All about Sapporo: Your Neighbourhood Guide

Welcome to Sapporo, the capital of Japan's northernmost island, Hokkaido, and one of the country's largest cities with a population of almost two million. World-famous as a skiing destination and home to one of the best winter festivals on the planet, but also recognised for its vibrant arts and culture scene, delicious cuisine, breathtaking scenery and of course, its namesake beer, there's certainly a lot to love about this northern metropolis. Check out our neighbourhood guide, to see why Sapporo is an ideal place to call home. 

There's a reason why, in 1972, Sapporo was the first destination outside of Europe and North America to host the Winter Olympics. It's the only major city in the world to experience  more than five metres of snow a year, which today can be enjoyed across a selection of six ski resorts, all within an hour of the city centre. Skiing, snowboarding, and other more niche sports like snowshoeing are all popular here, with terrain for every skill level. The ski season in Sapporo typically runs from November through March, and hits its peak during January and February when the snow is at its deepest. 

Sapporo is home to one of Japan's (and indeed, the world's) most famous winter festivals, the Sapporo Snow Festival. Attracting crowds of up to two million visitors from around the globe every February, this week-long event features jaw-dropping snow and ice sculptures—some as big as houses—spread across three locations. Other annual festivals worth checking out include the Sapporo Lilac Festival (May), Yosakoi Soran Festival (June), Hokkaido Shrine Festival (June), Sapporo Odori Beer Garden (July-August) and Hokkaido Art Fireworks (September). 

Sapporo is universally celebrated for its beer of the same name, recognised by its signature gold star logo. Sapporo Beer is also Japan's oldest beer brand, founded in 1876 by German-trained brewmaster Seibei Nakagawa, and here in its hometown, you can learn more about its history at the Sapporo Beer Museum, which is located inside the original brewery; with tastings available in the adjoining Sapporo Beer Garden. Further afield in Eniwa (less than an hour's drive from Sapporo), you can sample brews straight from the source with a tour of the brand's Hokkaido Brewery—one of five Sapporo Beer breweries operating throughout Japan today. 

Sapporo has an incredible food scene, and is particularly famous for its fresh seafood (best experienced at its bustling seafood markets, like the popular Nijo Fish Market) and regional miso ramen (a rich, buttery number that's available at countless eateries across the city. There's even an entire alleyway dedicated to the stuff). Many of the area's best restaurants can be found in the Susukino district, which is home to quite literally thousands of eateries serving both national and international cuisine, including the aforementioned Ramen Alley (be sure to check out Aji No Karyu, which was featured by the late, great Anthony Bourdain on his TV show No Reservations). 

Sapporo is a destination rich in art and culture, offering a myriad of galleries, museums and other experiences to inspire and engage. Amongst these is Sapporo Art Park, a huge venue to the south of the city showcasing more than 70 sculptures by almost as many Japanese artists, set across 40 hectares of beautiful bushland (it also features historic homes, craft studios, and an outdoor stage for music). Other top art and culture experiences in the area include the Hill of the Buddha, whereby a gigantic buddha statue, designed by renowned architect Tadao Ando, peeks out from beneath a lavender-covered hill; and Moerenuma Park, a former landfill that has been transformed into a sculpture garden by noted sculptor, Isamu Noguchi (spot the giant glass pyramid, not unlike that made famous by the Louvre). And we can't forget Maruyama Zoo, with its amazing, one-of-a-kind animal enclosures. 

Sapporo has nature in spades, with plenty of parks and green spaces in the centre itself as well as scenic spots on the fringes and a breathtaking national park further afield. Odori Park is a popular inner-city haunt, offering a 1.5km strip of greenery running through the central business district with lawns, fountains, and close to 100 types of trees (plus the Sapporo TV Tower with its 90m-high observation deck). Also of note is Nakajima Park (centred around a huge pond); and Maruyama Park (beloved for its cherry blossom trees and wildlife). 

It would be remiss not to also mention Mount Moiwa, where you can walk a ropeway then ride a cable car through ancient forests to the summit, where the best views in Sapporo—and officially one of the three best night views in Japan—await. And finally, if you travel about an hour from the city, you'll find Jozankei Onsen—part of Shikotsu-Toya National Park, and home to one of the country's most famous hot spring resorts along with some incredible seasonal scenery. 

The shopping in Sapporo is world-class, with department stores, malls, and entire shopping districts at your disposal. Tanukikoji Shopping Street is widely considered the city's best shopping spot, and one of Hokkaido's oldest (it opened in the 1870s). This street is strictly for pedestrians and features around 200 stores where you can find everything from souvenirs to second-hand goods, refreshing with a traditional tea ceremony, excursion to the cinema, or bite to eat and drink between purchases. Other top shopping spots in Sapporo include the upmarket Daimaru Sapporo department store and sprawling Sapporo Stellar Place mall, both found inside JR Sapporo Station. Don't forget to also check out the depachika (food halls), hidden in the basement of many malls and department stores. 

Last but certainly not least, compared to other Japanese cities, Sapporo offers compellingly affordable land pricing. Offering a range of housing options at reasonable costs, Sapporo makes an attractive prospect for those looking to invest in property or settle down without breaking the bank. 

Ready to make the move to Sapporo? Find the area's very best real estate listings, right here.