Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, has visitors from across the globe all year round. You may also often hear about the famous things to do in Sapporo. From the renowned Snow Festival to local markets, serene parks, and delicious cuisines, there is a lot to explore during your visit to Japan’s youngest major city.
Notably, the nightlife in Sapporo can be exciting as it is a city that hardly sleeps. Besides the brilliant lights dotting the cityscape, there are some exotic destinations no tourist can afford to miss.
Here are the best things to enjoy in Sapporo at night:
The well-lit Odori Park
Odori Park is a must-see spot figuring at the top of the list of most tourists. This park celebrates Sapporo as an international city and comprises five zones, each with a theme named exchange, frontier, gathering, and oasis, respectively. Although you may visit the park any time of the year, winter nights are special.
The park is specially illuminated from November to January and is fondly referred to as the “Sapporo White Illumination.” The Sapporo Snow Festival is another exciting event in the first half of February when the nights are a riot of fun and frolic.
Jingisukan at the Sapporo Beer Garden
The Sapporo beer garden is a beehive of activity during the nights. It is famous for its locally brewed beer, and the local cuisine served hot. Jingisukan is one such local dish that goes very well with the local beer. It is Japanese grilled mutton prepared on a grill or a metal skillet. This dish was first made in Hokkaido and later spread to the rest of Japan.
There are two ways of eating Jingisukan – as mutton grilled and served with sauce, or as raw mutton served with sprouts, sweet pepper, cabbage, pumpkin, and onions sourced locally.
Shime Parfait at Sweets Café
After a long beer session followed by sumptuous food, it is time to visit the Sweets Café to check out the local food culture known as shime-parfait. Having a late-night parfait is one of the best things to do in Sapporo.
As per local culture, you complete a beer-drinking session eating this local sweet delicacy. This culture is unique to Sapporo, and Sweets Café remains open until the wee hours (4:00 am), and you can order your shime parfait and relish this special soft-serve ice cream made with the local milk and a unique recipe.
The Shiroi Koibito Park
The Shiroi Koibito Park owes its name to another local sweet that goes by this name. A combination of cookie and white chocolate, it is baked with white chocolate sandwiched between freshly baked Langue de chat biscuits with golden brown edges.
The Shiroi Koibito Park is a popular spot attracting locals and tourists alike. It attracts more females than males, probably because of the charming lights and quaint buildings with a picture-book appeal. Although the park is open during the day, the night illumination is special, drawing visitors who linger on late into the night. The park is famous for the couples who throng it during winter nights.
Nightlife at the KING XMHU
The KINGXMHU is a nightclub located beside the Toyokawa Inari Shrine and is a must-visit place in the list of things to do in Sapporo. As one of the best nightclubs in Sapporo designed in a theme-park style, it has expansive dance floors.
The rugged exteriors and interiors have a unique appeal, enhanced by modern sound and light systems, offering a unique nightclub experience. There are two floors, each devoted to different forms of music, including the disco music of the 1970s.
Summing it Up
Sapporo boasts a thriving nightlife with food, drink and music, and excitement that goes on up to early in the morning. The local cuisines are unique and exotic and offer great gastronomical experiments.