Things To Do
Otaru
Otaru was the main trading town and arrival point of colonists during Hokkaido's colonial period in the late 19th century. This historic town is famous for sweets and glassware and has lots of historic buildings to see. You can reach Otaru by taking JR's Hakodate Line westbound from Sapporo station and debarking at Otaru station. See also: Tanaka Sake Brewery LeTAO Otaru Canal
Asahikawa
Asahikawa was once planned to be the original capital of Hokkaido, and was built up as the islands first military town, home to the elite 7th Infantry Division. As such, if you are a military buff, you will love a visit to this small city. There are two main locations to visit: Hokkaido Gokokujinja - This State Shinto shrine was built to honor the souls of dead soldiers who died in the name of the Emperor. There are many memorials and statues to honor them, and information is provided that tells you the history of their service and losses. Across the street from the gokokujinja is the JSDF military base and the Hokuchin Memorial Museum, a fantastic military museum that covers the military history of modern Japan, from the 19th century through WW2 to the present, with memorabilia from Iraq, Afghanistan, and more. Where to eat, you ask? Hachiya Ramen is located in the shopping street Furarito, and originally opened as a soft serve honey ice cream shop before evolving to sell ramen!
Historical Village of Hokkaido
The Historical Village shows off faithful reconstructions of historic buildings throughout Hokkaido. If you want to get an idea of traditional architecture in Japan, and how it meshed with America's wild west in some weird East meets West fusion, this is a cool thing to see. Catch the bus to the location at either Shin-Sapporo Station or Shinrin Koen Station; budget about 6 hours to take everything in without rushing. For bonus points, watch the Golden Kamuy anime to see many of these locations faithfully animated on TV and also learn about Hokkaido's history and Ainu culture, with a healthy dose of for-the-ladies fan service.
Shiroikoibito Park
Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory - Japan style. This historical chocolate factory let's you sample chocolate, has places for kids to play, and is generally a great location for family's to visit. Take the JR train to Hassamu Station, then navigate to a nearby bus stop and catch the appropriate bus. (Sapporo buses are integrated with Google maps GTFS real time data system)
Sapporo Beer Museum
Sapporo's famous beer, one of Japan's most famous domestic beers, has a museum located close to Naebo Station. Visiting this museum will not just teach you about the history of brewing in Japan and Hokkaido, but also comes with samples. Woo. If you opted to drive a rental, please remember that driving with BAC above .03 is an arrestable (deportable) offense. This strict limit usually means a single drink will put you over.
Chitosetsuru Sake Museum
One of the four oldest sake breweries in Hokkaido, this brewery offers free samples and will also teach you the history of sake brewing (being rice based, it's quite different from most alcohol you've had before). The gods of Hokkaido include the god of brewing, so it's pretty thematic to Hokkaido to check out something like this. Located near Bus Center Mae Station, and also somewhat near Susukino Station.
Tanukikoji Shopping Street
This is a pretty standard shopping street; it is for the most part covered from the sky and flanked by high buildings so will protect you from cold breezes. This area is well known for good food, so trying restaurants here will probably have good results! Located two blocks from Susukino Station.
Surugaya Specialty Store
Surugaya is the name of the largest anime store building in Sapporo. It includes Animate and numerous other anime, manga, and miniature related stores. Highly recommend going here if you like anime, there are second-hand stores that will sell things at discounts. Located two blocks away from Susukino Station.
Chi-Ka-Ho and Pole Town
Underneath Sapporo, connecting Sapporo Station, Odori Station, and I believe Susukino Station, is a massive underground pathway known as Chi-Ka-Ho that allows residents to get to major locations downtown without walking in the snow during Hokkaido's famously severe winters. At more than a kilometer in length, I recommend walking this underground area when transferring trains for convenience, and because this area is a massive shopping complex, particularly Pole Town, a special area in Chi-Ka-Ho that consists of dozens of small shops.
Sapporo TV Tower
A famous building in Sapporo which you can ride to the top, I recommend this location less because its an overhyped tourist attraction, and more because of what happens below it. The park, which commences at the tower and ends 1.5km SW near a historic courthouse, is filled with people hanging out, street artists doing their stuff, and has a very pretty park.
Toyohira River
If you are the type of person that wants to go for walks in the morning or evening, then might I recommend that you stay near Toyohira River? Many rivers in Japan include well-curated and walkable promenades for long distances, with little to no urban disturbances, and have really peaceful settings.
Marukoma Hot Spring Hotel
It is a bit difficult to recommend onsen to foreigners for several reasons. First, you may be uncomfortable being naked around strangers. Second, you may have tattoo's which are not permitted by many establishments. Here's what it's like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc_bZ92ABNg Marukoma Onsen has a few solutions. First, this is a ryokan onsen, meaning you get to stay the night and get a paid meal. Second, this onsen allows tattoo's. Third, this onsen allows you to choose to use private baths for you and/or friends/family; you can go alone or with only the people you trust into rooms and enjoy the onsen feeling. If you are willing to go to an onsen with others, I may be willing to plan a group trip to this particular onsen.
Susukino Station
Yes, this is a train station. Actually, I recommend everything around here. This is Sapporo's main entertainment and night life district, filled with activity both day and night. You will want to go here several nights in a row to take it in. It's a fun and interesting place which feels safe to walk around at night even with traffic. For food, try eating at the historic unagi restaurant which is almost as old as Susukino itself: かど屋
ホテル リオ(Rio)
This recommendation is for couples that need to get a room, literally. A four hour limit hotel with an honestly fair price for what it has, there is really nothing like it in the US. There are other such hotels in Sapporo, such as Blue Hotel Octa, with different themes and prices. This service exists throughout Japan. There is no front desk, no reservations; walk in and head to the lobby, interact with the machine and pick a room, take your ticket and the elevator to the right floor, then enter. The room will lock behind you, and inside are all the essentials - even soundproof walls - you need to enjoy yourself. When you're done, leave; it will prompt you to pay for the time you spent, no interactions with staff or other guests - discrete, but also, so clean - as an American, it's really kind of a shock for ~$60.