Hokkaido is one of the most popular Japanese tourist destinations, attracting eager sightseers from all corners of the world. The first two stops on most people’s itineraries are usually of course Sapporo and Otaru, thanks to their easy accessibility and abundance of tourist attractions. Both Sapporo and Otaru are located in the central ‘Douou’ region of Hokkaido. Sapporo is the prefectural capital and the largest city on the island, whereas Otaru is a whimsical port city facing the Sea of Japan and Ishikari Bay. Otaru is easily accessible from Sapporo by ‘Kaisoku Airport’ rapid train, which takes just 30 minutes. Use this article to enjoy the must-see sights in these two amazing cities over the span of one night and two days!
In addition, JCB members can enjoy exclusive benefits and discounts at some of the facilities and stores mentioned, so grab your JCB card and enjoy all that majestic Hokkaido has to offer!
Recommended Sightseeing Spots in Sapporo
Odori Park
Located in the center of Sapporo, Odori Park is a lush green park that covers a 1.5-kilometer stretch. This urban oasis boasts approximately 4,700 lilac, zelkova, and other beautiful tree varieties centered around a lavish lawn and flowerbeds. This huge park is not only a place for citizens to relax, but also the setting for various exciting seasonal events and festivals. Whether it’s the lively Sapporo Lilac Festival in spring, the grand Sapporo Summer Festival in summer, the gourmet-food-filled Sapporo Autumn Fest in fall, or the romantic Sapporo Snow Festival and illuminations in winter, there is always something going on in this scenic park.
Odori Park
- Address: Odori Nishi 1-12, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi
- Access: A short walk from Odori Station (Subway-Tozai Line, Nanboku Line, Toho Line)
Sapporo TV Tower
Built in 1956 as a radio tower, the grand Sapporo TV Tower is located at the eastern end of Odori Park, greeting strolling park-goers with its iconic red and white spire. The tower observation deck stands 90 meters above the ground, offering panoramic views of both the park and the surrounding natural beauty of Hokkaido's four seasons, including Mount Okura, Toyohira River, and the Ishikari Plain. During special events such as the Sapporo Snow Festival in winter, the observation deck makes for the perfect place to avoid the crowds and enjoy the atmosphere of the event from above. The views after sunset are also incredible; the nightscape of Sapporo was selected as one of the ‘New Three Great Nightscapes of Japan’, making it a photogenic location ideal for date night.
There are many other notable attractions at the observation deck, including a gift store with cute ‘TV Dad’ tower mascot goods and limited-edition red seals. The store also sells famous Hokkaido souvenirs and exclusive goods only available at the Sapporo TV Tower, so even if you can’t visit many tourist spots in Hokkaido, you can still pick up the essentials here.
Special Benefits for JCB Members
Present the JSO page and pay with a JCB card issued overseas to receive a free postcard for each ticket purchased.
Sapporo TV Tower
- Address: Odori Nishi 1-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi
- Hours: 9:00am - 10:00pm (last admission for observation 9:50pm)
- Observation deck fee: Adults (age 16 and over): 1,000 yen; Children (age 12 and over): 500 yen
- Access: Sapporo Municipal Subway Odori Station, Exit 27
- Official website: https://www.tv-tower.co.jp/
Shiroi Koibito Park
Shiroi Koibito Park not only offers limited-edition versions of Sapporo's signature confectionary, ‘Shiroi Koibito’ - visitors can also enjoy exclusive cuisine, observe the manufacturing process at the factory, and even make handmade souvenirs. This adorable theme park features English-style architecture and gardens, and is filled with classic English charm. A mechanical clock tower welcomes visitors at the park's entrance, leading towards a romantic rose garden and a ‘Tudor House’ modeled after the ancient English city of Chester. Inside the park, the smell of sweet confectionary and chocolates fills the air, creating a real fairytale atmosphere!
In the free area Rose Garden, 200 roses bloom during summertime, and illuminations carpet the grounds during winter, when other festive events are held. Relax by taking pretty pictures or enjoy a tasty snack, such as creamy Shiroi Koibito ice cream. If you get hungry, you can indulge in an original curry at Curry Restaurant Entrepot, or taste decadent Shiroi Koibito parfait and pancakes at Chocolate Lounge Oxford in the paid area.
A visit to the paid area is recommended, especially for those with a sweet tooth. Here, visitors can learn about chocolate and see the production process of ‘Shiroi Koibito’ up close during a fascinating factory tour. In addition, visitors can decorate or make cookies from scratch at the cooking workshop. Regardless of whether you visit with friends, a partner, or family, you will surely create wonderful memories.
The souvenir corner ‘Shop Piccadilly’ offers a wide variety of Shiroi Koibito biscuits, as well as exclusive limited-edition products. Don’t forget to stop by on your way home!
Special Benefits for JCB members
Show the JSO page at the time of payment at Chocolate Lounge Oxford and Curry Restaurant Entrepot in Shiroi Koibito Park, and receive a 20% discount when paying with a JCB card issued overseas.
Shiroi Koibito Park
- Address : 2-2-11-36 Miyanosawa, Nishi-ku, Sapporo-shi
- Hours: 10:00am - 6:00pm (last admission at 4:30pm in paid area)
※Chocolate Lounge Oxford: 10:00am - 5:30pm (last order 5:00pm)
※Curry Restaurant Entrepot: 11:00am - 3:00pm (last order 2:30pm) - Admission fee for paid area: Adults (age 16 and over): 800 yen, Children (age 4 - 16): 400 yen, Infants (under 3 years old): Free
- Access: 7-minute walk from Miyanosawa Subway Station
- Official website: https://www.shiroikoibitopark.jp/en/
Recommended Sightseeing Spots in Otaru
Otaru Canal
Otaru City first developed as a foreign trade port during the late 19th century and early 20th century, and remains full of unique nostalgic charm to this day. Plenty of hundred-year-old stone architecture still lines the city streets and the famed 1,140-meter-long Otaru Canal – the most iconic tourist attraction in the city. Historic stone warehouses embellish both banks of this striking waterway, which, combined with the blue sky and white clouds reflected on the water create a wonderfully relaxing ambience. A boat ride along the canal or a stroll along the cobblestone walkway are particularly recommended. At night, the warm orange glow of the gas lamps adds to the romantic atmosphere and allows visitors to fully enjoy Otaru's unique character. Otaru's proximity to the sea means that there is no shortage of restaurants serving delicious fresh seafood and sushi, so enjoy all the succulent seafood you can before returning to Sapporo!
Otaru Canal
- Address: Otaru Canal, 5 Minatomachi, Otaru-shi
- Access: 10-minute walk from JR Otaru Station
Otaru Art Base
While there are many historic buildings remaining in Otaru City, Otaru Art Base combines Otaru's historically significant architecture and art by revitalizing buildings from the early 20th century as art museums. From the lavish exteriors to the international works of art inside, this venture is the perfect way for art lovers to experience more of what this city has to offer.
Each of the four museums exhibit different works of art. For example, the Nitori Museum of Art, formerly the Otaru branch of the Hokkaido Takushoku Bank, exhibits Japanese and Western paintings and valuable wood carvings. On the other hand, the Seiyo Museum, housed in a former Naniwa warehouse, exhibits glassware, lamps, and antique furniture from the late 19th and 20th centuries. Not only can visitors appreciate the many valuable collections, but the exterior of the museum also offers a glimpse of Otaru's former prosperity.
For those interested in history, a visit to the National Important Cultural Property, 'Former Mitsui Bank Otaru Branch' is a must. The interior of the building still retains its original appearance, with a massive vault, a cleverly designed vault corridor, and real meeting rooms that tell the history of Otaru, which once flourished as the most profitable financial district in northern Japan.
In addition, the ‘Stained Glass Museum’, which utilizes the former Takahashi Warehouse, exhibits stained glass windows that were actually used in English churches in the 19th and 20th centuries. These stunning works have fascinating historical and religious backgrounds, such as ‘The Last Supper’, ‘The Sower’, and ‘God and the Glory of Great Britain’. Their delicate, yet vivid colors are sure to impress any visitor.
Special Benefits for JCB members
Benefit ①【Seiyo Museum only】Receive a free Otaru Art Base original coffee blend when you make a purchase of 3,000 yen (including tax) or more at the museum store, present the JSO and pay with a JCB card issued overseas.
- Campaign details：https://www.specialoffers.jcb/en/campaign/detail/thoh_house_of_western_art_museum_shop/81029/
Benefit ②【All museums】Purchase tickets for all four museums and receive a 20% discount off the total admission fee when you pay with a JCB card issued overseas and present the campaign webpage.
*The two offers can be combined.
Otaru Art Base
- Address: 1-3-1 Ironai, Otaru-shi, Hokkaido
- Hours: [May - October] 9:30am - 5:00pm, [November - April] 10:00am - 5:00pm
*Admission until 30 minutes before closing.
*Subject to change. Please check the website for the latest information. - Please check the respective websites for each facility’s admission fees.
- Access: 10-minute walk from JR Otaru Station.
- Official website: https://www.nitorihd.co.jp/otaru-art-base/en/former-mitsui-bank/
Otaru Orgel Doh Main Hall
Visitors on the lookout for an amazing souvenir in Otaru, why not indulge in a music box from 'Otaru Orgel Doh’? This classic brand has stores throughout Otaru and other areas, but a visit to the main building is a great way to incorporate a fun sightseeing experience with some retail therapy. The main building was built in 1915 as the headquarters of ‘Kyosei Rice’, and has since been designated as a historical building by Otaru City.
Orgel Doh is one of the largest music box specialty stores in Japan, offering a staggering 38,000 music boxes of approximately 3,200 types. The sheer scale of their catalog is beyond imagination, from wooden hand-cranked music boxes to picture frame music boxes that make great gifts, and even a cute sushi-shaped music box unique to Otaru. Take your time to look around and you are guaranteed to find something you like.
Nearby is the ‘Otaru Orgel Doh Hall Number 2 Antique Museum’, which hosts exhibits and concerts centering around antique music boxes, as well as ‘Otaru Orgel Doh Sakaimachi’, where visitors can tour the workshop of the original brand ‘OTARU MUSIC’.
Special Benefits for JCB Members
Make a purchase of 3,000 yen (including tax) or more at Otaru Orgel Doh* with a JCB card issued overseas to receive an original Orgel Doh bookmark as a gift.
*Special benefits only available at ‘Otaru Orgel Doh Main Hall’, ‘Otaru Orgel Doh Hall Number 2 Antique Museum’, and ‘Otaru Orgel Doh Sakaimachi’.
Otaru Orgel Doh Main Hall
- Address: 4-1 Sumiyoshi-cho, Otaru-shi
- Hours: 9:00am - 6:00pm
- Access: 7-minute walk from JR Minami-Otaru Station
- Official website：https://www.otaru-orgel.co.jp/en
Comments