Sapporo Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing

(Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan)

Sapporo hosted the 1972 Winter Olympics and is teeming with outdoor tourist attractions, including a range of exciting winter sports, such as both skiing and snowboarding. Nearby Sapporo, gorges and hot springs soothe the spirit throughout the year and are definitely worth searching out.

If you've worked up a thirst, then the attractions within the Sapporo Brewery will be sure to get your juices flowing.

For children in Sapporo, Maruyama Zoo is a fun an educational stop off and caters well for visitor needs, offering dining outlets and souvenir shops, together with many exotic creatures, both large and small. The city's main tourist attractions are explained below.

Jozankei Onsen

Address: Jozankei Onsen, Higashi 4-chome, Sapporo, 13 061 2302, Japan, JP
Tel: +81 011 598 2012
An unusual natural attraction, this steaming natural hot spring can be reached by bus from Sapporo city centre and is set in a gorgeous canyon, famous for its hot waterfall, which is known locally as the 'yu-no-taki'. If you want to stay here in the Jozankei Onsen area, several first-rate, traditional hotels are located nearby. The spring itself is perfect for escaping the summer heat in the city, or simply warming up in the cold winter, and in particular, the salty water is believed to be beneficial for sufferers of rheumatic disorders.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: charge

Hoheikyo Gorge

Address: 840 Jozankei, Sapporo, 01 061 2301, Japan, JP
Tel: +81 011 598 3452
Continuing upstream from Jozankei Onsen, you will come across Hoheikyo Gorge, an idyllic hiking area with gorgeous scenery and within easy reach of central Sapporo. Each season here has something unique to offer, with winter being especially picturesque, when the trees and ground become shrouded in snow. Autumn is also a rather appealing time to visit Hoheikyo Gorge, when the colourful leaves look stunning as they adorn their vibrant fall colours to form a magnificent effect. Other attractions include a restaurant, which offers hungry walkers a range of local delicacies and snacks. To access the lake and gorge, take the cable car and enjoy the dizzy heights and outstanding views.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: charge

Maruyama Zoo

Address: Miyagaoka 3, Banchi 1, Sapporo, 01 064 0959, Japan, JP
Tel: +81 011 621 1426
Maruyama Zoo is located in the peaceful environs of Maruyama Park and makes for an ideal day trip for the whole family. The zoo offers a natural ambience and pleasant surroundings, feeling a million miles away from Sapporo city centre. Resident animal attractions come from all around the world and include elephants, monkeys, tigers, Polar bears, reptiles, penguins, hippos, kangaroos and more, numbering more than 1,000 in total. Especially popular with children is the small petting zoo, where friendly animals, such as rabbits and guinea pigs, can be petted. Kid Land, a fun park suitable for kids of all ages, is also located on-site, as are a number of dining options.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, no charge for children and pensioners

Sapporo Brewery

Address: Kita 7, Higashi 9, Sapporo, 065 0019, Japan, JP
Tel: +81 011 731 4368
This highlight of Sapporo is naturally a favourite among beer-guzzling Japanese, while it also attracts plenty of fans from farther afield. Established in the latter part of the 19th century, Sapporo Brewery was Japan's very first brewery at that time. Together with the Beer Museum, the brewery occupies the original location. Take a guided tour through the museum and its displays, which include audio-visual exhibits to illustrate the process of beer production and its development over the years. Once you have finished sightseeing here, a necessary stop is the attraction's large beer garden and indoor hall.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 16:00
Admission: no charge

Mount Moiwa Ropeway

Address: Fushimi 5-Chome 3-7, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, 064-0942, Japan, JP
Tel: +81 011 561 8177
For some of the best views across Sapporo and beyond, consider taking a trip along the centrally located Mount Moiwa Ropeway. Without doubt, a journey in one of these gondolas is sure to be memorable, offering endless photo opportunities along the way, whatever the time of year.
Open hours: daily, April to September - 09:30 to 22:30; October and November - 09:30 to 21:30; December to March - 10:30 to 18:30
Admission: charge

Sapporo Factory

Address: Kita 2 Higashi 4, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, 060-0032, Japan, JP
Tel: +81 011 207 5000
Home to a huge number of shops, restaurants and plenty of other entertainment options, the Sapporo Factory is a huge complex of fun, with enough attractions to keep you occupied for many hours. Further highlights here include multi-screen cinemas, accommodation, a gymnasium and more besides, being housed within a particularly historic building.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 22:00
Admission: no charge