Sapporo

Eco-friendly travel guide to Sapporo advises how to be a responsible tourist. Learn how to explore the attractions in a sustainable way and how to respect the local people and culture. Make your trip green by supporting locally owned hotels, organic restaurants and other businesses. Read more on how to protect the environment by making conscientious choices and how to travel green in Sapporo, Japan.

Sapporo City View from Mt. Moiwa

Air quality: 2.5 / 5

Exploring by foot: 4 / 5

Exploring by bicycle: 4 / 5

Public transportation: 4 / 5

Parks: 3.5 / 5

Outdoor activities: 3.5 / 5

Locals' English level: 2 / 5

Safety: 4 / 5

Accommodation: US$50 - $250

Budget per day: US$150 - $500

Responsible Travel

Sapporo is the fifth-largest city in Japan and the largest city on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido. Sapporo is famous for its beer, skiing and annual Sapporo Snow Festival featuring enormous ice sculptures. The Sapporo Beer Museum traces the city’s brewing history and has tastings and a beer garden. Ski hills and jumps from the 1972 Winter Olympics are scattered within the city limits, and Niseko, a renowned ski resort, is nearby. Every year, more than 15 million tourists visit Sapporo. Various travel and tourism surveys rank Sapporo as one of the most preferred cities to visit in the world.

The aerial gateway to Sapporo, New Chitose Airport boasts direct flights to cities around the world and is linked to routes and airports nationwide, including Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka and the like. Several means of transportation make for an extremely convenient transfer between New Chitose Airport and central Sapporo, with the train taking approximately 36 minutes, and bus approximately 60 minutes. Sapporo is served by various modes of transport:

Streetcar
Trains
Charter bus
Air

Thanks to the influence of Shintoism and Buddhism, the idea of living in harmony with the natural world is prevalent in Japanese culture. The rural community of Kamikatsu became one of the world’s first zero-waste towns. From the serenity of ancient shrines to the electric lights of Akihabara, here are some sustainable tourism tips for being a responsible traveler in Sapporo:

Use sustainable public transport
Explore less-visited areas
Eat locally and sustainably
Respectfully explore nature
Experience local culture through a workshop or class
Protect local wildlife through ecotourism in Japan

Air Quality and Pollution

It is known that the distribution of atmospheric particles (aerosols) in Asia is complicated by both natural factors and human activity and that air pollution has become severe in recent years. Air pollution has become a serious problem in many Japanese cities. Sapporo rarely experiences clear air conditions with a limited number of small particles and often suffers high levels of pollution from particles emitted from diesel vehicles and industrial activities. Furthermore, pollutants carried by winds from continental China add to the atmospheric pollution.

Respect the Culture

Japanese culture is centered on respect for privacy and respect for hierarchy in the family. In everyday life, people treat and talk to strangers with such a big level of respect that one might think that it's impossible to make friends with strangers.

Bowing is nothing less than an art form in Japan, respect pounded into children’s heads from the moment they enter school. For tourists, a simple inclination of the head or an attempt at a bow at the waist will usually suffice. The duration and inclination of the bow are proportionate to the elevation of the person you are addressing. For example, a friend might get a fast 30-degree bow; an office superior might get a slow, extended, 70-degree bow.

If you are with a dinner party and receive drinks, wait before raising the glass to your lips. Everyone will be served, and someone will take the lead, make a speech, raise his drink, and yell “kampai!” (cheers). Just before digging in, whether it be a seven-course dinner or a sample at a supermarket, it’s polite to say “itadakimasu” (I will receive).

Take off your shoes at the entrance to all homes, and most businesses and hotels. Usually, a rack will be provided to store your shoes, and a pair of guest slippers will be sitting nearby; many Japanese bring a pair of indoor slippers just in case, though. It is extremely bad form to reenter the main room of a house wearing slippers that have been running across dirty linoleum.

Top 10 Places to Visit

Sapporo is a dynamic urban center that offers everything you'd want from a Japanese city: a thriving food scene, stylish cafes, neon-lit nightlife, shopping galore – and then some. While many travelers see the city as a transit hub from which to access Hokkaidō's mountains and hot springs, there are enough worthwhile attractions to keep you here for days:

Hokkaido Pioneer Village: Located just outside the center of Sapporo is the Hokkaido Pioneer Village which is the place to come if you want to know the history of industrialization in this part of Japan. There is an old model of a railway station here and many of the buildings on show date from the beginning of the 20th century.

Moiwayama: Moiwayama is also known as Moiwa Mountain in English and this is one of the most magnificent mountains in the area. It sits just outside of Sapporo and you can come here and take a cable car to the top so that you can enjoy the spectacular views back over the city.

Kaitaku-mura: Kaitaku-mura is the name for a neighborhood that is known for its gorgeous historical buildings and models that take you back to the Sapporo of old. It is located in Nopporo Shinrin-Koen and you can check out some amazing architecture from the 19th century here.

Hokkaido Ainu Center: If you want to learn more about the Ainu who are the indigenous ethnic group from Hokkaido, then you need to head to the Hokkaido Ainu Center. This facility belongs to the Hokkaido Ainu Association with a range of interesting galleries here that tell the story of their history.

Okura-Yama Ski Jump Stadium: The Ski Jump Stadium is another famous spot in Sapporo and is known for its slope which was built onto the side of Okura-Yama or Okura Mountain during the Winter Olympics in 1972.

100th Anniversary Memorial Park: The 100th Anniversary Memorial Park is located close to the Hokkaido Pioneer Village. The main reason why people visit the park is to try out the large tower that stands here and you can climb to the top and then look out over the rest of Sapporo.

Hokkaidō-jingū: Dating back to 1869, this is one of the oldest shrines in Hokkaidō and is known for its spectacular cherry and plum blossoms in spring.

Hokkaidō University: Established in 1876 this university is a scenic spot, with several unique buildings, including the Furukawa Memorial Hall and the Seikatei. The bust of William S Clark, the founding vice-president of the university, is a well-known landmark.

Black Slide Mantra: This sculpture in Ōdōri-kōen by Japanese-American artist Noguchi Isamu is hands-on art at its best: made of black stone to stand out in the snow, the slide has been polished by decades of sliding bottoms.

Old Hokkaidō Government Office Building: Known by all as Akarenga (red bricks), this magnificent neo-baroque building was constructed of bricks in 1888 and is surrounded by lovely lawns and gardens. There are various historical exhibits and shows from local artists inside.

People lined up to see Black Slide Mantra

Explore

One of the main highlights of a visit to the island of Hokkaido is the chance to visit its capital city which is the mighty Sapporo. This part of the island is known for being one of the most exciting cities in this part of Japan and you can come here and enjoy both the modern and more traditional side of Japanese life. The city is known for its winter theme attractions such as a winter festival as well as some stunning ski resorts on the outskirts of Sapporo. You can also try some of the delicious food that Hokkaido is so well known for including juicy hairy crabs, and this is of course the home of the iconic Sapporo Beer.

Although the city has a population of around 2 million people, you will also be able to enjoy your own space in the many parks dotted across Sapporo and you can also get out into the surrounding countryside and enjoy mountain vistas which are studded with quaint traditional Japanese temples.

City Parks

Odori Park: Odori Park is an oasis of green in Sapporo's downtown core that slices through the city. It stands in stark contrast to the high-rises and offices around it and serves as the best place from which to begin exploring this dynamic destination.

Maruyama-Koen Park: On the west side of Sapporo is Maruyama-Koen Park, a multipurpose natural area popular with visitors year-round. In spring, the park's 226-meter-high hill comes alive with the stunningly beautiful blooms of its more than 1,700 wild cherry trees.

Moerenuma Park: Opened in 2005 and 17 years in the making, this inspiring municipal park covers a vast area that is chock-a-block full of sculptures big and small, many of which also double as playground equipment.

Aerial view of Odori Park

National Parks

Shikotsu-Tōya National Park: The Shikotsu-Tōya National Park near Sapporo contains in its three separate parts a wide range of beautiful volcanic landscapes, along with many crater lakes and hot springs.

Kushiro Shitsugen National Park: Kushiro Shitsugen is the largest swamp in Japan, created by the Kushiro River and tributaries, and a breathtaking, endless view can be seen there. Kushiro Shitsugen is a valuable habitat for animals and plants in the category of Special Natural Monument, like the Japanese crane, north fox, and Yachibouzu.

Mt. Kariba at Kushiro Shitsugen National Park

Beaches

Ranshima Beach: Roughly two hours from Sapporo city by car, Ranshima is a great option for travelers looking to avoid the crowded, party atmosphere of Hokkaido’s more popular tourist beaches. With smooth sand and clear water, this beach is a must-visit for travelers looking to unwind and relax by the sea.

Otaru Beach: Otaru is just a 15-minute train ride from Sapporo station and is a popular spot for young people and university students. The restaurants and bars along the beach offer a variety of affordable food and drink options, with some remaining open until the early morning.

Ranshima Beach

Landmarks

Mount Moiwa and the Aerial Ropeway: Towering high above Sapporo, the 531-meter-tall Mount Moiwa is the most visited of the many hills surrounding the city due largely to the ease with which its summit can be reached. While a popular destination for walkers, by far the most-frequented option is to take the aerial tramway, Mount Moiwa Ropeway, most of the way up before transferring to a cable car that takes only minutes to reach the summit's Upper Station.

Sapporo TV Tower: Built in 1957, the 147-meter-tall Sapporo TV Tower remains one of the city's most visited landmarks. Easily accessible from Odori Park, the tower offers superb views over Sapporo from its observation deck, as well as from its restaurant.

Sapporo TV Tower

Museums

Sapporo Art Park Art Museum: Located in the Sapporo Art Park in Makomanai, the Sapporo Art Park Art Museum has a vast collection of different styles of art, ranging from Japanese paintings, photography, oil paintings, watercolor paintings, printmaking, sculptures, and many more collections to explore.

Sapporo Olympic Museum: This museum is dedicated to showcasing the archives and events during the winter Olympics were held in Sapporo in 1972. Here, one can try out simulations such as the ski jump and speed skating simulation while being right next to Okurayama Ski Stadium, where some of the events of the 1972 Winter Olympics were held.

Hokkaido University Museum: Right in the heart of the Hokkaido University campus, this museum open to the public is known for its vast collection of historical and medical research and archives. The museum has many exhibits and displays ranging from subjects like science to the history of the campus, all the way to dinosaur fossils on display.

The iconic Sapporo Art Park Art Museum

Eat

Sapporo entices food lovers to its local food scene with delicious fresh produce from the Hokkaido farmlands and surrounding seas. The Japanese consider food preparation an art, and rooting out the true masterpieces takes a local eye. With local ingredients and every dish freshly prepared, it’s easy to get hooked on Japanese cuisine.

Traditional Local Restaurants

Kikuzushi: This restaurant has been in continuous operation since the Taisho period and is considered to serve some of the freshest sushi and sashimi in the whole of Japan. Sitting up at the counter and watching the chef diligently craft your meal is a memorable experience of Japanese cuisine.

Hanagi: Hanagi serves up traditional dishes from Kyushu, Japan's southernmost major island. This is an elegant-looking restaurant in Premier Hotel Tsubaki Sapporo and an altogether excellent place to try out different aspects of Japanese food.

Sapporo Kani Honke: The cold waters around Hokkaido are known and respected as the breeding grounds of the finest-tasting crab in Japan, and Sapporo Kani Honke is one of the best crab restaurants in town. It serves all kinds, from the famous king crab to the tasty hairy crab, in a variety of different dishes. Crab is served as sashimi, steamed or grilled, and always handled with care so the flavor of star ingredient can shine through.

Vegetarian and Vegan

Cocoon Nest: This hip vegan café and art gallery is conveniently located near the famous Maruyama Park and provides diners with a cozy atmosphere to enjoy lunch, coffee, and sweets. Popular with the art crowd, a lot of attention and detail has gone into the decor of the café, creating a pleasant and charming atmosphere.

Aoi Sora Organic Café: Aoi Sora is a vegan's haven in Sapporo; the menu is entirely vegan and features various staple dishes from all around the world: Chinese mabo-tofu, faux fish burger, stir-frys, cakes, and soy ice cream to name a few.

Itadakizen: With locations in Tokyo, London, and Sapporo, Itadakizen offers vegan and vegetarian versions of traditional Japanese cuisine. The main menu items are kaiseki-style, which is a multi-course meal comprised of several small dishes, each prepared with its unique ingredients and flavor.

Street Food

Sweet Corn: Hokkaido is famous for its corn. You can find a type of corn that is white called the "Pure White" in the streets of Sapporo. The kernels are so sweet and juicy that fresh picks can be eaten raw on the cob according to the locals.

Cheese tart: Hokkaido cheese tarts are a huge thing in Japan. A bite of it feels so great! Make sure to get some cheese tarts with cheese that is produced domestically.

Fruits: Hokkaido is famous for various types of fruits, namely apples, cherries, grapes, plums, and melons. The Yubari melon is one of the must-try street foods in Sapporo. It has a bright orange color meat inside and is the sweetest melon you will ever taste.

Drink

The act of drinking tea is an integral part of many cultures throughout the world. This is especially true in Japan, where tea is served in the home and business situations as a welcoming gesture, as well as during the traditional tea ceremony called ‘sado.' When Japanese tea is mentioned, the most typical image that comes to mind is undoubted, green tea. However, it is certainly not the only tea consumed in Japan; the Japanese enjoy a large variety of tea, both hot and chilled. Regardless of the type, it is safe to say that tea is one of the most widely drunk beverages in Japan.

When asked to think about alcohol in Japan, most people will instinctively picture sake, the iconic Japanese rice wine with a history dating back over 2,500 years. However, in the last century, its place upon the throne as the most consumed alcoholic beverage in the country has been usurped by its carbonated cousin from the west: beer.

Tap-water

Japan's tap water, particularly in Hokkaido, is known for its quality. You can drink it almost everywhere in Japan without worrying about getting sick. Fresh spring water in Hokkaido is quite popular and many people filling their bottles on the mountains are often seen on weekends. Although Japan has good-tasting water, bottled water has become popular in recent years.

Organic Cafés

Noymond Organic Café: Noymond Organic Cafe sources premium ingredients from around Hokkaido. The French toast uses milk and eggs from Tokachi. The hamburger buns are made in-house from local wheat. And the fruit stacked on top of the puffy pancakes comes from orchards around the island.

Aoi Sora Organic Café: Aoi Sora is a peaceful, cheerful café with friendly staff and a cozy atmosphere offering healthy, organic, plant-based Japanese cuisine. The highlight of the menu has got to be the lunch plate. You get six different dishes, including a green salad, miso soup and brown rice topped with sesame seeds.

Breweries

In Sapporo there is a growing number of brewpubs with their own attached brewery, as well as taprooms that showcase craft beers from both Japan and abroad, adding an extra dimension to Sapporo beer tourism.:

Moon and Sun Brewery
Beer Bar
Kalahana
Sapporo Factory
Sapporo Breweries

Activities

Sapporo, the capital of the mountainous northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, is famous for its beer, skiing and annual Sapporo Snow Festival featuring enormous ice sculptures. The Sapporo Beer Museum traces the city's brewing history and has tastings and a beer garden. Ski hills and jumps from the 1972 Winter Olympics are scattered within the city limits, and Niseko, a renowned ski resort, is nearby.

Yoga and Retreats

The city’s nature-rich parks and the Toyohira Riverbank are popular centrally-located places where the locals enjoy jogging and yoga. Some of the yoga retreats in Sapporo are:

Hot Yoga House
Girasole Yoga
Yoga Ritam
Joyfit Yoga
Trico

Accommodation

Sapporo has ten different wards, which is home to various attractions that visitors can check out when they are in the city. Each ward is connected by the Sapporo Municipal Subway and the local Streetcar lines. JR Hokkaido also runs some of the rail tracks in the city to nearby destinations like Hakodate and Chitose. Chuo-Ku is the best area to stay in Sapporo. The area is also where most of the attractions of the city are located.

Green Hotels

Hotel Royal Stay
Kotoni Green Hotel

Hostels and Guest Houses

Khaosan Sapporo Family Hostel: Khaosan Sapporo Family Hostels is one of the most popular hostels in Sapporo, Japan. It's conveniently located about a five or ten-minute walk from the city center and there's a bus stop for Chitose Airport Bus nearby if you're here for a stopover. It's also close to many different tourist attractions and there are many great restaurants in the area.

Sapporo Maruyama Guesthouse Tsumuri-An: This hostel and guesthouse is another favorite place to stay for budget travelers to Sapporo. It has dorms available that sleep up to six people and there are both female only and mixed rooms to choose from. There are shared bathrooms and a good security system. There is no curfew but lights go out at midnight.

Apartments

Time Peace Apartment: Time Peace Apartment is a favorite hostel in Sapporo for budget travelers and backpackers. It's located in a small house that has a lot of charm and character. It's also located conveniently close to the center of the city and is just a ten-minute walk from the downtown area.

Sapporo Luxury House: With garden views, this accommodation provides a patio. The villa has 5 bedrooms, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, an equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and a microwave, a washing machine, and 4 bathrooms with a hot tub. The villa offers a hot tub. Hiking can be enjoyed nearby.

Casa Dell’Amico: Situated 1.2 km from Hokkaido University, Casa Dell’Amico offers accommodation with a balcony and free WiFi. All units here are air-conditioned and feature a flat-screen TV, a living room, a well-equipped kitchen with a dining area, and a private bathroom. A microwave, a fridge and a stovetop are also available, as well as a kettle.

Couchsurfing

Sapporo has a reputation as an expensive destination to visit, and one can easily end up quickly burning through cash if one is not careful. With an abundance of things to see, experience, eat and buy, you’ll never be short of tempting opportunities to spend your yen. For travelers on a budget, constantly worrying about money can threaten to spoil what would otherwise be the trip of a lifetime.

Camping

Ebetsu Forest Campsite
Asarigawa Hot Spring Auto Camping Ground
Kitahiroshimashi Shizennomori Camping Ground
Maruyama Park

Cherry blossom viewing in Maruyama Park

How to Get There

Sapporo is Hokkaido's main transport hub for all methods except for the Shinkansen, which will not open until 2031. Getting to Sapporo by train is time-consuming and expensive. Purchasing a JR pass is economical if you're coming from Tokyo or anywhere in the south.

Air

The Sapporo area is served by two airports: Okadama Airport, which offers regional flights within Hokkaido, and New Chitose Airport, a larger international airport located in the city of Chitose 48 km away connected by regular rapid trains taking around 40 minutes. The Sapporo-Tokyo route between New Chitose and Haneda is one of the busiest in the world.

Inside the Okadama Airport

Bus

Express buses connect to most points in Hokkaido. The main terminal is next to the Bus Center-Mae station of the subway Nanboku line and Toho line.

Charter bus in Sapporo

Train

Within Hokkaido, trains connect Sapporo to most major cities, including Hakodate, Otaru and Asahikawa. Trains run from Honshu to Hokkaido via the Seikan Tunnel. With a total length of 53.85 km (33.49 mi), the Seikan Tunnel was the world's longest railway tunnel until 2016, when it was surpassed by the Gotthard Base Tunnel in Switzerland. The Seikan Tunnel still claims the title of the world's longest tunnel with an undersea segment, with a 23.3 kilometers section under the waters of the Tsugaru Strait.

Sapporo Municipal Subway 5000 series on Namboku Line

Hitchhiking

In the summer Hokkaido's rugged mountains and vast wilderness make it an ideal place for hiking and camping. But slow and infrequent public transport often means that getting to these remoter areas is time-consuming, expensive and inconvenient. Hitchhiking is fast, fun and free - a great alternative. The Japanese will also be genuinely concerned for your welfare. It's a reflection on the Japanese culture of social responsibility that so many people are prepared to stop. You may be offered food or even a place to stay for the night.

Others

There are long-distance ferries between various ports in Honshu and Hokkaido, providing leisurely and inexpensive access to Hokkaido. Some of the ports with ferries to Hokkaido are Niigata, Oarai (Ibaraki Prefecture), Sendai, Nagoya, Maizuru (Kyoto Prefecture) and Tsuruga (Fukui Prefecture). Most ferries arrive either in Otaru, 30 train minutes west of Sapporo or Tomakomai, 45-60 train minutes south of Sapporo. View our ferry information page for more details.

Moving Around

Unusual for a Japanese city, Sapporo is organized in a grid system. The main thoroughfare, the leafy Ō-Dōri, runs east-west across the city and divides the city into North and South, while Sōsei-Gawa divides the city into West and East, running under the main street Eki-Mae-Dōri. The address of every block in the center is thus of the type "North X West Y" (prominently signposted at all intersections), making navigation a snap. However, most businesses, etc. will still provide maps to their location, building names or landmarks, because the address "North X West Y" or the like simply means that the place you are trying to find will be somewhere in the block, and blocks in the center of the city can be quite large.

Walk

One of the first things you should do in Sapporo is walking around. Starting from Sapporo Station (which contains a chic shopping and restaurant complex) take the road leading directly south called Eki-mae Dori. This is one of Sapporo's main thoroughfares, taking you south through the heart of the city.

Bicycle

The city is eminently cycle-able, so the most economical and fastest way to get around Sapporo is undoubtedly on two wheels. While there is a complicated looking city bike scheme, there is also a large bike hire lot adjacent to the east wing of the station. It costs 500 yen per day and you are provided with a lock, all you need is your passport. For more information go and see tourist information in the west concourse of the station.

Electronic Vehicles

The fleet of light-duty plug-in electric vehicles in Japan totaled about 303,000 highway-legal plug-in electric vehicles in circulation at the end of 2019, consisting of 152,320 all-electric passenger cars, 141,680 plug-in hybrids, and 8,720 light-commercial vehicles.

Public Bus

Bus routes run from Sapporo Station to various parts of the city forming a comprehensive network that covers all those areas not already covered by the city's subway and streetcar systems. In particular, these bus routes are convenient for popular tourist locations such as Sapporo Beer Museum, Mount Moiwa Ropeway, and Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill. Local route buses in Sapporo are run by three main companies: Hokkaido Chuo Bus, JR Hokkaido Bus, and Jotetsu Bus. However, these three companies generally use the same method to calculate their fares. Bus fares depend on how many stops are traveled, but if you are traveling in central Sapporo it shouldn’t cost more than the base fare of 210 yen for adults and 110 yen for children.

Sapporo bus terminal

Tram, Train and Subway

The Sapporo Municipal Subway is the most accessible form of transportation for sightseeing in Sapporo. It operates three lines: the Namboku Line, Tozai Line, and Toho Line. All of these lines can be boarded at Odori Station, linking the central part of Sapporo with the northern, southern, western, and eastern areas. Major stations are connected to streetcars, buses, and the JR lines, and many citizens use the subway for commuting to work or school. The Namboku Line is green, the Tozai Line is orange, and the Toho Line is sky blue.

Sustainable Shopping

In July 2020, Japan started to require convenience stores, supermarkets, drugstores and other retail outlets to charge for plastic shopping bags, in line with a global trend of reducing plastic waste to combat marine pollution. The initiative is aimed at encouraging shoppers to bring their bags and comes as Japan lags behind other countries in curbing the use of plastics, generating the largest amount of plastic waste per capita after the United States. Among eateries in Sapporo, McDonald's Co. (Japan) Ltd. and beef bowl chain Yoshinoya Holdings Co. Offer takeout meals in free bioplastic bags. Major department store operator Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd. switched to offering paper bags instead of plastic ones for food products.

Food Markets

Sapporo is the largest city in Hokkaido, the northernmost region of Japan. Famous for its seafood, agricultural produce, and dairy farms, the region has come to be known as the “Kingdom of Food” among the Japanese.

Central Wholesale Market
Nijo Market
Sapporo Hakko Gakuen Farm Market
Sapporo Farmer’s Market

Nijo Fish Market

Flea Markets

Flea markets provide an opportunity to mingle with locals in a casual, friendly environment while shopping for everything from cheap knick-knacks to valuable antiques. During summertime, Sapporo brings quite a number of weekend flea markets that are organized at several designated places. From traditional kimonos to secondhand clothing, live crabs to freshly cut sashimi – the merchants of Sapporo have it all. Many markets are held on the grounds of famous temples and shrines, making for an alternative backdrop to your shopping experience:

Jinguumāketto Market
Tanukikoji Shopping Street

Tanukikoji Shopping Street

Second Hand Stores

Second-hand goods and clothing aren’t limited to items that get passed around between family members. In the last few years, there’s been a steady rise in youngsters from around the world seeking out antiqued items and luxury goods at a better price at resale shops, and youngsters from Hokkaido are the same, leading to a rise in such shops in Sapporo:

The Gold
2nd Street
Real Monkey

Eco-Fashion

Fashion waste has become a serious issue, especially with the heaps of disposable clothing and accessories coming out of the fast fashion industry. Although this global problem is a tough one to tackle overnight, a select group of brands and shops in Sapporo are heading in the right direction by focusing their attention on up-cycling. Some of the stores promoting eco-fashion are:

Tennen
Maito
Usaato

Recycling

Recycling is a concept that Japanese society has widely adopted. They make sure to be eco friendly in very aspect of their lives and recycling always makes a huge chunk of it. There have been several steps taken by the government to maximise the recycling of waste. These steps include:

Designated bins for recycling
Designated days for collecting the waste
Collection points in the city
Imposing a hefty fine for not disposing the waste in the right manner

Waste

Sapporo has a range of waste management facilities catering primarily to household waste (Table 1). But while Japanese law obligates the business sector to manage its waste, municipality-owned facilities also receive business and commercial solid waste as a part of municipal solid waste (MSW). Combustible waste (food waste, paper, textile, and garden waste) is collected twice per week, while non-combustible waste, recyclables, and plastic packaging are collected once per week. Bulky waste is collected upon request for a fee. Non-combustible waste includes non-bulky household electrical goods, packaging and containers not designated as recyclables.

Work and Study Abroad

If you are on a student visa and want to work to cover tuition or other necessary expenses, you must apply for permission. This is officially known as “Permission to engage in activity other than that permitted under the status of residence previously granted”. You are allowed to work up to 28 hours per week (maximum 8 hours per day during summer, winter and spring breaks). You must receive the permit from the Immigration Bureau before you engage in any paid work. Any paid work undertaken without permission may result in the cancellation of your visa resulting in deportation. You are prohibited from engaging in part-time jobs that are hazardous or may put yourself at risk such as jobs in adult entertainment.

Exchange Student

Beautiful Sapporo is the capital of Japan’s north island, Hokkaido, and the fifth-largest city in Japan. Well-known for beer, ramen, and skiing, it first became an international point of interest after the 1972 Olympic Games. For those interested in learning Japanese, there are plenty of options in Sapporo. Courses can last anywhere from two weeks to several months. Learning the language has the added advantage of giving you an insight into Japanese culture, and some of the courses offered can be combined with an internship

Hokkaido University in Sapporo offers a direct exchange program to several affiliated universities in 49 different countries, including many in the U.K., U.S., and Australia. Participants who are enrolled in a university in their home country can take part in half or full-year courses in Sapporo after two years of study. In the past, classes have been offered on topics ranging from tourism to thermodynamics.

Other universities in Sapporo include:

Sapporo City University
Hokkai School of Commerce
Japan Healthcare College
Sapporo Ōtani University

Sapporo City University

Au Pair

There is no au pair program founded in Japan specifically. To work and live in Japan as an au pair, you’ll need to apply for a “Working Holiday Visa”. Japan accepts “Working Holiday Visas” for natives of Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom. When entering Japan, an initial stay of six months is granted. The Immigration Authorities in Japan will extend the visa for another six months after an overview. So as long as you’re not doing anything you shouldn’t be doing, you’ll be granted to reside and work in Japan for a duration of 12 months.

Volunteering

Most meaningful volunteer work in Japan requires Japanese language ability or an ongoing commitment. There are many ways to volunteer in Japan, whether in your communities or helping with disaster relief. Second, internet searches are amazing, but there are few sites in English. Grab a friend who can read Japanese or check with your supervisor or coworkers for help.