Sapporo

About the City

Japan's fifth-largest city, and also one of its newest, Sapporo is clean, friendly and relaxed, with numerous parks and wide, tree-lined streets. Families play on stone sculptures, people feed pigeons and there are festivals all year round. Museums and a wonderful botanical garden make for fun-filled sightseeing. The variety of shopping arcades, restaurants and nightlife in Susukino gives visitors and residents plenty to do.

What to See

• Shiroi Koibito Park

Shiroi Koibito Park is a kind of theme park by Ishiya, a local chocolate company. The company's flagship product are the Shiroi Koibito cookies, two thin butter cookies with white chocolate in between, a mandatory item on the souvenir shopping list of most visitors to Hokkaido. The park consists of various Disneyland style buildings housing shops, a cafe and, most interestingly, a chocolate factory, which is open to the public. Besides some windows, from behind which visitors can observe the production process of the chocolate cookies, there are many chocolate related exhibits. Part of the Shiroi Koibito Park is a soccer field, the practice ground for "Consadole Sapporo", the local J-League soccer team. There is also a small collection house about the team's history.

• Susukino

Susukino is well known as Japan's largest entertainment district north of Tokyo. It is packed with stores, bars, restaurants, karaoke shops, pachinko parlors and red light establishments. Of special interest to noodle lovers is the Ramen Yokocho, a narrow lane lined with nothing but ramen shops serving the famous Sapporo ramen.

• Clock Tower (Tokeidai)

The Clock Tower (Tokeidai) is the symbol of Sapporo. The building was constructed in 1878 as a drill hall of the Sapporo Agricultural College. The US made clock was added in 1881. The Clock Tower has been designated an Important Cultural Property and now houses a small museum.

What to Eat

• Sakanaya Ichiren Kura

Every day of the week, best available seasonal products including fresh fishes, hearty meat and fresh vegetables are shipped directly from local farmers of Hokkaido. Kura offers a wide range of Japanese cuisine, from high-quality products of Hokkaido to heartwarming Izakaya menu. Your comfort is guaranteed with us for any occasions; accommodating your guests from other prefectures, or even hosting a party or client entertainment. We strive to serve our customers with the best service and food. Please feel free to consult us for urgent need of hosting party, dinner or any celebration. Please come visit us when visiting the Susukino area. We look forward to seeing you at the "Sakanaya Ichiren Kura".

• Gyu-ya Edohachi

Kimono-clad serving staff await you in our Nakamura Kabuki Family themed restaurant. Exceptionally flavorful Japanese beef in our secret recipe sauce! Whether entertaining clients or dining out with family, we have 14 large and small private dining rooms in which you can relax. And look! All-you-can-eat value plans from 1,980 yen! The flavor of our sukiyaki, prepared with tamari soy sauce, will melt on your tongue. Sesame sauce and tangy ponzu vinegar bring out the high-quality flavor of Hokkaido beef in our Shabu-shabu. Enjoy Sukiyaki, Shabu-shabu, and a variety of other Japanese favorites to your heart's content.

• Natural Izakaya Fuuri

Bringing you Hakata homestyle soup-daki Nabe hotpot dining! Enjoy authentic Kyushu cooking here in Hokkaido. Our variety of private dining rooms with leg-well floor seating makes us a popular relaxation spot. We highly recommend some sashimi, made with seafood bought on the day. Visitors will like our convenient location, situated nearby shopping malls and hotels. Feel free to stop in at lunch too!

Where to Stay

• Sapporo Grand Hotel

The Grand was built at the suggestion of Prince Chichibu, who visited Sapporo in 1928, and won't disappoint those looking for a place to relax in style. The lobby is gorgeous, the staff are friendly and English is spoken. Rooms are spacious: some singles even have cushy sofas in addition to reading chairs. Depending on the season and what Internet specials are current, the Grand can be anything from gosh-darn expensive to an amazing deal. It's a posh place with all the snazziness one expects from a high-end establishment - soft beds, flat-screen televisions and LAN ports - in rooms that range from snug to obscenely spacious. Decor is tastefully minimalist, yet still elegant, with muted tones and windows that let in plenty of light. Those with the munchies or a thirst will find plenty of restaurants and bars to choose from; if nothing strikes your fancy, there's plenty on offer in the surrounding neighborhood. All-inclusive meal-plus-room options are also available.

• Monterey Edelhof

The Monterey Edelhof is a fun place, with enough unique flair to set it apart from the usual luxury hotel. Its Austria-inspired decor is imposing, yet the staff are friendly, speak English and are eager to please. Rooms are amply furnished and the 22nd-floor bar has astounding views of the city - unless it's snowing, that is. The Monterey Edelhof (not to be confused with its sister hotel, the Monterey Sapporo) has an elegance that feels different from the usual Japanese luxury hotel. Dark wood, tall ceilings and a domed lobby with chandeliers make it seem like you've crossed a European border when you step inside. The elevators, with wood panelling and muted lighting, are reminiscent of a sci-fi time machine. You almost expect Dr Who to come stumbling out, wild-eyed, clutching his overcoat and red scarf. The bar-restaurant sets retro-style leather lounge chairs against futuristic neon track lighting - but somehow it all works, especially if you get a table with a view. Rooms are impeccable, and additional all-inclusive options are available that can include meals or even trips to their spa. Piped Mozart in the lobby makes check-in a breeze.

• Sapporo Crescent Hotel

FREE Breakfast and high speed Internet. Sleep on the comfortable Tempur bed and pillow. Massage chair in ALL rooms. In the heart of Sapporo within 5 min walk of JR Station, Sapporo Crescent Hotel is a reasonable and conveniently located for business and sightseeing. It is the ONLY hotel in Sapporo which entire building is NON-SMOKING. FREE internet access with fiber optic cables in all rooms. Guest rooms are spacious with semi-double size bed equipped with the pressure relieving mattress and pillow by Tempur. Breakfast is offered for FREE. All guest rooms are air-conditioned spacious western-style room with bath and toilet. The room even has a massage chair.