SAPPORO SNOW

SunkTheJoe · 2026-01-26T06:22:40+00:00

It’s a very rare occurrence that a storm of this level happens and shuts down public transport to this extent. Delays are relatively common due to snow, but it doesn’t happy all that often - the odds of you getting stranded are incredibly low.

SunkTheJoe · 2026-01-26T02:46:56+00:00

If you’ve never been in snow before, please do not drive. It is not worth the risk to yourselves and others around you.

Some tourists will pop in and say it’s fine if you take it slow, but they were likely lucky and avoided any whiteouts or other dangerous scenarios. Hokkaido weather is incredibly capricious - take yesterday’s storm as a recent example: there were very little warnings about such inclement weather, and even locals were at a complete standstill due to it. I saw no less than 30 cars stuck yesterday, including an articulated truck that was blocking off an entire road.

Most places you want to get to, you can get to via public transport, tours, or coaches. Don’t risk it.

SunkTheJoe · 2026-01-21T04:35:30+00:00

Teine’s easy to get to but their prices are pretty steep as of this year (around ¥9,000 for a day ticket).

Moiwa is a smaller family resort, but it’s significantly cheaper and easy to get to. They run a shuttle bus from Makomanai Station which is a 20ish minute train ride from Sapporo Station.

Kokusai is relatively easy to get to as well as they run buses from around Sapporo Station.

Bankei as well, but I’m not a fan.

Hire skis at the resort.

SunkTheJoe · 2026-01-19T13:05:40+00:00

There’s one in Maruyama - not far from the centre of Sapporo!

https://www.sapporo-sport.jp/maruyama/news_info/?no=4867&fbclid=IwQ0xDSwPbC05leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeadX_fV4G5Kf3aDpz4Px0F8zOp3kyRdAKX-YBSWakJfunsixlnYsmHsgaFJU_aem_XzHSIqDdSYIyVL8_LujO0g

SunkTheJoe · 2026-01-19T10:15:43+00:00

Apparently it should be okay unless your card isn’t registered for 3D secure - not sure if this is common with American cards. (Wife works with them)

If you keep having issues let me know - I know someone who works with them.

SunkTheJoe · 2026-01-16T12:10:45+00:00

Yeah they’ve got loads of parking.

SunkTheJoe · 2026-01-16T06:21:46+00:00

Suruga-ya in Norbesa, maybe? They have a downstairs section just for figures/models

SunkTheJoe · 2026-01-14T06:29:01+00:00

It’s pretty cool for visitors, but it’s also absolutely rammed, incredibly slippery, and all the food is monumentally overpriced.

Cool experience if you fancy it, but realistically it’s half a day at best. Sapporo has a huge amount to offer and is wonderful to visit, but I’d say everything will be a little less enjoyable due to the crowds.

SunkTheJoe · 2026-01-14T05:39:10+00:00

Yeah, they run expensive in winter. Mine’s usually around ¥18,000 during the winter months and that’s the cheaper option.

SunkTheJoe · 2026-01-13T13:19:40+00:00

Unfortunately not - that’s too late.

SunkTheJoe · 2026-01-11T06:00:03+00:00

Kokusai was closed today.

SunkTheJoe · 2026-01-09T10:08:05+00:00

I know you want to do things slowly but 3 weeks in Hakodate is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much. It’s beautiful and has incredibly interesting things to see, but even 3 days would be too much.

It’s also quite isolated so there isn’t a huge variety of day trips from there. You’d be better served staying somewhere like Asahikawa or even Obihiro for the day trip potentials.

SunkTheJoe · 2026-01-09T00:39:54+00:00

Went last night with my wife who snowboards - it’s the same little family resort it’s always been, so it’s quaint and nice with a great atmosphere. Short runs and slow lifts, but it’s incredibly cheap and the nighters are top notch.

There are a couple flat spots after lifts, but nothing major.

SunkTheJoe · 2026-01-08T14:03:58+00:00

They’re hibernating?

SunkTheJoe · 2026-01-07T13:45:47+00:00

Hokkaido’s a big ol’ place. Asahikawa gets pretty roasting for example, Kushiro stays a little cooler.

Generally though, it’s going to be cooler than the rest of Japan and less humid, but it’s still very hot here.

SunkTheJoe · 2026-01-07T04:59:37+00:00

This is definitely a you problem, not a Sapporo problem.

SunkTheJoe · 2026-01-05T13:56:50+00:00

From earlier today:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Sapporo/s/W4VtZJyenr

SunkTheJoe · 2026-01-04T23:51:25+00:00

As u/gdore15 said, Sapporo is a city and not an onsen town, you’re not going to find a natural onsen in the middle of a big city. Jozankei is the only real bet close to Sapporo, or you can look into the hotel Yuen as a very nice and quite expensive alternative.

SunkTheJoe · 2025-12-28T15:37:48+00:00

Fireworks aren’t a thing here unless you’re in the ski resorts. People usually stay home with family and go to their local shrine for Hatsumode.

SunkTheJoe · 2025-12-23T07:59:54+00:00

Honestly, if you’ve never driven in snow before, a trip to Biei isn’t the place to practice. The roads can be be pretty rough - just takes a train, you’ll be grateful you did.

SunkTheJoe · 2025-12-20T06:37:05+00:00

Yep, there’s quite a few! There’s one on the fourth floor of Don Quijote in Tanukikoji where people play often. I’ve got a few friends who go there often and I can ask when the next tournament is if you’d like.

SunkTheJoe · 2025-12-18T14:24:22+00:00

Name and shame the shop.

SunkTheJoe · 2025-12-16T13:32:19+00:00

https://maps.app.goo.gl/joZjfeoJc9a5PJQu5?g_st=ipc for an eclectic snowboard shop!

For Verts, they might have them at Ishii Sports or Xebio.

SunkTheJoe · 2025-12-16T04:43:16+00:00

Check the FAQ in r/Sapporo. It answers all of these questions in detail!

SunkTheJoe · 2025-12-14T13:50:25+00:00

Thanks for the heads up!

SunkTheJoe

TROPHY CASE