How To Spend An Epic 24 Hours in Sapporo

Sapporo is not usually very high on many travellers’ Japan itineraries. It’s further up north on the island of Hokkaido and for a large chunk of the year it is buried in snow. My June visit was excellently timed with beautiful weather which made it perfect to spend 24 hours in Sapporo exploring.

This fourth most populous city in Japan isn’t as well known as destinations such as Tokyo, Kyoto or Osaka, but snow sports lovers will definitely have Hokkaido on their bucket list as the island features the best snow in the country.

If you’re coming from Australia, Japan has a minimal time difference so you’re able to hit the ground running to make the most of your 24 hours in Sapporo. Most foreigners will need to fly in overnight via Tokyo and then grab an onward connection up to New Chitose Airport in Sapporo.

But once you’ve arrived, what is there to fill your 24 hours in Sapporo with? Plenty as I found out!

Where to stay in Sapporo

Sapporo has many different options for accommodation – all that come with famous pristine Japanese cleanlinesss and hospitality. Sapporo is great for budget or hostel options that are impeccably maintained but won’t break the budget as well as featuring many major hotel chains and up market choices. 

For an upmarket stay, the JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo is a great choice for a beautiful hotel with great ratings and close to everything (as it is located over the city’s main railway station). The Sapporo Grand Hotel is another great option for accommodation at the higher end of the star & price scale. 

At the more mid-range end, the Quintessa Hotel Sapporo and the Quintessa Hotel Suskino are both well priced, but beautifully presented and feel very comfortable. 

Finally, for the budget conscious, the Hotel Relief in Suskino is a great choice. Suskino is also a great part of Sapporo to stay in for nightlife – so if late night drinks and eats are your thing, definitely consider staying in this area. 

How to get around in Japan

Japan is a beautiful country, but it can be daunting to think of travelling somewhere foreign where you don’t speak the language. Luckily, Japan has a brilliant tourist scheme that allows foreigners to buy a JR Pass which allows visitors to travel on any JR services and even to book the bullet trains in between cities.

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