Sapporo budget date courses starting from ¥500
We introduce Sapporo’s classic sightseeing spots, as well as little-known areas, on budgets of ¥500, ¥1,000 and ¥3,000.
“I want to go on a day-long date in Sapporo, if possible, without spending too much money…” We have prepared some plans to fulfill such a wish. We introduce Sapporo’s classic sightseeing spots, as well as little-known areas, on budgets of ¥500, ¥1,000 and ¥3,000. Since many places have adjoining shops, they are perfect for picking souvenirs. Please enjoy a date that’s a little unique!
From sightseeing attractions to little-known spots for lunch, you will go around the center of Sapporo on foot. It is a date plan where you can enjoy the natural environment of Sapporo, the history of Hokkaido’s early development, art and street performances.
Sapporo Station
Hokkaido University / Hokkaido University Museum
Get a map from the “Elm Forest” information center to the left of the main entrance, and take a stroll through the grounds which feature rows of historic buildings and huge trees over 100 years old. Admission to the museum is free, and various scientific specimens, such as dinosaur fossils, are on display, so there is plenty to talk about.
Hokkaido University
Hokkaido University Museum
Walking around Hokkaido University’s Campus
¥0
Former Hokkaido Government Office Building (Red Brick Office)
It is one of the best photo spots, with the beautiful American-style neo-Baroque building, which has been designated as an important cultural property. Take a photo to commemorate your date here! Inside, you can enjoy exhibits that introduce the history and culture of Hokkaido.
Former Hokkaido Government Office Building (Red Brick Office)
¥0
Sapporo City Hall Basement Cafeteria
A little-know place for lunch on a budget in the center of Sapporo city. Set meals and meals in bowls are ¥500, so you can easily treat your partner. Another attraction is the view of the Japanese garden from the large windows.
¥500
Odori Park
An oasis in the city bustling throughout the year with Sapporo citizens and sightseeing tourists. It is the venue for a variety of large-scale events, and you can enjoy many events such as the YOSAKOI Soran Festival, the illuminations and the Snow Festival, free of charge. The large slide in Nishi 8-chome is “Black Slide Mantra” by sculptor Isamu Noguchi. Be sure to give it a try.Odori Park
¥0
Senshu-an Main Store
This is the place to quench your thirst after a stroll. You can have a free drink of the Toyohira River subsoil drinking water, drawn from around 100m below ground, which they use for their confectionery. It is even more fulfilling if you also enjoy it with their long-selling confectionery (off-budget) at the adjoining café space. It is also a good place for a souvenir.
0 円
Chika-chika Performance Spot
Every day in Sapporo Kita 3-jo Square (during the winter season and on rainy days, in the Sapporo Ekimae-dori underground walkway), there are performances by Sapporo street performers and street musicians. Give the performers you enjoy a little tip.
* Performance times
Sapporo Kita 3-jo Square: Weekdays 12:00–13:00, 17:00–20:00 / Weekends 10:00–20:00
Sapporo Ekimae-dori underground walkway: Weekdays 14:00–20:00 / Weekends 11:00–18:00
¥0
JR Tower Art Project
Including the sculpture “Myomu” by sculptor Kan Yasuda in the center of JR Sapporo Station’s western concourse, there are over 50 artistic works here and there in the JR Tower. There are also works installed in unusual places. Please try taking a walk around, with a pamphlet from the information center in your hand.
¥0
Use a “Donichika-Ticket”—the all-day subway ticket which can be used on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays and the New Year’s holidays—and travel around enjoying mini mountain climbing, popular sightseeing spots where you can come into contact with Japanese culture, and art, etc. It also comes with a dessert.
Sapporo Station
Purchase a Donichika-Ticket｜¥520
Tenjinyama Park
A date spot where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery, including a Japanese garden and plum and cherry groves. At the “Sapporo Tenjinyama Art Studio” near the summit there is a meeting place salon with a range of books about Sapporo, and anyone can use it free of charge. We hope you will drop by after your stroll.
¥0
HUG Eat
“HUG Eat” is a restaurant quarter that specializes in Hokkaido produced ingredients, and you can take your choice from dishes such as sushi, charcoal-grilled seafood and pork and rice. This time, at the delicatessen “HuG Delish”, you can procure a rice ball and deer meat croquettes on a ¥380 budget. You can take a seat at the table in the center. We recommend choosing a souvenir at the neighboring “HUG Mart”.
Dosan-shokusai HUG
¥380
Rokkatei Jingu Chaya
After your meal enjoy a dessert here. The sale limited “Hankansama” (¥100) is a rice cake containing buckwheat flour, bearing the nickname of the father of the early development of Hokkaido, Shima Yoshitake. It is served after being cooked on both sides on a hotplate, so you can eat it while it’s piping hot. You can also enjoy it together with a free cup of roasted green tea.
¥100
Maruyama Park / Hokkaido Shrine
After taking a break you can pay a visit to Hokkaido Shrine. On your way home, head for the neighboring Mt Maruyama (225m above sea level) as you stroll through Maruyama Park. If you take a walk through the primeval forest, which is designated as a natural monument, you can reach the summit in about 30 minutes. The gentle slope is easy even for beginners. Please enjoy the view overlooking Sapporo city.
¥0
Chitosetsuru Sake Museum
Rehydrate after your mountain climb at the Chitosetsuru Sake Museum. You can get a free drink of the Toyohira River subsoil water that is used to make Sapporo’s locally brewed “Chitosetsuru” sake. Sake lees soft-serve ice cream (¥300. Off-budget) is also available. This is the place for souvenirs for Sake lovers!
¥0
Sapporo Odori 500m Underground Walkaway Gallery
On your way home, head towards the city center while enjoying the art in the 500m art gallery in the concourse which links the Bus Center-mae and Odori subway stations. Numerous artists contribute to the exhibits, which change every three months, and they are well worth seeing.
¥0
A date course where you can enjoy Sapporo’s natural environment, beer, Olympic history and night views, while saving money. You will use a one-day card for subway only.
Sapporo Station
| Purchase a one-day card for subway only | ¥830 |
| You can purchase lunch within a budget of | ¥540 |
Moerenuma Park
In summer there is the sea fountain and in winter there is sledding on Mount Moerenuma (rental fee ¥200. Off-budget), making it a fun, popular date spot. After you have had your fun, it’s time for lunch at your favorite place in the park. During the cold season, use a bench inside the glass pyramid.
¥0
Sapporo Beer Museum
Japan’s only beer museum must be on any Sapporo sightseeing list. After a tour, enjoy some draft beer tasting. You can try the long-selling “Black Label”, the Hokkaido-only “Classic” or the “Kaitakushi (Pioneer) Beer” which recreates the original taste of the time the brewery was founded, plus snacks for ¥200. Comparison of the taste of 3 types (¥500. Off-budget) is also popular. You should also try the Black Beer Ice (¥300. Off-budget). It is also a good place for a souvenir.
¥200
Hokkaido Makomanai Park
The park’s stadium and ice arena were the main venues for the 1972 Sapporo Olympic Winter Games. You can see the monument “Dancing in the Snow Flora” by leading Hokkaido sculptor Shin Hongo and the Olympic flame cauldron in the stadium designed by Sori Yanagi, free of charge. On the third floor of the ice arena there is an exhibition corner with posters, staff uniforms, and medals from the time of the Olympics, which can be viewed on days when it is open to the public (admission fee ¥160).
¥160
Rokka Library
In the Rokkatei library, which has a selection of around 8000 food-related books, why not enjoy a coffee (¥300. With Marusei caramel) while reading? Inside, there is the “Rokka File” shelf with boxes, each containing the works of a particular artist.
¥300
Subway Makomanai Station
If you are feeling a little hungry, get a fried round flour cake (¥50) from the shop “Pia Herb” inside the Makomanai subway station. Have a taste of old-fashioned confectionery, with bean jam and cream wrapped in flour pastry.
* 9:00–18:00. Closed Sundays
¥50
Stand-up soba stall
The stand-up soba stalls at JR stations and bus terminals are the Japanese version of fast food. This time we will choose “Hinode Soba”, directly connected to Odori subway station, where you can eat a quick soba in soup for just ¥290.
* Directly connected to the Subway Namboku Line “Odori” Station Exit 10; Hinode Building B2F. 7:00–21:15. Open 7 days a week
¥290
“Monthly Short Films” – regular free screenings from the Sapporo International Short Film Festival
Free screenings of films screened at past film festivals. Take the opportunity to see some short films from all over the world.
* Only on the second Thursday of each month. * Starts 18:30 (running time about 90 minutes). Click here for details.
¥0
Asahiyama Memorial Park
Finally, bring your budget date to a close with a romantic Sapporo night view. Asahiyama Memorial Park is a popular date spot with a 137.5m high observation deck from which you can enjoy the night view free of charge. The fountain is also lit up so you can enjoy a fantastic spectacle.
* Light-up is until 20:00.
¥0
* Rates listed are current as of May 2015.
See here for information on the subway Transport information “Subway”
