Hokkaido – The Wknd Travel

Tuesday Tip: 7 SAPPORO Eats You Shouldn’t Miss

It’s December & it’s winter time. It only means one thing – it’s one of the best times to visit Sapporo, Japan. Random snowfalls, extremely cold temperature, longer nights & powdery snow sums up winter in this area of Japan. The Hokkaido snow season is one of the most visited season of the region. The Sapporo Snow Festival, which happens to be the biggest festival in the city, also happens every winter – normally in the 1st or 2nd week of February.

Early this year, my friend & I flew to Sapporo for 6 days to experience what it’s like in Hokkaido during winter. We went to different places & tried a lot of activities. We first walked around Sapporo for our 1st few days, then we went to the nearby port city of Otaru. We also went to Sapporo Teine Ski Resort to try skiing & Hoheikyo Onsen to try a Japanese onsen during winter. It was a trip of many firsts; it was a trip for the books. Believe it or not, Shane & I only spent less than ₱45,000 all in – including return flights from Manila & hostel accommodations. We definitely had a winter trip of a lifetime!

Aside from experiencing winter in Sapporo, we also went there for the food. Our goal was to try as many unique eats as we can. Shane, who is a certified foodie, & I kind of splurged on food during our trip. Let me share with you these 7 eats we had which you should not miss when in Sapporo.

Soup Curry

Dinner at Rojiura Curry Samurai – our first meal in Sapporo!

Soup curry is a famous dish in Sapporo. A soup curry is a curry with more soup. Quite weird, eh? Yeah. The dish is basically a curry flavored soup with little meat & different kinds of vegetables. There are a number of soup curry chains in Sapporo. The hostel staff recommended that we try Rojiura Curry Samurai. Shane & I went there for our 1st dinner in Sapporo.

I ordered vegetable soup curry & a cup of rice. The soup was tasty, thick & slightly sweet. The vegetables were fresh. It was the perfect meal for a very cold night. An order of soup curry with a bowl of rice costs a little over ¥1,000.

Jingisukan

Jingisukan is Hokkaido’s famous grilled mutton dish. This dish is basically lamb meat grilled on Mongolian helmet-shaped skillet. The lamb fat is placed in the center of the skillet pan, then slides to all the sides where the vegetables are being cooked. The meat will then be grilled / cooked once the pan is hot.

Lamb meat being grilled in a helmet-shaped skillet. Yum!

Meal comes with unlimited draft Sapporo beer only served in this restaurant.

Shane & I went to the famous Sapporo Beer Garden to have unlimited lamb barbecue & drinks. Drink selection includes a draft Sapporo Beer only served in this restaurant. Buffet cost us ¥4,212 each including taxes. For more information about the buffet & restaurant, head over to Sapporo Beer Garden’s website. It was a bit more expensive than a normal lunch meal, but it was worth the try! Everyone should try this when visiting Sapporo.

King Crab & Fresh Seafood

Look at the variety of fresh seafood available at Nijo Market.

Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost major island, is famous for its king crab & fresh seafood. Shane & I went to Nijo Market in Sapporo to have brunch. We came across a stall where the man offered us a free taste of the fresh king crab. We then bought 800 grams of Hokkaido king crab (for sharing) for ¥10,000 & had it cooked in the nearby restaurant. Yes, it was that expensive. A kilogram of Hokkaido king crab costs ¥13,000.. We also ordered chirashi sushi bowls & a bottle of soft drink to complete the meal.

Shane & I bought 800 grams of king crab legs & had it cooked in a nearby restaurant! YUUUUUM~

Shane’s meal with the king crab legs. Fresh seafood at its best in Nijo Market!

It was another ‘worth-it’ but expensive meal. The price of king crab in Sapporo is way cheaper than the price in local Japanese restaurants. This meal was one of the highlights of the trip. The crab meat was very fresh & tasty.

Miso Ramen

A visit to Japan is never complete without having ramen for at least one meal. Each area / region usually have its own ramen flavor. If Fukuoka & Kyushu are famous for their tonkotsu (pork bone broth) ramen, Hokkaido (especially Northern Hokkaido) is famous for miso ramen. The broth is based on miso paste / seasoning & then served with either pork, chicken, seafood & other add-ons.

Entry to Sapporo Ramen Republic. You’ll definitely have a hard time choosing where to eat.

There are a number of miso ramen shops around Sapporo & Hokkaido. Shane & I went to Sapporo Ramen Republic on the 10th floor of ESTA Complex. Sapporo Ramen Republic has 8 of the top ramen restaurants in Hokkaido. We chose to dine at Misono & tried their miso ramen with pork & grated ginger. The miso broth was different from the other ones I’ve tried, but still very rich in taste. That bowl of ramen cost us ¥700 – ¥800 per bowl. A local advised us there’s another ramen alley somewhere in Susukino – I’ll check that out in my next visit.

Indian Curry & Naan

One of the recommended to-do’s in Hoheikyo Onsen, aside from relaxing in the natural hot spring, is to have a meal in the on-site Indian restaurant. This restaurant is famous for their genuine Indian curry & homemade naan. Shane & I had our late lunch here & ordered their famous curry (forgot if it was pork, lamb or chicken) & naan paired with cold tea & a strawberry yogurt drink. The food was authentic, good & one-of-a-kind. Glad we stopped by the restaurant before leaving the onsen. I am very sorry I forgot how much paid for the meal.

Check out the on-site restaurant’s page for more information.

Soft-Serve Ice Cream

Soft-serve lavender ice cream on a cold winter day? No problem!

Another must-try in Sapporo is the soft-serve ice cream. Shane & I tried the ice cream even if it was below 0 & snowing. Flavors & prices vary from one shop to the other. We saw 2 unique flavors only offered in Hokkaido – Lavender & Yubari Melon. Shane went for the mixed chocolate & lavender flavor while I got the lavender only variant. Each cone cost ¥320. I’ll try the Yubari melon flavored ice cream next time!

Check out the available ice cream flavors in this random Otaru shop. Which one will you choose?

Cheese Tarts

Hokkaido is also known for its distinct, rich & tasty dairy products. These dairy products gave birth to the raved baked cheese tarts. The snack first became famous in Sapporo & then became known around Japan & now all over the world. Famous cheese tart shops include Kinotoya, BAKE, Hokkaido, & Pablo. These shops have branched out of Japan & are now present in countries like the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Australia & many more.

Shane & I bought cheese tarts from the Sapporo-born shop called Kinotoya in JR Sapporo Station. The tart shell was buttery & tasty while the cheese mousse (filling) was sweet & salty at the same time. A piece of cheese tart costs around ¥200. What I loved about this shop is there was no queue / line to buy the tart unlike other cheese tart shops in Tokyo & Sapporo. Make sure to drop by any cheese tart shop when in Sapporo. It’s the perfect snack to pair with your hot coffee or green tea.

BONUS – Royce’ Chocolates

Do you know that Sapporo-born Royce’ chocolates can be bought everywhere in the city? Yes. Royce’ chocolates are found in local stores & tourist shops around Sapporo. This phenomenon is not present in other Japan cities (Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Nagoya, etc.) where Royce’ chocolates are only sold in major airports. Prices are almost the same, if not cheaper, in Sapporo. Don’t forget to hoard Royce’ chocolates before leaving Sapporo. There’s also a big chance you’ll find limited edition flavors like the Sakuraberry variant I got last time.

This long list pretty much sums up the major eats we had in Sapporo last February. Have you tried some of them? Planning to fly to Sapporo in the future? Don’t forget to put these 7 treats in your list. You’ll surely enjoy them! Do you still have other Sapporo treats in mind? Feel free to share them in the comments below. You can also send your thoughts & comments via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com. You can also connect me via the following social media channels – Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Like & share my Facebook page too!

Thanks for joining me in today’s Tuesday Tip! See you in the next one.

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

Hokkaido Winter Series: SAPPORO TEINE RESORT & HOHEIKYO ONSEN – Recommended Day Trips From Sapporo City

After spending days around Sapporo & Otaru, my friend Shane & I decided to head out to check out 2 activities best done during Hokkaido winter – ski & relax in an onsen. Both activities can be done in nearby towns, not too far from Sapporo City. I will discuss our ski & onsen experience individually below.

Shane & I posing for a photo after our ski lesson

Just in case you missed it, I only spent less than ₱45,000 all in for this week-long Hokkaido trip. Check out this post to know more.

Ski Day at Sapporo Teine Resort

One of our agendas in flying to Hokkaido is to try to ski. Shane & I don’t know how to ski plus we haven’t tried it in our past trips. We initially planned to go to Niseko but schedule didn’t permit. We need at least 3 days & 2 nights in Niseko to fully enjoy the ski facilities there. This didn’t stop us from looking for a nearby ski resort in Sapporo. We checked out a few resorts & ended up choosing Sapporo Teine Ski Resort.

Sapporo Teine Ski Resort

Welcome to Sapporo Teine Ski Resort!

Sapporo Teine Ski Resort in Mount Teine is a medium-sized ski resort located about 30-40 minutes outside of Sapporo. This resort features a variety of ski trails from the easy ones to the Olympic advanced trails. This was the main venue of the 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics. This resort is perfect for beginners because of its wide & gently sloping slopes.

View from the Olympia House

The ski resort has 2 main areas – the Olympia Zone & the Highland Zone. The Olympia Zone is the ski place for beginners; it is also the place to use for those who want to try sledding & tubing. The resort office, restaurant & equipment rental area are also located in this area. The Highland Zone is the place for those who want to try advanced trails & runs. This zone also offers scenic views of Sapporo City & the Ishikari Bay. We spent most of our time in the Olympia Zone.

Access

We went to the resort using public transportation. From Sapporo Station, we took the JR train to Teine Station for ¥260 one way. Then we transferred to the hourly local bus to Teine Highlands for ¥390 one way. Train ride to Teine Station took us around 15-20 minutes while the bus ride to Teine Highlands took us about 30 minutes.

Beautiful day to go skiing!

Ski Lesson

Went skiing downhill during the afternoon session

Shane & I are noobs in skiing so we took the one-day ski group lesson offered by the ski resort. The whole day ski lesson cost us ¥14,000 each, that’s around ₱7,000 per person. The rate includes 1.5 hours introduction & practices in the morning & another 1.5 hour downhill ski run from the highland zone to olympia zone. It also includes 2 ski instructors who will be with you throughout the lesson plus full equipment rental (ski gears & wear, beanie, gloves & goggles) & lift pass up to the highlands zone.

The spot where we played with the knee-deep snow pile 😍

The resort also offers a half-day lesson for those who don’t have time for a whole day trip. This lesson costs ¥11,000 (roughly ₱5,500) per person. The rate includes all equipment & gear rental. We opted for the whole day lessons because it’s just ¥3,000 more than the half day lesson. Their rates are the cheapest we saw in Sapporo; it was perfect for us beginners.

Lunch

Pork cutlet curry rice for lunch!

Lunch is not included in the ski lesson fee. We were given 1 hour break in between sessions to have lunch. We had pork cutlet curry with rice in the Olympia house restaurant for around ¥1,000. The meal servings were big, but just right after a very challenging morning ski lesson.

Ski Experience

The morning lesson started in the ‘beginner school grounds’ located in front of the olympia zone. The instructors taught us the basics of skiing. These basics include walking with the gear, sliding, turning left & right, controlling the speed & stopping. They also taught us ski gear techniques like fries or straight skiing & pizza for equipment control. They also taught us proper posture & focus while skiing.

With our instructors! Tiring but fun day learning how to ski.

The afternoon session was a lot easier because of the downhill slope. I fell a lot of times, but the whole experience was so fun. The instructors even let us experience lying down or falling & walking in a knee-deep powder snow pile. It was an expensive & very tiring lesson, but it was super worth it. Shane & I loved our first ski experience up to the point we want to fly back to Japan to try skiing in Niseko & Hakuba Alps.

View from the Olympia House; while waiting for our bus to the lesson area

Applying for a Japan tourist visa in the future? I got you covered. Check out these 4 steps on how you can get you tourist visa with no hassle.

Hoheikyo Onsen in Winter

Shane & I purposely placed our onsen day after our ski day. Our body muscles needed to rest after that tiring ski day. We decided to go to Yawaragi-no-Sato Hoheikyo Onsen or commonly known as just Hoheikyo Onsen to relax & also to experience onsen during winter.

Hoheikyo Onsen

The door to Hoheikyo Onsen

Hoheikyo Onsen is a popular traditional hot spring facility about an hour away by land from Sapporo City. It is located farther than the other famous town, Jozankei Onsen, which features indoor onsens & hotel / accommodation options. Hoheikyo Onsen features 1 outdoor bath & 3 indoor baths, with the outdoor bath being used alternately by men & women. Lucky me, the men were the ones using the outdoor bath when we visited. Men & women had their respective baths – not mixed of course.

Beautiful day outside Hoheikyo Onsen – the snow fell all day!

Access

That One Day Hot Spring Package was worth it!

Hoheikyo Onsen can be reached by an hourly public bus from Sapporo Station Bus Terminal. The trip takes about an hour & drops by a few bus stops in Jozankei. Shane & I took the public bus to & from Hoheikyo Onsen.
One way fare that time costs ¥640. Shane & I took advantage of the one day hot spring package offered by tourism association. It cost us ¥1,800 yen for a return bus ticket plus onsen entrance fee. Such a great deal; it saved us a few hundred yens.

Check out this link for the updated bus schedules & fares.

Onsen Fee

The door to the men’s onsen – phones are not allowed inside the spa area

Onsen fee costs ¥1,000 per person. That includes the small towel you use while inside the hot spring. You can also rent big towels for a few hundred yens. Our onsen fee is already included in the one day hot spring package we bought in the bus terminal.

Onsen Shokudo (Indian Restaurant)

Solid Indian food for late lunch 😋

Hoheikyo Onsen houses a famous Indian Restaurant. Shane read a lot of good reviews about this restaurant so we gave it a try. Shane & I shared in one order of curry & nann. The food was good & was reasonably priced, considering the location.

Click here for the updated food price list.

Winter Onsen Experience

Our winter onsen experience was very distinct & relaxing. It may be awkward at first to walk around naked but it was alright since I don’t know anyone else inside the onsen. I was lucky I was able to experience the outdoor bath. It was so relaxing to be in the outdoor onsen while the snow is falling. There isn’t much to do inside but to sit down, relax & think about things. This winter onsen experience was a perfect downtime after a few restless days in Sapporo. I look forward to visiting Hoheikyo Onsen when I fly back to Sapporo.

Thick piles of snow outside the onsen building

Looking for a place to stay in Sapporo? Check out The Stay Sapporo Guesthouse! Shane & I stayed in this property during this trip. Make sure to click this link to know more about our experience in The Stay Sapporo. This is a well-recommended accommodation in the city!

Amazing view of Hoheikyo Onsen building!

It is with a sad note that I am ending the Hokkaido Winter Series with this post. Thank you very much for joining us in our Sapporo & Otaru adventures. Also, thank you for reading my hostel of the day feature for The Stay Sapporo & my trip summary showing how I spent less than ₱45,000 all in for this trip. I may not have a definite date when I’ll be back in Japan but I hope to sort the next trip soon.

Random photo I took while on the bus back to Sapporo. Stunning details!

Have you tried skiing in Hokkaido or anywhere in the world? How was your experience? Have you been in an onsen? Was your experience memorable? Feel free to share your past experiences in the comments below. I am also looking for other places in Japan to discover. I’m done with the usual touristic route, I want to explore more of the traditional & regional places. Please send me an email to contact@thewkndtravel.com for suggestions. Feel free to also contact me via Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Thank you for reading & I hope you enjoyed this Hokkaido Winter Series. See you in the next country or next island. ✌️

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

Hokkaido Winter Series: OTARU – An Afternoon In The Nearby Historical Harbor City

Over the last few weeks, I shared some details about our Sapporo trip last February. I explained to you how Shane & I managed to spend less than ₱45,000 each all in for a 7-day winter trip to Hokkaido, I also took you to the beautiful places to visit around Sapporo & I even shared to you some details about The Stay Sapporo – the hostel / guesthouse where we stayed in Sapporo. The Hokkaido Winter Series continues today! This time, I will take you to Otaru. Shane & I went there for an afternoon side trip right after having a king crab lunch at Nijo Market.

The iconic Otaru Canal – the buildings & their reflections in the water 😍

Know More About Otaru

Took this from the moving JR train – Ishikari Bay, Japan

Otaru is a port city located northwest of Sapporo facing Ishikari Bay. This city served as a fishing port & a major trading hub in the early days of Hokkaido colonization. This city has a number of notable attractions – a beautiful & famous canal, heritage buildings & warehouses & preserved mansions. Shane & I spent one whole afternoon in Otaru. Given the limited time, we were able to visit a number of interesting places plus experienced a long period of strong snowfall.

View from Minami-Otaru Station – the city is covered with snow! ❄

Otaru is 30-40 minutes away by train from Sapporo Station – 30 minutes by rapid train & 45 minutes by local train. Train fare costs as low as ¥640 per way. Super affordable! If you are travelling by car, Otaru is about 30 kilometers away & takes about 20-30 minutes via highway.

Some inches of snow along the streets of Otaru! ❄

Getting Around Otaru

Exploring Otaru is very easy. Majority of the attractions can be reached by foot from Otaru Station (or Minami-Otaru Station). Just like any other Japanese city, Otaru also has a tourist bus network that runs every 30 minutes to an hour. A day pass costs ¥750 while a one-time ride costs ¥220.

Walking – the best way to explore Otaru 🚶

What We Did In Otaru

Shane & I explored the city by foot. We started our journey in Minami-Otaru Station, walked along the Sakaimachi Street, then to the iconic Otaru Canal then back to Otaru Station. We also dropped by a few interesting places along the way. Please note that we skipped the museums, temples & mansions in this trip.

Walked Along Sakaimachi Street

Sakaimachi Street covered with snow

Upon arrival in Minami-Otaru Station, we walked to the other end of Sakaimachi Street. This street is the historiacal merchant street of Otaru. In the early days, this street served as the commercial base of trading & shipping companies. Almost all the ancient buildings have now been converted to museums, shops & restaurants.

Totally forgot what these are – super good freebie. Got these from one of the glass workshops & sake / whiskey shops. in Sakaimachi Street 👍

Otaru is also known as the center of glass production in Hokkaido; production started as early as the 1900s. A number of glass workshops are still present in Sakaimachi Street. The products displayed in these workshops are very beautiful but expensive!

More of Sakaimachi Street – it’s snowing! ❄

Ate Lavender Ice Cream

Lavender ice cream.. Yum! 😋

Lavender ice cream is a must-try when in Hokkaido. This flavor is very rare to find when in other parts of Japan. Shane & I stopped by a random ice cream shop in the end of Sakaimachi Street to buy this ice cream. A cone costs ¥320 – that’s half the price of the fair to Otaru. I enjoyed the ice cream & the lavender flavor even if the temperature was -3 degrees Celsius.

If you don’t fancy the lavender flavor, there are other ones to choose from! 🍦

Visited LeTAO stores

LeTAO’s main store located at the end of Sakaimachi Street

Otaru is the birthplace of the famous Japanese confectionery shop LeTAO. The store started in Otaru in 1998 & since then, it has been famous around the world for its Double Fromage Cheesecake. LeTAO has around 3-4 shops along Sakaimachi Street. All these shops offer free samples of their products. We tried few samples & we loved all of them. The cookies were super good.

Hoarded Royce Chocolates

It is only in Otaru where you can find Royce Chocolates in ordinary stores. Yes, they’re practically everywhere in the city. In other cities like Tokyo, Osaka & Nagoya, Royce Chocolates can only be bought in airports, specialty & pop-up stores.

Outside the shop where we bought Royce Chocolates. Beautiful place! 😍

Shane & I bought many Royce Chocolates in a random shop along Sakaimachi Street. We even got a sakuraberry-flavored chocolate bar. The prices of these chocolates in Otaru are the same in that of the airport shops. Interesting, eh?

Explored Otaru Canal

Otaru Canal in the afternoon

The highlight of our Otaru side trip is the Otaru Canal. This iconic canal was once the unloading area of goods & products (through smaller boats / ships) from large vessels that can’t go near the port. This goods transportation method eventually became obsolete when facilities became modern. Since then, the canal has been preserved into a tourist attraction. The warehouse & buildings along the canal are now restaurants, cafes & museums.

Otaru Canal at night. Look at the reflection in the water – stunning! 😍

Every February, the city celebrates the Otaru Snow Light Path Festival. For 10 days, the city is decorated with light paths & small statues. The locals take part in this festival by putting out lanterns in their respective shops & residences. The festival happens almost the same time as the Sapporo Snow Festival to give the visitors the chance to enjoy both festivals.

Otaru Snow Light Path Festival – look at those floating lights in the water 😍

PS. Planning to apply for a Japan tourist visa soon? Know more how I managed to get approved twice – one single entry visa & one multiple visa – by clicking this link.

Experienced a strong & long period of snowfall in Otaru – what an experience!

Shane & I also passed by Otaru’s shopping street – Miyakodori Shopping Street – but almost all shops are closed. There are a lot more interesting places which we missed in Otaru. These places include the Yoichi Distillery (a famous distillery in a nearby town), the old but preserved Herring Mansion overlooking the Ishikari Bay, the Otaru Market, the different museums & parks. We didn’t have enough time; it was also snowing most of the time. If by any chance you’ll go to Otaru in the future, please allot at least one whole day here to explore as many places as you can. Also, go here hungry!

Random stream in Otaru – fully covered with snow plus some playing ducks! 🦆

I’d love to go back to Otaru, or Hokkaido in general, during summer. I’m sure Sapporo, Otaru & all other places look very different without the snow. I hope that happens really soon.

Have you been to Otaru in the past? How’s the city during spring, summer or autumn? Share your thoughts in the comments below. You can send me a private email to contact@thewkndtravel.com or contact me via Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Arigatou gozaimasu (ありがとうございます) 🇯🇵 😃 Watch out for my next post about Sapporo Teine Ski Resort & Hoheikyo Onsen!

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

Hostel Of The Day: THE STAY SAPPORO – Budget Sapporo Accommodation With Top-Notch Amenities

Last week, I brought you to one of Mad Monkey Hostels Group‘s newest hostel in Palawan, Mad Monkey Hostel Nacpan Beach in El Nido. I’d like to thank everyone for reading the first ‘Hostel Of The Day’ article. The first article even reached the people at Mad Monkey in Nacpan & they loved it. Thank you for the warm support & feedback on the Hostel Of The Day section of this website.

Welcome to The Stay Sapporo!

Today, I will bring you to Sapporo, Japan. A few days ago, I shared to you the list of places Shane & I went to in Sapporo last February. We spent 5 full days & 5 nights in the city. We didn’t have enough time to go to all interesting places this beautiful city has. In those 5 nights, we stayed in a hostel, or the staff say, a guesthouse called The Stay Sapporo. Let me share to you our experience plus some facts about this accommodation.

Enjoyed the snow fall outside the hostel building ❄

Access

The Stay Sapporo is in Susukino, Sapporo’s entertainment district. This area is where you can find all the best night out spots, bars & clubs. You can also find all sorts of shops & restaurants, plus pachinko centers. The guesthouse is in the quiet part of the district.

Remember this view, this is what you’ll see outside the hostel door.

It can be accessed by foot, about 8 minutes walk from Susukino Station Exit 4 of the Namboku Subway Line (green line) or 10 minutes walk from Nishi 11-Chome Station Exit 2 of the Tozai Subway Line (orange line). It can also be accessed by an 8-minute walk from the Susukino Station bus stop. The 10-storey building can easily be spotted because of the big logo & signage outside the building.

PS. Planning to get your Japan tourist visa soon? Let me give you some tips how I did it. Click this link to know more.

Room Types

The Stay Sapporo caters to all types of travelers. The facility both has a private rooms & dormitory rooms. As per the website, the guesthouse has private rooms for 2 people & up to 6 people, suitable for families & friends on trip. Solo travelers can stay in their 7-bed loft type mixed dormitory room or 8-bed capsule type mixed dormitory room. Solo female travelers who are not comfortable staying in a mixed dormitory room can stay in their 8-bed female capsule type dormitory room.

Inside the 7-bed mixed dormitory – photo from The Stay Sapporo‘s website

Private double rooms cost from ¥5,000 – ¥7,400 per night. The 5 & 6-bed private rooms range from ¥9,500 – ¥22,300 per night. Dormitory beds cost ¥2,300 – ¥3,800 per night. Prices vary depending on season; particularly higher during summer, holiday & snow festival seasons. All rooms have heater, light & air conditioning. Each bed has a soft mattress, comfortable pillow & sheets. It also has access to a private reading light, electrical socket & 2 hangers.

Shane & I stayed in the 7-bed mixed dormitory room. I paid ₱6,354.54 for 5 nights, that’s after a ₱500 discount from Traveloka. I paid ₱1,271 per night – this is a normal hostel bed rate per night in Japan basing it from my previous Japan trips. This nightly rate is very affordable considering the peak winter season.

Amenities

Staying in hostels or guesthouses is very different from staying in a hotel or serviced apartment. Most of the facilities or amenities are shared with other guests. The Stay Sapporo offers the following amenities.

This is what you’ll see upon entering the hostel, beside the reception area

Free WiFi Access

WiFi access is free for all guests of The Stay Sapporo. You will be given the WiFi password upon check-in. Free WiFi is available throughout the building.

Communal Shower Areas & Toilets

Guests have access to communal shower areas & toilets. Each floor has its own shower areas & toilet. All shower areas have free shampoo & bath soap. Ladies can also use the blow dry for free. Take note that they do not provide free toiletries. Either you bring your own or you can rent / buy them from reception. Bath towel rental costs ¥200 while toiletries (not rental! haha) range from ¥100 – ¥200.

Communal Lounge Areas

3rd floor common lounge area

Guests have access to 2 common lounge areas. The main lounge area is near the reception area in the 3rd floor. This main lounge area is also the venue of some activities hosted by the guesthouse. The lounge has chairs & tables, a comfortable sofa & a flat screen cable television; it located beside the dining area & kitchen. The small lounge area is in the 10th floor. This lounge also has chairs & tables, a flat screen cable television & a tatami seating area.

Common Food Preparation & Dining Area

3rd floor communal kitchen – spacious & very clean!

The Stay Sapporo has a spacious kitchen where guests can prepare & cook their own food. The kitchen has a microwave, coffee maker, electric burner & complete kitchen set. Don’t forget to clean all the pans, plates, utensils, glasses & cups you used. It also has a chiller where people can store their food. Make sure to put a label on your own food! Beside the kitchen is the dining area. This is a place where you can talk to other guests & meet people who are also travelling.

Tables & chairs found in the 3rd floor dining area

Coin Laundry

For those who ran out of clothes & need to have the used ones washed, The Stay Sapporo got you covered. Coin laundry is available for guests who need to have their clothes washed.

Smoking Area

Smoking is prohibited inside the building. The Stay Sapporo has 2 designated smoking areas – one in the basement level & one in the 3rd floor balcony, just outside the kitchen & dining area.

Outside the hostel – what a beautiful winter morning! 😍

Pay Parking

Brought your car with you? Don’t worry, the hostel has 10 secured parking spaces in the basement level. Parking costs ¥500 per night. Make sure to check with the staff if there is a free space for your car. If the spaces are full, there is an outdoor public parking beside the building.

Luggage Storage

Guests can store their luggage for free before check-in & after check-out. They have a small luggage room just beside the reception area.

The Stay Sapporo offers a lot of amenities to its guests – probably more than what normally get in a basic accommodation. I guarantee all these areas are clean & well-maintained. In addition to this long list of amenities, The Stay Sapporo has the most welcoming & helpful staff I’ve met. They make sure to answer all questions & they greet you every time you pass by the reception area. The person in the front desk even helped us book a table in the Sapporo Beer Garden for the unlimited lamb lunch & also helped us book a taxi to Sapporo Station when we left.

Food Options

7-Eleven rice meal + 1 L apple tea (from the supermarket) + 2 cheese tarts (from Kinotoya) for breakfast! 😋

The guesthouse prepares breakfast for a fee. Sorry, I forgot how much each breakfast meal cost. Shane & I didn’t avail this option; instead we bought our food in the nearby 7-Eleven or in the supermarket every night before going back to the hostel. There is also a cafe & bar in the ground floor – this bar offers discounts & deals to the guests of The Stay Sapporo.

Honey-glazed chicken & rice plus 1 L milk tea (my favorite!!) bought from the supermarket for breakfast! 😋

Guests can also ask the staff for meal recommendations. The staff will gladly direct you to the best & authentic ones in the area. They will even give you discount / promotion coupons to these restaurants.

Activities

The Stay Sapporo organizes events or activities to encourage participation & dialogue between guests. These activities range sake nights, bar hopping to random chit-chat sessions. Too bad there was no even during our stay! I would love to join one; maybe in my next stay with them. All events are in their Facebook page so make sure to check the page before your stay.

❄ Beautiful night in Susukino! ❄

The Stay Sapporo is the perfect accommodation for someone travelling on budget. You get the best amenities for such an affordable price. I suggest all my readers to stay in this hostel in your next Sapporo trip. I look forward to staying in this hostel again in the future. If you have any questions, feel free to contact them in details below.

The Stay Sapporo
Address: 1008-10 West 9 South 5, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
Phone Number: +81 011 252 7401
Fax Number: +81 011 252 7402
Email Address: stay.1@thestaysapporo.com
Website: www.thestaysapporo.com/en
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/thestaysapporo

Snowy The Stay Sapporo entry area – well-recommended place to stay!

Are you planning to go to Sapporo soon? Well you should. Plan early so that it won’t hurt your pockets that much. Did you know that my friend & I went there & tried almost everything for less than ₱45,000? Yes, it’s possible. Click this link to know more.

Do you have any questions about our experience in The Stay Sapporo or in Sapporo in general? Feel free to post the questions below. If you don’t want others to read your query, you can send an email to contact@thewkndtravel.com or contact me via Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Thank you for reading! Watch out for the next hostel of the day post. 🙂

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

Hokkaido Winter Series: SAPPORO – A Winter Paradise City

A few weeks ago, I shared to you how my friend Shane & I enjoyed Hokkaido Winter last February for less than ₱45,000 all in. I showed you how & when we booked our tickets, where we stayed & how much we paid in the hostel, what we ate & what we did. That blog post was basically a summary of the trip cost-wise.

With Shane in front of the Former Hokkaido Government Office Building

Today, I will share to you in detail the places we visited in Sapporo, the capital of the northernmost major island of Japan. Sapporo is a winter paradise in a city – the city looked so beautiful covered with snow. It felt like we were in a different world! Shane & I stayed 6 nights in The Stay Sapporo, a high-rated hostel in Susukino District. I normally talk about the accommodation in the same blog; but since I just introduced a section here called Hostel Of The Day, I will talk about the hostel in a different post. Watch out for that!

Random street near our hostel 😍

Now back to Sapporo. Getting around the city is easy-breezy. The city has a very easy-to-understand subway system with very few lines in place. We used our IC cards in riding the subway trains. IC cards are contactless cards which can be used in most train lines all over Japan (except bullet trains). These cards are reloadable & can also be used in convenience stores, supermarkets & some shops.

Beautiful morning at Hokkaido U Botanic Garden 😍

Sapporo is a very big city. We didn’t have time to explore many places but we managed to visit a few iconic ones. Check out the ‘list’ below!

Susukino District

Susukino is Sapporo’s entertainment district. It is the place to be when you’re looking for shops, restaurants, bars, clubs & pachinko centers. This is the area where Shane & I stayed so we walked around this district several times.

Night snowfall at Susukino!

This is also the place where the famous ramen alley – Ramen Yokocho is located. It is a small lane with a number of ramen restaurants serving Sapporo’s best ramen. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to explore this alley. I will put this in the list when I fly back to Sapporo!

Normal winter night at Susukino

Access: Susukino Station – Namboku Subway Line

Odori Park

Odori Park covered with snow

Odori Park is Sapporo’s central park. Located in the middle of the city, this 1.5 km long park separates the northern & southern part of Sapporo. This park is also the main site of the Sapporo Snow Festival held every first week of February. We were one week late for the snow festival so the park structures were just being dismantled during our visit. The park was still beautiful & was fully covered with snow.

Why hello there Mr. Snowman! ☃

Access: Odori Station – Namboku, Toho & Tozai Subway Lines

Sapporo TV Tower

Sapporo TV Tower is a TV tower at the same time an observation deck in one end of Odori Park. The observation deck is open for visitors for ¥720 per person. Shane & I didn’t go up the observation deck but we only passed by the TV tower site.

Random stream with the view of Sapporo TV Tower 🗼

Access: Odori Station – Nanboku, Toho & Tozai Subway Lines or 10-minute walk from JR Sapporo Station

Sapporo Clock Tower

The iconic Sapporo Clock Tower

Locally known as Tokeidai, the Sapporo Clock Tower is a famous Sapporo wooden landmark which dates back to the early development of the city. The clock tower is now a museum & a ceremony hall. Entrance to the clock tower costs ¥200 per person. We decided not to go inside the clock tower because it was almost closing time when we passed by.

Access: Odori Station – Namboku, Toho & Tozai Subway Lines or 10-minute walk from JR Sapporo Station

Hokkaido University Botanic Garden

Around Hokkaido U Botanic Garden 😍

Owned by Hokkaido University, this Botanic Garden is in the middle of Sapporo. University students use this garden for research & laboratory purposes. The public also uses this place for recreation. The garden was not open to the public during our visit; at the same time it was covered with snow.

Access: 5 minutes walk from Nishi-Juitchome Station – Tozai Subway Line

Former Hokkaido Government Office Building

This red brick office building, locally known as Akarenga, was once the seat of Hokkaido Government. This building now functions as a museum, shop & conference center. Entrance to the building is free of charge.

Inside the Former Hokkaido Government Building

Shane & I were lucky to witness the Mitsui Fudosan × Akarenga Illuminations last February. These illuminations were part of Hokkaido’s 150th Year Anniversary Project showcasing the island’s culture & history.

Witnessed the winter illuminations in the former government building

Access: Few minutes walk from Odori Station – Namboku, Toho & Tozai Subway Lines

Sapporo Beer Garden

Yes! Sapporo Beer Garden 🍺

Unlimited lamb for lunch! 😋

Sapporo is the famous because of the world-renowned Sapporo Beer. This beer started brewing in the city since the 19th century. The Sapporo Beer Museum shows the history & evolution of Sapporo beer production in the city. Beside the museum is Sapporo Beer Garden. This place is famous for the unlimited Genghis Khan lamb cooked grilled with fresh vegetables. It also comes with unlimited juice & of course, Sapporo Beer. The meal cost us ¥4,212 (or ₱2,114.97) each. Quite expensive for a lunch meal; but it was all worth it.

Unlimited lamb + unlimited beer = one happy man! 😍

Yes to unlimited Sapporo draft beer! 🍺

Everyone should not miss visiting Sapporo Beer Garden when in Sapporo.

Access: 25 minutes walk from JR Sapporo Station or 10-minute walk from Higashikuyakusho Mae Station Exit 4 – Toho Subway Line or Loop 88 Factory Line Bus

Sapporo Station

Sapporo Station is the city’s main station in downtown. It is where subway, JR lines & bus lines meet. This is probably the starting point of pretty much all destinations when going around Sapporo & nearby cities & towns.

View outside Sapporo Station

I got a super duper good deal in the Gap Store in Sapporo Station. I bought a pair of pants, 2 shirts & 2 baby tops (for my cousin & niece) for only ¥5,000 or for less than ₱2,500 pesos. What a bargain from Gap!

Access: Sapporo Station – Toho & Namboku Subway Lines & Sapporo Station Bus Terminal

Sapporo District

Busy Sapporo District at night!

The Sapporo District is the city’s central district. Surrounded by shopping malls & commercial establishments, this district is one of the city’s shopping hub. Almost all kinds of luxury & affordable shops are found in this area.

Access: Sapporo Station – Toho & Namboku Subway Lines & Sapporo Station Bus Terminal

Sapporo Ramen Republic

Welcome to Sapporo Ramen Republic 🇯🇵🍜

The Sapporo Ramen Republic is a floor of 8 top Hokkaido ramen restaurants. Located at the 10th floor of ESTA Complex in Sapporo District, this ramen place features Hokkaido ramen specialties – Sapporo Ramen (Miso), Hakodate Ramen (Shio) & Asahikawa Ramen (Shoyu).

Misono’s miso ramen. Yum! 🍜

Shane & I tried Sapporo Ramen in a restaurant called Misono. The ramen had miso broth with some pork & ginger flavor. The ramen cost around ¥800 per bowl.

Access: Sapporo Station – Toho & Namboku Subway Lines

Tanukikoji Shopping Street

Each major Japan city has its own shopping arcade. If Fukuoka has Nakasu-Kawabata Shopping Arcade, Nagoya has Osu Shopping Street & Osaka has Shinsaibashi Shopping Street, Sapporo has Tanukikoji Shopping Street. Just like any other shopping street / arcade, this is a row of local shops & restaurants. This arcade is the best place to buy souvenirs.

Shane & I went around this arcade several times. It is also where we bought chocolates & souvenirs for friends & family back home. Tanukikoji Shopping Street has a Don Quijote branch – the best place to buy Japanese goodies tax-free! Make sure your purchase is more than ¥2,500 tax excluded.

Access: Few minutes walk from Odori Station – Namboku, Toho & Tozai Subway Lines

Nijo Market

Yay to fresh seafood!

Nijo Market is Sapporo’s public market famous to both locals & visitors. People flock this market to buy fresh finds such as king crabs, salmon eggs & other fish. Shane & I went here to buy Hokkaido King Crab. A kilogram of medium king crab costs 12,000. We got 3 big crab legs (800 grams) for only ¥10,000. We had it cooked in the restaurant in front of the shop.

More fresh seafood 😍

The king crab was so fresh & sooooo good. It was worth the expensive price! I’m so happy we tried it even if it was a bit pricey. This king crab meal was one of the highlights of my trip – I’ll definitely have this again when I fly back to Sapporo.

Hokkaido King Crab Legs!! 😲🦀

Access: Few minutes walk from Odori Station – Namboku, Toho & Tozai Subway Lines

Other Places We Missed

We missed a few places due to limited time in the city. These places include the Shiroi Koibito Park (Chocolate Factory), Mount Moiwa Ropeway (a small mountain ropeway with a view of the city), Moerenuma Park (a large outdoor park in the outskirts of Sapporo) & Sapporo Historic Village.

These places, plus Ramen Yokocho, will definitely be in our list when we fly back to Sapporo. We don’t know when will that be but I hope it’ll be really soon.

Sapporo is indeed a winter paradise city! The city looked beautiful covered with powder white snow. The temperature may be at its lowest point but it didn’t hinder us from exploring what this city has to offer.

Beautiful winter morning in Sapporo 😍

Have you been to Sapporo during winter? How was your experience? Do you think I should also go there during summer, spring or fall? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below. You can also send an email to contact@thewkndtravel.com. Drop me a message on Facebook, drop a comment on Instagram or send me a tweet on Twitter.

Watch out for my next post about Otaru, Hokkaido’s harbor city & the detailed review of The Stay Sapporo. Thank you for reading & have a nice day.

Arigatou gozaimasu (ありがとうございます) 🇯🇵 😃

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.