By ANL | UPDATED: 24 Sep 2026

Sapporo is unusually easy to divide into a few distinct accommodation zones. Sapporo Station, Odori Park, Susukino, and Nakajima Park form a compact north-to-south sequence through the city centre, yet each area offers a different experience. The best area to stay in Sapporo therefore depends on how you plan to spend your time. For first-time sightseeing, Odori Park is particularly convenient; Susukino suits travellers who prioritise restaurants and nightlife; Sapporo Station is practical for JR journeys and day trips; and Nakajima Park offers a quieter setting close to the city centre. Rather than looking for one universally ‘best’ neighbourhood, it makes more sense to choose the area that matches your itinerary and travel style. Below, you will find a quick comparison of hotels selected for their character and location.

Choosing where to stay in Sapporo depends largely on what you want from your trip. This Sapporo travel guide compares four central accommodation areas, each offering a different balance of sightseeing, food and nightlife, transport connections, and green space. It also highlights the main things to do in each area, helping you choose a base that fits your itinerary.

Sapporo’s central accommodation districts form a compact north-south corridor between Sapporo Station and Nakajima Park. Staying within this area gives you convenient access to many of the city’s main sights, restaurants, shopping areas, and transport connections. Although these districts are close together, each has a distinct character, from the open spaces and major sights around Odori Park to the restaurants and nightlife of Susukino and the greenery of Nakajima Park.

For a first visit, 3 days is a useful starting point: you can spend two days exploring the city and use the third for a day trip. If you want to combine Sapporo with several day trips, 4–5 days gives you more flexibility.

How far apart are Sapporo’s main accommodation areas?

Central Sapporo is relatively compact, with Sapporo Station to the north, Odori Park in the middle, Susukino farther south, and Nakajima Park beyond Susukino. Several of these areas can be reached on foot from one another, while the subway and underground walkways provide useful alternatives, particularly during snowy or rainy weather.

Which area of Sapporo should you stay in?

The four areas below offer different advantages for travellers. Odori Park is centred on sightseeing, Susukino on food and nightlife, Sapporo Station on rail connections, and Nakajima Park on a quieter setting close to the city centre. The comparison gives you a quick overview before we look at each area in more detail.

Seafood dishes on display outside a restaurant at Nijo Market in Sapporo, Japan | Photo: Travel In Culture

Note that if you stay near Sapporo Station, it is convenient for JR journeys to destinations elsewhere in Hokkaido. If you plan several rail journeys, compare current JR Hokkaido fares and regional rail passes with individual ticket prices before deciding which option suits your itinerary.

Here is a quick comparison of the four accommodation areas.

How to choose where to stay in Sapporo

Choose Odori Park if: you are visiting Sapporo for the first time and want to be close to major central sights and convenient public transport.

Choose Susukino if: restaurants, nightlife, ramen, and an energetic evening atmosphere are important to you.

Choose Sapporo Station if: you are planning several JR journeys or day trips around Hokkaido and want to minimise travel time to the station.

Choose Nakajima Park if: you prefer a quieter, greener setting while remaining close to central Sapporo and do not mind being farther south of the main shopping and sightseeing areas.

1. Odori Park: Where to Stay in Sapporo for First-Time Sightseeing

Green lawns and seasonal flower beds in Odori Park, Sapporo, Japan.

If you would like to stay in a central district of Sapporo with green spaces in summer – and thus the opportunity to take a morning or afternoon walk in relaxed surroundings, a hotel near Odori Park may be a good choice for your stay. At the same time, you will be close to some of Sapporo’s top attractions and the city’s unique underground shopping streets.

Odori Park is really the heart of Sapporo. The 1.5-kilometre long park (Odori means ‘large street’) is a sort of city median, which separates Sapporo into a northern and a southern part. The park dates from 1871 and was, at the time, designed to protect against the spread of fires. Today, it is a great place to take in the monuments, the rose garden, the stalls selling corn, the fountains, the flowers, the play areas – and for people watching!

Sapporo TV Tower seen from Odori Park, a central landmark in Sapporo, Japan.

Sapporo TV Tower, completed in 1956, stands as an iconic landmark at the eastern end of the park. It was built by the Japanese architect Tachū Naitō, who also designed Tokyo Tower. From the 90-metre-high observation deck, you can enjoy 360-degree panoramic views of the cityscape, including the entire Odori Park with the mountains as a backdrop.

Another nearby landmark is the Sapporo Clock Tower, built in 1878 as a military drill hall for Sapporo Agricultural College, the predecessor of Hokkaido University. Today, it is one of the city’s best-known symbols and a National Important Cultural Property. The small museum inside explains the history of the building and its clock.

The historic Sapporo Clock Tower (1878), one of the city’s oldest landmarks in Sapporo, Japan | Photo: Travel In Culture

The Odori district features another great attraction in the city. Sapporo’s underground shopping area includes Aurora Town and Pole Town, two connected underground shopping streets centred on Odori Station. Aurora Town stretches to the east and Pole Town to the south. They make shopping possible even when it is cold or raining.

Entrance to Pole Town, part of Sapporo’s underground shopping streets connecting the city centre.

There is nearly always something going on in Odori Park. From late July till mid-August, the park is converted into the open-air Odori Beer Garden. In winter, the Christmas Market in December is the big attraction – and the Sapporo Snow Festival in February. The park is also the location for a few other annual festivals and enticing food and flower events throughout the year.

2. Susukino: Where to Stay in Sapporo for Food and Nightlife

Ramen Alley in Susukino, Sapporo, a narrow street filled with traditional ramen shops | Photo: Travel In Culture

Susukino is Sapporo’s best-known entertainment district, with brightly illuminated buildings, restaurants, bars, izakayas, karaoke venues, clubs, and other evening entertainment.

Susukino’s Tanuki Koji shopping arcade south of Odori Park is one of the oldest covered shopping streets in Sapporo. It stretches for around 900 metres across seven blocks and has about 200 shops, restaurants, and other businesses. Its covered arcade makes it particularly convenient in rainy or snowy weather. Also, the surrounding streets are packed with restaurants, bars, shops, and entertainment venues. The arcade is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike.

Seafood bowl breakfast at Nijo Market in Sapporo, featuring fresh sashimi and local seafood | Photo: Travel In Culture

Just east of the Odori and Susukino area, Nijo Market is one of central Sapporo’s best-known food markets. It developed in the early Meiji period, when fishermen from Ishikari Bay began selling fresh fish in central Sapporo. Today, the compact market is known for Hokkaido seafood, including crab, sea urchin, and fresh fish, as well as seafood bowls and sushi. Today, its seafood shops and adjoining restaurants make it a popular place to sample seafood in Sapporo. You can get all sorts of delicious seafood dishes including grilled fish – either from the fishmongers or at the small restaurants associated with the shops.

Inside Nijo Market in Sapporo, a covered market selling fresh seafood and local produce | Photo: Travel In Culture

Do not miss eating ramen in Ramen Alley in Susukino, a small, covered alley exclusively lined with tiny ramen restaurants – some of which only seat a handful of people! Ramen is one of Sapporo’s signature foods, and Susukino is one of the city’s best-known places to try it.

Sapporo-style ramen, one of the city’s most famous local dishes known for its rich broth and noodles.

When you stroll around Susukino in the evening, look out for the large Nikka Whisky billboard among the illuminated signs.

Iconic Nikka Whisky billboard covering a building facade in Susukino, one of Sapporo’s most recognisable nightlife landmarks.

3. Sapporo Station: Where to Stay for JR Trains and Day Trips

When planning where to stay in Sapporo, you may consider a hotel near the JR train station. If your Sapporo itinerary includes several rail-based day trips, staying near Sapporo Station can save time at the beginning and end of each journey. The station is the main rail hub for services from the city to destinations elsewhere in Hokkaido, although journey times and direct services vary by destination and season. This way, you can easily hop on a morning train to explore other parts of Hokkaido, and similarly, you will almost be back at your hotel when you get back to Sapporo Station in the evening. North of the station, the atmosphere becomes quieter around Hokkaido University, while the station area itself is dominated by department stores, shopping centres, restaurants, and transport connections.

For broader travel planning across the country, you can also explore more destinations in our complete Japan travel guide to build a multi-city itinerary beyond Sapporo.

A JR train at Sapporo Station, one of the main transport hubs for exploring Hokkaido.

On the university’s campus in Kita Ward, you will find the Hokkaido University Museum with science and natural history exhibits. Around the university, there are also several trendy cafés, Japanese izakayas and noodle bars, all frequently used by the students. Likewise, there are a multitude of small restaurants around the station.

South of the station, the Former Hokkaidō Government Office Building, known as the Red Brick Building, is one of Sapporo’s best-known historic landmarks. The Former Hokkaido Government Office Building, built in 1888 and commonly known as the Red Brick Government Building, reopened to visitors in July 2025 following extensive restoration work. It is now one of the most useful historical stops near Sapporo Station and Odori Park. Its exhibitions and restored interiors provide an insight into the history of Hokkaido and Sapporo.

The Hokkaidō Government Office (Red Brick Building) in Sapporo under restoration work.

Between the station and the university campus, the historic Seikatei house has free admission. The name ‘Seikatei’ means ‘Pure Flower Pavilion’. The restored wooden building was used by dignitaries visiting Sapporo, for example, Emperor Meiji when he visited Sapporo in 1881.

Further east, the Sapporo Beer Museum tells the history of beer in Japan and illustrates the beer brewing process. Sapporo has a particularly strong connection with Japanese beer. The Kaitakushi Brewery was established here in 1876 and is regarded as Japan’s birthplace of beer brewing. A visit to the museum will naturally allow you to taste the local beer product!

Lobby and reception area at Hotel Ten to Ten in Sapporo, a modern hotel near Sapporo Station | Photo: Travel In Culture

4. Nakajima Park: Where to Stay for a Quieter Sapporo Experience

Peaceful lake in Nakajima Park, a green oasis in central Sapporo.

If you are deciding where to stay in Sapporo, each district offers a different travel experience depending on your interests. You may consider the neighbourhood at Nakajima Park if you want an area with great opportunities to go for a morning walk in a relaxed environment – and still be close to the city. The park contains historic buildings and cultural facilities, and hosts seasonal events. Moreover, you will also be close to the green riverbanks of the Toyohira River.

Nakajima Park, just south of Susukino, is a 24-hectare green space in central Sapporo. The area was once associated with timber storage along the Toyohira River before plans for a park were developed in the late nineteenth century. Work on the Nakajima amusement grounds began in 1886, and the area was later opened to the public as a park.

Nakajima Park contains more than 5,000 trees. Its central pond, Shobu-ike, provides one of the park’s most scenic spots In the summer, the pond is attractive for a boat trip! Throughout the year, people come to Nakajima Park to walk, jog, enjoy the seasonal scenery, and visit its cultural attractions. In winter, the park has a cross-country skiing course, providing an unusual way to experience the city outdoors. It is one of the best areas to stay in Sapporo for travellers seeking a quieter atmosphere close to nature.

Red autumn foliage in Nakajima Park, a scenic seasonal view in central Sapporo, Japan.

Cultural assets include the Concert Hall Kitara, the Hokkaido Museum of Literature, and the landmark Hōhei Kan, which is a historical hotel for distinguished visitors dating back to 1881. Today, it is an Important Cultural Property of Japan and a popular cultural attraction – frequently used as a wedding venue. Furthermore, there is an astronomical observatory, several lawns, forests, and a few tennis courts. Other features include landscaped gardens, lawns, walking paths, and seasonal views that make the park appealing throughout the year.

Several hotels around the park offer views towards its trees, pond, and seasonal scenery.

5. Frequently Asked Questions about Sapporo

What is the best area to stay in Sapporo?

For a first visit, the area around Odori Park is a convenient base because it puts several central attractions, shopping areas, restaurants, and public transport connections within easy reach.

Is Susukino a good area to stay in Sapporo?

Yes, Susukino is particularly suitable for travellers who want restaurants, nightlife, and evening entertainment close to their hotel. It is especially popular among travellers who want to explore the city in the evening.

What are the best things to do in Sapporo?

Some of the best things to do in Sapporo include visiting Odori Park, exploring Susukino, eating fresh seafood at Nijo Market, visiting the Sapporo Beer Museum, and taking day trips to Otaru or Furano in Hokkaido.

How many days should you spend in Sapporo?

For many itineraries, 2–4 days gives you enough time to explore central Sapporo and fit in one or more day trips. The ideal length depends on whether you are using Sapporo as a city break or as a base for exploring Hokkaido. This allows enough time to explore the city’s main attractions, enjoy local food culture, and take day trips to nearby destinations in Hokkaido.

Is Sapporo a good base for exploring Hokkaido?

Yes, Sapporo is one of the best bases for exploring Hokkaido thanks to its excellent JR train connections, accommodation options, restaurants, and easy access to destinations such as Otaru, Furano, and Asahikawa.

When is the best time to visit Sapporo?

Sapporo is a year-round destination, but the experience varies considerably by season. Summer brings outdoor events, greenery, and generally mild conditions, while winter brings heavy snow, winter illuminations, the Sapporo Snow Festival, and access to ski areas in and around the city, see also the official Sapporo tourism website.

Is Sapporo worth visiting in winter?

Yes, Sapporo is one of Japan’s top winter destinations. The city is famous for the Sapporo Snow Festival, snowy cityscapes, winter food culture, and easy access to ski resorts across Hokkaido.

Is Sapporo walkable for tourists?

Central Sapporo is relatively easy to explore on foot, particularly between Sapporo Station, Odori Park, and Susukino. However, snow and ice in winter can make walking slower, so the underground walkways and subway are particularly useful during the colder months.

Can you take day trips from Sapporo?

Yes, Sapporo is an excellent base for day trips in Hokkaido. Popular day-trip destinations include Otaru, Furano, Biei, Noboribetsu, and Asahikawa. Depending on the destination and season, you can travel by train, bus, or organised tour, so check current timetables before planning a day trip.

More Hokkaido Travel Guides

From Sapporo, you can easily go on a day trip to places such as the lavender fields around Furano in Hokkaido or the historic city, Otaru.

Planning a longer journey across Japan?
This Tokyo district guide pairs well with a Hokkaido itinerary and offers a contrast to Sapporo’s atmosphere and character.

Images courtesy of Travel In Culture. Selected images from Pixabay.