Sapporo Station is a practical base for your first night in Sapporo. It is the main rail hub of the city, with shops, restaurants and the train to the airport. If you arrive late, or if you travel with luggage, a hotel near the station saves time and keeps your plans simple. Choose a hotel nearby if you plan to take trains to other places in Hokkaido.
The Sapporo city page gives an overview of the city. This guide focuses on the station and the streets around it.
Why stay near the station
The station area is built for travellers. The rail lines, the subway and the buses all meet here, so you rarely need to walk far with bags. The large station building holds shops, malls and places to eat. Many of them stay open late.
If you fly in, the airport train stops at the station. You can reach the station area without changing trains. This makes the first night easy after a long flight.
Check first: Check the timetable of the airport train on the official rail operator's website before you book your flight. Trains run less often late at night, so plan your arrival time.
Use the station as a base
- Walk the underground shopping passages when the weather is cold or wet.
- Take the subway to reach the older parts of the city, such as the central streets and the entertainment district.
- Take an express train to reach other towns in the region. Plan the return trip before you leave the hotel.
For day trips, the station is a good place to start. Check the schedule for the line you need, because some services run only at certain times of the year.
Eating near the station
The station has many places to eat, from quick counters to sit-down restaurants. Sapporo is known for seafood, miso ramen and grilled food. For a bigger choice, take the subway to the entertainment district to the south, where many small restaurants and bars are close together.
Use Tabelog to find a restaurant that suits your group. Read recent reviews, check the opening days and the last order time, and book ahead when the option exists. Some places close one day a week, and many close early on weekdays.
Who this suits
A station base suits solo travellers, because you can reach shops, food and transport from one place. It also suits families with children, because you can walk to a supermarket and a pharmacy and take short trips by train. It is less suited to travellers who want a quiet street of old houses, or a hotel next to bars that stay open all night.
For a quieter base, look at the Odori Park area page or the Maruyama area page, which are both a short ride from the station.
Before you book
- Check the walk from the station exit to the hotel. Some hotels are in a building above the station, and others are a few minutes away.
- Read recent reviews that mention the noise from the trains, the streets and the snow removal in winter.
- In winter, ask about the walk in snow. Paths can be icy and slow, so allow more time.
Check first: Check the hotel's position on a map and the exit you need from the station. Ask the hotel how to reach it in snow and rain before you arrive.
Arriving with luggage
If you arrive by air, check which station exit is closest to your hotel before the train reaches the city. The station is large, and each exit leads to a different street. Ask your hotel to send a map with the exit to use, and save a photo of the entrance on your phone.
Check the weather forecast the day before you arrive. In winter, heavy snow can slow buses and trains, so allow more time for each journey. Keep a warm layer and waterproof shoes in your hand luggage, not in the suitcase that you check in.
What to do next
A station base makes your first night simple. Use the planner to check how the station fits your route and your dates. Then read the Sapporo city page for the other districts, and the Sapporo Station area page for the basic facts about the area.
