r/Sapporo

Hi Sapporoers, I’ll be going and staying in central Sapporo for a week, and have rented a car to explore Hokkaido more efficiently. I have a preference for nature, scenic, and coastal areas. I would greatly appreciate any recommendations on where to go that’s inaccessible by public transportation. Thank you! 🙏

Hi everyone, I hope you are all safe after the recent earthquake and tsunami warnings.

I have a flight to Sapporo tomorrow and just wanted to kindly ask how the situation is there now. Are things relatively stable in the city and are transport and daily activities operating normally?

Thank you.

Hii,

Does anyone know if there are any good, cheap places to find vintage 60s/70s clothing in Sapporo or the surrounding area? I've been all over Susukino, Tanukikoji, etc., but everything is so expensive. I've also been looking on Mercari, but find things that aren't horribly overpriced is difficult...

I want to find the Japanese equivalent of an estate or yard sale.

Thank you in advance!

Hey guys, I’ll be in Hokkaido from Apr 28 – May 2, solo. Asian male, 35 if that matters.

Current plan: 2 nights in Hakodate then up to Sapporo for the rest. Booked La Vista Hakodate Bay and Cross Hotel Sapporo.

Still pretty flexible and open to adjusting things.

Would love recs on:

• Food spots (soup curry, ramen, seafood, anything local that’s a must)

• Cool neighborhoods / cafés / bars to check out solo

• Scenic stuff or easy day trips (not trying to overpack the schedule)

• Anything seasonal around that time (late sakura? festivals?)

Also if anyone’s stayed at Cross Hotel or has better hotel suggestions in Sapporo, I’m all ears.

If anyone happens to be around those dates and wants to grab a meal/drink or explore a bit, feel free to DM. Always down to meet chill people! 😁

I heard there is a spa and relaxing area open 24 hours. Do they allow 6 years old girl to enter? Can all of us use the same relaxing area? We won’t use spa as we would like to nap. We estimate we’ll finish immigration and luggage around 11-11.30pm. We’ll fly to Sapporo at 6 am in the next morning. I think we need to check in at the counter to Sapporo around 4:30am?

Australian Looking for a heavy music live venue in Sapporo that would have hardcore, metalcore, deathcore bands playing. We are here for 3 weeks so any advice, venues or bands would be greatly appreciated.

オーストラリア出身です。札幌でハードコア、メタルコア、デスコア系のバンドが出演するヘヴィミュージックのライブハウスを探しています。3週間滞在予定なので、おすすめの会場やバンドなど、どんな情報でも大歓迎です。

Hi

There are a lot of activities for english speaking people on Meetup website for Tokyo, like language exchange, parties... Is there equivalent for Sapporo ? Thank you

If you are planning to rent an apartment in Sapporo, please protect yourself by demanding to see the following documents before signing any contract:

• Size of the building’s water storage tank (receiving tank)

• Official cleaning records

• Water quality inspection reports

Do not end up like us — living for over 50 days without potable water because of administrative inaction.

This is not an isolated incident.

This is a failure of governance and oversight.

Stay safe, and stay informed.

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for a gynecologist who can speak English (or at least communicate comfortably in English).

Usually, I manage doctor visits using a translation app, but this time it’s a bit more sensitive and I’d prefer to avoid any possible misunderstandings.

If anyone has recommendations, I’d really appreciate it. Thank you!

Hi everyone! I'm visiting Sapporo next week, staying near Nakajima-koen area. Can you recommend stores that sell good hiking shoes? I am from the Philippines and the shoes will be used primarily for mountain hiking in my country. I searched some stores and to my impression, Shugakusou & Kojitsusanso seem to have good options. Still want to hear from locals who might know of not so well known but recommended stores. Thanks!

Hey everyone!

I am heading to Sapporo next week (staying until April 28). I have heard the first blooms are expected around the 19th.

Is anyone on the ground seeing pink yet or just buds?

Also, how is the real feel of the weather right now?

Is a light jacket enough for daytime?

Looking forward to hitting Maruyama Park and grabbing some Miso Ramen!

Hi! I have been looking at photos of the Hotel Sosei Sapporo - MGallery Collection and it looks very nice, but I'm not sure if the photos are just good or if the hotel is really worth it? The building looks a bit old on the outside and I'm planning a trip for clients! I originally recommended the Intercontinental, which I know is good but it has that chain feeling and the clients wanted something a bit different. Any thoughts?

Hi, I’m from Singapore and currently in Sapporo. Looking for some shopping recommendations and hope locals or frequent visitors can help.

Sneakers

I’m eyeing the New Balance 1906A. I know it released earlier in China and some countries recently restocked a bit. Any stores in Sapporo where I can find more colorways or better selection?

Haruta loafers

I went to ABC Grand Stage but realised they don’t carry Haruta. Are Haruta shoes only sold in standalone stores or specific retailers? Anywhere in Sapporo I can check?

Accessories (men)

Looking for bracelets and necklaces for men. Any good shops or areas to explore?

Gacha (GTR key)

I’ve seen GTR bumper and rear gacha, but I’m specifically looking for the GTR key version. Has anyone spotted it anywhere in Sapporo recently?

* I know it's outdated and probably no longer release, just checking 🙈

Clothing

Any recommended stores or brands worth checking out in Sapporo for guys.

Appreciate any tips, thanks!

Hey! I’m looking to our guests property in or around Sapporo, but haven’t found an agent that speaks English to work with.

Anyone have any luck? Would love to meet the right buyer’s agent!

I've just been awarded a one-year post-doc fellowship by the Japan Foundation to conduct research at Hokkaido University, starting at the end of this year or next year.

The stipend is gonna be 400k yen per month, and I'll be moving there as a single person. I have lived in Kobe and Kyoto, and have visited Sapporo and Hokkaido some years ago during wintertime, but I wanted to get some perspectives on daily life, before I decide to continue with the process.

Is 400k enough to live comfortably in Sapporo? My goal would be to be able to enjoy the city, go out occasionally also to other places (Otaru, Hakodate...), and still manage to save a bit of money by the end of the year. I already know Gyomu won't let me down, but what about the recent price hikes?

I'm planning to apply for a room in the university dormitory, but if I don’t get in or decide to look elsewhere, how is the rental market right now? I have JLPT N1, so I'm fine with the language, but I know the "no renting to gaijin" struggle is real in some parts of Japan. Is this a major issue also in Sapporo? How is the situation in general around Kita-Jūhachi-Jō?

The first movie had a very limited English (JP subtitles) run at Sapporo Factory IMAX, but best I can tell from all the local theatres' websites is all showings in the area are JP dub only.

Anyone else heard anything about this, planning to go?

Hey everyone,

Sorry in advance — this post is going to sound like a personal journal...

I'm writing this to express how I feel about having to leave Sapporo/Hokkaido unwillingly. Even after making the decision, I still feel really lost.

Last August, I accepted an engineer job in Chitose and was super excited about moving to Hokkaido. I was looking forward to the amazing food, beautiful nature, and skiing. In October, I finally flew over and started settling down.

The first week was wonderful — everything felt so charming. The only downside was that it was much colder than I expected (I come from a place where it’s 20–30°C all year round).

Then winter arrived and the snow started falling. That’s when I began feeling depressed and unsafe.

I’ve been dealing with panic disorder for about 10 years. Sometimes it gets better, sometimes it comes back. Over time, I also developed agoraphobia. When winter hit, my symptoms got much worse. Panic attacks returned strongly, and my agoraphobia became really bad. I started avoiding going out except for work and buying food. Eventually, even staying at home didn’t make me feel safe anymore.

While all my colleagues were enjoying skiing and everything Hokkaido has to offer, I was stuck inside the house most of the time.

After a few months, I completely broke down. I resigned from my job and decided to head back home.

This time, I’m going to take my mental health seriously and work on it properly.

Hokkaido, you were a place I truly loved. I hope one day I can return with a stronger and healthier mind.

Is there anywhere to get it in town currently despite melons being out of season?

Mine was double what it usually is, despite not changing my usage of appliances. Will this be an ongoing thing?