Are you dreaming of a White Christmas, too?
Sapporo is one of the most beautiful cities in Japan, especially during winter. It's a very cold city compared to Tokyo in January, but it makes for an excellent destination this holiday season. You can see the pretty lights on the trees and shrubs, taste freshly made pretzels, or play in the Sapporo snow.
Grab your friends and family and come spend some time in Japan during this magical time! Don't forget to wrap up well so you can experience a Winter Wonderland at these Sapporo tourist spots where plenty of cheery activities await.
1. Make a wish at Jozankei Onsen Snow Light Path
Decorative lights are not the only things you’ll see flickering during winter at this Sapporo tourist spot in Hokkaido. Every year 2,000 snow candles are lit along the Jozankei Shrine to create a dreamy ambiance. It’s common practice for people to make a wish on a lit candle and try to take it to the snow tower without letting the flame go out.
Source: Jozankei Tourism Association Website
Jozankei Shrine
Address: 3-218 Jozankei Onsen, Minami-Ku, Sapporo 061-2301, Hokkaido
Contact: +81 11-598-2012
Schedule: Late January to early February
2. Marvel at the ice sculptures at the Sapporo Snow Festival
Winter in Sapporo would not be complete without the annual Sapporo Snow Festival at Odori Park. It’s the city’s most popular event where meticulously carved snow and ice sculptures are put on display for everyone to marvel at. You’ll see everything from cartoon characters to iconic landmarks at this Sapporo tourist spot.
Source: Sapporo Snow Festival Facebook
Odori Park
Address: 8 Chome Odorinishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0042, Japan
Schedule: First week of February
3. Feel the Holiday Cheer at the Sapporo White Illumination
The Sapporo White Illumination goes hand in hand with the Sapporo Snow Festival. Everyone starts anticipating this event as soon as November hits as festive decorations are hung along Odori Park, Ekimaedori, and Minami 1-jo Dori. The city center is a dazzling sight when the colorful lights are switched on.
Source: Sapporo Snow Festival Facebook
Odori Park
Address: Address: 8 Chome Odorinishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0042, Japan
Schedule: Late November to Mid-March
4. German Christmas Market
Also held at Odori Park is the annual German Christmas Market that’s been held since 2002. The event celebrates the friendship between the cities of Hokkaido and Munich and brings you goodies such as Christmas cards and décor, Russian matryoshka dolls, and other souvenir items. The stalls are also a great place to sample pretzels, roasted almonds, German sausages, and mulled wine.
Source: Sapporo Snow Festival Facebook
Odori Park
Address: Address: 8 Chome Odorinishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0042, Japan
Schedule: Late November to December 25
5. Explore the snowy Historical Village of Hokkaido
The Historical Village of Hokkaido feels like a small Christmas town in the winter with its snow-covered roofs and friendly folks. Kaitaku no Mura is an outdoor museum composed of four sections: the town center, fishing village, farm village, and mountain village. You can explore all the restored buildings at this Sapporo tourist spot to get a glimpse of life during the Meiji and Taisho Periods.
Source: Kaitaku no Mura Facebook
Kaitaku no Mura
Address: 50-1 Atsubetsucho Konopporo, Atsubetsu-Ku, Sapporo 004-0006, Hokkaido
Contact: +81 11-898-2692
Opening Hours: 9 am – 5 pm (Daily, closed Mondays of Oct-April)
6. Watch the Jumbo Christmas Tree at Sapporo Factory light up
Source: Sapporo Factory Christmas Facebook
The old Sapporo Beer Factory is now a hotspot during the Christmas season because of its Jumbo Christmas Tree. Locals and tourists alike flock to this Sapporo tourist spot to watch the fully decked 15-meter-tall Sakhalin fir tree light up in the middle of the atrium. Keep your eyes peeled for the five-minute music and light performance that happens once every hour.
Sapporo Factory Christmas
Address: Chuo-ku Kita 2jo East 4, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido, Japan
Contact: +81 11-207-5000
Schedule: 4 pm – 10 pm (November-December)
7. Unleash your inner child at Shiori Koibito Park
Cookies and Christmas go together, so what better way to get in the holiday spirit than treating yourself to a day at Shiori Koibito Park? There’s no shortage of sweets here as this Sapporo tourist spot is a chocolate-themed amusement park run by the Japanese confectionary company. Their white chocolate-filled biscuits and chocolate factory will bring out your inner child.
Source: Shiroi Koibito Park Website
Shiori Koibito Park
Address: 2 Chome-11-36 Miyanosawa 2 Jo, Nishi Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 063-0052, Japan
Contact: +81 11-666-1481
Opening Hours: 10 am – 5 pm (Daily)
8. Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium
Hokkaido has become synonymous with the Winter Olympics since it hosted the 1972 9-meter ski jump competition. It is, therefore, a must-see Sapporo tourist spot. Hop on one of the lifts to the observation deck to get a panoramic view of Sapporo, then head back down the slopes to get to the Sapporo Winter Sports Museum where you can learn more about the sport and past Olympic athletes.
Source: Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium Facebook
Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium
Address: 1274 Miyanomori, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0958, Japan
Contact: +81 11-641-8585
Opening Hours: 8:30 am –9 pm (Daily)
Written by: Zarah Isibelle Faderon
IMPORTANT NOTE: Be a responsible traveler! All information on this post are accurate from the time of writing. Rules, regulations and guidelines are updated frequently and may change without Klook’s prior notice. For your safety, check with the respective LGU’s and establishments directly before your travels.
