I will show you 2-day trip plan of Sapporo and Otaru. But this trip plan consists of Sapporo day trip plan and Otaru day trip plan from Sapporo. You may use one of these two days.
This 2-day trip plan covers these following highlights in Sapporo and Otaru:
☑Odori Park
☑Clock Tower
☑Former Hokkaido Government Office
☑Shiroi Koibito Park
☑Hokkaido Jingu Shrine
☑Nijo Market
☑Moiwayama (Mt. Moiwa)
☑Kitakaro
☑Otaru Canal
☑Kitaichi Glass
☑Funamizaka
☑Sankaku Market
☑Sakaimachi Street
☑Orgel Doh
If you use JR Pass or Hokkaido Rail Pass, you may use it for the round trip to Otaru. But the one way fare for Otaru is 750 yen. In Sapporo, you will make the trips by a tram, a subway and a bus. But these are not covered by both JR Pass and Hokkaido Rail Pass. These pass are not essential for this 2-day trip.
Overview
You will spend one day each in Sapporo and Otaru. You will make a day trip to Otaru from Sapporo on day 2. Of course you can switch, Otaru on day 1 and Sapporo on day 2.
Day 1, Sapporo city sightseeing
I picked up major attractions which you can access by a public transportation.
Itinerary
| Time | Place and transporation |
|---|---|
| 09:00 | Sapporo station |
| | (Sapporo subway Nanboku line) |
| 09:01 / 09:03 | Odori station |
| | (Sapporo subway Tozai line) |
| 09:20 | Miyanosawa station |
| | (Walk) |
| 09:30 / 11:30 | Shiroi Koibito Park (Chocolate Factory) |
| | (Walk) |
| 11:40 | Miyanozawa station |
| | (Sapporo subway Tozai line) |
| 11:50 | Maruyamakoen station |
| | (Walk) |
| 12:05 / 12:30 | Hokkaido Jingu shrine |
| (walk) | |
| 12:45 | Maruyamakoen station |
| (Sapporo subway Tozai line) | |
| 12:55 | Odori station |
| All following places within the walking distance Nijo Market (recommended for lunch) Kaitakaro (coffee break) Odori Park The Clock Tower Former Hokkaido Government Office Hokkaido Univercity Botanical Garden | |
| 17:00 | Nishi Yonchome tram stop |
| (Sapporo tram inner loop) | |
| 17:22 / 17:30 | Ropeway Iriguchi tram stop |
| (Free shuttle bus) | |
| 17:35 | Moiwayama ropeway base station |
| (Gondolar and Morris cablecar) | |
| 18:00 / 19:00 | Moiwayama summit station |
| (Gondolar and Morris cablecar) | |
| 19:30 / 19:40 | Moiwayama ropeway base station |
| (Free shuttle bus) | |
| 19:45 | Ropeway Iriguchi tram stop |
| (Sapporo tram outer loop) | |
| 20:10 / 20:15 | Susukino tram stop / Susukino station |
| (Sapporo subway Nanboku line) | |
| 20:20 | Sapporo station |
Highlight
Shiroi Koibito Park
Shiroi Koibito is very popular european style cookie which is sold by Ishiya Co. Ltd. It is one of most popular souvenir item. Actually it is sold in Tokyo too.
Shiroi Koibito Park is located at the place of the head office of Ishiya Co. Ltd and the factory. You can watch the factory and many more attractions.
Hokkaido Jingu shrine
Hokkaido Jingu shrine is the biggest and most historical shrine in Hokkaido.
Odori Park and the clock tower
The area of Odori Park is the center of Sapporo city. Nijo Market and the clock tower are located nearby.
Former Hokkaido Government Office and Hokkaido University botanical garden
Former office and the garden are located just step away from Odori Park and these are closed to the JR Sapporo station.
Moiwayama (Mt. Moiwa)
You can go up to the summit of Moiwayama. The view is stunning as you see the photo above. There is a restaurant. You can have a dinner there or eat before/after visiting the mountain.
Sapporo Snow Festival
It is one most famous winter festivals in the world. If you visit Sapporo in early February, you can watch this event. Many events and exhibitions are held throughout the city. You will spend whole day if you want to see this festival.
Day 2, Sapporo – Otaru – Sapporo
On the second day, leave Sapporo for Otaru. You will spend all day to visit the places in Otaru
Itinerary
| Time | Place and transporation |
|---|---|
| 09:12 | Sapporo station |
| | (Rapid train “Rapid Airport”) |
| 09:44 | Otaru station |
| | (Walk) |
| 10:00 / 10:15 | Funamizaka |
| | (Walk) |
| 10:25 / 10:45 | Ryugu Shrine |
| | (Walk) |
| 11:00 | Sankaku Ichiba Market (early lunch) |
| | (Walk) |
| 12:30 / 14:30 | Otaru Canal area |
| | (Walk) |
| 14:40 / 15:10 | Orgel Doh |
| (Walk) | |
| 15:15 / 16:30 | Sakaimachi streeet, Kitaichi Glass and Kitaichi Hall cafe |
| (Walk) | |
| 16:45 / 17:03 | Minami-Otaru station |
| (Rapid train “Rapid Airport”) | |
| 17:32 | Sapporo station |
You can go back to the Otaru Canal to see the night view of the canalafter visiting Kitaichi Glass. There are lots of restaurants around the canal. You can take a dinner there too.
Highlight
Sankaku Market
Sankaku Market is very small market. It is located near the JR Otaru station. This is a nice place to eat a fresh seafood at the affordable price.
Otaru Canal
It is most popular site in Otaru. There are many heritage buildings nearby. I strongly recommend you to come back the canal in the evening. The nightview is much more fabulous.
Orgel Doh (Music Box museum)
The orgel is a small music box. There are some many boxes displayed in this store. It is like a museum.
Kitaichi Glass and Sakaimachi street
Kitaichi Glass is one of the oldest companies in Otaru. This is most famous glass manufacturer and supplier in Hokkaido. There are many stores in Otaru and one of store has a cafe. There are 167 gas lamps in the cafe.
Sakaimichi street is a historical district. The music box is located at the end of this street.
Otaru Snow Light Path Festival
This winter festival is held usually in same period as Sapporo Snow Festival in early February. You should spend your time in the evening.
Travel cost
JR Pass and Hokkaido Rail Pass cover only JR train rides between Sapporo and Otaru. You have to add other fares and admissions.
| Trip | Cost |
|---|---|
| Sapporo subway 1-day pass *If you skip Hokkaido Jingu shrine, the regular fares are cheaper. The tolta fare are 790 yen. | 830 yen |
| Sapporo tram (two rides) | 400 yen |
| Shiroi Koibito Park (Chocolate factory admission fee) *If you visit some shops in the park, it is free of charge. | 600 yen |
| Moiwayama Ropeway and Morris cablecar | 1,800 yen |
| JR rapid or local train for the round trip to Otaru from Sapporo *If you use JR Pass or Hokkaido Rail Pass, this is covered. | 1,500 yen |
| Total cost | 3,400 yen |
Summary
If you visit Hokkaido, I don’t think you skip Sapporo. And Otaru is very easy to be added as a day trip from Sapporo. This 2-day itinerary is very useful for any type of itinerary for visiting Hokkaido.
If you want to stay overnight in Otaru, you may do so. You will visit Otaru first and stay overnight in Otaru. On day 2, you can leave Otaru around 8:00 am, you can catch up with Sapporo day trip itinerary.
I hope you can enjoy this trip.
