Where To Stay In Sapporo

Sapporo on the Japanese island of Hokkaido is a world-famous winter sports venue and accommodation often sells out early, so researching in advance and booking is definitely advisable. It is the largest city in the northern island of Japan and, indeed, the largest north of Tokyo. Sapporo is located in a plain with a mountainous region to its south and west. It hosted the 1972 Winter Olympics, the first one held in Asia, and was a venue for both the Soccer World Cup in 2002 and the Rugby World Cup in 2019. The first Sapporo Snow Festival was in 1950 and that alone attracts over 2 million visitors. It’s one of the top reasons to go to Sapporo.

The economy of this city is based upon IT technology, retail, manufacturing including Sapporo Brewery a major employer and tourism. There are a number of attractive green spaces within the city itself with Odori Park, central within the city, ideal for first time visitors who want to be close to its main attractions. The city has a number of cultural events and festivals throughout the year so there is likely to be an events to add to the many permanent attractions if you are in the city for more than a day or two. Check the calendar and perhaps plan that visit to coincide with a favourite. The details below should help you with your plans when deciding where to stay in Sapporo.

Where To Stay In Sapporo

1- Odori Park

If you want to make your base in the heart of the city, Odori Park is the place to research and is a short walk south of Sapporo Station from where travelling elsewhere within Japan is convenient.

Odori Park is where the various festivals held in Sapporo take place including the Snow Festival in winter and the Summer Festival.

In the spring, when the cherry blossom is on the trees, you can enjoy Hanami parties, the traditional parties for enjoying flowers.

To this end, one of the other places to visit is the botanical gardens of Hokkaido University.

Also, check out the Miyoshi Shrine and the Reclamation Monument.

The Gallery Odori Museum, the Sapporo TV Tower and Clock Tower are in Odori Park.

It is a neighbourhood that is inevitably full of tourists and bearing in mind the quality of winter sports facilities in Sapporo, that is all year around.

As a result, it is worth ensuring you book accommodation in advance because popular hotels fill up very quickly, especially for special events.

Odori’s popularity has resulted in a developed infrastructure; restaurants will serve Japanese, other Asian and international cuisine.

You will also find a good choice when it comes to hotels to fit all budgets although as it is central in the city, Odori Park accommodation may be slightly more expensive than that in other parts of the city.

Hotels In Odori Park

41 PIECES Sapporo

41 PIECES Sapporo is a luxury hotel close to many of Sapporo’s main attractions where you will get great views of the city while enjoying this comfortable accommodation.

There is Wi-Fi and air-con throughout with each room having a private bathroom with bidet, TV, kettle and nice seating area. Some rooms have a terrace.

Tokyu Stay Sapporo Odori

Tokyu Stay Sapporo Odori opened in 2018 and the park itself is just a couple of minutes’ away.

Each room has a desk, TV and kettle.

Some rooms have a kitchenette with microwave but all have a private bathroom and fridge.

The 24-hour desk will provide advice to anyone who wants it.

Tmark City Hotel Sapporo Odori

Tmark City Hotel Sapporo Odori is a hotel with each room having a TV, kettle, fridge and private bathroom.

It is air-conditioned with free Wi-Fi while there is a restaurant, 24-hour desk and luggage storage.

2- Nakajima Park

If you are intending to visit Sapporo with your family, the first neighbourhood to look at is Nakajima Park because it’s near the heart of the city with plenty of things to do and see for all ages.

Nakajima to Odori Park is only really a 20-minute walk to Odori Park yet it has one obvious advantage if you want a quieter time as it satisfies this desire.

The park itself is huge, a great plus to find in a city, while youngsters can play and explore it safely.

In terms of other attractions, you will find landmarks like Japanese temples, several museums and plenty of historic buildings.

Hohei Kan is a building to look for, at various times a military camp, hotel and event centre.

It was built in 1880 to accommodate workers developing the region and at one time the Emperor stayed there.

The Gokoku Shrine and the Hokkaido Museum of Literature are other places to add to your itinerary.

The former is one of a number throughout Japan dedicated to those who have died fighting for the country.

The museum is within the Park itself and has permanent exhibits as well as educational programmes teaching about the island’s literary history.

Hotels In Nakajima Park

Sapporo Park Hotel

Sapporo Park Hotel is 5-star accommodation overlooking the Park.

There are spacious rooms with private bathrooms, TV, radio, minibar, air-con and heating.

Hotel facilities include four restaurants with international cuisine, a shopping arcade, Wi-Fi throughout, bike rental, spa and health treatments and room service.

The local station is just a short distance away.

Daiwa Roynet Hotel Sapporo Nakajima Koen

Daiwa Roynet Hotel Sapporo Nakajima Koen is 4-star with air-con, Wi-Fi and private parking.

Each room has its own bathroom, TV, kettle and safety deposit box.

There is Japanese and European cuisine in the restaurant.

English is spoken at the 24-hour front desk and the hotel has facilities for disabled visitors.

Hotel Sho Sapporo

Hotel Sho Sapporo is a minute from the subway station and offers air-conditioned rooms with Wi-Fi, flat screen TV with satellite channels, private bathroom with tub/shower, fridge and table.

There is a microwave on each floor, coin-operated laundry services and free coffee in the lobby.

3- Sapporo Station

The transport infrastructure of Sapporo, and indeed most Japanese cities, is the key to being able to get around.

Sapporo Station area offers a link to the rest of the city and beyond with both the main train station, and the subway close by.

That means if you decide to make this your base you can access the rest of the city easily.

Odori Park is still within walking distance while there are a few things of interest in the neighbourhood.

They include the Beer Museum and the Hokkaido University Museum.

The University Campus is well-worth a visit anyway and add to that a decent range of restaurants, you are likely to be very happy in this neighbourhood.

Round One Stadium is an amusement and game centre that offers everything from billiards and bowling to skating, archery and even karaoke.

For shopping, try the Sapporo Factory Mall while Sapporo Station North Square Park is a lovely green space.

Hotels In Sapporo Station

Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Sapporo

Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Sapporo is an elegant hotel with comfortable rooms which look over the city.

There is a spa and wellness centre which is a great place to relax after a busy day.

Facilities include a restaurant, luggage storage and a 24-hour front desk.

Rooms all have flat screen TV, safety deposit box, fridge and kettle.

Mitsui Garden Hotel

Mitsui Garden Hotel is a modern hotel with a large indoor public bath.

Each room has a flat screen TV, kettle and private bathroom with tub.

It has air-con and Wi-Fi throughout.

There is a café where you can get breakfast, 24-hour front desk, luggage storage and complimentary coffee from mid-afternoon.

Ice machines and vending machines are on site.

JR Inn Sapporo

JR Inn Sapporo is a budget hotel with complimentary breakfast.

Wi-Fi is likewise free and there is flat screen TV, desk and fridge in each room.

It is clean and comfortable with humidifier and air cleaner and the en suite bathroom has a bath and free toiletries.

Additional features are drinks vending machines and coin launderette on site.

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4- Susukino

If nightlife is an important part of your travels, Susukino is the Sapporo neighbourhood is the place to go.

You can make your base there and travel to other parts of the city if you like.

Susukino is certainly the district that best deserves the adjective “cool.”

Indeed, it has few equals in the whole of Japan when it comes to the amount of entertainment on offer.

By night, it is very crowded both with locals and tourists.

There are numerous bars and if they look too crowded then just hang around in the streets because there are numerous performances going on there at night.

There are also plenty of local restaurants serving Japanese cuisine.

Ramen is the top favourite, a broth of noodles with toppings like pork and usually an egg.

Ramen Alley has existed since 1950 and the food is just as tasty now as it was then.

The subway can easily get you to other parts of the city as well.

That works both ways so many also travel into Susukino just for the night.

The neighbourhood’s popularity does mean that hotels fill up very quickly so booking in advance is very advisable.

Hotels In Susukino

Quintessa Hotel Sapporo

Quintessa Hotel Sapporo is close to the subway and offers modern rooms with free Wi-Fi, satellite TV and tea maker.

The décor is gentle colours and light wood.

Every room is en-suite with bathtubs.

Breakfast is a mix of Japanese and Western.

Bikes are available for rent while there is private parking.

The 24-hour front desk will help with all queries.

Hotel Monterey Susukino Edelhof

Hotel Monterey Susukino Edelhof is a short walk to Sapporo Station with many of the city’s top attractions either within walking distance or just a stop or two away.

This is an air-conditioned hotel has free Wi-Fi and heating.

Rooms each have flat screen TV, fridge and air purifier.

Guest rooms begin on the 12th floor in the main building and between the 2nd and 12th floors in the South Wing.

There is a large public bath, spa and massage facilities.

Private room dining is available if you do not want to dine in the restaurant.

Other features include 24-hour front desk and luggage storage.

The Base Sapporo Susukino

The Base Sapporo Susukino has modern spacious rooms with a private bathroom with bidet and a small kitchenette.

It is 3-star with free Wi-Fi, air-con Each room has a TV, fridge, desk, microwave and safety deposit box.

It has family rooms and is disabled friendly.

5- Kita

Kita is a neighbourhood just to the north of Sapporo Station with excellent transport links across the city and elsewhere on the island.

While it is largely a residential district, it is an area in the city worth consideration as a base.

It is a designated ward, fairly large and has a wide range of accommodation.

Anyone looking for a quiet place and prepared to travel around to see the city’s highlights should look at Kita.

It has a number of green open spaces and during the winter, plenty of snow that children will definitely enjoy in those open spaces.

Kita offers plenty of things to do for all ages while the restaurants will satisfy the majority of people who make it their base.

Take for example Tonden Nishi Park.

In the spring, the trees are full of beautiful cherry blossom.

At Maeda Forest Park, whatever the season, you can enjoy lovely forested walks and picnics.

In winter, the snow encourages cross country skiing.

Sapporo City Sewage Science Museum is an interesting place.

It is a fun way to learn about sewerage systems.

Strange you might think but it will teach you, if you didn’t know before, all about the importance of water.

There are 11 sections to the museum including everything from water quality control to sludge treatment, pipe inspection to pipe reconstruction.

Kita has accommodation options from luxury to budget places and below are examples of places you should consider according to your budget.

Hotel In Kita

Sapporo JR Tower Hotel Nikko

Sapporo JR Tower Hotel Nikko is a 5-star luxury hotel near Sapporo Station with 4 restaurants and a spa centre with a hot springs bath, saunas and massages available.

Two of the restaurants are on the 35th floor so you can expect some great panoramas.

It is air-conditioned with Wi-Fi throughout.

Every room has TV, fridge, safety deposit box and en-suite bathroom.

Other features include souvenir shop, 24-hour front desk, luggage storage, room service and private parking.

Keio Prelia Hotel Sapporo

Keio Prelia Hotel Sapporo is an air-conditioned hotel with free Wi-Fi.

Each room has flat screen TV, desk, fridge, kettle and safety deposit box.

Private bathrooms have showers.

The 24-hour front desk is there to help with English available.

Enjoy private parking and a fitness centre, with the breakfast a great way to start the day.

Hotel Ten to Ten

Hotel Ten to Ten is budget accommodation just 5 minutes from Sapporo Station.

There is free Wi-Fi while there are family rooms available.

Each room has a flat screen TV, desk, fridge and private bathroom.

Hotel Ten to Ten is non-smoking and there is a shared lounge in which you can meet other guests.