapporo highlights: – Sapporo Snow Festival (February) – Historical Village of Hokkaido – Sapporo Hitsujigakoa Observation Hill

What should you include on a Sapporo summer itinerary?

There are loads of great ways to enjoy Sapporo’s sunshine: – Picnic in Odori Park – Wander down the Tanukikoji Shopping Street – Spend a day at Nakajima Park

Where is the best place to stay in Sapporo?

Susukino offers heaps of accommodation and is the place to be if you’re looking to be close to everything. For a quieter alternative, check out Nakajima Koen.

Sapporo is a charming Japanese city that offers plenty of tourist attractions, including some amazing festivals and events! Even during the city’s colder months, you’ll find plenty of attractions. From historic sites to stunning parks to mouth-watering cuisine and fantastic beer culture, Sapporo’s got it all!

The city is the perfect place to mix education with entertainment, making it a great vacation spot for every type of traveler. Moreover, Sapporo is an extremely safe city to travel to and relatively inexpensive, making it perfect for families and solo travelers!

We hope you enjoyed our Sapporo itinerary and that you’re able to try it out for yourself! If you are ready to jetset off to Sapporo, 

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

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Hokkaido Autumn Itineraries & 12 Best Spots for Autumn Colors

Looking for autumn color spots in Hokkaido? Here are 3 autumn itineraries & the best 12 locations to enjoy Hokkaido's breathtaking autumn landscapes!

Autumn leaves in Hokkaido can be seen the earliest in Japan, with the peak season lasting from mid-September to late October. Mid-October is the best time for the brightly colored trees. Hokkaido's autumn foliage season is shorter than the rest of Japan, so don’t miss out on the beautiful sceneries!

Useful Resources

✨Planning a trip? Grab my Ultimate Travel Planner & Itineraries

✨Looking for places to stay? Check out my Hotel Recommendations

✨Stuck in your trip planning? Ask for my Local Expert Advice

What We'll Cover

Hokkaido autumn trip itineraries.

• Sapporo Area
• Eastern Hokkaido Area
• Hakodate Area

The Best 12 Spots for Autumn Colors in Hokkaido

• Jozankei Onsen
• Eniwa Valley
• Takinoue Park
• Shikisai-no-Oka
• Sounkyo Gorge
• Iwaonai Senkyo
• Lake Onneto
• Hakodate Mountain
• Unsekikyo Pass
• Onuma National Park

This post contains affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission to enjoy a cup of coffee on my trip☕

2 Days in Sapporo Area

Depart from Sapporo to Eniwa by car in the morning (one hour)

Eniwa Valley : Enjoy a walk along the trails while taking in the beautiful autumn scenery of the three waterfalls: Shiraoi Falls, Rarumanai Falls, and Sandan Falls.

Have lunch in Eniwa and head to Jozankei (one hour)

Explore Jozankei Onsen town and enjoy the beautiful autumn colors

Soak in a hot spring at one of the local hot springs before driving back to Sapporo

Depart from Sapporo to Biei by car (2.5 hours)

Shikisai no Oka in Biei: Enjoy the picturesque flower fields and seasonal blooms in autumn & lunch

Head to Takinoue Park in Yubari (2 hours): Explore the park, its intriguing rock formations, and vibrant fall foliage

Drive back to Sapporo (1.5 hours)

🍶 Local Izakaya Hopping

Want to enjoy the night like a local? Join Sapporo Bar Hopping Food Tour with MagicalTrip! Their local guides have been carefully selected to give you an authentic experience. They are friendly and outgoing, and enjoy meeting international travelers. A small group tour makes your experience much more personal.

🛌 Where to Stay in Sapporo

JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo ⭐4 stars ♨️Hot spring 🏢Excellent Location A convenient hotel with spacious and modern rooms, friendly staff, and a prime location with easy access to Sapporo's attractions and activities.

Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Sapporo ⭐4 stars ♨️Hot spring 🍴Great Breakfast Enjoy stunning views of Hokkaido's Government Office building and nature-inspired guest rooms. Just a 5-min walk from JR Sapporo Station, with a public bath and terrace for a luxurious stay.

Keio Prelia Hotel Sapporo ⭐4 stars 👩‍❤️‍👨For Couple 🍴Great Breakfast Perfect for city explorers, just 3 minutes from JR Sapporo Station. Choose from a range of rooms, unwind in the spacious public bath, and enjoy a delicious Hokkaido breakfast buffet.

✨TRAVEL TIP

Want to visit Hokkaido's best places without driving? Join Guided One-Day Tours ! They offer transportation from/to Sapporo. The popular destinations include Furano, Biei, Asahikawa, Otaru, Lake Toya, Noboribetsu and many more.

2 Days in Eastern Hokkaido Area

Head to Sounkyo by car from Asahikawa or Memanbetsu Airport (2 hours each)

Sounkyo Gorge : Take a ropeway and explore the stunning cliffs and gorges while enjoying the vibrant autumn foliage. Visit the Ginga and Ryusei waterfalls.

Have lunch in Sounkyo Onsen town and head to Akan (2.5 hours)

Morning at Lake Akan : Explore the lakeside and learn about the Ainu culture at the nearby Ainu Kotan village.

Enjoy a leisurely boat cruise on the lake, taking in the stunning autumn foliage and views of the surrounding mountains - Check the schedule here

Have lunch at a local restaurant around Lake Akan - My recommendation is Nabekyu!

Drive to Lake Onneto (20 min): Take in the beautiful autumn colors and the lake's changing hues, often referred to as the "Five-Color Lake."

Continue your trip in Eastern Hokkaido, for example to Kushiro or Abashiri

🛌Where to Stay in Akan

Tsuruga Besso Hinanoza ⭐4 stars, 🛁Private Hot Spring, 🍷Fine Dining All 25 rooms come with a private hot spring with a beautiful lake view.

Akan No Mori Tsuruga Resort Hana Yuuka ⭐4 stars, 🍴Great Buffet, ♨️Hot Spring A cozy lake-side onsen hotel offering delicious buffet meals with various options

Hotel Gozensui ⭐3 stars, ♨️Hot Spring, 👀 Beautiful View A classic Japanese-style onsen hotel overlooking the lake

🚗Looking for a car rental?

Rentalcars.com compares prices of many well-known international & Japanese companies. If you want to rent from a company that is familiar with international travelers and offers comprehensive support services, take a look!

Klook covers big international names as well as Japanese local companies. Sometimes you will find cheaper prices from the local ones, so make sure to check it out.

2 Days in Hakodate Area

Visit Goryokaku in the morning: Explore the star-shaped fortress, enjoy the vibrant autumn colors, and visit the Goryokaku Tower for panoramic views

Head to Hakodate Mountain after lunch (15 minutes)

Hakodate Mountain : Ride the ropeway to the summit, enjoy the beautiful autumn foliage, and take in the stunning views of Hakodate city and the harbor

Return to the city and spend the night

Depart from Hakodate to Unsekikyo Pass by car (2 hours)

Usekikyo Pass : Enjoy a scenic drive along the pass with beautiful autumn foliage, and take in the views of Mount Akadake

Have lunch in Yakumo and then head to Onuma National Park (1 hour)

Onuma National Park : Explore the park's various attractions, including Lake Onuma and Lake Konuma, enjoy the contrast between the lakes and the autumn colors, and participate in activities such as canoeing and cycling

Drive back to Hakodate (1.5 hours) and spend the night

🛌Where to Stay in Hakodate

La Vista Hakodate Bay ⭐4 stars, ♨️Hot Spring, 👀 Beautiful View A comfortable stay in a prime location overlooking Hakodate Bay. The hotel features modern rooms with bay views, natural hot spring baths, and a restaurant offering local seafood and Western-style dishes.

Premier Hotel -CABIN PRESIDENT- Hakodate ⭐3 stars, ✨Modern Design, 🏢Excellent Location A contemporary hotel conveniently located just a 1-minute walk from JR Hakodate Station. Enjoy spacious and stylish rooms, an on-site restaurant serving local and international cuisine, and easy access to Hakodate's attractions.

Hotel Paco Hakodate ⭐3 stars, ♨️Hot spring, 🏢Excellent Location A relaxing hotel situated near Hakodate's famous morning market. The hotel offers comfortable guest rooms, a public hot spring bath, and a buffet-style restaurant with a variety of Japanese and Western dishes.

THE ULTIMATE HOKKAIDO TRAVEL PLANNERS

These e-guidebooks will save your weeks of research!

Overview of major destinations

Ready-made itineraries

Things to do, hotel reccomendations

Useful travel tips & many more

1. Jozankei Onsen

Discover the captivating charm of Jozankei, a hot spring haven located just an hour's drive from downtown Sapporo. Situated within the picturesque Shikotsu-Toya National Park, Jozankei is a prime destination for admiring Hokkaido's central region's autumn colors.

The town is enveloped by mountains, which transform into a kaleidoscope of hues as the leaves change, creating an awe-inspiring display. To truly appreciate the Hokkaido-style panoramic views, be sure to experience the Hoheikyo Dam and the autumn gondola at the Sapporo International Ski Resort.

📅 Best time to visit: Late September to mid-October 📍 Google Maps 🚗 By car: One hour from Sapporo 🚌 By public transportation: Take the Jotetsu Bus from Sapporo Station Bus Terminal, approximately 1 hour ride, costing around 800 yen per person.

2. Eniwa Valley

Eniwa Valley is renowned for its three distinct waterfalls: Shiraoi Falls, Rarumanai Falls, and Sandan Falls . Each of these natural masterpieces offers a unique experience, and well-maintained walking trails allow visitors to admire all three. During autumn, the powerful waterfalls are beautifully complemented by the vibrant foliage, attracting many tourists to experience the striking combination.

📅 Best time to visit: Late September to mid-October 📍 Google Maps 🚗 By car: One hour from Sapporo

3. Takinoue Park

Takinoue Park is located in Yubari City. The park's name translates to "the place where the gods of the north reside" in the Ainu language. The valley was carved by the erosion of the Yubari River, creating oddly-shaped rocks and numerous waterfalls of varying sizes. This scenic spot is a must-visit during the peak of the autumn colors, with stunning foliage transforming the landscape into a breathtaking view.

📅 Best time to visit: Mid-October to late October 📍 Google Maps 🚗 By car: 40 min from New Chitose Airport, 1.5 hours from Sapporo 🚌 By public transportation: 7 min walk from JR Takinoue Station

4. Shikisai-no-Oka

Shikisai no Oka is a picturesque flower park that blooms with seasonal flowers from spring to autumn. The photogenic striped flower fields showcase salvia, kochia, and sunflowers during fall. Enjoy the scenic views aboard a tractor bus or by renting carts and buggies. The on-site restaurant offers homemade dishes prepared with wholesome ingredients, perfect for a meal with a view.

📅 Best time to visit: Mid-September to early October 📍 Google Maps 🚗 By car: 30 min from Asahikawa 🚌 By public transportation: Take the bus from Asahikawa Station to Biei Station (around 1 hour, 1,210 yen per person), then a taxi to Shikisai no Oka for 10 min.

5. Sounkyo Gorge

At the foot of Mount Kurodake, Sounkyo Gorge boasts dramatic cliffs with impressive columnar jointing and waterfalls, creating a breathtaking canyon landscape. The gorge is also a popular autumn foliage spot. Experience the gradual color change starting from the hot spring town to the Akadake area.

📅 Best time to visit: Late September to mid-October 📍 Google Maps 🚗 By car: 2 hours from Asahikawa 🚌 By public transportation: Take the bus from Asahikawa Station to Sounkyo Onsen (around 2 hours, 2,200 yen per person)

6. Iwaonai Senkyo

Located about 30 minutes by car from Obihiro Airport, Iwaonai Senkyo is a stunning gorge at the foot of the Hidaka Mountains . In autumn, the gorge's vibrant ginkgo and maple trees create a beautiful contrast with the striking red suspension bridge. The Iwaonai Senkyo Momiji Festival attracts many visitors each October.

📅 Best time to visit: Mid-October 📍 Google Maps 🚗 By car: 30 minutes from Obihiro Airport 🚌 By public transportation: Take the bus from Obihiro Airport to Obihiro Station (40 minutes, 1,130 yen per person), then the train to Iwaonai Station (around 1 hour, 1,670 yen per person)

7. Lake Onneto

Lake Onneto, situated in Akan National Park, is known for its ever-changing colors, which vary with the season and time of day, earning it the nickname "Five-Color Lake." During autumn, visitors can enjoy both the beautiful lake and surrounding fall foliage. The reflections of the mountains on the water create an enchanting atmosphere. With its hues of emerald green and cobalt blue, you'll want to visit Lake Onneto time and time again.

📅 Best time to visit: Mid-September to mid-October 📍 Google Maps 🚗 By car: 2 hours from Kushiro 🚌 By public transportation: Take the bus from Kushiro Station to Akan Bus Terminal (around 2 hours, 3,000 yen per person), then a taxi to Lake Onneto for 20 min

8. Lake Akan

Lake Akan, home to the rare marimo moss balls, is a place where nature and Ainu culture coexist. In autumn, the Takiguchi area of Lake Akan is known for its vibrant red, yellow, and orange foliage. Enjoy the views from a sightseeing boat, and take in the stunning reflections of the fall colors on the water.

📅 Best time to visit: Late September to mid-October 📍 Google Maps ( a bridge with a nice autumn color view ) 🚗 By car: 1.5 hours from Kushiro 🚌 By public transportation: Take the bus from Kushiro Station to Akan Bus Terminal (around 2 hours, 3,000 yen per person)

9. Hakodate Mountain

Mount Hakodate is a top sightseeing spot in Hakodate, perfect for those who want to enjoy both autumn colors and night views . Travel to the summit via the ropeway and take in the cityscape from the Mount Hakodate Observatory. The best time to visit is around 30 minutes before or after sunset, when you can appreciate both the vibrant autumn leaves and the sparkling night skyline.

📅 Best time to visit: Mid-October to early November 📍 Google Maps 🚗 By car: Driving to the summit is prohibited during high seasons. Park your car at the ropeway station. 🚌 By public transportation: Take a ropeway (3 min, 1800 yen for a round trip) or a bus (30 min, 500 yen for one way) from the ropeway station.

10. Goryokaku

Goryokaku is another must-visit tourist spot in Hakodate. Known for its beautiful cherry blossoms in spring, Goryokaku offers equally enchanting autumn foliage. Head to the iconic Goryokaku Tower to enjoy the unique star-shaped structure of the park, surrounded by vivid autumn colors.

📅 Best time to visit: Mid-October to early November 📍 Google Maps 🚗 By car: within the Hakodate city 🚌 By public transportation: Hakodate City Tram from Hakodate Station to Goryokaku Koen-mae Station (15 minutes, around 210 yen per person).

11. Unsekikyo Pass

The pass connecting Yakumo and Kumaishi regions offers a picturesque autumn drive along Route 277. The Unsettai Skyline is famous for its views of Mount Akadake bathed in sunset colors, framed by vibrant foliage. About 2 km further, you'll find Miyanoshita Onsen – the perfect place to unwind after your autumn drive.

📅 Best time to visit: Mid-October to early November 📍 Google Maps 🚗 By car: 1.5 hours from Hakodate

12. Onuma National Park

Located in the central part of the Oshima Peninsula, Onuma Quasi-National Park is a nature lover's paradise and one of the most beautiful views of Japan. With highlights like Mount Komagatake, Lake Onuma, and Lake Konuma, the park is particularly stunning during autumn. Enjoy canoeing, cycling, and other activities as you explore the captivating contrasts of the lakes and fall colors.

📅 Best time to visit: Mid-October to early November 📍 Google Maps 🚗 By car: One hour from Hakodate 🚌 By public transportation: Take the JR Hakodate Main Line from Hakodate Station to Onuma Koen Station (around 50 minutes, approximately 650 yen per person).

NEED ADVICE ON YOUR TRIP PLAN?

I’M HERE TO HELP YOU!

I’ve been helping international travelers plan their dream trips to Hokkaido for years. I’d be happy to plan your itinerary with you for Eastern Hokkaido as well as other regions.

Check out what you can ask me & why you should plan with a local expert like me.

You might also like…

Sapporo: The City of Spectacular Fall Leaves

　Sapporo is the largest city and the capital of Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan. The city sits on the Ishikari plain, on the alluvial fan of the Toyohira River that flows through the city. Sapporo is surrounded by the mountains in the south and west, which gives the city a variety of nature types and weather conditions: It might already be already snowing in the mountains but the lower parts of the city are still boasting the colorful fall foliage.

　Sapporo is known for its world-famous Sapporo beer and Sapporo miso ramen. In addition, when you hear the name ‘Sapporo’, besides beer and ramen, the image coming to your mind is probably Sapporo’s snowy winters and the Sapporo snow festival that fills the city with snow sculptures. But did you know that Sapporo is worth visiting during other seasons, too? During fall, the leaves of the trees all around the city turn to blazing red and bright yellow before falling down. Viewing the beautiful fall leaves is one of the most unforgettable activities you can do in Sapporo in the fall. There are several places in Sapporo city itself to view the foliage and if you venture a bit outside the city center, you have even more options.

　In this blog column, you can read all about the fall leaves in Hokkaido and the best spots to view fall foliage in Sapporo and its vicinities.

　If you want to know more about Sapporo, take a look at our earlier blog columns about the city here (we have many!): All Treasure Island Travel’s blog columns about Sapporo . https://hokkaido-treasure.com/column_location/sapporo/  

The many falls of Hokkaido and Japan

　In places with four seasons, the fall is the time when nature gives its blessings in the form of harvest and then slowly starts to prepare itself for the long and cold winter. In Japan, fall is the season to enjoy cooling weather after the pressing heat of summer but also the season to prepare for the winter. This has created a culture of referring to different ‘falls of this-and-that’ (~ no aki / ～の秋), for example, ‘the fall of appetite’ ( shokuyoku no aki / 食欲の秋), ‘the fall of harvest’ ( shuukaku no aki / 収穫の秋), ‘the fall of reading’ ( dokusho no aki / 読書の秋), and ‘the fall of sports’ ( supootsu no aki / スポーツの秋).

　The fall of appetite and the fall of harvest both refer to preparing oneself for winter. Many animals eat as much as possible in fall to prepare for the long and cold winter and, for example in the case of bears, hibernation. We, humans, have a similar instinct, too: our appetite increases during the nice and cool fall days. Also, the fact that many seasonal delicacies are only available during fall adds to the increasing appetite. This brings us to the fall of harvest. Today we can eat any food during any season but before modern transportation and farming techniques were developed, only seasonal crops were available. Fall was the season with the most abundant crops, hence the name ‘the fall of harvest.’

　The fall of reading means that it’s easy to concentrate on reading after the summer heat is gone. It’s cozy to light up a lamp at night and read a book by an open window in a cooling breeze. Another quite recently emerged similar term is ‘the fall of arts’ ( geijutsu no aki / 芸術の秋) meaning that it’s easy to appreciate all kinds of works of art when the weather cools down. The fall of sports means that fall is the perfect time for doing sports because there is no longer danger of heat stroke due to excessive heat like in the summer, and no risk of getting cold due to excessive coldness like in the winter. The 1964 Tokyo Olympics were held in October and for the celebration of the event, sports day on October 10 th (the opening day of the Olympics) was established. That might also be one of the reasons for the concept of ‘the fall of sports.’

　Another delightful activity to enjoy during the cool fall days is to go on a stroll to view the colorful fall leaves in the parks and mountains. In contrast with the cherry blossom viewing in spring, the fall has a viewing of its own: fall leaves viewing. In Japanese, this is called momijigari (紅葉狩り) or ‘fall leaves hunting.’ Momijigari means simply going out into the fields and mountains to enjoy the splendid colors of the fall foliage. The habit of enjoying fall leaves viewing in Japan goes back all the way to the Kamakura period (1185–1333), so it really is a long tradition. And why not; fall leaves viewing is an excellent way to spend a nice fall day and appreciate the amazing colors of leaves. Note that the Japanese word 紅葉 can be read in two ways: koyo or momiji . The word momiji especially refers to Japanese maples that turn bright crimson.

Why do leaves change color in fall?

　So, why does the color change in leaves happen? This is a phenomenon that can be witnessed in the northern hemisphere. There are two types of trees: evergreen and deciduous. Both in the north and the south, most of the fir trees (conifers) are evergreen and don’t shed all their leaves all at once, but individual leaves stay attached to the tree for 2 to 4 years. In the north, however, most of the broad-leaved trees are deciduous, that is, they lose all their leaves in the fall.

　The leaves of the tree are small nutrient factories that feed the tree. The nutrients are made by the effect of sunlight in cells containing chlorophyll, which gives the leaves their green color. There are also orange and yellow pigments inside the leaves, too, but a great amount of chlorophyll covers the other colors in the summer.

　But in the fall, the days become shorter and colder, which makes the leaves on broad-leaved trees stop producing the nutrients and the chlorophyll breaks down. When the chlorophyll disappears, so does the green pigment. The yellow and the orange pigments become visible and depending on the type of the tree, some further chemical processes occur making red color pigments. The color the leaves take depends on the type of the tree: How much chlorophyll residue there is left in the leaves and what kind of other chemical processes happen in the leaves. For example, the leaves of Japanese momiji maples and nanakamado (Japanese rowans) become vibrant red, the leaves of cherry trees blazing orange and red, and the leaves of ginkgo trees bright yellow.

　Besides the chemicals in the leaves, the weather affects the colors. For example, the red colors become more intense in low temperatures above 0ºC (32ºF) but frost weakens the intensity. The colors become more intense if there are cloudy or rainy days. However, a perfect day to view and shoot some beautiful photos of fall foliage is a dry, cool, and clear day.

The stunning fall leaves of Hokkaido

　The season of fall leaves or fall foliage (or as the Brits call it, autumn leaves or autumn foliage ) spans from September to November in Hokkaido. As you can see, the season is quite long in Hokkaido, so there are plenty of chances to see this amazing phenomenon throughout fall. The peak time for fall foliage differs from place to place and also between the types of trees. For example, the maples turn red somewhat earlier than the ginkgo trees turn yellow. The earliest colorful foliage can be seen in Hokkaido in September in the northern parts of the island and in the mountains. However, the peak of the fall foliage in most of the places in Hokkaido is in October and early November. When moving on further to November, the leaves start to fall but depending on the location and type of the trees, the peak foliage might fall even in the mid or late November (for example, the ginkgo trees at Hokkaido University campus in Sapporo), so there are still changes to see some great fall leaves in Hokkaido in November, too.

　In the spring, the Japanese weather forecast programs include ‘cherry blossom front’ tracking, that is, a forecast for the start of blooming and peak season for cherry blossoms all over the country. The cherry blossom front starts in the southern parts of Japan and slowly moves up to the north when the weather becomes warmer and the flowers start to bloom. Similarly, in fall, there is the ’fall foliage front’ to track the process of the leaves turning into their fall colors. This time the front runs from the cold north to the warmer south.

　The fall leaves in Japan start to get their colors first in Hokkaido. One of the places where you can see the first fall leaves in Japan and Hokkaido is Daisetsuzan National Park ( Daisetsuzan kokuritsu koen / 大雪山国立公園) at the heart of Hokkaido. The park is home to the Daisetsuzan volcanic group with Asahidake (旭岳) (2,291 m / 7,510 ft)―Hokkaido’s highest peak―as its centerpiece. The volcanoes at Daisetsuzan, also known as “the roof of Hokkaido”, are a gently sloping mountain range each about 2,000 meters in height. At Mount Kurodake (黒岳) (1,984 m / 6509 ft)―one of the peaks in Daisetsuzan National Park―you can enjoy the earliest fall foliage in Japan. The leaves around Mt. Kurodake turn to bright red and brilliant yellow as early as the end of August at the top of the mountain, September and early October being the peak time to admire the autumn leaves in their best also in a bit lower altitudes at Sounkyo (層雲峡) gorge.

　Other great places for fall foliage viewing in Hokkaido are for example Onuma Quasi-national park in southern Hokkaido, Blue pond in Biei in central Hokkaido, and the five lakes of Shiretoko in eastern Hokkaido. Onuma Quasi-national park ( Onuma kokutei koen / 大沼国定公園) close to Hakodate city is an excellent choice for the ones who want to enjoy the fall leaves while doing outdoor activities such as canoeing or hiking. The park has gained a lot of deserved attention for its breathtaking fall colors in the latest years. The visitors can enjoy the fall colors in Onuma from mid-October to the end of October.

　Blue pond ( Aoike / 青池) in Biei village (美瑛) is one of the most scenic places in Hokkaido with its astonishing turquoise blue water colored by colloidal aluminum hydroxide released from underground in a volcanic eruption in 1988. The view at the pond is even more amazing in fall when the trees at the shores of the pond turn vivid yellow. Blue pond’s fall colors are at their best in early October. Another place where mother Nature offers its best is the area of Five lakes in Shiretoko ( Shiretokogoko / 知床五湖). The blazing colors of red maples and Japanese rowans and yellow birch reflecting from the surface of the lakes are just mind-blowing. The best time to view fall foliage in Shiretoko is from late September to mid-October. 

　You can read more about Daisetsuzan National Park, Onuma Quasi-national park, Biei and Blue pond, and Shiretoko in our earlier blog columns Daisetsuzan National Park: The Playground of the Gods https://hokkaido-treasure.com/column/021/ , Onuma Quasi-national Park: Enjoying Autumn Leaves in Hokkaido https://hokkaido-treasure.com/column/031/ , Biei: The Village of Patchwork Hills https://hokkaido-treasure.com/column/005/ , and Shiretoko: The Peninsula at the End of the Earth https://hokkaido-treasure.com/column/012/ .

　You might also be interested to take a look at our Autumn Hokkaido sample itinerary: True Autumn Full of Stunning Colors and Outdoor Activities in Central Hokkaido . https://hokkaido-treasure.com/itinerary/autumn_9/

The best spots to view the colorful fall foliage in Sapporo

　Sapporo is a metropolis with almost 2 million inhabitants. It might seem that in a huge city like Sapporo there are not that many opportunities to view the fall leaves but that is not the case! Here we introduce the best fall foliage viewing spots both within Sapporo city and in the suburbs of Sapporo city.

The best places to view the fall foliage in Sapporo city

　Sapporo has many parks and visiting one is an easy way to enjoy the fall leaves. Nakajima park http://www.sapporo-park.or.jp/nakajima/?page_id=8032 ( Nakajimakoen / 中島公園) (an outbound link) is one of the most loved spots to admire the colorful fall foliage in Sapporo. The park was established in 1930 and it covers an area of about 24 hectares.

　You can find several types of fir trees and broad-leaved trees in the park, for example, Sakhalin spruces and Japanese yews as well as maples, ginkgo, cherries, black locusts, and Japanese elms. The combination of different types of trees means a fall foliage of different colors. Besides the colorful leaves, the visitors to the park can enjoy its numerous sculptures and National Designated Cultural Properties, such as back then a hotel, now a civic center Hohei-kan (豊平館) from 1880, and the tea house Hasso-an (八窓庵) built in the Japanese garden of the park.

　Other good parks for fall leaves hunting is Maruyama park in western central Sapporo and Makomanai park in southern Sapporo. Maruyama park (円山公園) https://maruyamapark.jp/?page_id=13868 (an outbound link) at the foot of Mt. Maruyama (225 meters) covers an area of 70 hectares. The park was officially opened in 1957 but its history goes back to 1875 when 150 trees were planted to line the road leading to Hokkaido Shrine next to the current park. Maruyama park is famous as a cherry blossom viewing spot but the park is also spectacular during fall. A part of the park consists of a virgin forest that is home to numerous trees as well as animals. The trees in the park include Japanese hackberry, maple, cherry, katsura (Japanese Judas tree), and black locust, just to mention a few.

　Makomanai park (真駒内公園) is an 85-hectare park located in southern Sapporo. There are about 13,200 planted trees in the park of which 7,300 are broadleaf trees and on top of that about 50,000 trees grow naturally without human inference. This many trees means a stunning display of colors in fall! The visitors can see such trees as kashiwa (Japanese emperor oaks), Japanese rowans, and cherries. There is a virgin forest covering the southwestern hills of the park and some of the trees in the park are over 135 years old.

Hiraoka Tree Art Center or Hiraoka Greenery Center http://www.sapporo-park.or.jp/jyugei/en/ ( Hiraoka jugei senta ( midoriimu ) / 平岡樹芸センター (みどりーむ)) (an outbound link) is located in Kiyota Ward of Sapporo and was opened in 1984. The park covering an area of 2.9 hectares displays both Japanese and western-style gardens. The trees in the park include yews, maples, and cherries. The rows of maples lining both sides of the walking path are especially worth seeing in the fall. Walking through the tunnel of fiery crimson maples is just an amazing experience you don’t want to miss during your Sapporo trip!

　Ginkgo Avenue at Hokkaido University ( Hokkaido daigaku no ichou namiki / 北海道大学の銀杏並木) campus is one of the most famous sceneries in the whole Sapporo. The 380-meter-long avenue is lined with 70 ginkgo trees, which have reached an impressive size since 1938 when they were planted (before that, the street was lined with cherries and maples). The avenue is worth visiting both day and night and it’s easy to access from Sapporo station by foot. See more details about the location of the avenue in the Hokkaido University Campus Guide Map https://www.global.hokudai.ac.jp/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/campusmap_en.pdf   (an outbound link).

　During the day, the golden leaves and the bright blue fall sky create amazing contrast and unforgettable beautiful scenery. At night, the street lamps reveal the yellow leaves in the pitch black night. The peak time for the Hokkaido University ginkgo trees is in mid-November. Around the 20 th of November, there is also a festival called Golden Leaf Festival arranged at the campus to celebrate the beauty of the ginkgo trees. If you want to know more about Hokkaido University Golden Leaf Festival, see our earlier blog post about Sapporo festivals https://hokkaido-treasure.com/column/038/ . The passage about the Golden Leaf Festival is close to the end of the blog column.

　Mt. Moiwa ( Moiwayama / 藻岩山) offers one of the best views over Sapporo city during any season and any time of the day. The view from Mt Moiwa has been selected as one of the ‘New Three Best Night Views in Japan.’ The mountain and the ropeway leading to the mountain are also one of the most popular fall foliage viewing spots in Sapporo. The trip to the mountaintop takes about 15 minutes by ropeway and mini cable car. The best time to do some fall leaves hunting at Mt. Moiwa is from mid-October to the end of October.

The best places to enjoy the fall leaves in the outskirts of Sapporo

　If you mention fall leaves in Hokkaido, one of the first places coming into your mind besides Daisetsuzan national park is Jozankei on the outskirts of Sapporo. Jozankei https://jozankei.jp/en/ (定山渓) (an outbound link) with an onsen hot spring town in its center, is in the mountainous southwestern area of Sapporo and it is one of the five parts that make up Shikotsu-Toya national park (the other four parts being Lake Shikotsu, Lake Toya https://hokkaido-treasure.com/column/018/ , Noboribetsu, and the area around Mt. Yotei https://hokkaido-treasure.com/column/026/ ).

　During fall, the trees in the mountains surrounding the onsen town turn to blazing hues of red, orange, and yellow. A fun way to view the colors is to take a canoe and see the foliage from the river flowing through the ravine in the onsen town. If you like the idea of viewing the fall foliage from a body of water, you might also want to go a bit further over the mountains to the southeast until you arrive at Lake Shikotsu ( Shikotsuko / 支笏湖). The lake alone is an extremely beautiful place and adding in the amazing array of fall colors, kayaking at Lake Shikotsu in fall is something that you don’t forget easily.

　The best time to view the fall foliage in Jozankei is around mid-October and at Lake Shikotsu from early October to mid-October. It takes about one hour from central Sapporo to reach Jozankei by car and an additional hour to Lake Shikotsu. It’s good to note that during the peak season the roads at Jozankei are very very crowded, especially during the weekends. To make visiting different famous fall leaves spots easier for yourself and others, too, you can take for example a bus tour during the Five Great Autumn Foliages at Jozankei event and tour easily the best viewing spots. You can read about the details of the Five Great Autumn Foliages at Jozankei event in our earlier blog column about Sapporo festivals https://hokkaido-treasure.com/column/038/ . The passage about the event is close to the end of the blog column.

　A place worth a special mention in the Jozankei area is Hoheikyo dam (豊平峡ダム). The dam controls the water flow of the Toyohira river—The large river that flows through Sapporo. Lake Jozan, the dam lake of Hoheikyo dam, has been selected as one of the ‘100 dam lake views’ of Japan. It is indeed a spectacular sight during the fall foliage season. The dam is one of the most popular places for fall leaves viewing, so it is often crowded when the foliage is at its best. So, if you don’t like crowds, this is not maybe the place to go for you. There are several kinds of trees at Hoheikyo dam: Katsuras (Japanese Judas trees), Japanese maples, Japanese rowans, mountain grapes, and cherries. The peak for the foliage viewing in Hoheikyo is from early October to mid-October.

　A different kind of place with a water element for fall leaves viewing is Takino Suzuran Hillside National Government Park https://www.sapporo.travel/en/spot/facility/takino_suzuran_hillside_park/ (国営滝野すずらん丘陵公園) (an outbound link). The park is home to four waterfalls: Ashiribetsu falls (アシリベツの滝), Masumi falls (鱒見の滝), Shiraho falls (白帆の滝), and Furo falls (不老の滝). The best place to view the foliage changes daily during the peak season. The vast park has several different types of trees, for example, mountain maples and Japanese larches. Also, the large area planted with kochia (summer cypress, Mexican firebrush) is worth viewing. The best time to view the leaves in Takino Suzuran park is usually from mid-October to late October, when also a week-long Autumn Foliage Festival is held. The park is located in the mountains in southern Sapporo and it takes about 45 minutes to travel there from central Sapporo.

　One more great place to enjoy the foliage with waterfalls is Eniwa Valley (恵庭渓谷). The valley is not in Sapporo but in the neighboring city of Eniwa and it takes about an hour to drive there by car from central Sapporo. There are three waterfalls in the valley: Hakusen falls (白扇の滝), Rarumanai falls (ラルマナイの滝), and Sandan Falls (三段の滝). Viewing the waterfalls framed with colorful foliage is just a delight. The trees you can find here are among others ginkgos, Japanese elms, maples, mizunara oaks, and birches, so you can expect to see an assortment of red, orange, and yellow leaves. The peak time for fall leaves in Eniwa valley is around mid-October.

　Hopefully, you found some travel inspiration from the introductions above. For some more inspiration, take a look at our sample itinerary Cultural Getaway to South Hokkaido in the Peak of Autumn https://hokkaido-treasure.com/itinerary/autumn_10/ . 

Fall is the best season to go sightseeing in Hokkaido

　Why is fall the best season to go sightseeing in Hokkaido? Well, while the summer weather in Hokkaido is not as sultry hot as on the main island of Japan, the weather can become uncomfortably hot during July and August. When entering September, the temperature goes down to a more comfortable and refreshing level. The island also tends to be less crowded in fall than during the peak tourist months of summer. And of course, in the fall the sceneries of Hokkaido get their fall colors, which you can’t view during any other season.

　The weather in Hokkaido in September is still quite mild, so it’s a good time to visit Hokkaido if you want to enjoy outdoor activities, such as cycling, hiking, and kayaking. However, it can already be quite cold in the mornings and the evenings, so it’s best to prepare by wearing several layers of clothes. Then you can always adjust your clothing depending on the temperature. Also, in September, there might be quite a few rainy days. September also marks the start of the fall leaves season in northern Hokkaido as well as in the mountains, for example in the Daisetsuzan National Park. 

　The weather gets gradually colder in Hokkaido in October. There are still some days with mild temperatures but it can also become very cold. On the other hand, it’s less rainy than in September. The peak fall leaves season in Sapporo is in October, so it’s an optimal time to visit Sapporo. The fall leaves can still be enjoyed in many places in Hokkaido in November, too. The weather becomes even colder in November, so if you are not used to coldness, do take a lot of warm clothes with you.

　Fall also is the season of harvest and appetite. It’s the time when Hokkaido offers the best of its seasonal produce, such as salmon and salmon roe, and other seafood. In addition to that, fall is the season for different agricultural products, for example, potatoes and all kinds of fruit. There are several orchids in Hokkaido where the visitors can even take part in the harvesting and do some fruit picking themselves. The visitors to Sapporo can enjoy the full range of seasonal Hokkaido products and gourmet food at Sapporo Autumn Fest. You can read more about Sapporo Autumn Fest in our earlier blog column about Sapporo festivals https://hokkaido-treasure.com/column/038/ . The passage about the Sapporo Autumn Fest can be found almost at the end of the page.

　Hokkaido and Sapporo have something delightful to offer during every season. In fall you can enjoy the breathtaking fall foliage in the parks in Sapporo city and the mountains around the city as well as savor the delicious seasonal foods of Hokkaido. Contact us https://hokkaido-treasure.com/contact/ now to reserve your fall leaves viewing trip to Sapporo and Hokkaido!

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8 Dreamy Places for Autumn Leaves in Hokkaido (2023): Highlights From Sapporo to Niseko

For some of the best autumn leaves in Hokkaido, you need to head to the central part of the island! Here you'll find breathtaking foliage, with hues of red, orange, and yellow. This area has various well-known fall foliage viewing spots, from Sapporo ’s city center to the natural landscapes of Niseko and Lake Tōya. Read on to find out more about eight recommended fall colors viewing spots for you – all of which are easily accessible from the Sapporo City area!

1. Ginkgo Avenue: Hokkaido University’s tunnel of pretty yellow trees (Sapporo)

• 2. Mt. Moiwa Ropeway: Enjoy the spectacular view from above! (Sapporo)
• 3. Jōzankei: Fall Foliage Viewing in an Onsen Town (Sapporo)
• 4. Temiya Park: Enjoy the View from the Otaru Highlands (Otaru)
• 5. Takinoue Park: Rugged Valleys and Autumn Leaves (Yūbari)
• 6. Noboribetsu Jigokudani: The main source of Noboribetsu’s hot springs (Noboribetsu)
• 7. Niseko Annupuri: Enjoy Autumn Leaves in Hokkaido from the Flying Gondolas (Niseko Town)
• 8. Lake Tōya: Fall Colors from Above (Tōyako Town)

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Hub of Hokkaido

Whether for a road trip during the summer or for a frozen winter adventure , many people who travel to Hokkaido are oblivious to the charm of Sapporo. This is a shame, but it’s also not surprising, given how great a percentage of Hokkaido attractions are outside the prefecture’s capital.

Indeed, many of the activities you’re likeliest to do during your trip are basically day trips from Sapporo . Walk along the icicle-lined canal of Otaru in the dead of December, or traipse amid Furano’s rolling fields of lavender in July.

Or stick to the city center, either during the winter winter when the annual Sapporo Snow Festival takes place, or in the Japanese summer when colorful flowers bloom in front of the Former Hokkaido Government Office. My Sapporo travel guide starts here.

Where to Stay in Sapporo

Regardless of which things to do in Sapporo appeal most to you, it’s important to find a convenient, comfortable (and, if possible, chic) place to base yourself in the city. Sapporo is much larger than you might imagine if you’ve never been there, which is a bit part of why centrally-located properties such as the Tokyo Stay Sapporo Odori and Hotel Relief are so appealing, especially if you plan to take a lot of day trips.

On the other hand, while these mid-range Sapporo hotels are perfectly functional, there are other options on both ends of the spectrum. More luxury oriented travelers will love the opulence of Sapporo Grand Hotel , while Iyasu Hotel caters to Hokkaido travelers on a stricter budget.

My Favorite Things to Do in Sapporo

Enjoy the view.

Although Sapporo’s skyline doesn’t get a lot of love, taking in different views of it has actually been one of my preoccupations, in terms of what to do in Sapporo. The most famous Sapporo skyline picture to take is probably the one picture above, which is Odori Park (where winter’s Sapporo Snow Festival takes place) seen from the Sapporo TV Tower . Another option is to ride the ropeway up to Mt. Moiwa, where the extent of Sapporo’s really becomes clear. Sapporo might not have the famous shape of its southern neighbor Hakodate , but its cityscape is still impressive.

Trace Hokkaido’s (Brief) History

Although Hokkaido has been inhabited (by Japanese people, anyway) for less than 200 years, you can find several Sapporo attractions of the historical sort. First among these is the Former Hokkaido Government Office , whose now-iconic red brick facade dates back to 1888. Other heritage buildings in Sapporo include Sapporo Clock Tower , which was also built in the late-19th century, and the open-air Historical Village of Hokkaido .

Say “Kanpai”—and Sing?

Not surprisingly, many of the things to do in Sapporo have to do with the city’s eponymous beer—and not just if you visit during the Summer Festival I mentioned above (or during the Snow Festival, when beer and a variety of other libations also abound—it’s a great way to stay warm!). Indeed, whether you take a tour of the Sapporo Beer Museum , enjoy a sake as you watch sunset over Sapporo’s perfect grid from Sapporo JR Tower or hop around the many karaoke bars of Susukino to get your drink on, it’s fun to say “Kanpai” to Sapporo.

Travel With Your Tastebuds

Sapporo is a delicious place to travel, and not just because of the famous Hokkaido “hairy” crab on offer, both in many a Sapporo restaurant as well as at the colorful Nijo Market . Sapporo is also famous for its unique miso ramen, and for various Hokkaido beef concoctions as well. Some of the day trip destinations, I’m about to mention have their own specialties, too, namely the lavender-flavored soft cream in Furano.

Get Out of Town

Speaking of Furano , its lavender fields are perhaps the most popular destination for day trips from Sapporo in summer, especially when combined with the nearby Blue Pond in Biei . If you’re visiting in winter, on the other hand, you’ll either go to Otaru (to walk beside its historical canal and its giant icicles), to Niseko to ski, to Noboribetsu for a hot springs bath or to hike amid “Hell Valley” or to Asahikawa , which is especially nice in winter when the penguin parade comes through town.

When is the Best Time to Visit Sapporo?

In general, the best time to visit Hokkaido is whenever you have time to go. Although most travelers come between January-February to visit the Sapporo Snow Festival and/or ski, or during the month of July to experience the lavender fields of Furano, Sapporo’s spring and autumn seasons are lovely. This is especially true in late April and early May, when the sakura bloom , and in late September or early October when the hillsides around the city blaze in the colors of fall.

To put it another way, once you’ve decided what to do in Sapporo and which of these things are most important to you, you can schedule your visit. If you want to have a variety of seasonal experiences, however, accept that you’re going to need to take multiple trips. (I say that as if it’s a bad thing—every subsequent trip to Japan is like visiting a new galaxy for the first time!) Obviously, this is easier to do if you’re an expat traveling from Tokyo to Sapporo, than someone flying in from far overseas.

How Many Days Should You Spend in Sapporo?

How many days in Sapporo you spend likewise depends upon which of the city’s many activities you plan to enjoy, as well as the number of day trips you plan to take. Or not: You could visit some destinations (most likely Niseko, but also potentially Biei and Furano) as weekend excursions, and roll that time into your itinerary for Hokkaido outside of Sapporo. Not everywhere in relatively close proximity to Sapporo needs to be part of your plan for Sapporo travel!

For most travelers, I’d say that 3 days in Sapporo should suffice, though there are some assumptions I’m making with this number. First, that you’ll take at least one day trip—Sapporo’s city center, while very large and somewhat underrated, is not really worth more than two full days on any single visit. Second, as I stated above, this assumes that you will come back at some point, and get a different perspective on the city. The issue of how many days to spend in Sapporo shouldn’t really be limited to a single trip!

Other FAQ About Things to Do in Sapporo

Is sapporo worth visiting.

Sapporo is definitely worth visiting, although in my experience it wasn’t love at first sight. I developed affection for Sapporo over the years, after having visited in multiple seasons (winter, summer and spring so far), and also after I’d used the hub for my various of journeys around Hokkaido. Sapporo isn’t my favorite Japanese city, as a destination, but coming back here after an expedition in wilder environs feels good.

What is Sapporo known for?

Sapporo is known for its namesake beer, for the nearby Niseko ski slopes and for being the largest city of Hokkaido island. Increasingly, it’s associated with summer travel in Hokkaido, namely the lavender fields of not-so-nearby Naka-Furano .

Is Sapporo cheaper than Tokyo?

Although people who live in Sapporo might find the cheaper rents and larger apartments beneficial, you are unlikely to notice a huge cost differential between the two cities as a tourism. As is the case in Tokyo, you should expect to pay a minimum of ¥10,000 per person, per night to stay in Sapporo, and will likely spend much more in the city. It can also be expensive to travel from Tokyo to Sapporo, depending on how you get there.

The Bottom Line

Whether you plan to use Hokkaido’s capital as a hub for day trips or focus on the things to do in Sapporo proper, I hope the work I’ve done to condense this Sapporo travel guide helps you plan your trip. I’ve grown fonder of Sapporo with every trip, so whether it’s your first time here or your fifth, and regardless of your decision about how long to spend in Sapporo, I hope you’ll commit to coming back and digging deep, be that by having a beer in Odori Park as Sapporo TV Tower gleams above, or frolicking through Furano’s lavender fields on a day trip. Consider commissioning a custom Japan itinerary if you still need help planning your trip.

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When to Go to Sapporo

Just when should you visit Sapporo?

The Hokkaido capital of Sapporo City promises a range of things to see and do throughout the year. With Hokkaido known as a popular winter sports getaway thanks to its epic snowfall, it’s no surprise to say Sapporo is naturally a top destination in the winter too, with its excellent transport links making it a natural gateway to the region.

Read on to find out what to expect from Sapporo each season:

Sapporo sees its first snowfall from December, with its transformation into a winter wonderland well underway from December each year as pure white snow takes over much of the landscape until March.

One of Sapporo’s most iconic winter events may be the Sapporo Snow Festival, which takes place each February. Onlookers descend on central Sapporo to marvel at spectacular ice and snow sculptures across three sites at Odori Park, Susukino, and Tsu Dome Site.

Sapporo is known to many around the world as Asia’s first host city for the Winter Olympics, back in 1972. The city is home to its own ski resorts — perfect for those arriving to ski, snowboard, or even snowshoe. Ski resorts to the west of Sapporo’s city center, like SAPPORO TEINE and Sapporo Moiwayama Ski Area, provide incredible day and night views of the cityscape from the slopes.

Make the most of the outdoors by wrapping yourself warm to face Sapporo’s chilly temperatures. As well as the Sapporo Snow Festival’s own evening light ups, why not enjoy the 2,000 snow candles that warm up the evening landscape at Sapporo’s Jozankei Onsen? Some of Sapporo’s downtown sites are also transformed by the glittering Sapporo White Illumination which runs alongside December’s German Christmas Market.

Winter also marks the peak season for catches of crab—which make for a great, heartwarming hotpot dish—as well as Genghis Khan, made with lamb. Classic Sapporo-style miso ramen also comes into its own as hearty sustenance during the colder months, but these days a variety of broths now dominate Sapporo’s ramen scene.

Sapporo climate in winter

Source: Var/TBC

The arrival of spring heralds the first appearance of cherry blossoms for most of Japan. Hokkaido enjoys its cherry blossom season much later than central Japan, with the peak blossom expected around Golden Week (late April–early May) on average. Although the snow may have subsided, the wind can still be chilly so it makes sense to pack light, yet warm, clothing and spare layers.

The warmer weather and promise of cherry blossoms give extra appeal to a number of classic Sapporo outdoor attractions, such as Maruyama Park, Odori Park, and Moerenuma Park. Further south you’ll find the Takino Suzuran Hillside National Park, known for not just its cherry blossoms but also magnificent tulip displays each spring. Back in the city, the Sapporo Lilac Festival also kicks off in May as more people head outdoors with the warmer weather.

Sapporo climate in spring

Source: Sapporo Travel

June to August marks Sapporo’s summer season which sees the warm weather beckon people outside, with summer festivals, music events, and beer gardens all in full flow. June’s Hokkaido Shrine Festival sees traditional Shinto mikoshi portable shrines and floats parade the streets as onlookers enjoy festival fare from the many stalls lining the streets. Odori Park hosts the Yosakoi Soran Festival, as dance hits the streets of Sapporo in colorful, charged performances.

July sees the Toyohira River Fireworks light up the night sky, as one of Sapporo’s three main fireworks displays, and coincides with the one-month-long Sapporo Odori Beer Garden at Odori Park.

Many visitors to Hokkaido in the summer may be familiar with the flower fields of Biei or Furano’s lavender gardens. Those exploring the Sapporo region can discover similar sights at the Horomitoge Lavender Garden, to the west of the city.

Summer in Hokkaido skips the humid rainy season that Japan’s main island of Honshu suffers, making for reliably comfortable summers — though nights can still be chilly so be prepared. Sapporo’s relatively cool summer made it a natural choice for the marathon events at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, with Sapporo’s balmy weather the perfect alternative to the sweltering heat experienced in Tokyo.

Sapporo climate in summer

Autumn in Sapporo brings a spectacular array of fall foliage that descends on the city and its surrounding natural environment. Sapporo Autumn Fest helps get the season going at this outdoor food festival in Odori Park, which brings together many of Hokkaido’s best foods all in one place.

Sapporo’s Jozankei, Maruyama Park, and Odori Park are often cited as some of Hokkaido’s top viewing spots for autumn leaves, with the cooler temperatures suitable for hiking, like at Mount Moiwa, at this time of year. Talking of Mount Moiwa, it paints the backdrop to the autumn colors at Nakajima Park which is another top foliage spot. Enjoy panoramic views from Sapporo Park Hotel.

In particular, Jozankei Onsen, at Shikotsu-Toya National Park is a good choice for fans of hot springs. The surrounding autumn scenery is a perfect match for soaking in the onsen waters, while sightseeing spots like Nishikibashi Bridge and Hoheikyo are located a short drive away.

Sapporo climate in autumn

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Hokkaido autumn itinerary blog — what to do & suggested hokkaido 9 days itinerary autumn, getting around sapporo.

To getting around in the city of Sapporo, you can choose to buy the One Day Subway Pass (Donichika Ticket) . This pass can only be used on the day of pass purchase, applicable to subway lines (excluding JR train) in Sapporo.

• Hokkaido autumn travel blog — 15+ top things to do & best places to visit in Hokkaido during autumn
• Japan fall foliage forecast 2023 — Where to see autumn leaves in Japan & 41+ places to visit in Japan during autumn
• Tokyo autumn leaves forecast 2023 — 13 best autumn spots in Tokyo & best place to see autumn leaves in Tokyo
• Kyoto fall foliage forecast 2023 — 15 best autumn spots in Kyoto & best place to see autumn leaves in Kyoto
• Meiji-jingu Gaien — One of the best places to see autumn leaves in Tokyo

One day Subway Pass price is 830 yen for weekdays, on weekends or public holidays, the price down to 520 yen. If you take at least 4 subway trips/day (on weekdays), you should buy this pass.

This pass can be purchased from the tickets vending machines at the subway stations.

In addition, you can buy Suica card and top-up it to take the subway, JR train and bus. Each time you go, just swipe the card is done, no need to buy single tickets for each trip.

Other discounted tickets

Discounted tickets are exclusive for specific direction: This discount ticket is for each specific direction and includes depart and return trip. See details of each direction here .

Direction 1: Hakodate, Shiraoi, Noboribetsu and Lake Toya Direction 2: Obihiro, Kushiro Direction 3: Asahikawa, Abashiri and Wakkanai Direction 4: Other areas within Hokkaido region.

Furano Biei Rail Ticket

If you only go for a few days and only go to Biei and Furano (famous for the Lavender field), you should check out the Furano Biei Rail Ticket combo ticket.

Scenic Train “Norokko” Ticket for Furano, Biei, and Asahikawa

Booking day tours

Another cost-effective way for those who do not have time to find a way to travel, go with children and the elderly is to book day tours to famous tourist destinations on Klook. I used to intend to use this way to follow the itinerary below including the Day tour to Daisetsuzan National Park , but then changed to the more economical way with Intercity Bus Pass.

Some day tours I highly recommend take:

• Hokkaido Day Tour from Sapporo: Asahiyama Zoo, Shirogane Blue Pond, and More
• Hokkaido Jozankei Resort Spa Mori No Uta Onsen Day Tour
• Hokkaido Lake Shikotsu and Lake Toya Day Tour
• Hagoromo Falls, Blue Pond, and Shikisai-no-Oka Autumn Day Trip from Sapporo

I recommend Klook because they have many reasonably priced day tours to many famous places.

Hokkaido autumn itinerary blog: Suggested Hokkaido 9 days itinerary autumn

This is my 9-day itinerary to explore Hokkaido and see autumn leaves that using Inter City Bus Pass (3-day pass type, it costs 6.000 yen).

Day 1: I flew from Manila to Tokyo, continue flew from Tokyo to Sapporo. 8:00 pm arrived at New Chitose Airport and bought a JR train ticket to Sapporo station (ticket price: 1.100 yen for JR local train. If you take JR express train, it costs 1.590 yen). Checked-in airbnb away 300m from Sapporo station.

Day 2: Explored the area around Sapporo station, Odori Park, TV tower, Tanukikoji Shopping Street. At that time in Sapporo, the leaves are still not tranform to yellow or red, so I chose to go shopping and eating places.

Day 3: (Started using InterCity Bus Pass) Day trip: Sapporo to Jozankei Onsen . Took the Kappa Bus tour (1 hour) to see autumn leaves around Jozankei Onsen. After finishing the tour, I took a scenic walk around Futami Suspension Bridge and took the bus to Hoheikyo dam . Evening, back to Sapporo for dinner at the most famous Sushi restaurant here.

Day 4: Took the bus from Sapporo station to Asahikawa station (Aeon Mall, Shopping street). From the Asahikawa station took a bus to the Biei Blue Pond. Actually the original itinerary was Biei Blue Pond and Shirahige Waterfalls but because of coming late, I missed Shirahige Waterfalls. Dinner at the famous Ramen Alley in Sapporo.

Day 5: Took the bus from Sapporo > Noboribetsu > Lake Toya . Saw the autumn leaves at Jigokudani (Hell Valley) of Noboribetsu Onsen. Then took a bus from Noboribetsu to Lake Toya. Overnight and watching fireworks at Lake Toya.

Day 6: Explored the Lake Toya area: Took a boat tour around Lake Toya, took the cable car up Mt.Usu (I missed this for fear of late the bus return to Sapporo). Around 5:00 PM, caught the bus back to Sapporo (bus fare: 2.830 yen). This bus is not covered in the InterCity Bus Pass, so I only buy the 3-day pass (used for Day 3 + 4 + 5).

Day 7: Hokkaido University Gingko Avenue (super beautiful spot!!), lunch at Nijo Nakajima Park seafood market (best spot for autumn). Dinner at Sapporo station at an omelette egg curry shop.

Day 8: Originally I intented go to Maruyama Park, Hokkaido Shrine and go to Otaru town. But that morning I decided to cancel, spend all day for chill, shopping at Aeon Mall and Yadobashi to bring back. I bought a yubari melon, a well-known melon brand (Hokkaido is famous for its melon specialty) bring it to my mother to try. Dinner at famous Curry restaurant in Sapporo.

Day 9: Took the bus to New Chitose Airport and flew to Narita Airport. Since there is a long transit in Narita, I took the bus (ticket price: 1000 yen) to Ginza Tokyo to play. In the afternoon, took the bus back to Narita and flew back to Manila.

Hokkaido autumn blog: Where to stay in Hokkaido in autumn?

When traveling to Hokkaido, where is the most convenient place to stay? With the bus itinerary and schedule as I mentioned above, you should stay at Airbnb or the hotel as close to Sapporo station as possible. All buses going to sightseeing spots departing from the Sapporo bus terminal located next to Sapporo station.

The Airbnb that I stayed is only 300m walk from Sapporo station , right next to Airbnb is Yodobashi shopping mall, so traveling and shopping are very convenient.

In addition, you can refer to one of the best Airbnb in Sapporo : Sapporo station 9min by subway +Free parking at $19/night or (BT901) どうみん割適用可　Cozy and clean apt in Sapporo at $28/night.

–> The Airbnb link that discount up to $35 for the first booking here: https://www.airbnb.com/c/anht5185

I recommend some more hotels / dorm in Sapporo: JR Inn Sapporo-eki Minami-guchi ( Agoda.com or Booking.com ) , UNIZO INN Sapporo ( Agoda.com or Booking.com ) , JR Inn Sapporo ( Agoda.com or Booking.com ) , Hotel WBF Sapporo Chuo ( Agoda.com or Booking.com ) , Dorm type: Ten to Ten 08 Sapporo Station ( Agoda.com or Booking.com ) .

Some prominent places you should go in Hokkaido in Spring, Summer and Winter.

I shared my experiences, itinerary and places to visit in Hokkaido in the fall. In the remaining seasons, I just listed a few places for you to refer and learn more on your own.

Spring in Hokkaido is the season of flowers such as cherry blossoms, tulips, Moss phlox flowers (Shiba Zakura in Japanese), canola flowers … Some beautiful places to enjoy flowers such as Takino Suzuran Park (Tulip flower), Nakajima Park (cherry blossom), Yoichi Riverside , Temiya Park, Takikawa (canola field) …

In summer in Hokkaido , the most prominent is the Lavender flower and sunflower. Some famous places for summer include: Hokuryu (sunflower field), Furano (Lavender field), Biei Blue Pond, Cape Kamui …

Hokkaido is so famous for its winte r, it is not natural that Hokkaido is called the snow and ice land. Around early February there will be a Snow Light Path Festival in Otaru. At the end of January – early February there will be an Ice Festival at Lake Shikotsu. Ice Waterfall Festival in Sounkyo. Skiing activities in Niseko. Onsen bath in Noboribetsu or Jozankei. Watch a herd of snow monkeys immerse themselves in the hot lake in Hakodate …

Hokkaido autumn itinerary blog: Prepare clothes when traveling to Hokkaido in the fall

Before going to Hokkaido / Sapporo I checked the weather forecast at 12-16 degrees Celsius during the day, so I thought it would be cold. Oh, I got a bit of worry! It’s OK ! Make me prepare thick coats, heat-retaining clothes of all kinds.

With that range of temperature along with sunlight in the Central and Southern of Hokkaido, you can still wear a long-sleeved dress, add a sweater that isn’t too thick, and wear more a jacket to help you avoid the colder weather in the late afternoon. There’s also no need for a thick jacket or clothes heating pad.

Please prepare some colorful dresses and skirts for beautiful pictures of the Hokkaido autumn season. I recommend red, orange, blue, green dress…

Japan Tourist Sim Card

Regarding the tourist Sim Card, you should buy Sim with unlimited data in advance on Klook , the price is quite affordable, much cheaper than buying at the airport in Japan.

Buying a unlimited data Sim at Japanese airports, the price is about 4.500 yen or more. There is also a 2Gb for 7 days of use, priced at 2,500 yen… Overall still more expensive than buying on Klook.

4G SIM Card (JP Pick Up) for Japan

Hopefully my experience and itinerary for this trip in Hokkaido in autumn will be help you to make a perfect plan for your upcoming trip to Hokkaido. The next articles I will share each day in detail according to the above itinerary. Please read it! Happy traveling!!

We also suggest some best places to see autumn leaves in Japan , Tokyo , Kyoto . 

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, to and from Sapporo & Hokkaido you can refer to

• Sapporo Highland Sightseeing Bus Tour with Meals
• Sapporo Private Day Tour with Local Licensed Guide
• Hokkaido Enjoy Pass
• Furano and Tomita Farm Day Tour from Sapporo
• Sapporo Afternoon Bus Tour
• 4G Prepaid Sim Card (JP Airports Pick Up) for Japan
• 4G WiFi (Japan Pick Up) for Japan
• JR Pass for Whole Japan (7, 14, or 21 Days)

Are you looking for more Sapporo travel guide, read more: Sapporo travel blog — The fullest Sapporo city guide for a great trip on a budget for the first-timers . And Hokaido travel autumn blog here .

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Sapporo (�D�y, "important river flowing through a plain" in Ainu language) is the capital of Hokkaido and Japan's fifth largest city . Sapporo is also one of the nation's youngest major cities. In 1857, the city's population stood at just seven people.

In the beginning of the Meiji Period , when the development of Hokkaido started on a large scale, Sapporo was chosen as the island's administrative center and enlarged according to the advice of foreign specialists.

Sapporo became world-famous in 1972 when the Olympic Winter Games were held there. Today, the city is well known for its ramen , beer , and the annual snow festival held in February.

Top attractions in Sapporo

Sapporo Snow Festival ••

Moerenuma Park •

Historic Village •

Mount Moiwa

Sapporo Beer Museum

Shiroi Koibito Park

Teine Ski Resort

Curb Market

Botanic Garden

Okurayama Ski Jump

Sapporo Factory

Jozankei Onsen

Nijo Market

Sapporo Station

Clock Tower

Sapporo Kokusai

Niseko •

Noboribetsu •

Otaru •

Lake Toya •

Lake Shikotsu •

Sapporo by interest

Getting there and around

Questions? Ask in our forum .

Links and Resources

Sapporo city, welcome to sapporo, hotels around sapporo, sapporo hotel guide.

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Sapporo_Aomori Trip during Autumn - Japan Forum

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Please help me on my trip planning, as follows:

Day 2 Sapporo (visit Hokkaido Uni and Nakajimi Park)

Day 3 Sapporo (visit Jozankei Onsen ).

Day 4 Take domestic flight to Aomori. Stay in Aomori. (visit aomori-museum, wa rasse, a-factory)

Day 5 Aomori (visit Hirosaki)

Day 6 Aomori (help needed.... where to go)

Day 7 Aomori to Oirase Gorge. Stay in Lake Towada

Day 8 Aomori (should i visit Akita?)

Day 9 Sapporo

Day 10 Return home

Please help me. Did I plan too many days in Aomori? Do I have enough time to visit Akita, Tazawako and Dakigaeri Valley? My main purpose for this trip is to visit Oirase Gorge.

Please kindly advise me.

12 replies to this topic

Peak koyo for Hoheikyo dam is in early to mid-Oct. (10月上旬～10月中旬 期間は例年の見頃。)

https://koyo.walkerplus.com/detail/ar0101e12982/data.html

My visit in mid-Oct 2008 - slightly late in that year when koyo has past peak.

https://japantravelinsights.com/jp-2008-oct-hokkaido-part-2/

Thank you for replying.

Garlic, I am surprised to know that it is famous other than apple. Will certainly eat and try to buy some fresh one home :)

Will go find out more about Hirosaki apple festival...........so glad to be able to attend one.....finger cross the date matches my itinerary.

For ferry from aomori to hakodate, will either ask the tourist information or just buy return tickets to Sapporo . I am scared to take the undersea shinkansen.

I may just skip hakodate and insert Morioka.

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Sapporo Autumn Fest 2024 | Visit Sapporo

Sapporo is a lively city. You can feel this atmosphere right in the center of the city year-round.

It hosts some of the most entertaining and eye-catching annual festivals of Hokkaido , such as the World’s Greatest Snow Festival (Sapporo Yuki Matsuri) in winter, the Sapporo Lilac Festival for welcoming the flower season in spring, and the Sapporo Summer Festival for celebrating bon odori dancing in summer.

And finally, when autumn arrives here, it comes with a festival offering you the chance to try the local cuisines of the entire Hokkaido region. This autumn festival is known as the Sapporo Autumn Fest .

I myself feel very lucky to attend the festival every year. Though I am not as serious a foodie lover as others who usually travel every corner of the world to discover the regional local cuisine of a country,

To me, it is great meeting strangers and helping them discover Sapporo in a stylish way, including directing them to find out the hidden attractions .

The festival makes me view the autumn foliage in Odori Park as well. In fact, most of the residents of Sapporo enjoy hunting Momiji .

It is kind of a new custom to go out to the festival venue and have some food as the festival continues, from the day it starts until the day it ends.

Read our guide, “ The Best Things to Do in Sapporo, ” and explore a lot of wonderful places and activities in the city.

When is Sapporo Autumn Fest in 2024?

Sapporo Autumn Fest is usually held at the beginning of the fall season . Every year, it takes place in early September and can be enjoyed till the end of the month. It sounds great, right?!

Due to the COVID-19 coronavirus, the Sapporo Autumn Fest 2021 was held online. Sapporo Autumn Fest 2021″ from September 30th (Thursday) to October 19th (Tuesday).

The festival will be held from September 8–30, 2023, in Odori Park, Sapporo City.

This is an impressive food festival that brings all of Hokkaido’s gourmets together in one place, making it one of the best things one could do in September and October in Sapporo city.

Be well prepared to experience it. In autumn, thousands of visitors arrive in Sapporo in order to see the event and taste the various delicious local dishes .

Book your hotel room, buy a JR pass in advance to get to the sites located outside Sapporo, and make a list of your Hokkaido’s favorite dishes and foods you could try. Good luck!

Why you should Visit Sapporo in early autumn?

Of course, the answer is for the autumn festival. Hokkaido boasts one of Japan’s greatest cuisines .

It is the second-largest island in Japan, and its cuisine can be divided into several locations with distinct styles of cooking.

The ramen dish you have in Sapporo is different from the Asahikawa ramen . It is true that their taste and ingredients are different but delicious at the same time.

It is because the ingredients used are based on the natural and agricultural products of each area.

Have you ever heard of Japan’s northernmost city, Wakkanai ? The city is very famous for catching the highest quality of sea urchins and salmon roe.

Though they are not only caught in this area, for example, Nemuro, the easternmost city in Japan, is said to be another contender for producing an abundance of sea urchins.

Again, having sushi and sashimi topped with sea urchin in Wakkanaki is tastier than eating them in Nemuro. This is my own opinion, though. What about you?

Not all of you have a golden opportunity to spend a month in Hokkaido to discover it from A to Z unless you are sponsored by someone with whom you work as a photographer or a professional independent tourist.

Visiting Hokkaido for a month would be very expensive; I think you know that. Most Hokkaido visitors stay a week or less and only explore certain areas on this huge island.

Some visitors discover only the central part, while others go to the eastern side of the island. It actually depends on their itinerary and what they like to see and do.

For example, if you are in Asahikawa now, you can try its famous ramen in a restaurant there, but there is no chance of having Wakkanai sea urchin in the same restaurant.

To make it possible, it is suggested that you come to join in the Sapporo Autumn Fest, where Hokkaido’s best regional dishes are brought to you by the chefs and manufacturers.

In addition, Sapporo is said to be one of the top 10 destinations in Japan . The cool weather, shopping arcade, restaurants and bars, historical attractions, seasonal beauty, and park make the city quite an impressive place to travel all year round.

Those who think that Sapporo is not a perfect holiday destination in autumn should change their minds immediately. Yeah, right now!

About the Festival and Different Venues

Autumn is the harvest season. Everyone prays to have a good harvesting year, especially the farmers, who feed the nation and make an important contribution to the economy.

Hokkaido’s vast land is quite suitable to cultivate a variety of crops. As Hokkaido is surrounded by the sea, an abundance of seafood is found.

So we can expect to experience a wide range of dishes, including drinks, vegetables, and fruits.

However, the Sapporo Autumn Fest is one of the top food festivals in Japan and gives us the opportunity to enjoy the foods gathered from all over Hokkaido and served in Sapporo’s Odori Park.

In Sapporo, there was no prominent autumn festival back in 2007 . In comparison with the rest of the seasons, autumn was not as amusing as it should have been.

Thinking of this much-needed stamina to make the city entertaining, the Sapporo Autumn Fest was introduced in 2008 for the first time .

Since then, the festival has become a very popular autumn event, and the number of visitors has increased over time. During the festival, the best thing you could do is satisfy your stomach and buy some as a souvenir to take home.

I noticed that many visitors were really surprised to see the variety of food offered by the food vendors.

You head towards Odori Park, which is a narrow strip of green space that stretches about a kilometer. The Sapporo TV Tower is located on the east side of the park.

If you have not been to any of the biggest food festivals before, then the atmosphere you experience there is beyond your imagination.

Thousands of visitors visit the site, and they are happy to have their lunch and dinner on the tables decorated with tents and chairs in the park in front of many food stalls.

The main venue, Odori Park, is divided into several distinct venues, such as 1-chome and then again from 4-chome to 11-chome, in which various seafood dishes, agricultural and livestock products, wine, beer, sake, dry food, sweets, foreign cuisines, ice cream candies, processed foods, and other items from all over Hokkaido are served.

Over 100 municipalities from Hokkaido prefecture come to Sapporo and represent their local specialties to the world.

Have you heard of the greatest Oktoberfest , held in Munich , Germany? I have heard of this but never had a chance to see it in real life. Though you can feel this sort of atmosphere at Odori 1-Chome,

It feels as if I am right there in Munich. It is actually a beer festival and is located at the foot of Sapporo TV Tower.

You can taste traditional German cuisine and drink beer while listening to German music performed by Japanese artists.

At Odori 4-chome and 5-chome , you can find unique local garments made of various ingredients coming from different parts of Hokkaido.

This part of the festival venue includes both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes such as ramen noodles, udon, soba, soft-served ice cream, cocktails, etc., including the dishes that are not usually eaten by locals in Sapporo. Don’t miss visiting these sites.

At Odori 6-Chome, popular local restaurants in Sapporo open their temporary stalls and serve their specialties and gourmet dishes.

It is a very popular venue, as you are offered to taste their unique dishes that they are particularly renowned for.

If you love wine, then head to Odori 7-Chome, where the wines of 27 wineries in Hokkaido and a wide range of popular dishes that go perfectly with liquor are served.

Here, varieties of wine, whiskey, beer, and shochu dominate the whole area.

Order glass after glass of liquor if you can bear it and feel the tastes of different brands. Make some notes if you’re curious enough!

If eating various kinds of seafood is your main goal, then I suggest you go to Odori 8-chome . Indeed, it is a popular venue with a range of local delicacies from different areas across Hokkaido.

Their menus include sushi, sashimi, king crabs, sea urchins, scallops, salmon roe, oysters, Yakisoba, Yakitori, including Japanese sake. This venue is considered to be the most crowded of all.

At Odori 10-chome, you encounter some small booths around 15-20 that serve local foods such as Butadon, Donburi, fresh vegetables, freshly baked pizza, and many more.

The venue also offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy some stage performances.

The Odori 11-chome made me think of being a chef! Why?! I was stunned to see the chefs prepare the foods very quickly. How brilliant!

At this venue, they show their cooking skills for certain dishes they are skilled in.

Please head to the booth “Sapporo Chef’s Kitchen” and see how everything is done quite nicely.

You can also eat French and Italian foods, including beers from the bars, and taste local vegetables and fresh fruits.

The Food you must try

All the above-described venues get crowded during mealtime, though many people prefer coming there in the evening to have their dinner with someone, such as friends, family members, relatives, and co-workers.

Do you dare to try all the dishes you are offered to try at the various venues?

If you ask me that question, then I would say “no” because I don’t eat meat. Money could be a matter, but the foods can be purchased at reasonable prices.

You are advised to come here with a full wallet, and you have to have an empty stomach to enjoy the meals!

Here is a list of popular dishes that you must try. These are only a few items; you will find tons of food and drinks during the autumn festival:

Try eating fresh Otaru sushi , Sapporo ramen, Asahikawa ramen , Wakkanai sea urchins, Jingisukan (Genghis Khan), boiled king crab, queen crab, squid, scallops , shrimp, salmon roe, Ishikarinab e , curry soup, soba noodles, furano melon , Sapporo beer , soft-served ice cream, butter corn ramen, butadon, lasagna, boiled and barbecued fresh Hokkaido corn, okonomiyaki, yakitori, and sweets.

Odori Park Access and Hotels in Sapporo

Getting to Odori Park is not a daunting task; anyone can reach there without having any trouble, either from JR Sapporo Station (a 15-minute walk) or Odori Subway Station (beside it).

You can either take the Namboku Line or Toho Line from JR Sapporo Station to reach Odori Station. One way ride takes about 5 minutes.

The fact is that you would love Sapporo’s transportation network, as the roads are very wide and straight. I think transport facility here is far well-developed that in Tokyo. Therefore, roaming around downtown Sapporo by bus is quite excellent.

If you are willing to stay overnight at the hotels located in nearby Odori park area then below are the most recommended hotels I could share with you.

1) APA Hotel Sapporo Odori-koen 2) Nest Hotel Sapporo Ekimae 3) Dormy Inn Premium Sapporo 4) Sapporo Prince Hotel

Welcome to Sapporo Autumn Fest 2024

Place : Odori Park, Sapporo Date : September 8-30, 2023 Tel : 011-281-6400 (Sapporo Autumn Fest Executive Committee Organizing Office) Open : 10:00 – 20:30 Official Website : http://www.sapporo-autumnfest.jp/

Together, we make Sapporo city enchanting, says one of my local friends, with whom I had my dinner at the festival venue. What did he mean by together ? Was he addressing me?

Yes, he was, including locals who were there visiting the food stalls, looking at the menus, and ordering the delicious food.

If we all contribute to this autumn food festival doing the right thing, then it would be much more attractive in the upcoming years.

I hope this article will draw your attention, and someday you plan on visiting this festival in autumn to taste the fantastic dishes of Hokkaido’s greatest cuisine.

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I am soo soo excited!! Was eagerly waiting for the dates to be released for this. I will be in Sapporo for 2 and a bit days in September so I imagine food is sorted for those days!!

You will have a very good time in Sapporo for sure. Thank you!

This was a very good read! I didn’t know about the Sapporo Autumn Festival, so I’m so glad I discovered your article. Will be in Sapporo during that time. Super excited now!

Really! I am sure that you will have a great time in Sapporo then. Good luck to you.

Should I bring cash or do they accept credit card at the Autumn Festival?

Hi, You should bring cash! If you run out of cash, you can withdraw money from ATMs at 7-eleven stores. Thank you so much.

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The Moscow Metro Museum of Art: 10 Must-See Stations

There are few times one can claim having been on the subway all afternoon and loving it, but the Moscow Metro provides just that opportunity.  While many cities boast famous public transport systems—New York’s subway, London’s underground, San Salvador’s chicken buses—few warrant hours of exploration.  Moscow is different: Take one ride on the Metro, and you’ll find out that this network of railways can be so much more than point A to B drudgery.

The Metro began operating in 1935 with just thirteen stations, covering less than seven miles, but it has since grown into the world’s third busiest transit system ( Tokyo is first ), spanning about 200 miles and offering over 180 stops along the way.  The construction of the Metro began under Joseph Stalin’s command, and being one of the USSR’s most ambitious building projects, the iron-fisted leader instructed designers to create a place full of svet (radiance) and svetloe budushchee (a radiant future), a palace for the people and a tribute to the Mother nation.

Consequently, the Metro is among the most memorable attractions in Moscow.  The stations provide a unique collection of public art, comparable to anything the city’s galleries have to offer and providing a sense of the Soviet era, which is absent from the State National History Museum.  Even better, touring the Metro delivers palpable, experiential moments, which many of us don’t get standing in front of painting or a case of coins.

Though tours are available , discovering the Moscow Metro on your own provides a much more comprehensive, truer experience, something much less sterile than following a guide.  What better place is there to see the “real” Moscow than on mass transit: A few hours will expose you to characters and caricatures you’ll be hard-pressed to find dining near the Bolshoi Theater.  You become part of the attraction, hear it in the screech of the train, feel it as hurried commuters brush by: The Metro sucks you beneath the city and churns you into the mix.

With the recommendations of our born-and-bred Muscovite students, my wife Emma and I have just taken a self-guided tour of what some locals consider the top ten stations of the Moscow Metro. What most satisfied me about our Metro tour was the sense of adventure .  I loved following our route on the maps of the wagon walls as we circled the city, plotting out the course to the subsequent stops; having the weird sensation of being underground for nearly four hours; and discovering the next cavern of treasures, playing Indiana Jones for the afternoon, piecing together fragments of Russia’s mysterious history.  It’s the ultimate interactive museum.

Top Ten Stations (In order of appearance)

Kievskaya station.

Kievskaya Station went public in March of 1937, the rails between it and Park Kultury Station being the first to cross the Moscow River.  Kievskaya is full of mosaics depicting aristocratic scenes of Russian life, with great cameo appearances by Lenin, Trotsky, and Stalin.  Each work has a Cyrillic title/explanation etched in the marble beneath it; however, if your Russian is rusty, you can just appreciate seeing familiar revolutionary dates like 1905 ( the Russian Revolution ) and 1917 ( the October Revolution ).

Mayakovskaya Station

Mayakovskaya Station ranks in my top three most notable Metro stations. Mayakovskaya just feels right, done Art Deco but no sense of gaudiness or pretention.  The arches are adorned with rounded chrome piping and create feeling of being in a jukebox, but the roof’s expansive mosaics of the sky are the real showstopper.  Subjects cleverly range from looking up at a high jumper, workers atop a building, spires of Orthodox cathedrals, to nimble aircraft humming by, a fleet of prop planes spelling out CCCP in the bluest of skies.

Novoslobodskaya Station

Novoslobodskaya is the Metro’s unique stained glass station.  Each column has its own distinctive panels of colorful glass, most of them with a floral theme, some of them capturing the odd sailor, musician, artist, gardener, or stenographer in action.  The glass is framed in Art Deco metalwork, and there is the lovely aspect of discovering panels in the less frequented haunches of the hall (on the trackside, between the incoming staircases).  Novosblod is, I’ve been told, the favorite amongst out-of-town visitors.

Komsomolskaya Station

Komsomolskaya Station is one of palatial grandeur.  It seems both magnificent and obligatory, like the presidential palace of a colonial city.  The yellow ceiling has leafy, white concrete garland and a series of golden military mosaics accenting the tile mosaics of glorified Russian life.  Switching lines here, the hallway has an Alice-in-Wonderland feel, impossibly long with decorative tile walls, culminating in a very old station left in a remarkable state of disrepair, offering a really tangible glimpse behind the palace walls.

Dostoevskaya Station

Dostoevskaya is a tribute to the late, great hero of Russian literature .  The station at first glance seems bare and unimpressive, a stark marble platform without a whiff of reassembled chips of tile.  However, two columns have eerie stone inlay collages of scenes from Dostoevsky’s work, including The Idiot , The Brothers Karamazov , and Crime and Punishment.   Then, standing at the center of the platform, the marble creates a kaleidoscope of reflections.  At the entrance, there is a large, inlay portrait of the author.

Chkalovskaya Station

Chkalovskaya does space Art Deco style (yet again).  Chrome borders all.  Passageways with curvy overhangs create the illusion of walking through the belly of a chic, new-age spacecraft.  There are two (kos)mosaics, one at each end, with planetary subjects.  Transferring here brings you above ground, where some rather elaborate metalwork is on display.  By name similarity only, I’d expected Komsolskaya Station to deliver some kosmonaut décor; instead, it was Chkalovskaya that took us up to the space station.

Elektrozavodskaya Station

Elektrozavodskaya is full of marble reliefs of workers, men and women, laboring through the different stages of industry.  The superhuman figures are round with muscles, Hollywood fit, and seemingly undeterred by each Herculean task they respectively perform.  The station is chocked with brass, from hammer and sickle light fixtures to beautiful, angular framework up the innards of the columns.  The station’s art pieces are less clever or extravagant than others, but identifying the different stages of industry is entertaining.

Baumanskaya Statio

Baumanskaya Station is the only stop that wasn’t suggested by the students.  Pulling in, the network of statues was just too enticing: Out of half-circle depressions in the platform’s columns, the USSR’s proud and powerful labor force again flaunts its success.  Pilots, blacksmiths, politicians, and artists have all congregated, posing amongst more Art Deco framing.  At the far end, a massive Soviet flag dons the face of Lenin and banners for ’05, ’17, and ‘45.  Standing in front of the flag, you can play with the echoing roof.

Ploshchad Revolutsii Station

Novokuznetskaya Station

Novokuznetskaya Station finishes off this tour, more or less, where it started: beautiful mosaics.  This station recalls the skyward-facing pieces from Mayakovskaya (Station #2), only with a little larger pictures in a more cramped, very trafficked area.  Due to a line of street lamps in the center of the platform, it has the atmosphere of a bustling market.  The more inventive sky scenes include a man on a ladder, women picking fruit, and a tank-dozer being craned in.  The station’s also has a handsome black-and-white stone mural.

Here is a map and a brief description of our route:

Start at (1)Kievskaya on the “ring line” (look for the squares at the bottom of the platform signs to help you navigate—the ring line is #5, brown line) and go north to Belorusskaya, make a quick switch to the Dark Green/#2 line, and go south one stop to (2)Mayakovskaya.  Backtrack to the ring line—Brown/#5—and continue north, getting off at (3)Novosblodskaya and (4)Komsolskaya.  At Komsolskaya Station, transfer to the Red/#1 line, go south for two stops to Chistye Prudy, and get on the Light Green/#10 line going north.  Take a look at (5)Dostoevskaya Station on the northern segment of Light Green/#10 line then change directions and head south to (6)Chkalovskaya, which offers a transfer to the Dark Blue/#3 line, going west, away from the city center.  Have a look (7)Elektroskaya Station before backtracking into the center of Moscow, stopping off at (8)Baumskaya, getting off the Dark Blue/#3 line at (9)Ploschad Revolyutsii.  Change to the Dark Green/#2 line and go south one stop to see (10)Novokuznetskaya Station.

Check out our new Moscow Indie Travel Guide , book a flight to Moscow and read 10 Bars with Views Worth Blowing the Budget For

Jonathon Engels, formerly a patron saint of misadventure, has been stumbling his way across cultural borders since 2005 and is currently volunteering in the mountains outside of Antigua, Guatemala.  For more of his work, visit his website and blog .

Photo credits:   SergeyRod , all others courtesy of the author and may not be used without permission

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Autumn Internationals 2024: Fixtures, schedule and kick-off times for England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland and more

When are the rugby Autumn Internationals? Who do England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales play and where? Key dates, fixtures and full schedule as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina all travel to the Northern Hemisphere for Tests in the Autumn Nations Series

Tuesday 23 April 2024 12:41, UK

The full schedule has been confirmed for rugby's Autumn Internationals, with the giants of the Southern Hemisphere once again coming to take on the Six Nations teams in a busy month of rugby.

England will have Tests against New Zealand and Australia before hosting world champions South Africa, a repeat of their World Cup semi-final, before completing their run of fixtures against Japan.

Six Nations champions Ireland have Friday night matches against New Zealand and Argentina ahead of further games against Fiji and Australia, while the All Blacks' autumn tour also contains trips to France and Italy.

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South Africa also take on Scotland and Wales during their three-Test tour, with Scotland having further games against Fiji, Portugal and Australia during a busy November. Wales' meeting with the Springboks follows matches with Fiji and Australia.

Autumn Internationals: Fixtures and UK kick-off times

Saturday november 2.

3.10pm England vs New Zealand, Twickenham Stadium

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5.40pm Scotland vs Fiji, Murrayfield

Friday November 8

8.10pm - Ireland vs New Zealand, Aviva Stadium

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Saturday November 9

3.10pm England vs Australia, Twickenham

5.40pm Italy vs Argentina, TBC

8.10pm France vs Japan, Stade de France

Sunday November 10

1.40pm - Wales vs Fiji, Principality Stadium

4.10pm Scotland vs South Africa, Murrayfield

Friday November 15

8.10pm - Ireland vs Argentina, Aviva Stadium

Saturday November 16

3.10pm Scotland vs Portugal, Murrayfield

5.40pm England vs South Africa, Twickenham

8.10pm France vs New Zealand, Stade de France

🏉 Here are your 2024 #AutumnNationsSeries Fixtures 🙌 pic.twitter.com/S8GUhS2bw5 — Autumn Nations Series (@autumnnations) April 22, 2024

Sunday November 17

1.40pm - Italy vs Georgia, TBC

4.10pm - Wales vs Australia, Principality Stadium

Friday November 22

8.10pm France vs Argentina, Stade de France

Saturday November 23

3.10pm - Ireland vs Fiji, Aviva Stadium

5.40pm - Wales vs South Africa, Principality Stadium

8.10pm - Italy vs New Zealand, TBC

Sunday November 24

1.40pm Scotland vs Australia, Murrayfield

4.10pm England vs Japan, Twickenham

Saturday November 30

3.10pm - Ireland vs Australia, Aviva Stadium

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