Sapporo City Classic One Day Walking Course

This one day course, covered on foot and by subway, is perfect for first time visitors or anyone who wants to see the highlights efficiently. Historic buildings, a green park, a night view from a mountaintop, and great food are all packed in, capturing the charm of the gateway to Hokkaido. Allow about nine hours.

Course Route

9:00 Start at the Sapporo Clock Tower The day begins at the red roofed Clock Tower standing quietly in the middle of the office district. Built in the Meiji era as a drill hall for the former Sapporo Agricultural College, it charges about 350 yen for adults and keeps hours of around 8:45 to 17:10. It houses exhibits on the history of the city.

9:45 Former Hokkaido Government Office (Red Brick Office) Just a short walk away stands this stately brick western style building. The pond and trees in the front garden change with the seasons and make a fine spot for photos.

10:45 Stroll through Odori Park Cross this long narrow park, which stretches about 1.5 kilometers from east to west, at a relaxed pace. Lined with flower beds and fountains, it is a favorite gathering place for the people of Sapporo. It is about a five minute walk from the Red Brick Office.

12:00 Lunch near Odori Fill up on a taste of Hokkaido, choosing from Sapporo ramen, soup curry, or a seafood rice bowl. There are many restaurants around the park to suit any preference.

14:00 Ropeway up Mount Moiwa Take the streetcar and ropeway up to Mount Moiwa, which rises 531 meters. The ropeway round trip is about 2,100 yen for adults. From the summit observatory the city and the Ishikari plain spread out in a refreshing daytime view.

18:00 Enjoy the Mount Moiwa night view Wait for dusk and take in the sparkling lights below. The glowing city spreads out like jewels in one of Sapporo most famous scenes.

19:30 Evening food in Susukino After coming down the mountain, head to Susukino, the largest entertainment district in northern Japan. Round off the day with grilled mutton or a late night bowl of ramen.

Highlights

• Historic Meiji era architecture at the Clock Tower and Red Brick Office
• The open landscape of Odori Park stretching through the city
• Contrasting day and night panoramas from the summit of Mount Moiwa
• Distinctive Sapporo nightlife dining in Susukino

Access and Tips

• Sapporo Station, Odori, and Susukino are easily linked by subway or on foot
• The streetcar and ropeway combination is convenient for reaching Mount Moiwa
• A one day pass for the subway and streetcar is good value
• Keep the afternoon relaxed so you arrive at the mountain in time for the night view

Practical Travel Notes

• Best season and time of day: The rule for Mount Moiwa is to go up around sunset, when you can enjoy the sky shifting from dusk into a full night view. In autumn and winter, when the air is clear, the night view is especially sharp. The Clock Tower and Odori Park photograph well in the morning light.
• Avoiding crowds: The Mount Moiwa ropeway is busiest around sunset. Going up a little early to secure a spot is recommended. The city sights are quieter just after opening in the morning.
• Time estimates: The Clock Tower, Red Brick Office, and Odori Park are all within a 5 to 10 minute walk of each other. From the center to Mount Moiwa is about 40 minutes to an hour with a streetcar and ropeway transfer, and the city center and Susukino are only a few minutes apart by subway or on foot.
• Budget sense: The Clock Tower is about 350 yen for adults and the Mount Moiwa ropeway about 2,100 yen round trip. The streetcar is a flat 230 yen for adults. On a day with many subway and streetcar rides, a good value one day pass helps keep transport costs down.
• Nearby stops: At the west end of Odori Park stands the Sapporo TV Tower, whose observatory overlooks the park. Near the Clock Tower is the Hokkaido University campus, whose leafy grounds are a popular stroll.

A Quick Tip

Go up Mount Moiwa around sunset to enjoy the colors of the sky shifting from dusk into a full night view. The summit is cooler than the city, so bring a light layer even in summer. On a day with many subway and streetcar rides, a one day pass makes getting around easy.