Sports travel in Sapporo—Jogging and yoga edition.

Sapporo is a great place to enjoy sports.

The city’s nature-rich parks and the Toyohira Riverbank are popular centrally-located places where Sapporoites enjoy jogging and yoga. Here we’ll take a look at some of the recommended spots and events for enjoying both sightseeing and sports in Sapporo. Put on your favorite workout clothes and join us for sports travel in Sapporo that lets you get involved with your whole body. Sapporo is a great place to enjoy sports. The city’s nature-rich parks and the Toyohira Riverbank are popular centrally-located places where Sapporoites enjoy jogging and yoga. Here we’ll take a look at some of the recommended spots and events for enjoying both sightseeing and sports in Sapporo. Put on your favorite workout clothes and join us for sports travel in Sapporo that lets you get involved with your whole body.

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Exhilarating jogging trips that guide you through the middle of the city, yet are full of nature and nearly free of traffic lights!

Toyohira Riverbank and Nakajima Park

If you are staying in Susukino, head over to the nearby Nakajima Park and Toyohira Riverbank, which has a paved cycling path. The Toyohira Riverbank is a part of the course used in the Sapporo Marathon, the largest civic half marathon event in Northern Japan. The riverbank path is connected all the way to the start and finishing point of the course in Makomanai Park, making it a great spot recommended for long-distance jogging. See here course map.

Odori Park—Hokkaido University

If you are staying in the Odori area or in the vicinity of Sapporo Station, we recommend the course that starts in Odori Park, passes through the Former Hokkaido Government Office Building (Red Brick Office), and ends at Hokkaido University for a stroll through and around its campus. This area comprises part of the course for the Hokkaido Marathon, a full marathon event for which Hokkaido is known. Take in signature Hokkaido views, such as cattle grazing on pastureland, during your jog in the middle of the city. See here course map.

Night Run, a social occasion for those who love jogging

Sapporo Sports House holds the night run event four times a week at their three store locations within Sapporo city. The events are staffed with running coaches, an aspect that attracts participants looking to train before an official event. Sapporo Sports House’s flagship store and Maruyama Class store also rent out winter shoes (¥100/rental), and are recommended for those who’d like to try jogging in the winter.

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Enjoy morning yoga in a nature-rich park, or at a studio with early morning lessons!

Maruyama Park, Nakajima Park, Toyohira Riverbank

Maruyama Park, which is adjacent to Hokkaido Shrine, as well as Nakajima Parknext to Susukino, are recommended spots for outdoor yoga. The Toyohira Riverbank is another popular location among Sapporoites for various sports. Bring your portable fold-up yoga mat to your favorite spot and delve into your morning yoga. Soak up the energy of the earth amidst the fresh air of early morning. Then, enjoy a delicious breakfast at one of the favorite local eats frequented by Sapporoites.

Yoga Shala Sapporo—Sapporo’s yoga studio

The studio is located 3 minutes on foot from the Odori Station subway. The early morning class starts at 6:30, while each class comes with a free mat rental, making it popular also among visitors to the city. The studio offers classes in English, which is a plus for visitors from other countries. Feel free to drop by and ask about yoga events in Sapporo.