Where should I go in Sapporo, Otaru and Hakodate?
Choose Odori Park for city walks or Otaru Canal for old harbour warehouses and waterfront scenery. Sapporo TV Tower overlooks Odori Park; Goryokaku Tower reveals the star-shaped fortress. Visit the confectionery factory at Shiroi Koibito Park or the former ferry exhibits aboard Mashu Maru. Fit the Botanic Garden to outdoor opening dates and Mount Hakodate Ropeway to operating dates.
Sights: admission, hours and access
Odori Park
大通公園
Visit Odori Park for a city walk or a short rest before or after the TV Tower. The park stretches east to west; choose just the tower’s eastern section or a longer walk west to suit your time and energy.
- AdmissionPark walks are free. Events and purchases at stalls cost extra.
- HoursEvents can change which walking areas are accessible.
- Getting thereLeave Odori subway station for street level. Head east for the tower.
Sapporo TV Tower
さっぽろテレビ塔
After an Odori Park walk, visit Sapporo TV Tower to see your route and the city from above. For Sapporo's night view, consider an evening deck visit.
- AdmissionHigh school age and above: 1,200 yen; elementary and junior high school pupils: 600 yen; preschool children: free.
- Hours09:00–22:00; deck last admission 21:50. Event arrangements can change hours. Full closures are announced for 11 November 2026 and 1 January 2027.
- Getting thereFrom Odori subway station, follow Aurora Town to exit 27 for the tower. Enter on floor 1 and buy a deck ticket at the floor 3 counter. If arriving on a park walk, head to the tower at the east end.
Sapporo Clock Tower
札幌市時計台
Visit inside Sapporo Clock Tower for old photographs, Sapporo Agricultural College materials and clock-mechanism exhibits. It is a small attraction; taking a photo outside is another option. For an indoor visit on standard days, arrive before last admission at 17:00. Check official notices for evening-opening dates.
- AdmissionAdults 350 yen; university students with student ID 150 yen. High school age and below enter free; junior high and high school students should bring student ID.
- HoursStandard hours: 08:45–17:10, last admission 17:00. For evening-opening dates, check official hours and viewing areas. Closed 1–3 January.
- Getting thereWalk about 5 minutes from Odori Station’s City Hall side exit to the Clock Tower. From JR Sapporo, follow the underground walkway towards Odori and use exit 9; the reference walk from JR is about 10 minutes. Combine the Clock Tower and TV Tower in a city walking day.
Clock Tower: official admission, opening and last-entry informationSapporo Clock Tower: official exhibition guideSapporo Clock Tower: official evening-opening noticeFacility directions from station exits
Shiroi Koibito Park
白い恋人パーク
If you have seen Shiroi Koibito sweets during your Japan trip, visit the official Sapporo park to see how they are made. Factory visits and exhibitions are in the paid area; the garden and shopping area need no admission ticket. Confectionery-making activities cost extra, with registration and advance-booking arrangements varying by activity.
- AdmissionPaid area: high school age and above 1,200 yen; ages 4 through junior high school 600 yen; ages 3 and below free. The garden and shops need no ticket; activities cost extra.
- HoursUsually 10:00–18:00; last paid-area admission 16:30. Follow official notices for special opening dates.
- Getting thereFrom Odori, take a Miyanosawa · 宮の沢-bound Tozai Line train to the terminus. The train ride takes about 16 minutes and the station-to-park walk about 7 minutes. Train waits and travel from your hotel to the station are extra. Buy admission to the paid area at the park's ticket centre.
Admission and ticketsShiroi Koibito Park: official facilities and factory visitKorean visitor informationAccess
Hokkaido University Botanic Garden
Botanic Garden, Hokkaido University北海道大学植物園
Visit Hokkaido University Botanic Garden for trees and flowers near Sapporo Station from spring to autumn. It offers a different setting from city streets or the university campus. Mid-to-late May brings alpine plants and lilacs, while other seasons offer their own flowers and autumn foliage. This paid facility is separate from the campus. The outdoor garden is accessible only on opening dates between 29 April and 3 November.
- AdmissionAges 16 and above 420 yen; ages 7–15 300 yen; ages 6 and below free.
- Hours29 April–30 September: 09:00–16:30, last admission 16:00. 1 October–3 November: 09:00–16:00, last admission 15:30. Closed Mondays, or the following day if Monday is a public holiday. The outdoor garden closes 4 November–28 April. The glasshouse is currently closed to visitors and cannot serve as a winter alternative.
- Getting thereWalk about 10 minutes from JR Sapporo Station’s south exit to the Botanic Garden. Use the main gate during the outdoor opening season.
Otaru Canal
小樽運河
At Otaru Canal, photograph old waterfront warehouses by day or see gas lamps and warehouse lights reflected in the water in the evening. Decide whether to return to Sapporo after the daytime view or stay into the evening if your return train allows. An overnight stay in Otaru allows a less rushed dinner and walk. A paid boat cruise is a separate option.
- AdmissionYou do not need a cruise ticket to walk along the canal. A paid boat cruise is a separate choice.
- HoursShop and cruise hours differ from access to the walkway. Plan dinner around your chosen restaurant's opening dates.
- Getting thereTake an Otaru-bound JR train from Sapporo and get off at Otaru. The canal is about a 10-minute walk from the station. Return on a Sapporo-bound JR train from Otaru.
Goryokaku Tower
五稜郭タワー
Visit the tower's observation deck to see star-shaped Goryokaku from above. A park walk and a paid tower visit are separate choices.
- AdmissionAdults 1,200 yen; junior high and high school students 900 yen; elementary school pupils 600 yen; preschool children free.
- HoursOpen daily 09:00–18:00; ticket sales until 17:50. Exterior works are scheduled through 15 November 2026, with operations continuing according to the notice.
- Getting thereTake a Yunokawa-bound tram from Hakodate-ekimae to Goryokaku-koen-mae, then walk about 10 minutes to the tower. Buy deck tickets at the floor 1 counter. This differs from a route to JR Goryokaku Station. Yunokawa · 湯の川 / Goryokaku-koen-mae · 五稜郭公園前
Admission and hoursGoryokaku Tower: official works and continued-operation noticeAccess
Mount Hakodate Ropeway
Mt. Hakodate Ropeway函館山ロープウェイ
The summit overlooks Hakodate and the sea on both sides. The ropeway ride takes about 3 minutes, with ticketing and boarding queues extra. In cloud or strong winds, check visibility and operations first.
- AdmissionJunior high school age and above: return 1,800 yen, one way 1,200 yen. Children: return 900 yen, one way 600 yen. Ages 0–2 travel free. One preschool child aged 3 or above travels free per adult; the second and subsequent children pay the child fare. This route uses a return ticket.
- Hours1 October–19 April: opens 10:00, last ascent 20:30, last descent 21:00. 20 April–30 September: last ascent 21:30, last descent 22:00. Same-day change notices take priority.
- Service suspension20 October–8 November 2026. During this period, remove the ropeway and summit visit from 2-day B, 3-day B and 5-day B. The summit deck itself lists opening hours of 10:00–21:00, but alternative summit transport is not included in these routes.
- Getting thereFrom Hakodate-ekimae, take tram route 2 towards Yachigashira · 谷地頭 or route 5 towards Hakodate-Dock-mae · 函館どつく前 and get off at Jujigai. Walk uphill for about 10 minutes to the lower station, allowing time for a slower pace or breaks. Ticket machines are on floor 1; the boarding lobby is on floor 3. If the hill is difficult, separately consider an operating bus to the lower station or a taxi.
Fares and hoursOfficial service-suspension noticeAccess mapLower station floor guideTram guide
Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse
金森赤レンガ倉庫
Visit Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse for a harbour walk with a meal or shopping. To use the ropeway as well, travel from the waterfront warehouses uphill to its lower station.
- AdmissionGeneral browsing is free. Meals, shopping, performances and other paid activities are extra.
- HoursThe tourism guide lists daily hours of 09:30–19:00. Check special opening dates for individual businesses. The Kanemori Youbutsukan buildings close for electrical works on 9–12 November 2026. Official information says BAY Hakodate and Hakodate History Plaza operate normally; distinguish the buildings you want to visit.
- Getting thereWalk about 5 minutes from Jujigai tram stop towards the waterfront to reach the warehouses.
Hakodate City tourism guideKanemori: official partial closure in November 2026
Hakodate Seikan Ferry Memorial Museum Mashu Maru
Hakodate Seikan Ferry Memorial Museum Mashu-maru函館市青函連絡船記念館摩周丸
Board Mashu Maru for a former ferry's wheelhouse and onboard exhibitions. The ship is moored near Hakodate Station; stairs are needed at the entrance and inside.
- AdmissionAdults and university students 500 yen; elementary, junior high and high school pupils 250 yen; preschool children free.
- HoursApril–October: 08:30–18:00, last admission 17:00. November–March: 09:00–17:00, last admission 16:00. The visitor guide lists regular closure on 31 December–3 January; any special opening is announced each year. Ship inspections, cleaning, repairs and severe weather can cause temporary closures.
- Getting thereWalk northwest from JR Hakodate Station towards Hakodate Bay. When the ship with an ivory upper hull and blue lower hull appears on your left, follow the waterfront towards it. Take the stairs in the neighbouring building to the floor 2 boarding entrance. The facility gives a walk of about 4 minutes from the station; allow separately for your hotel-to-station journey and the stairs. There is no lift or escalator.
Admission, last entry and closuresFacility notices for the dayStation-to-boarding-entrance directions
Frequently asked questions
Does the Mount Hakodate Ropeway run in October?
It is suspended for maintenance from 20 October to 8 November 2026. Weather or inspections can change services on other dates too. Ropeway suspension does not mean the whole mountain is closed, but check date-specific services and road restrictions if planning a bus or taxi.
Can I follow the Botanic Garden itinerary in winter?
No outdoor Botanic Garden walk is available in winter, and the glasshouse is currently closed to visitors. For a 4-day trip, choose the Otaru Canal and Shiroi Koibito Park route instead. The 1-night Otaru and 3-night Sapporo route does not include a replacement winter activity for the Botanic Garden on day 3.
Hours and admissionMain gate and accessSapporo: official winter walking guideTrains and operations for your travel date
Official sources and dates checked
- Official service-suspension notice ·
- Sapporo tourism guide ·
- Admission and hours ·
- Directions ·
- Facility directions from station exits ·
- Admission and tickets ·
- Korean visitor information ·
- Access ·
- Hours and admission ·
- Main gate and access ·
- Hokkaido official tourism guide ·
- Admission and hours ·
- Access ·
- Fares and hours ·
- Access map ·
- Lower station floor guide ·
- Hakodate City tourism guide ·
- Admission, last entry and closures ·
- Station-to-boarding-entrance directions ·
- Facility notices for the day ·
- Tram guide ·
- Trains and operations for your travel date ·
- Sapporo: official winter walking guide ·
- Clock Tower: official admission, opening and last-entry information ·
- Goryokaku Tower: official works and continued-operation notice ·
- Kanemori: official partial closure in November 2026 ·
- Shiroi Koibito Park: official facilities and factory visit ·
- Sapporo Clock Tower: official exhibition guide ·
- Sapporo Clock Tower: official evening-opening notice ·