Here we present recommendations for springtime Sapporo sightseeing. There are festivals, events, gourmet choices, and activities that should not be missed. In the spring, there is so much to enjoy in Sapporo!
Spring in Hokkaido is the time to eat edible wild plants from the mountains and asparagus from the fields, and seasonal seafood caught after the drift ice recedes. A Hokkaido-style spring is not complete without eating jingisukan while watching the cherry blossoms, once the cherry trees bloom at the beginning of May after the rest of Honshu to the south. We invite you, too, to savor these spring foods that signal the end of the long winter.
*Updated November 6, 2019 Bathing is an incredibly important part of Japanese culture. In addition to bathing at home, Hokkaido residents love to take day trips to one of the island’s plentiful hot springs and sento bathhouses. In Sapporo, Hokkaido’s main city, there are many bathing facilities to take a warm, relaxing soak, with several hot spring towns nearby for those who don’t mind venturing a little further out. Most hot springs and sento bathhouses are open to both people staying the night and day visitors. Read on to find out the best places in Sapporo to take a relaxing dip after a hard day’s traveling.
Genghis Khan (Mongolian barbecue) is a Hokkaido local dish that consists of grilling mutton and vegetables on a special grill that has a raised mound in the center. Not only do Sapporoites enjoy drinking beer and eating Genghis Khan in restaurants, but they also enjoy barbecuing it outdoors while camping or viewing the cherry blossoms. Also, many households own a dedicated grill just for making their own Mongolian barbecue at home. It is regarded as the most-loved soul food of the city by residents, as you can even find disposable grills for Mongolian barbecue in Sapporo’s hardware stores, while some restaurants serve the cuisine on a grill shaped like the prefecture of Hokkaido. The types of meat used include lamb, which is soft and doesn’t have a gamey taste, and mutton, which is the meat from an older sheep with a unique and gamey taste. Choose from seasoned meat marinated in sauce, or unseasoned meat that you dip into a sauce after cooking. The flavor of the sauce and the way the meat is cut varies by restaurant and supplier. A Mongolian barbecue can be capped off by cooking udon or ramen noodles in the leftover juices, or adding tea to the sauce and drinking it. Each restaurant has their own unique way of presenting the meal, making every outing fun and interesting. Meat is typically imported from New Zealand or Australia, but some restaurants serve rare Suffolk sheep raised locally in Hokkaido. Explore the many restaurants to find your favorite seasoning and way of eating Genghis Khan.
Dining is one of the highlights of sightseeing in Sapporo. Hotel breakfasts are quite good, but we also recommend visitors to wake up early at least once and head out for a walk to find breakfast at a restaurant frequented by Sapporo locals. Imagine a bustling weekday morning with people heading to work, or a slow weekend morning spent drinking coffee. After enjoying breakfast like a Sapporoite, head out to one of Sapporo’s history, nature, art or culture spots. Get the most out of your morning in the city!
Sapporo must-try gourmet choices, from local favorites to Hokkaido soul food. You can also use the Sapporo Gourmet Coupon app to enjoy the Sapporo culinary scene at a discount.
