The city of Sapporo is known for many things; one of Japan’s most beloved beers, the Sapporo Snow Festival, beautiful mountains, skiing, and ramen. Sapporo is the capital city of Japan’s northern island, Hokkaido.
It was home to the 1972 Winter Olympics. It’s Japan’s 5th biggest city, with a population of around 2 million people, including a fairly large population of international residents.
Sapporo’s major industries include IT, tourism, and retail. It is also Hokkaido’s center of manufacturing.
If you are looking for Sapporo apartments to rent, please consider having a look at all the Sapporo apartments we have available.
Sapporo Weather
Hokkaido is known to have a distinct climate from the rest of Japan, which has both its positives and negatives!
If you are living in Sapporo, you’ll be able to enjoy a warm summer climate, as well as a very snowy winter. Hokkaido has four distinct seasons, so there is something for everyone to enjoy all year round. It’s one of the few major cities in the World to get such large amounts of snowfall. The snowfall helps to make the experience of living in Sapporo so unique since you can enjoy experiences like the Sapporo Snow Festival.
Sapporo usually enjoys quite extreme seasons; with average highs of around 26°C at the height of summer in August, and average lows of around -6°C in the depth of winter in January.
Living in Hokkaido, you won’t have to worry about the dense humidity that bathes most of Japan in summer. It’s still beach-going weather but it’s drier than the rest of Japan, so it’s a bit more comfortable. Summers in Sapporo are also great since there is no rainy season.
Access
The city is well-linked up by JR trains and a subway system, so getting around Sapporo is easy for anyone considering living in Hokkaido.
The city is served by the New Chitose Airport with both domestic and international flights.
If you’re looking to explore Hokkaido beyond the city of Sapporo, we recommend getting a car to get around.
Sapporo Snow Festival
One of the most popular things to do in Sapporo is visiting one of Japan’s many festivals, the Sapporo Snow Festival. The Sapporo Snow Festival was first held in 1950 with snow statues made by local high school students.
The Sapporo Snow Festival is held every year in February, although it was held online in 2021. It attracts visitors from around the world who go to enjoy the breathtaking snow sculptures at Odori Park and Suskino. At the Sapporo Snow Festival, you can also enjoy large snow slides and snow rafting at the Tsudome site. It’s one of the highlights of things to do in Sapporo, so please do visit if you ever get the chance!
Odori Park can be accessed easily via Odori Station on both the Namboku and Toho lines.
Things to do in Sapporo
Makomanai Takino Cemetery
You might have seen pictures of a magnificent Buddha statue; whose head sticks out of a hill. This is at the Makomanai Takino Cemetery, in amongst lavender fields. It’s a great place to visit all year round, however, it’s particularly picturesque in the summer months. Close to the cemetery you’ll find the Takino Suzuran Hillside Park with beautiful flowers and abundant nature.
Suskino
Suskino is one of the most popular neighborhoods for anyone living in Hokkaido. It’s the center of nightlife-related things to do in Sapporo, with plenty of bars and restaurants.
Suskino is also home to the Tanuki Kōji Shopping Arcade and Sapporo Ramen Yokocho.
Odori Park
The long park is located in the city center. It’s a popular spot for festivals throughout the year, such as the lilac festival in late spring, and the Sapporo Snow Festival.
People gather at the park for lunches and walks. It’s a peaceful space to have some quiet time in the city.
Moerenuma Park
This large park has the large glass pyramid “HIDAMARI” and a wading pool and is one of the wonderful free things to do in Sapporo. It’s a lovely spot to enjoy throughout all seasons, you can view the cherry blossoms in spring, enjoy the autumn foliage, take a quick dip in summer, and in winter you can even try sledding and cross-country skiing here.
If you’d like to live near Moerenuma Park, we have Sapporo apartments available to rent in Higashi-ku.
Tanukikoji Shopping Street
Tanukikoji is a sheltered shopping area, filled with a variety of shops, restaurants, and karaoke bars. If you find yourself in Sapporo on a rainy day this is a great way to enjoy your time.
Sapporo Beer Museum
For any beer enthusiast, one of the many exciting things to do in Sapporo is visiting the Sapporo Beer Museum. Here you can learn about the history and science of beer making in Hokkaido’s capital city for free. Visit the Star Hall where you can pay to sample Sapporo beers.
Hopefully, this has given you a better idea of how you can enjoy living in Sapporo. There is so much more to this city beyond what we have listed, so please explore it for yourself. From onsen to delicious food, such as Genghis Khan, to ski resorts, and the TV Tower, there are so many things to do in Sapporo. If you are looking to relocate to Sapporo, please check out the Sapporo apartments that are currently available to rent.