The Area

The modern city of Sapporo lies on the Ishikari Plain, straddling the Toyohira River. Four subway lines, streetcars and a well-laid out grid structure make getting around fairly straightforward.

The city gives its name to the famous local beer. The Sapporo Beer Garden and Museum is just south of the station. Nightlife is focused in the Susukino area with hundreds of restaurants and bars.

Festivals

• Sapporo Snow Festival - Overlapping with the Sapporo White Illumination Festival from mid-November to February, this famous festival is a fairyland of snow sculptures and ice carvings, drawing up to two million visitors each year.
• Sapporo Summer Festival - Every July and August, this event features a beer garden, Bon dances and fireworks displays.

Ski Areas

• Sapporo Kitahiroshima Snow Land - Located next to the Sapporo Kitahiroshima Prince hotel, this snowy playground offers a variety of ski courses and events. Includes Family Ski Area, Snowman Village, Snow Hiking Course, Snow Kids Land, Sleigh-only Course, to name a few. It also features an indoor swimming pool, ski and cross-country races, and a New Year's fireworks show.
• Makomanai Ski Area - (15 minutes from Makomanai Station by bus. 35 minutes from Sapporo Station by car.)
• Niseko Higashiyama Ski Area - (1 hour, 50 minutes from Sapporo Station by car. 1 hour, 50 minutes from New Chitose Airport by car. 10 minutes from Niseko Higashiyama Station by car.)
• Fukagawa Ski Area - (10 minutes from Fukagawa Station by car. 1 hour, 10 minutes from Sapporo Station by car.)

Golf Courses

• Sapporo Kitahiroshima Prince Golf Course - 54 holes
• Niseko Higashiyama Prince Golf Course - 36 holes
• Hakodate Onuma Prince Golf Course - 27 holes
• Hokkaido Country Club Onuma Course - 18 holes

Entertainment

• Sapporo Winter Museum - Features Sapporo Winter Olympics Memorial exhibits, simulation experience and game information.
• Maruyama Amusement Park
• Mt. Okura Ski Jump Stadium
• Mt. Moiwa Ropeway and Observatory
• Kitara Sapporo Concert Hall

Dining

• Kirin Beer Garden
• Hokkaido's Famous Dish - Sapporo ramen noodles
• Susukino District - Popular for nightlife, entertainment and dining, a happening place even after midnight.

Sightseeing

• Odori Park - The heart of the city lies in this long park, dominated on the east end by a metal television tower and on the west by a view of the mountains.
• Clock Tower - Sapporo's most famous landmark built in 1878 as part of the agricultural college (now Hokkaido University).
• Sapporo Beer Garden and Museum - Japan's first brewery built in 1876.
• Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art - Displays works of locally born artists.