Sapporo in winter is beautiful, with the city covered in white snow. Even though it’s an exciting trip to Sapporo in the beloved Hokkaido, many people probably wonder where to actually go and what to enjoy.

This time, from the perspective of a local travel agency, we will introduce recommended spots and events in and around Sapporo that we highly recommend you enjoy if you visit in winter!

※This text is an English translation of the original Japanese document, created using Google Gemini.

Be overwhelmed by the breathtaking winter view of Sapporo from Mount Moiwa

Mount Moiwa is known as one of Sapporo’s premier viewing spots. From the summit observatory, located 531 meters above sea level, you can overlook the panoramic cityscape of Sapporo. By day, you can gaze upon the ethereal white snowy streets, and by night, a sparkling cityscape that looks as if it were sprinkled with jewels. The beauty of the night view, in particular, is one of the best in Japan and has been selected as one of the “New Three Major Night Views of Japan.”

To reach the summit of Mount Moiwa, you access it via a ropeway. You take the “Moiwa-yama Ropeway” and then transfer to the “Morris Car” to the top. The round trip takes approximately one hour, but if you visit during peak hours for the night view, it can take two hours or more, so be sure to allow plenty of time for your visit.

Click here for details (Official website)　

Be moved by the vast silver world of white snow stretching out before you at Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill

Sapporo Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill, famous for its statue of Dr. Clark, is located in the suburbs of Sapporo. From the observation deck, you can enjoy a magnificent view overlooking the Sapporo cityscape and the Ishikari Plain, stretching beyond the vast snowy expanse.

In winter, the location transforms into a Snow Park where you can enjoy various snow activities. Popular activities like tube sliding down a snow hill on a rubber tube, snow slides (mini slides, sled rental available) that even small children can enjoy, building snowmen, and walking on skis can all be enjoyed just by paying the admission fee to Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill.

Click here for details (Official website)

Enjoy snow activities to the fullest at Takino Suzuran Park (Takino Suzuran Hillside National Government Park)

Takino Suzuran Hillside National Government Park is the only national park in Hokkaido, located about an hour from the center of Sapporo. The park, which features colorful flowers across its vast 400-hectare grounds in the summer, transforms into a huge snow playground called “Takino Snow World” in the winter.

The gently sloping 250-meter-long run is perfect for a first-time skiing experience! We also recommend the tube sledding, which is one of the largest in Japan with a straight run of 200 meters, and snowshoeing to explore through the forest.

Ski equipment can be rented for a fee, but equipment for tube sledding and walking on skis (cross-country skis) is available to rent for free.

Click here for details (Official website)

Enjoy sweets and illuminations at Shiroi Koibito Park

Shiroi Koibito Park is one of Sapporo’s popular tourist spots. This conveniently located spot, accessible via a single subway line from central Sapporo, transforms into a fantastic snowy world glittering with illuminations in winter. You can enjoy the paid zone dedicated to the world of the popular sweet “Shiroi Koibito” and chocolate, and then enjoy the beautiful illuminations from the evening. Furthermore, the experience menu “My Shiroi Koibito Handmade Course,” where you can create your very own Shiroi Koibito, started in September of ’25 (reservations required).

Click here for details (Official website)

A winter-only delight! Enjoy smelt ice fishing on the frozen Barato River

Due to the freezing cold of winter, some rivers and lakes become sealed off by ice. A popular activity enjoyed on this ice is smelt ice fishing.

The Barato River (Baratogawa), located about 20 to 30 minutes by car from central Sapporo, is one of the popular smelt fishing spots near Sapporo. Although you are on a frozen river, you can enjoy fishing comfortably from inside plastic tents set up on the ice. Fishing rods and other equipment are available for rent. Furthermore, some facilities are fully equipped with Jingisukan (Mongolian BBQ) lunch options and flushable toilets.

If you want to enjoy an experience unique to winter in Hokkaido, we highly recommend smelt ice fishing.
 

Click here for details (Official website)

Experience Hokkaido’s unique powder snow at a ski resort near Sapporo

Hokkaido boasts many popular ski resorts, such as Niseko, Furano, and Tomamu, but there are also two full-scale ski resorts located within Sapporo city limits.

Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort, situated in a mountainous area about 90 minutes by bus from central Sapporo, is an authentic ski resort that offers some of Japan’s best powder snow and vast slopes, despite being within the city. It has a long operating season, typically open from late November until early May. The rental services are comprehensive, and its seven courses can be enjoyed by everyone from beginners to advanced skiers.

In addition, Sapporo Teine Ski Resort, a former venue for the Sapporo Olympics, is the largest ski area near Sapporo, featuring 15 courses, including a long course with a maximum run distance of approximately 6 km. From the 1,023-meter-high summit, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Sapporo cityscape! Access is also very convenient: it’s about a 16-minute local bus ride (to the Olympia Ski Center) from JR Teine Station (which is only about 11 minutes by train from Sapporo Station). Having such authentic ski resorts near the city is one of Sapporo’s major attractions.

Click here for details (Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort　Official website)

Click here for details (Sapporo Teine Ski Resort　Official website)

A must-see winter event! Enjoy the Sapporo Snow Festival

The Sapporo Snow Festival is the premier winter event in Hokkaido, scheduled to be held for the 76th time next year. Taking place for about one week in early February every year, the Snow Festival attracts numerous tourists not only from within Hokkaido but also from all over Japan and overseas, boasting over 2.3 million visitors during the duration of the 2024 and 2025 festivals. The main venue, Odori Park, stretches 1.5 km across the center of Sapporo from east to west, and is packed with attractions and highlights, including five main large snow sculptures, medium and small snow statues, a skating rink, and winter activity areas! You will certainly be able to feel the vibrancy of Sapporo, the city of snow.

Please note that in 2026, the festival will be held for a total of eight days, from Wednesday, February 4th to Wednesday, February 11th (a public holiday).
 

　Click here for details (Official website)　

Artistry in Ice! Be captivated by the beauty of the Chitose-Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival (Hyōtō Matsuri)

The Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival (Hyōtō Matsuri) is an art exhibition in ice held on the shore of Lake Shikotsu, a beautiful lake located about one hour by car from central Sapporo, which has been ranked number one in Japan for transparency over 20 times. This is one of Hokkaido’s leading winter festivals, where various large and small ice objects made from the lake water—sometimes called “Shikotsu-ko Blue”—are displayed. During the day, the ice shines a natural blue, and at night, illuminated by colorful lights, you can enjoy a fantastical world. There are also several hot springs around Lake Shikotsu where you can warm your chilled body and enjoy a soak while viewing the snowy scenery.

Please note that in 2026, the festival will be held for a total of 24 days, from Saturday, January 31st to Monday, February 23rd (a public holiday).

Click here for details (Official website)

Be soothed by the warm light at the Otaru Snow Light Path (Yuki Akari no Michi)!

Held every February in Otaru, Sapporo’s neighboring historic port town, the Otaru Snow Light Path is a festival of snow and candlelight. Numerous snow objects crafted by citizens and countless snow candles envelop the Otaru townscape—where many retro buildings remain—in a warm glow. It is a distinctive and charming event unique to Otaru, offering a different atmosphere from the large-scale Sapporo Snow Festival, and it attracts many tourists every year. Since it typically begins during the latter half of the Sapporo Snow Festival, we recommend enjoying both festivals in Sapporo and Otaru.

Please note that in 2026, the festival will be held for a total of eight days, from Saturday, February 7th to Saturday, February 14th.

Click here for details (Official website)

Hot Springs in Winter! Warm up at Sapporo’s famous hot spring resort, Jozankei Onsen.

After thoroughly enjoying winter sightseeing, centered around Sapporo, you will probably start longing for a warm hot spring. For those people, we recommend Jozankei Onsen, Sapporo’s famous hot spring resort.

Located about one hour by car from central Sapporo, in the upper reaches of the Toyohira River, Jozankei Onsen has an ancient history; the ascetic monk Miizumi Jozan is said to have discovered the source in 1866 (Keiō 2) with the guidance of the Ainu people. It boasts an abundant flow of 8,600 liters per minute.

Along the valley of the Toyohira River, there are many onsen inns and hotels, ranging from reasonably priced accommodations to luxury ryokans. Many inns also offer day-trip bathing options, and there are parks with free foot baths (ashiyu), such as Jozan Gensen Park. Furthermore, Hoheikyo Onsen, located further inside from Jozankei Onsen, and Kogane-yu Onsen, located before Jozankei Onsen, are both popular spots, mainly among Sapporo citizens, for day-trip bathing.

If you visit Sapporo in winter, why not enjoy the famed hot springs of Jozankei Onsen, either with a relaxing overnight stay or a simple day trip?

Click here for details (Official website)　

Above, we have introduced representative winter sightseeing spots, winter activities, and unique winter events for those planning a trip to Sapporo.

We hope this information will be of some help to all of you visiting Hokkaido and Sapporo!

※This text is an English translation of the original Japanese document, created using Google Gemini.