District Guide

Sapporo is one of the easiest Japanese cities to navigate because of its street system of wide boulevards connected to a compass-oriented grid of minor streets. These are numbered according to their order in relation to the major thoroughfares. Since this is one of Japan’s largest cities, distances between places on the map can be quite far, but the transportation network in the city is excellent.

North of Sapporo Station

There are three main attractions to the north of Sapporo Station. One of these is Hokkaido University, which was founded as Sapporo Agricultural School in 1876. In a park at the southern end of the campus you will find a bust of Dr. William S. Clark, who was President of the University of Massachusetts Agricultural College and one of the founders as Sapporo Agricultural School. Dr. Clark’s famous statement, "Boys, be ambitious," is still used by educators to encourage students. The Sapporo Brewery is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city, and not only for beer drinkers.

Chūō-ku

This district contains most of the city's entertainment and administrative buildings. City Hall and the police headquarters can be found here, but there are also many landmarks, restaurants and shops for visitors to explore. Sapporo TV Tower, located at the eastern end of Odori Park, is a major draw for those looking to snap some stunning pictures. The park is host to many local events, including the Sapporo Snow Festival and the Sapporo Summer Festival.

To the west of Odori Park, you'll find Maruyama Park, a popular all-year recreational spot that is home to a zoo and a sports stadium. Hokkaido Jingu, the most important shrine in Hokkaido, is also located within the park.

Sapporo's Symphony Orchestra can be found at Sapporo Concert Hall Kitara, while sports fans will be impressed with the Sapporo Race Course. Children will enjoy the animals at the Wan Nyan Fureai Park. The Stanley Market is a must-see, with its fresh, traditional cuisine.

South of Sapporo Station

Some of the most interesting parts of the city can be found here, in the downtown area that stretches from the station to Susukino. If you head directly south, you will enter the main administrative area. The Hokkaido Government Buildings, including the Old Hokkaido Government Building, are on the west side. Further west are the Botanical Gardens, which hold almost 5,000 varieties of plants. If you continue west, you will come to the Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art.

Retrace your steps and you will come across the offices of the major airline companies, banks and other financial institutions. Just to the east of the main thoroughfare you will find most of the major department stores and a number of top class hotels. Turn south and you will come to Sapporo City Hall, where you will see the Tokei-dai, one of the major symbols of Sapporo. This majestic clock tower has been tolling the hour for more than a century.

Susukino

If you continue south from Odori Park, you will come to Susukino, one of the largest entertainment districts in Japan. It is said that there are more than 4000 establishments operating in an area of about one square kilometer. As the sun goes down, the lights turn on at restaurants, bars, cafes, discos, saunas, pool halls, peep shows, soaplands (a Japanese euphemism for brothel), and massage parlors. There are also numerous reasonably priced hotels in this area.

Further south you will come to Nakajima Park, the oldest park in Sapporo. This vast park is a superb recreational area that blends nature with culture. The excellent Sapporo Winter Sports Museum and the Hokkaido Museum of Literature are located here, as is Sapporo Concert Hall (Kitaro), the city’s premier concert venue. The Nakajima Sports Center is more than just a gym; it hosts championship boxing and wrestling as well as rock concerts.

When you travel to Sapporo, do not restrict yourself to the city boundaries. There are some wonderful attractions in the suburbs and surrounding areas. Two places that are certainly worth visiting are Nopporo Forest Park and Noboribetsu Onsen.

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