Hokkaido is said to be the birthplace of beer in Japan. With “Sapporo” being brewed up here since 1877 it is probably the oldest and certainly one of the most popular brands on shelves around the country.

What to expect at the Sapporo Beer Museum?

This small Beer Museum first opened in 1987 and is well worth a visit whether you are a beer lover or not.

Located about a 30 min walk from Sapporo station or about a 10min Bus ride lies this small yet brilliant museum. What is great, if you do not fancy the walk, you can take a shuttle bus that goes directly from Sapporo JR Station to the museum for just 210¥. 

At the Sapporo Beer Museum

Once you arrive you can either the free tour (meaning by yourself) or you can go premium and be guided through the museum. To be honest, I enjoyed the free visit. If you do this, just grab a leaflet at the entrance and head upstairs to start your free tour.

Take the elevator up to the 3td floor and the first thing you will get to see is a giant copper vat. As you pass around it on the way to the Exhibit room, you start to realize just how big it really is. Truly impressive.

Once at the bottom you get the chance to watch a short documentary before entering the stylish exhibition hall. Here you can learn about this local beer and its history. But will also learn a bit about the general process of beer brewing.

Once you reach the end you will find my favorite part, showcasing ad posters throughout the centuries. The older ones picturing geishas having a beer, which I found breathtaking. Then moving on picturing more recent celebrities. Interestingly enough, the ads seem to feature women in their early advertising, then changing for a more masculine approach after the 1960s.

And with this the exhibition ends, letting you nice on to the tasting room.

The Tasting

This probably the highlight for many, you get a chance to try. I recommend getting the tasting tray for 800¥. Letting you try 3 variations, one tastier than the others. You will get a small packet of nuts with it for free. Now, this is not a substantial meal and the only food available in the tasting room. But it makes a nice snack.

If you do feel like getting something to eat head to the next door Sapporo Beer Garden. Consisting of a few Restaurants including all-you-can-drink as well as all-you-can-eat BBQ. A nice place to try Sapporo’s popular Ghenghis Kahn, which is a mutton BBQ. The perfect pairing for this cold brew.

Conclusion?

This really is a small and fun place to visit and of course, try this fine beer right where it is made. I would definitely recommend to check it out while in Hokkaido. So make sure to put it on your list to do.

Or visit the Chitosetsuru Sake Museum and try some local Sake. With many varieties only available at the Museum store.

Web

https://www.sapporobeer.jp/english/

Address

Kita 7-jo, Higashi 9-chome 1-1, Higashi-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido,065-0007

Opening Hours

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This week the 71st Sapporo snow festival started and it is one of the highlights in Hokkaido! People come from far and close to this popular annual event. The festival probably is most famous for its snow and ice sculptures lets you enter a winter wonderland right in the Center of Sapporo. Where every February Odori park is transformed into a village even Elsa would feel at home.

The Sapporo snow festival basics

Sapporo snow festival or in Japanese Yuki matsuri happens every year at the beginning of February, though dates vary slightly. It lasts for about 10 days and attracts almost 3 Million People every year. It is located over 3 sites; Odori Park, Susukino and a little further out: Tsudome. With each site having its own activities, highlights, and schedules.

It’s the high high high season and probably the most expensive time to visit Sapporo. But if you plan ahead it can totally be done. Best to get your hotel and flight before October, that way you will get competitive prices and also still have a choice. I do recommend staying as close to where it happens, as with the temperamental winter weather you may not want to journey too far…

The Festival sites

Every year the sites are the same, which makes it a bit easier to plan your visit I think. Especially as many Hotel sites, such as booking.com, let you book without paying and usually lets you cancel for free up to 1 week before your scheduled date. My tip here, if you think about coming, book that Hotel and set yourself a reminder when you need to cancel. In case you do change your mind…

But let’s look at the Sapporo snow festival sites in a bit more detail to give you an idea of what to expect.

Odori park

This is the main show. Pretty much everything is happening here. The food, the massive sculptures, the performances, and the evening light show.

It stretches from the Sapporo TV Tower until the end of Odori Park, which is about 1.5 km and is broken up into different sections. The way it is divided changes a bit every year. Where last year all the food was bunched together in one main area, this year every section has its own little food Island. Which makes it nice to walking along the festival and having a little treat here and there.

Its both fun during the day and night, just keep in mind the lights will go out early enough, with the Illuminations being turned off at 10 pm.

For more details on what to find where at the Odori Site, have a look here.

Susukino

Susukino is where the carved ice sculptures are being displayed and you can pretty much see this and take a few photos in less than an hour. It’s one of the smaller sites of the festival, there are no food stalls, just the sculptures, and a few interactive exhibits.

This is also beautiful both day and night and with 11 pm the lights stay on a bit longer over here. I do recommend checking this out, as some of these sculptures are insane. Have a look here to see what it is like.

Tsudome

If you are looking for some fun snow activities Tsudome is the one for you to check and great for kids too. You will find snow tubes slides, a snow park, Snow Park Golf, and you can even go to an Ice Glass Making Experience. They also have a big indoor activities area, with pretty much all the fun stuff you can imagine and more. Here are some more details about it.

It closes at 5 pm and they will also stop letting people in if it gets too crowded. So better go early. There is a shuttle bus connecting Odori with Tsudome. The 1-way fare for Adults is 300yen and for Kids 150yen.

My recommendations 

Is it worth visiting the Sapporo snow festival? Hell yes! 

If you get the chance, definitely come visit and the best part? Hokkaido has so much more to offer. Great food, nature and the people up here are just lovely.

My tip, most people are coming to the Sapporo snow festival at the end of it. But if you ask me, the start of the festival is so much more fun! And there are 3 good reasons why.

• It’s cheaper
• You can see the building part, it’s amazing to see them carve the sculptures
• You get to see them brand new and in all their glory

The last one is particularly useful, as with this time of the year being quite snowy, many of the smaller sculptures are less and less recognizable as the festival continues and the bigger ones also lose some of their edges.

So here you are, I hope you get to see this amazing winter festival in Hokkaido for yourself. Follow Obsessed with Japan on Instagram for some sneak peeks of this year’s Winter wonderland here in Sapporo!

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Completed in 1956 it has become a well-loved Landmark, not just in Sapporo, but all of Hokkaido. It features an observation deck, at about 90m above ground, a souvenir shop, a tiny shrine, DIY Booths and the most stunning 360° view of Sapporo.

It is the perfect spot to observe Odori Park in all its beauty all year around. With views as far as the Ishikari countryside or the Japanese sea on a clear night. But it is also one of the best places in winter to get a good look at Sapporo’s most famous event, the Sapporo snow festival! With its enormous snow sculptures, Illuminations and stalls you can enjoy watching the hustle and bustle from the safety of this heated Tower.

How to get here?

Sapporo Tower located between Sapporo Station and Sususukino it is the epicenter of Sapporo and easily accessible via Public Transport.

The most convenient way to get here is via the Toho Line. Get off at the Sapporo Municipal Subway Odori Station and take Exit number 27, from here it is a bare 1-minute walk. Or if you are coming from JR Sapporo station, take the south exit and you will reach Odori Park within 15min walk. For more information please check the official Homepage here.

How to make the most of visiting Sapporo TV Tower

Once you get here, you have two options, take the elevator up or walk. The obvious choice for many is the elevator, but the stairs are decorated with many scenes of the Tokyo Tower adorable Mascot “TV Dad” and his family, as well as some information about the Tower itself. Therefore if you can, I recommend taking the stairs.

You will also find a souvenir shop here, but to be honest, a lot of it is the same as you would find in any other shop. The only thing worth getting is any of the Tokyo Tower Mascot’s “TV Dad” merchandise. Many of those items you won’t be able to find anywhere else. So if you have fallen for this little guy, this is the place to get your token.

Sapporo TV Tower furthermore, and to my surprise features a ‘TV Dad’ shrine, yes you heard right. And it is dedicated to pretty much everything. Whether you need “Success in Love”, “academic performance” or “good health” you can say your prayers here and hope it will come true. And as you are at it, why not get your fortune from one of the booths located close by? All in all a very modern approach I think…

You will be able to look out on the way up and already get some nice views, but the observation deck is really where you wanna go. If you want access to the actual observation deck, the fee is ￥720 or if you like to go twice, both at day and night, why not get a combi ticket. It is available for ￥1,100, especially if you are taking photos this is a great deal. You can buy tickets on the day or get tickets in advance and skip the queue.

Special tip

If you want a more exclusive experience, Sapporo TV Tower offers a special 30-minute observatory rental after closing. This could be the perfect setting for and anniversary, honeymoon or proposal, as it is sure to be a moment to remember. High up with the Sapporo city lights in the background. Included is a complimentary bottle of wine and you can even choose the view of the TV Tower lit up.

The basic price for 2 people is 10,000 yen and there is only 1 space available each day both in Summer at 10:20 – 10:50 pm and in Winter at 9:50 – 10:20 pm. Reservations are absolutely necessary, inquiries can be made here.

Obsessed with this Landmark?

Definitely!

It is hard not to like it because this is not just an Iconic Landmark here in Sapporo giving you access to stunning views over the city and its surroundings. With its very own cartoon “TV Tower Dad” it is hard not to love it. Only the Japanese will turn a famous landmark into a cartoon and they did it just brilliantly!

Make sure to check it out when In Sapporo if you have an hour to spare and just in case you are hungry, right underneath is a great Sapporo Ramen shop…

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Located in downtown Sapporo this is where things happen. It is great for shopping, eating out and of course the best place in Sapporo to party. With over 4000 bars and restaurants, this lively neighborhood may be the closest to the “Kabuchiko” area in Tokyo. Think neon lights and street hustlers and you get the idea.

So it comes as no surprise, just as its Tokyo counterpart, this is also home to Sapporo’s red-light district. You will find most love hotels in this area as well as hostess bars. But, it is also home to Sapporo’s gay community. So don’t worry, this is by no means the sleazy part of town, quite the opposite if I dare say…

How about this nightlife?

Even if you are not into partying all night, Susukino is home to some of the best Bars and Restaurants in town. And with Sapporo’s famous beer culture, think well: Sapporo! You will find some amazing Craft beer places around here.

And while we are at it, this is a great place to enjoy Sake. With some of the best Seafood in Japan, it would be a sin not to try and there is no better place than one of the many restaurants in Susukino. And there was at least one more dish to consider. So let’s talk about Ramen for a minute.

Susukino’s Ramen Alley

I am being honest here, I did not like Ramen until I had some in Hokkaido. True story. And Susukino’s Ramen Alley, known as Ramen Yokocho is one of my favorites spots.

Well hidden between Tanukikoji shopping street lies this narrow and bustling alley lined with Ramen shops on both sides. And yes, you will not be stuck for choice. Pick any shop and give it a try, its hard to find bad Ramen here (if such a thing even exists).

Rumors have it, that Hokkaido’s specialty “miso ramen” originated here. Another reason why this should be on top of your list when coming to Sapporo. And definitely a must-visit while wandering around in Susukino. Check out their official Homepage, a great resource with plenty of pictures and info about each shop.

Last Words..

There you are, if you have not considered Susukino before, think again as it should definitely be on your list when you visit Sapporo!

It is the perfect spot to grab some food or dinner and if you are into Ramen, you really have no choice.

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