Japan has long been the travel destination of ‘cool kids’, a trend-setting country as full of storied history as it is rich with buzzy culture. For those eager to fulfil all their city-hopping wishes (and then some), there’s Tokyo, with its famous Shibuya crossing and general shops galore. For sight-seeing buffs, Kyoto has bamboo forests, torii gates and kimono shops aplenty. Osaka occupies a welcome middle ground, a city on the grungier side of Tokyo, but still sporting ample spots to hit up outside its confines. However, Japan is home to more than one island—and Sapporo, the capital city of nature-filled, northern Hokkaido, is equally deserving of bucket-list status.
As far as Japanese cities go, Sapporo is relatively new, even if its name is derived from the language of the indigenous Ainu people who have lived on the island for centuries. It was only granted city status in 1922 and its population only hit a million as recently as 1970. You’d be forgiven for thinking there wasn’t much to do in town—after all, the heady, snow-covered heights of Niseko are a mere two-hour drive away.
What happens when ski season is over, though? Not to worry, because that’s when Sapporo really comes to life. The city’s DNA holds a curious tension: a capital it may be, yet it bears a uniquely relaxed character.
The city is comparatively young, and it shows—in the modern amenities and the functional, industrial architecture. But its location in Hokkaido, sequestered far to the north, means a profound sense of time and space pervades each of its cosy alleys—liberating, reassuring and wholly comforting. And when the snowstorms subside, hidden gems come to the fore, sure to please travelers of every variety, especially those who value the slower side of life.
Hole-in-the-wall diners touting hearty food run by elderly couples. Breathtaking nature in the form of parks embedded in the heart of the city. All the quirky shops packed with vintage goods your heart could desire. With so much to explore, here’s Vogue Singapore’s guide to discovering the city of Sapporo.
1 / 7
Drink: Kuroudo Coffee Roastery & Stand
This homely coffee shop on the second floor of a humble office building lies just two blocks west of Hokkaido University’s Botanic Gardens. Their drinks menu is stellar—from espresso-based options to filter brews—but the real winner is the vibe. Spacious, littered with just the right amount of plants and, on most weekends, expect elderly patrons wrapping up their morning walks. All the relaxing indulgence of a prototypical Japanese kissaten without any of the pretension.
2 / 7
Do: Amérique vintage crafts and clothing store
Equal parts lovingly-made crafts and well-loved secondhand clothing store, Amérique is a bastion of Sapporo’s community, often hosting events that showcase the handmade work of local artisans. Not only are all their clothes kept in pristine condition, the wooden carvings, woven goods and ceramic sculptures they stock are an exercise in both enticing craftsmanship and enduring whimsy.
3 / 7
Eat: Nouilles Japonaise Tokuichi
Hokkaido might be best known for its soup curry, but establishments offering this local delicacy are, unsurprisingly, plentiful in Sapporo. Far less common is the kind of ramen sold by Tokuichi—not made with the ever-popular pork-based tonkotsu, but with a lighter, but no less flavourful, chicken broth. Make sure to save some stomach space, though—the restaurant is nestled in a quaint alley occupied by a fish market selling delectable fresh croquettes, as well as Ippo Ippo coffee shop, a small joint slinging quality cups of joe.
4 / 7
Do: Odori Park
A whopping twelve blocks long and bisecting central Sapporo in two, Odori Park plays host to a constantly rotating calendar of activations that usher locals from every corner of the city. In the spring, the Lilac Festival catches all eyes, celebrating the city’s official tree with a slew of music performances, tours and other sundry activities. In the summer, the month-long beer garden brings Sapporo to a seeming halt, attracting upwards of a million people to its many beer and food stalls.
5 / 7
Drink: Streetlight Brewing
Speaking of beer, there’s not much better than a cold, fresh brew in hand when the sun is shining overhead. On that front, local Sapporo brewery Streetlight Brewing has been putting the ‘craft’ in craft beer since 2023. Their taps are home to liquid, malty gold in the form of vividly designed seasonal craft beers, from hoppy, hazy IPAs to light, crisp lagers—all of them dangerously sessionable and perfect for a good time with friends, family or simply by yourself (we won’t judge).
6 / 7
Eat: Kitchen Toroika
This tiny, family-run diner on the fourth floor of Space 1-15—a sanctuary of crafted goods, cafes and more in downtown Sapporo—is one of the building’s most endearing tenants. The space houses just two small tables and an even smaller cluster of bar seats. Their menu? Pure, distilled yōshoku, or Western-influenced Japanese cuisine. In addition to cooking up moreish fusion staples like their hearty, seasonal stew, they also offer an assortment of home-baked goods (think fresh bagels and flaky pastries) that consistently sell out by lunchtime.
7 / 7
Do: Anatomica and Arch
For the fashion aficionados out there, these two sister companies are some of the best currently operating in the workwear game, with diehard fans repping both brands around the world. Good news: their flagship stores in Sapporo are next-door neighbours. At Arch, workwear staples of a British and French flavour come to life, with service being exactly what you would expect from a niche Japanese retailer selling clothes made with painstaking precision: profoundly warm and hospitable, without ever compromising on rigorous technical expertise. Expect much the same at Anatomica, but with more Americana-inspired sensibilities and a broader range of unisex offerings.
