Things to do in Sapporo: Japan’s urban winter wonderland

This family-friendly destination invites visitors all year round, providing cultural experiences alongside outdoor adventures and world-class ski conditions.

Hidden on Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido, Sapporo is a multi- faceted city that combines year-round urban entertainment with nature-blessed surroundings. Today, visitors can explore historic buildings, bustling entertainment districts, open-air museums, shrines, markets and shopping, while just beyond the city limits lie alpine forests, tranquil rivers and scenic landscapes that come alive in summer, glow golden in Autumn, and provide world-class skiing in winter. Offering cultural experiences, city fun and natural escapes, Sapporo is easily accessible from Australia yet remains off the usual tourist path of Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo – with fewer crowds! And with Qantas now flying direct from Sydney to New Chitose Airport, there’s never been a better time to discover Hokkaido’s dynamic capital. We’ve unearthed the best things to do in Sapporo for families to get you started on your holiday planning.

Where is Sapporo?

Sapporo is located on Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido, around 1150 kilometres north of Tokyo. For families already travelling in Japan, a direct flight from Tokyo to Sapporo is the fastest way to reach the city, around 1 hour and 30 minutes from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport to New Chitose Airport. Compared with Japan’s southern destinations like Kyoto or Osaka, Sapporo is considerably more remote, giving it a unique character and access to pristine natural landscapes, alpine skiing, snowboarding and seasonal festivals that are distinct from the country’s more frequently visited tourist hubs.  

How to get to Sapporo

Families looking for an easy winter getaway can book direct flights from Sydney to Sapporo, one of Japan’s premier skiing destinations. Qantas is now operating three weekly non-stop services into New Chitose Airport. With morning departures from Sydney and early evening arrivals in Sapporo, families can maximise their time on the slopes and even enjoy a day of skiing before returning home, making this a convenient and exciting option for snow-loving families. Qantas also operates connecting flights to Sapporo from Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide. The JR Rapid Airport Train takes travellers from the airport to Sapporo city in under 45 minutes, while the drive is around 50km and takes about an hour.

Where to stay in Sapporo

Sapporo is ideal for family travellers thanks to how easy it is to mix city fun with outdoor adventures. Families can spend the day skiing and playing in the snow at nearby resorts, then head back to central areas like Odori or Sapporo Station for dinner, shopping and sightseeing. For extra relaxation, the nearby Jozankei Onsen area is a great family-friendly option, offering hot springs close to the ski fields, perfect for soothing tired muscles after a big day out.

How many days do you need in Sapporo?

How long you’ll need in Sapporo will depend on the season you visit and what you hope to do while there, as things to do in Sapporo change throughout the year. Often, three days to a week is enough time to explore the city, the neighbouring hot springs area, nature zones and the ski fields. In winter, up to a week is suitable for families hoping to see the city, the Sapporo Snow Festival, and spend some quality time on the ski slopes. In summer, spring and autumn, allocate at least three to four days to see the city, go hiking, visit parks and museums or do a day trip to the lakes and onsen towns.

Things to do in Sapporo

Snow

Hit the slopes

One of the best things to do in Sapporo is hit the slopes. Supplying skiers, snowboarders and sledders with a diverse range of snow-covered terrain, pristine powder and easy access to the slopes from the city, it’s absolutely no surprise that Sapporo hosted the Olympic Winter Games. Sapporo’s ski scene is easily accessible for families with many fields located within an hour or so of the city, so you can balance sightseeing, food and culture with a winter vacation filled with skiing and snow play.

Sapporo Teine is one of the most popular choices, featuring a smart split between beginner-friendly runs in the Olympia Zone and more advanced terrain in the Highland Zone, along with sweeping views back over the city and the Sea of Japan. The area is also historically significant as Sapporo was the first city in Asia to host the Winter Olympic Games, held in 1972.

Sapporo Kokusai is prized for its consistent heavy snowfall and wide, open slopes. With seven different courses, there’s something for everyone, including gentle runs perfect for families to more challenging forest trails for confident skiers. Kolusai’s location near Jozankei Onsen makes it easy to pair a day on the mountain with a relaxing soak in natural hot springs. For convenience, Moiwayama is quickly accessed from the city and is especially popular for night skiing and short sessions on the slopes.

Bankei is just a 20-minute drive from central Sapporo and is a favourite among locals, known for its welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere, gentle beginner areas and excellent night skiing. It is easily accessible and equipped with English-language lesson programs, making it inviting for visitors.

Sapporo Snow Festival

Held for one week each February, the Sapporo Snow Festival transforms the city into a winter spectacle of extraordinary snow and ice sculptures, spread across three main sites: Odori, Susukino and Tsu Dome. Some sculptures are monumental in scale, stretching more than 20 metres wide and 15 metres high, while the wider festival also features concerts and special events. Families will find snow slides, snow rafting, playgrounds and food stalls at selected venues, while other areas focus on illuminated installations, ice bars and skating. With free entry to most sites, it is one of the best budget-friendly things to do in Sapporo for families.

White Illumination

Spread throughout various locations in the city, White Illumination is Sapporo’s winter light festival. It sees snowy landscapes, ice sculptures and structures lit up with coloured lights.

Takino Snow World

Takino Suzuran Hillside Park transforms into Takino Snow World during winter, with free entry and a wide range of family-friendly snow activities just outside Sapporo. The park features Japan’s largest tube sledding course, measuring in at 200 metres, where you can experience the thrill and exhilaration of sliding down snowy slopes. There are also ski courses that are maintained for enjoying winter activities. Visitors will find gentle beginner ski and snowboard slopes with lifts and tows, snowshoeing trails, and dedicated snow play areas for younger children. With its spacious open landscapes, and affordable activity options, Takino Snow World is an ideal choice for families looking for fun winter things to do in Sapporo without travelling far from the city.

Sightseeing

Visit the Sapporo Clock Tower

Located a short walk from JR Sapporo Station and constructed in the late 19th century, Sapporo clock tower is the oldest in Japan and is today recognised as one of Sapporo’s main landmarks. The first floor serves as a museum showcasing the building’s history.

Snap a selfie at the historic Red Brick Building

No family holiday is complete without a few family pics snapped at important sites. The Red Brick Office is the former Hokkaido Government Office, and this handsome American neo-Baroque structure serves as a striking backdrop to any vacation photos. Visitors will find exhibitions and a museum shop inside.

Watch the city light up from Mount Moiwa Observatory

Perched on the peak of Mt. Moiwa is an observatory that stands at 531 metres above sea level. Take the ropeway and mini cable car to the summit at sunset and watch as the city lights up when darkness falls across Sapporo.

Shop the day away on Tanukikoji Shopping Street

Did your family really go on holiday if they didn’t purchase at least one souvenir? Anyone craving a retail therapy session should make a beeline for Tanukikoji Shopping Street, a pedestrian-only covered arcade that spans seven blocks and houses 200 stores.

Culture

Step back in time at the Historical Village of Hokkaido

One of the best things to do in Sapporo is learn about the history of Hokkaido, and the open-air Historical Village of Hokkaido museum presents 60 buildings from the region for visitors to check out, dating back to the Meiji and Taisho periods from 1868 to 1926. There are four sections to discover: a town, fishing village, farm village and a mountain village.

Pray for good fortune at Hokkaido Jingu

Built by order of the emperor in the 19th century, Hokkaido Jingu is a shinto shrine believed to enshrine four kami (sacred spirits) and the soul of Emperor Meiji. In spring, cherry blossoms bloom throughout the site, while in winter the shrine is blanketed in snow to create a magical atmosphere.

Get inspired at Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art or Sapporo Art Park

Anyone travelling with creative little tykes may wish to instill an appreciation for art in them. Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art and Sapporo Art Park provide plenty of food for thought, showcasing thought-provoking artworks and interactive exhibits.

Join a festival at Odori Park

One of the best things to do in Sapporo is to attend a festival, and Odori Park serves as host to several. Sapporo Snow Festival, Lilac Festival, Summer Festival, Autumn Festival and Christmas and Winter Illuminations take place in this park throughout the year. When not in use, this green space is perfect for a quiet meander by flowering garden beds and beneath shady trees.

Food

Slurp your way through Ramen Alley

Sapporo is famous for its regional ramen interpretation with a rich miso broth base. This crowd-pleasing noodle bowl is best tried at Ganso Sapporo Ramen Yokocho (also known as Ramen Alley), a street filled with shoulder-to-shoulder ramen shops.

Peruse seafood at Nijo Market

Foodie families and parents with a love for seafood should add Nijo Market to their Sapporo itinerary. This public market is open every day and presents a selection of fresh seafood stalls and restaurants plating up the day’s catch.

Sample brews at Sapporo Beer Museum

This one is for the mums and dads. Sapporo Beer Museum is Japan’s only museum dedicated to the brew, and one of the best things to do in Sapporo. A visit to this institution provides insights into the region’s brewing culture and methods, and offers adults an opportunity to sample the goods.

Explore Shiroi Koibito Park

Your kids’ Willy Wonka dreams can come true at Shiroi Koibito Park, a chocolate-themed park operated by Japanese confectionery manufacturer Ishiya. Here, you’ll find a shop, cafe and restaurant open to the public, and a ticketed area with exhibitions and demonstrations dedicated to chocolate. Be sure to join a cookie-making workshop and take home one of Sapporo’s most famous souvenirs, the Shiroi Koibito cookie.

Overnight stay idea from Sapporo

Jozankei Onsen: Nestled in a forested valley, this tranquil hot spring town offers traditional ryokan, open-air baths, and ever-changing seasonal scenery, all less than an hour from Sapporo. Situated within a national park, Jozankei Onsen provides a diverse range of nature-based activities that showcase its rich surroundings, allowing visitors to experience Hokkaido’s landscapes in every season.

Keep reading:

• Best things to do in Hokkaido, Japan
• Best Hokkaido ski resorts for families
• Things to do in Japan with kids
• Guide to skiing Japan with kids
• Guide to skiing in Sapporo
• Everything families need to know about holidaying in Japan

This article was produced in partnership with Sapporo and is a Holidays with Kids digital exclusive. Be the first to see more exclusive online content by subscribing to the enewsletter below.

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