Overview
Take a trip to Sapporo on your Japan Vacation
Considered one of Japan’s nicest and newest cities, Sapporo is the capital and largest city of the northern island of Hokkaido. Holding a population of seven in 1857, it now features the fourth largest population in Japan with 2 million people.
Once home to indigenous Ainu settlements, Sapporo’s development began at the end of the Edo Period in 1866 on a canal running through the area, while the new Meiji government established it as the administrative centre of Hokkaido. Featuring an American-style grid plan, Sapporo features tree-lined boulevards and modern architecture to be enjoyed on a Japanese vacation.
The annual Sapporo Snow Festival first began in 1950. Held in the first week of February, the famous festival attracts artists from all around the world to compete in the creation of elaborate ice sculptors.
Ideal for its cooler climate, Sapporo is famous for its ski resorts and played host to the 1972 Winter Olympics, the first ever to be held in Asia. With its newly constructed Sapporo Dome, the city also played host to three FIFA World Cup matches in 2002.
While Sapporo’s major industries include information technology, retail, and tourism, it is well known for Sapporo Brewery and features the Sapporo Beer Museum where visitors on a Japan vacation can learn the history of the brewing process as well as sample various beers.
Other sites include the Clock Tower, Sapporo’s oldest building, as well as Sapporo TV Tower. Asahiyama Park is ideal for cherry blossom viewing in the spring, while Odori Park, located in the heart of Sapporo, hosts various festivals and events held throughout the year, all making this modern city an eventful place to visit on a Japan vacation.
Ideal for its cooler climate, Sapporo is famous for its ski resorts and played host to the 1972 Winter Olympics, the first ever to be held in Asia. With its newly constructed Sapporo Dome, the city also played host to three FIFA World Cup matches in 2002.
While Sapporo’s major industries include information technology, retail, and tourism, it is well known for Sapporo Brewery and features the Sapporo Beer Museum where visitors on a Japan vacation can learn the history of the brewing process as well as sample various beers.
Other sites include the Clock Tower, Sapporo’s oldest building, as well as Sapporo TV Tower. Asahiyama Park is ideal for cherry blossom viewing in the spring, while Odori Park, located in the heart of Sapporo, hosts various festivals and events held throughout the year, all making this modern city an eventful place to visit on a Japan vacation.
At a Glance
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JapaneseCurrency
Japanese Yen (JPY)What do the experts say?
You should try a Zen meditation session. Imagine slipping into a silk kimono for the day—carefully tied by an expert dresser, every fold precise, every colour chosen to suit the season. It’s a ritual that feels as personal as it is timeless.
What do I love about Japan? In a word - EVERYTHING. The incredible contrast that Japan offers - new/innovative vs old/traditional, the warm and welcoming people, the incredible rich culture, the culinary wonders awaiting around every corner, the cleanliness, efficiency and safety. It's one of the best places to visit in Asia in my opinion.
Every season offers something to fall in love with, but autumn feels especially magical—fewer tourists, crisp weather, and foliage that rivals the famous blossoms.
Sapporo's clock tower is always a great photo o...
Festival lights
Old city hall
Night view of Sapporo TV Tower
Snow sculpture of the Taj Mahal
Most Popular Time to Travel
Know when to go.
Place
Conditions
Daily max temperatureMonthly rainfall
SapporoOccasional Showers
32°C / 89°F
45mm / 1.8"
Weather data is based on monthly averages.Popularity rating
-
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ExcellentBased on 5,224 ReviewsOur Agent Katie Stephenson is what made this trip amazing...!! I mean the trip was great in itself...!!
Katie worked with me planning a getaway to Australia for my wife's 60th b-day... After going through a few dates and activities...I realized Our passports were going to be expired a few days before...!!
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So, my wife and I had an amazing time..Melbourne then on to Cairns and lastly Sydney...!!
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Great time, great experience and Katie was a huge part in making it happen...Thank you for an amazing time Katie/GoWay Travel..RSE- Development CorpI was looking at a month holiday in New Zealand and Australia and Natasa Jaric who is located in the Toronto area helped to make it happened by combining 2 already designed holidays in Oceania. From the beginning to the end, Natasa was "hands on" by explaining and providing everything I needed for our trip. During our trip, there were few bumps on the road that had nothing to do with Goway Travel as it was the airline company that cancelled our scheduled flight and created chaos. And the other problems (they were light) was because of the way hotels described their rooms. It should definitely be better worded! Db to me means double bed ... what does it mean to you? ;-) Anyhow, we ended up having two beds but with some arguments at one hotel only. The others accommodated us at no extra cost. I should also add that NZ and Aus. know how to treat tourists. I was particularly impressed with the transfers services offered by different companies both in NZ and Aus. Wow! No waiting at the airports, hotels or terminals. They were there ready to pick us up and drive us where ever we needed to be! Well done!!! It's the kind of service that I will have a hard time not to use again as it comes with a $ sign but definitely worth spending it! :-). I received a very good response from the "Help office" when the flight was cancelled and other inquiries I had made. Very good service once again. I live quite a few experiences during that month and all thanks need to go to Natasa and her team. So Natasa: Thank you very very much for a very well organized travel! Carole OuelletMy Wife and I finally had an opportunity to go on one of our Bucket list trips Goway Travel, Egypt Odyssey 9 days including the Nile river .The booking process was seamless,the Goway rep Harpreet answered all of questions, in a professional, and timely manner, the trip it self was incredible, the meet and greet at the airport was incredibly quick,the rep Mohammed Koda,had our luggage and visas in no time we were at the Sheraton Cairo, an amazing hotel in the heart of Cairo, a wonderful facility, 3 amazing restaurants ,a large pool, a bank, and a Starbucks .The Pyramids and Museum tour where incredible WOW, we still talk about it, the guide Marco was amazing, professional and personable gentleman an excellent combination. The shuttle to airport for the Nile river Luxor to Aswan was also very smooth, when arriving in Luxor another rep was waiting for us,we were quickly ,taken to the docks, the Sonesta boat was amazing ,the cabin was clean a good size, and the food very good, with excellent deserts and plenty of fresh fruits, pool with plenty of shade .Our daily trips to the tombs and sites were amazing, our guide Mr Honey is an incredible book of knowledge we are both very grateful for his skills and knowledge .The Nile river trip will stay in our minds for years, we returned back to Cairo to finish our Egypt Odyssey trip with a tour of the original Museum ,such incredible history, and an incredible trip ,thank you so much Goway Travel for making this dream trip happen for us
Tony and Rose Ferreira sharkman TonyThis was my first time planning a tour wth Goway Travel. I am truly delighted with the professionalism and personal relationship I had with the Goway Travel consultant Christine. She gave attention to every details I requested to curate my tour to Hong Kong and Bali. She addressed all my needs, answered thoroughly my questions and concerns. She is a touch of class in every respect. I will definitely recommend Goway Travel group. Excellent Hotels. Perfect guides in both countries. LE Asia TourIngrid did a phenomenal job creating a 22 day trip beginning in with 3 days in Turkey, that included a Turkish Bath and a private tour of the mosques, we then took a 10 day cruise through the Mediterranean, Greece, Croatia, plus a couple of other stops. We got off the cruise in Ravenna Italy our transportation was spot on picking us up (I would have to stay all of our transportation was impressive, always there, on time, very helpful) we traveled from Ravenna to Venice where we stayed for two nights. Venice is the only place we had a hiccup, we weren't sure if someone was meeting us at our Hotel to take us to the water taxi to get to the train station, we figured it out, made the train and all was good. Traveled to Florence, had the best time there with one of our most favorite excusions, stayed in Florence for two nights and then completed our trip with three nights in Rome. Rome is BUSY, I was not prepared for that but should of expected it. This is our second big trip planning through Goway Travel, I can not recommend enough, they are so detailed and take care of everything you need and everything you didn't know you needed. Paula Hall-KeefeThe booking processs was really easy. Katie was very communicative and was very responsive. Every change we asked for, she quickly replied. The room arrangements had a small hiccupp but Katie fixed it within minutes! All the excursions were a blast and well planned.
The trip was a bucket list trip and was everything we hoped for. Alison HAllan Birkett at Goway has been an absolute godsend! Over the past year, he has helped me plan numerous vacations—especially honeymoons—and has been an incredible partner every step of the way.
He is always quick to respond, patient with my clients' frequent changes, and goes above and beyond to help whenever an issue comes up. His knowledge, professionalism, and dedication make my job as a travel advisor so much easier.
I truly appreciate everything Allan does and highly recommend him to anyone looking for exceptional service. Thank you, Allan, for always being thereBrooke EcholsOur 2-week trip to Normandy, Switzerland and Italy after we disembarked from the Queen Mary 2 in Southampton in mid-May was superb. Michael Keon did an amazing job of putting together highlights for us to see and visit with the short time we had. All the train reservations, private and small group tours and transportations were very well coordinated, on time, and usually exceeded our expectations. Drivers were courteous and knowledgeable. Mike did a wonderful job getting everything coordinated, in spite of our almost “last minute” booking. I booked a month-long trip through GOWAY back in 1989 for Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, and they were superb then. So I tried them again, and found the entire organization to be even better. Mike was quick to respond to any questions that came up regarding booksings and times, regardless of the 6-hour time difference. Just superb! Although we had a nasty experience in Milan, GOWAY was very responsive and saw to our requests and our needs. Again, Michael Keon is the person who coordinated our travel. I will ask for Mike when I travel again with GOWAY. I recommend GOWAY highly. PJ WheelerA BIG THANK YOU to Goway Travel, Brooke Theron and all of the partners onsite. Our trip to Africa was incredible, memories that will last forever.
Everything planned and more went perfectly. The guides, the excursions, the accommodations, everything, was just spectacular. Fortunately, everything ran on time, no delays, no problems.
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He has helped me find the best spots for my clients to experience and when I am looking for something and just can't figure it out, he is able to put together something better than I was thinking. He my go-to and I am thankful for all his help over the years!Sherri
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