How Many Days In Sapporo For A First Visit? Complete Guide
Last Updated on March 16, 2026 by Audrey
Wondering how many days in Sapporo is enough time?
Sapporo is known for being Hokkaido’s bustling capital, with lots of things to see and do, amazing cuisine, and an exciting nightlife. When I visited for the first time a few years ago, I absolutely loved my time here!
In the beginning, I didn’t know how many days of my trip to allocate. I wanted to explore Hokkaido, but it’s not like I’m graced with infinite vacation days, and I’m sure you’re in the same boat.
So, how long should you spend in Sapporo? This guide will break down the ideal number of days you should spend here based on your trip preferences, and whether you’ll be exploring other cities in Hokkaido.
Short on time? Use these Shortcuts for your Sapporo Trip
The ideal number of days to spend in Sapporo is 3 days, with up to 5 if using the city as a base to explore Hokkaido.
🏠Book accommodation in Sapporo: My favorite mid-range hotel is Mitsui Garden, and my favorite budget hotel is APA Hotel Sapporo Susukino.
🏔️Find activities and tours for Sapporo: I recommend this tour I personally took to Noboribetsu, Jigokudani, and Lake Toya!
🚌Book the JR Pass and JR Hokkaido pass on JR Pass
How Many Days in Sapporo for a First-Time Visit?
If it’s your first time visiting Hokkaido, then you should be aware that it’s kind of tedious to get here.
If you’re flying internationally, you have to fly into either Narita or Haneda Airport in Tokyo and then take a second flight to New Chitose Airport, the closest airport to Sapporo. You can check my Sapporo travel guide to learn how to get to and around Sapporo.
Anyways, you really should spend more than 1-2 days in Sapporo to at least make the flight worth it.
It also depends if 3 days in Sapporo means 3 days in Hokkaido, or will you stay in Sapporo then move to other cities in Hokkaido during your trip?
Is 3 Days in Sapporo Enough for a First Visit?
If you are only staying in Sapporo during your Hokkaido trip, then 3 days is the bare minimum I would recommend for staying in Sapporo. So yes, 3 days is enough time in Sapporo.
That way you can spend 2 days exploring the city, with one day to do a day trip around Hokkaido.
Best Length for your first time to Sapporo
I personally recommend at least 3-5 days for your first time in Sapporo.
Another day or two in Sapporo is preferred, of course, so you can explore the city at a relaxed pace and use Sapporo as a base as you visit other cities in Hokkaido. You really only need 2-3 days to explore Sapporo itself.
The Most Popular Sapporo Trip Itineraries
2 Days in Sapporo
If you’re going to spend 2 days exclusively in Sapporo and then move to a different city in Hokkaido, then 2 days is definitely enough time to spend in Sapporo.
I wouldn’t recommend 2 days in Sapporo if you’re trying to see Hokkaido too, because I feel like there is enough in Sapporo to take up two whole days.
You can follow my 3 Day Sapporo itinerary and just omit the third day, which is a day trip around Hokkaido. You could also check my 1 day Sapporo itinerary if you’d like.
3 Days in Sapporo
Spending three days in Sapporo is the perfect amount of time for a short getaway, or a festival visit if you’re trying to see the Sapporo Snow Festival.
This leaves 2 full days to explore Sapporo city, and 1 another day to fully enjoy the festival or travel around Hokkaido on a day trip. This is enough time to see the main landmarks like the Sapporo Clock Tower, Odori Park, and the Sapporo Beer Museum if you’re a beer fan.
You can check my 3 day Sapporo itinerary and follow it exactly to get ideas for your trip!
5 Days in Sapporo
If you have the time, 5 days in Sapporo would be heavenly! This is ideal if you’re going to use Sapporo as a base to explore Hokkaido, which I’ll get into shortly.
5 days in Sapporo would consist of 3 days of exploring the city, and 2 days of exploring Hokkaido, whether that is a day trip to Otaru, Noboribetsu, or Furano.
This is also enough time to visit attractions in Sapporo that are usually left out due to being out of the way, like Shiroi Koibito Park, Sapporo Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill, or Okurayama Observatory. You can check out how to structure your trip with my 5 day Sapporo itinerary here.
How Many Days in Sapporo for a Hokkaido Trip?
Sapporo as a Hokkaido Base
Sapporo is a great base to use to explore Hokkaido, and is probably the obvious choice since it’s the biggest city with tons of different hotel options. Also, most of the day tours that take you around Hokkaido will depart from Sapporo.
Hokkaido is quite large though, and is much more than just Sapporo. If you’re traveling to opposite ends such as Western Hokkaido (Niseko or Hakodate) or Southern Hokkaido (Kushiro and Abashiri) and want to spend a couple days there, it might make sense to split your hotels up and stay a few nights in each city.
Sapporo vs. Hakodate: How Many Days in Each?
Oooh, I love this question because I’ve visited both cities and they have totally different vibes.
Sapporo gives you that big city feel, and has more things to do, while Hakodate is a chill seaside town that is more quiet, yet equally as lovely.
Just between you, me, and I guess everyone else on the internet, I actually prefer Hakodate because they have some incredible ryokan with onsen overlooking the ocean. On the other hand, Sapporo has extremely limited hotels with onsen, but tons more stuff to see.
If you want to soak in an onsen during your trip to Hokkaido but don't know where to start, you can check out my Sapporo onsen guide.
I would say allocate 2 days in Sapporo and 1-2 days in Hakodate. You can explore quite a bit of Hakodate within 1 day and feel satisfied, but you need a couple days in Sapporo. You can click here for my Hakodate itinerary for how to see Hakodate’s must-see highlights in 1 day.
It also takes 4 hours by train to get to Hakodate from Sapporo, so keep that in mind.
What other cities should you visit in Hokkaido?
There are so many amazing cities in Hokkaido, but which ones you should visit depends on the season. Additionally, there are some great day tours that will take you to multiple cities in one day, so that’s a great option if you have limited time.
The most convenient city to visit from Sapporo would be Otaru, a cute port town that has a quaint boutique shopping street with street food vendors, and the Otaru Canal that is modeled after the city of Venice, Italy. Otaru is only 30 minutes away from Sapporo by train.
In the summer, Furano and Biei are great places to visit to see Farm Tomita’s lavender fields and the rainbow flower field Shikisai-no-oka in Biei.
In the winter, Asahikawa hosts its own Winter Festival, so you could see the beautiful ice sculptures along with a trip to Asahiyama Zoo’s penguin parade
There’s also Noboribetsu, Lake Toya… Okay, I’m going on a tangent. You can see the best day trips from Sapporo for yourself in this post.
Where to Stay in Sapporo
There are 4 main areas to stay in Sapporo. My personal favorites are near Sapporo Station, for easy transportation around Hokkaido, and in Susukino, which is the city’s nightlife district.
To learn more about the neighborhoods in Sapporo and which area is best for you, click here to see where to stay in Sapporo.
The city has endless accommodation options, from budget capsule hotels to 5 star luxury stays, so you can’t go wrong with staying here.
Now, here are my top accommodation picks of where to stay.
Where to stay in Sapporo Station
Luxury: JR Tower Hotel Nikko ($$$$)
If you’re planning to explore Hokkaido by train, JR Tower Nikko is one of the most convenient places to stay because it’s literally inside Sapporo Station. You'll have direct access to the train lines, 3 shopping malls inside the station, and a plethora of restaurants.
The hotel also has two skyline-view restaurants, a spa, sauna, hot tub, and even a public onsen overlooking the city. Modern, luxurious, and incredibly well-connected, the hefty price tag is worth it for the unbeatable location and amenities.
Mid-range: Keio Plaza Hotel ($$$)
Keio Plaza Hotel Sapporo is an upscale stay just minutes from Sapporo Station, where you’ll enjoy refined service, spacious rooms, and classic 5-star comfort.
You can take in panoramic city views, relax in plush interiors, and choose from dining options like teppanyaki, Hokkaido specialties, and a buffet.
While there’s no onsen, you still get a pool, sauna, fitness center, and some rooms have beautiful baths overlooking the city.
Budget HOTEL MYSTAYS Sapporo Station ($$)
Hotel Mystays is one of the best budget options near Sapporo Station, just a 2-minute walk from the JR lines.
Image Credit: Expedia
If you’re lucky, you can grab a double room for as low as $60 a night!
With its prime location, optional breakfast, and free cancellation, it’s an easy and affordable choice.
Where to Stay in Susukino
Mid-range: Sapporo Stream Hotel ($$$)
I love this new hotel for it's large, modern rooms with stunning views of Sapporo's skyline.
If you splurge on a premium room, you'll also get access to a moody, luxurious lounge, a large onsen and sauna, and a rooftop lounge that all provide impressive views of the stars and the city.
Image Credit: Expedia
This hotel provides the perfect intimate ambiance for an incredible vacation, and the price isn't too bad! Rooms start at $130/night.
Budget: Theatel ($)
In the heart of Susukino, Theatel is an affordable capsule hotel that also has double beds for couples or bunk beds for groups of four.
The highlight of Theatel is that rooms come equipped with a projector for movie nights, and theres a huge screen and foyer for everyone to enjoy movie nights together.
The location is also incredibly convenience, being right in the heart of Susukino and walking distance to the train station.
Is Sapporo Worth Visiting?
Yes, Sapporo is completely worth visiting. I know it might seem similar to Tokyo, but the vibe is quite different, and the food is a lot better.
The city is more spaced out, so you won’t feel like you’re suffocating like the streets of Tokyo. It’s also more Western due to foreigner influence, which is noticeable in the buildings and landmarks, as well as Hokkaido cuisine.
You can check out my in-depth post to learn all the reasons why Sapporo is worth visiting here.
Sapporo Travel Guide FAQs
How many days in Sapporo is enough?
2 days if you’re only visiting Sapporo, 3 days if you want to add a day trip around Hokkaido, and 5 days if you want a relaxed trip in Sapporo.
What is the best location to stay in Sapporo?
Anywhere near Sapporo Station, Odori Park, or Susukino is best for easy transportation, as well as restaurant and shop options. You can check out where to stay in Sapporo here!
What is the best month to visit Sapporo?
In my humble opinion, May is best to see the late blooming cherry blossoms, or February for the famous Sapporo Snow Festival. I also have a Sapporo Winter itinerary and a post on the best things to do in Sapporo in winter if that’s when you’re visiting!
You can read more about what to expect in Sapporo for each season here.
Can I see the best of Sapporo in just 2 days?
Honestly, yes! For travelers short on time, 2 days is better than nothing.
How much money do I need per day in Sapporo?
Sapporo is certainly cheaper than Tokyo, that’s for sure.
I would estimate a meal costing around $15 USD, so maybe $50 USD a day for meals.
Accommodation wise, it really depends on your preferences. You could stay at a budget hotel for around $20/night, or a luxury hotel costing $300/night. I guess a happy middle is $100-150 USD/night for your hotel.
Overally, you could survive on $50/day in Sapporo, but on average you should allocate $150-200/day.
How long should I stay in Sapporo if I want to do day trips?
3-5 days is best if you plan on doing 1-2 day trips around Hokkaido!
Do I need a car in Sapporo?
No, you don’t need to rent a car while you’re in Sapporo. However, if you plan on visiting areas in Hokkaido that aren’t as accessible by public transportation like Lake Toya, Furano, and Biei, then I would recommend renting a car or taking a guided tour.
Renting a Car in Japan
If you want to explore the more rural areas of Hokkaido, then I definitely recommend renting a car. Hokkaido is full of stunning, natural landscapes, and unfortunately, the road less traveled is, well, not very paved for trains.
We personally used Orix with Booking and were able to rent our car easily. You can check prices, choose the type of vehicle you want, and add affordable full coverage insurance upon checkout.
Tips for Renting a Car in Japan
- Drive on the left: You’ll be driving on the left side of the road, and the steering wheel is on the right. It’s not too difficult to get used to, but take some time to adjust before driving in the city. I personally would avoid driving in Sapporo itself.
- Learn the rules: Watch a YouTube video about the rules! You have to come to a FULL stop at the stop signs, big red signs that read “止まれ”. Remember that pedestrians always have the right of way, and make sure everyone wears a seatbelt.
- Get car insurance: Between tiny parking spots, winding roads, and the occasional wildlife sighting, car insurance is worth the peace of mind. When you use Booking, you have the option to add insurance at checkout.
- Pick a car that fits: Japan has quite a number of narrow roads in the countryside. A small or mid-sized car is usually best. Booking lets you filter by size, transmission, and even luggage space, so you know what you’re getting.
- Watch out for toll roads: If you’ll be using the expressways, it’s best to include an ETC card. Japan has a lot of toll roads! The card makes paying tolls way faster and way less stressful than having to look for cash.
What you need to rent a car in Japan
- Bring your valid license from your home country.
- An International Driving Permit (IDP) based on the 1949 Geneva Convention. Our appointment only took 20 minutes with Triple A in California, and we got it a week or two before our Japan trip.
- A credit card under the driver’s name for the deposit.
- Most rentals require you to be at least 18, and some may require you to have had your license for a year. If you're under 25, there might be a young driver fee.
Ready to give left-sided driving a spin? Click here to book with Booking!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
While traveling in a foreign country, it’s best to get full coverage trip insurance just in case an emergency happens. I recommend VisitorsCoverage for affordable prices and great insurance benefits.
Or, if you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card, you get automatic car and trip insurance!
Final Thoughts – How Many Days Should You Spend in Sapporo?
Well, I hope I helped make your trip planning a little bit easier! Sapporo is an amazing place, and I’m excited for you to experience it for yourself!
It can be a little tough allocating enough time for your time in Sapporo, especially since you will have to fly here from Tokyo, but it’s well worth the trip.
If you need any help planning your trip, I offer customized itinerary services! Just reach out to me at audrey@getlostinjapan.com. If you have any specific questions, feel free to drop a comment below too! Let me know how your trip went, and if you felt like you had enough time to spend in Sapporo!
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