Hokkaido’s capital, Sapporo, has so much more to offer than just snow. New parks, trendy restaurants and a spate of art gallery openings have transformed the city from ski town to cultural hub. Discover the new Sapporo with the help of our travel guide.

Festivals

Sapporo hosts many unique festivals throughout the year. In January and February, enjoy the winter wonderland of snow sculptures, light shows and warming food stalls that take over the city during the famous Sapporo Snow Festival. See the city in full bloom at either the Lilac Festival that starts in May or the Flower Festival beginning in June. If you want beers over bouquets, July also sees the Beer Festival which fills Odori Park with all kinds of frothy goodness. Every season is festive in Sapporo. 

Skiing

Direct flights from Sydney to Sapporo commence 16 December 2019 until 28 March 2020, making it easy to hit the famous ski slopes in Hokkaido - the powder capital of Japan.

Famous for its thriving food scene and annual snow festival, this vibrant city sits on the doorstep of one of the world’s best ski destinations. From the finest powder in Nikseko Ski Resort to the hot springs in the Hokkaido Mountains and the fascinating culture of Japan’s fifth largest city, Sapporo is the prefect destination for a magical winter holiday.

Getting around

From the airport: The best way to get from New Chitose Airport to Sapporo city is via rapid train. Departing from the airport four times every hour, the journey takes just 35 mins and costs 1070 yen (one way). Otherwise buses operate from the airport to various parts of Sapporo every 15 mins and take around an hour to reach city-centre. Bus services connect Qantas flights to major ski resorts.

In and around the city: Sapporo’s subway and tram services make it super easy to get around the city. Grab a day pass from a nearby vending machine and enjoy unlimited use of Sapporo’s subway. Otherwise Sapporo city is very walkable.