Travel tips · Sapporo · Japan
Sapporo travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Nryate, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Sapporo is young by Japanese standards: it was planned in the 1870s by the Meiji government, with American advisers, as the capital of the newly colonised Hokkaido. Before that the island was the homeland of the Indigenous Ainu people, whose culture is recognised in Japanese law and presented in museums around the region. The result is a wide-streeted, practical city where winter sports and snow are part of everyday life.
Key facts
- Language
- Japanese
- Currency
- JPY
- Plugs
- Type A and B sockets, 100 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink throughout the city.
- Emergency
- 110 (police), 119 (fire and ambulance)
Things to know
- Queue in line on station platforms and stand to the side of escalators as locals do.
- Take off shoes when entering ryokan rooms, some restaurants with tatami seating and temple halls.
- Wash thoroughly before entering an onsen bath, and keep towels out of the water.
- Eating while walking is frowned on in many places; finish food at the stall or bench.
- Keep phone calls and loud conversation off the subway and buses.
- Hotel prices can triple during the Snow Festival; staying in Susukino or Nakajima Park, or arriving after it ends, saves a lot.
Tipping
Tipping is not practised in Japan and can cause confusion. Some hotels and ryokan add a service charge, and higher-end restaurants may add a percentage to the bill.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Konnichiwa | Hello |
| Arigatō gozaimasu | Thank you very much |
| Sumimasen | Excuse me / sorry |
| Kore o kudasai | This one, please |
| Okaikei onegaishimasu | The bill, please |
| Oishii | Delicious |
What to wear
In winter, bring proper boots with grip, a warm coat, hat and gloves; removable shoe spikes are sold in convenience stores. Dress in layers, as buildings and trains are heated.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type A and B sockets, 100 V, 50 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is safe to drink throughout the city.
- Emergency number
- 110 (police), 119 (fire and ambulance)
- Phone and internet
- Free Wi-Fi is available in many stations, malls and the underground walkways; SIM cards, eSIMs and pocket Wi-Fi are sold at New Chitose Airport.
- Time zone
- Asia/Tokyo
Sapporo has low crime. The main hazards are winter ice and snow falling from roofs, so wear shoes with grip and watch for signs warning of roof snow. Bears occasionally appear in forested hills on the city's edge; check local warnings before hiking.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Japan's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Sapporo?
Tipping is not practised in Japan and can cause confusion. Some hotels and ryokan add a service charge, and higher-end restaurants may add a percentage to the bill.
+Can you drink the tap water in Sapporo?
Tap water is safe to drink throughout the city.
+What plugs are used in Sapporo?
Type A and B sockets, 100 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in Sapporo?
Japanese.