Things to do in

Sapporo

Get to know Sapporo in the best way: through its food. Join a local host to feast your way around the city together, and sample 6-8 tastings of various local food specialties carefully selected for you. Benefit from the personal touch of a private tour and a flexible itinerary allowing you to change your mind about what you want to do during the experience. You'll be paired with guides that are passionate about the place they call home and who choose to spend their free time sharing it with like-minded travelers matched to them. From Hokkaido’s regional miso ramen (always yummier with a plate of gyoza on the side) to treats which may surprise you like soft serve ice-cream and Hokkaido cheese, you’ll discover how, what, and where the locals eat. Immerse yourself in Sapporo's unique culinary culture and probably find your new favorite dish along the way. Slurp soup curry (it’s good manners, don’t worry), a dish that was born in the city. Try kaisen don, a bowl of fresh, raw seafood on a bed of fluffy white rice. Set free your inner chef as you grill your own meat on a convex skillet at a classic Jingisukan BBQ restaurant — the ultimate soul food. Enjoy lush parks and shrines, and sample some of the city’s famous beer at the Sapporo Beer Museum. Cleanse your palette by indulging in a sake too, if you like. You might just be crawling back to your accommodation after all of that food.

Pre-book a private transfer from Chitose Airport to your Sapporo city accommodation (within the "011" area code) and choose a vehicle that suits the size of your group. The door-to-door service is available either from the airport to the city or in the opposite direction. For arrival transfers, the driver will be waiting to meet and greet you, holding a Cherry Tomato sign. For departure transfers, you’ll be met in the lobby of your hotel or outside your home or apartment accommodation. If the size of the vehicle makes it impossible to enter a narrow street, a nearby meeting point will be chosen. Bookings are accepted up to 13 months in advance as well as at the last minute. It is recommended that you book at least 72 hours in advance to ensure that there is plenty of time to process your request. Note that all bookings are subject to availability and confirmation.  

Discover Sapporo as you would if you were visiting a friend who lived there, someone who will make you feel like they’ve known you and their city forever. The city itself is famed for its beautiful parks and gardens, regional cuisine (and beer), and its annual festivals. You'll be paired with guides that are passionate about the place they call home and who choose to spend their free time sharing it with like-minded travelers matched to them. Sapporo is also the gateway to Hokkaidō’s mountains and hot springs, providing you with urban and natural environments ripe for exploration. Although a young city, Sapporo is packed with exciting things to do and incredible cuisine to enjoy. Communicating directly with your guide beforehand to suggest an itinerary and agree on a meeting time and place, you can tailor your Sapporo experience to suit your interests and plan your dream day. If food is your thing, feast on the incredible seafood and miso ramen Sapporo is renowned for. Your guide can take you to places like Ramen Alley where you can sample Hokkaidō ramen made from a rich miso-based broth, which is perfect for cold winters. Or try seafood as fresh as it comes and indulge in local dishes like “kaisen-don,” a delicately balanced dish of raw seafood on top of a bed of fluffy white rice.  There is much more to Sapporo than food though. Your guide can lead you to the city’s most iconic sites, sacred shrines, and bustling, neon-lit neighborhoods. From landmarks like the Hokkaidō Shrine or the Mount Okura Ski Jump, you will explore pockets of the city where you can immerse yourself in the culture of Hokkaidō. As well as visiting the places you’d most like to see, your guide will share with you local spots and places of interest to stop by along the way, giving you an authentic insight into local life in Sapporo. Whether you’d like to see its historic sites, feast on specialty local dishes, or see the landmarks left behind after the Winter Olympics, your host will create a personalized experience just for you. With your thoughtfully matched host by your side, you can skip the tourist traps and discover the real Sapporo.

Access 4G LTE WiFi across Japan with this pocket router that connects to the Softbank Network. Never get lost in Japan again, with Unlimited WiFi data, which enables you to use Map Apps, Facebook, Twitter, Skype, watch Youtube videos and even Netflix. Pick-up the WiFi router at the Shinjuku Counter, which is located a 2 min walk away from the Higashi Shinjuku station. Same day pick-up available. The business hours at 10:00 AM until 6:00 PM, on weekdays only. When you are finished, the devices can be returned at most major airports in Japan, or via delivery from any hotel, Family Mart, or Lawson convenience stores.

Upon arrival at Sapporo TV Tower, head up to the 3rd floor, where you'll exchange your printed out ticket for an admission ticket. From here, take the elevator that shoots you up to the 295-foot (90-meter) Tembo Deck in 60 seconds. On the observation deck, soak up panoramic views of the city of Sapporo and look out for different seasonal flowers in Odori Park. If visiting during a festival — such as Yosakoi Soran Festival, Sapporo Snow Festival, and White Illumination — enjoy observing the festival from the deck.

Your driver will pick you up from the Shin Chitose Sapporo Airport terminal to Sapporo City dropping you right at the doorsteps of the address where you want to go. You need to go to the “Meeting Point” which is indicated in your reservation confirmation or service voucher. Your driver will hold a ‘Cherry Tomato’ Sign Board to meet and greet you. If you are going to your destination from a hotel, please wait at the hotel lobby. Your pick-up time will be indicated in the Departure Notice that was sent to you/your hotel by email/fax one day before (around 5pm) the service date. If you're collected from an apartment or your home, please wait outside by your main door. If your apartment or home is unreachable due to the narrow streets and the vehicle size, a meeting point nearby will be found. The supplier accept bookings 13 months in advance, for last minute travelers, it is recommended to book at least 72 hours in advance to ensure there is enough time to process your request. However, the supplier will do their best to accommodate last minute requests even before your flight takes off.

Explore Sapporo in your own way with a private licensed guide. Choose the 6 or 4-hour option depending on what fits with your schedule. Let the guide know what special requests you have for the day and they will tailor your itinerary accordingly. All guides hold the nationally-licensed Tour Guide-Interpreter certification. It is issued by the Japanese government and requires a good understanding of Japanese culture and history. Sapporo City, on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, may be more famous for its winter activities, but with your guide, you will see how is a destination that can be enjoyed year-round. This tour feature a morning pickup at your hotel in Sapporo, then a visit to any number of possible sites. You can customize your itinerary according to the places you want to visit. See a suggested itinerary below.  This tour begins with your local guide greeting you at your accommodation or the nearest train station. You will then proceed to Okurayama Viewing Point. Take in the great panoramic view and experience the steep slope of a ski jump from 307 meters above sea level. Next, visit the historical village of Hokkaido. The village has a unique history and is home to 60 typical buildings from all over Hokkaido, dating back to the Meiji and Taisho Periods (1868 to 1926), the era when Hokkaido developed quickly.  Then, have lunch at Nijo Ichiba Market, with all its delicious seafood. Enjoy a kaisen-don bowl made from freshly-caught seafood, a local specialty. After lunch, visit the Sapporo Beer Museum. Sapporo Beer is one of the best premium beers in Japan. You can taste a reissued version of the beer that was produced 130 years ago.

Take the stress out of your airport commute by pre-booking your own private airport transfer between Niseko and New Chitose Airport (CTS).  Whether you are traveling in a bigger group or with extra luggage, tailor your private transfer to your individual needs with this booking. To ensure a relaxed transfer experience, you will receive a text message shortly before your scheduled pickup with your booking reference, a customer service number, and your driver's name and contact details. Get picked up from either the arrivals hall in CTS or at the door of your accommodation by your driver who will help you with your luggage. Your driver will track your flight so that no matter whether your flight arrives early, late, or on-time, they will be there to greet you upon arrival. A customer service line is available 24/7 to support you in whatever you need, so sit back, relax, and enjoy the rest of your time in Niseko.

Plan your Hokkaido Island trip connections with this reliable private hotel transfer with 24-hour service between your Sapporo city accommodation and your accommodation in Niseko city center.  Be greeted by your driver, who will be pick you up from your respective hotel lobby. After pickup, enjoy a comfortable air-conditioned transfer to your destination while enjoying the scenic views of Hokkaido. Save yourself having to carry heavy bags and navigating the public transportation system and take comfort knowing that all vehicles are regularly maintained to high-quality standards.

Explore the old port town of Otaru on your own personalized private tour, leaving from nearby Sapporo with your knowledgeable guide. You'll be paired with guides that are passionate about the place they call home and who choose to spend their free time sharing it with like-minded travelers matched to them. Hop on a train to Otaru, 30 minutes northwest of Sapporo, where you’ll see a side to Japanese history vastly different from the temples and shrines you’d expect. Discover Japanese colonial architecture, old port markets, and steam clocks. The small harbor city of Otaru seems like a relic from a bygone era, you’ll get to explore this fascinating pocket of Japanese history. See the perfectly preserved western-style buildings of Sakaimachi-dōri, an old merchant street harking back to Otaru’s late 19th-century history as a powerful port city. Swivel your head between elegant buildings on Nichigin-dōri, the old “Wall Street of the North”, just around the corner. Stroll along the cobbled pathways of the pretty canal along Ishikari Bay, an old-world promenade illuminated by the golden glow of oil lamps in the early evening. See how it's lined with old warehouses converted into antique stores and cafes, or hop on a canal cruise for a different vantage point. Discover the city’s famous glass-blowing industry and shop for intricate souvenirs, or see the Otaru Music Box Museum’s collection of 25,000 music boxes (or customize your own brand-new one). If you are brave enough, try the squid ink ice-cream and grab a bite to eat. You could enjoy freshly brewed draft beer at the Bavarian-style Otaru Brewery beer hall or sample sake at the Tanaka Sake Brewery before heading back to Sapporo.