The Best Hotels in Sapporo, Japan, for Every Traveller

Choose from a traditional Japanese inn, budget-friendly hostel or a quirky hotel on your next trip to Sapporo
Choose from a traditional Japanese inn, budget-friendly hostel or a quirky hotel on your next trip to Sapporo | Courtesy of Goen Lounge and Stay Sapporo / Expedia
Amar Grover

Whether you’re looking for a traditional Japanese inn, budget-friendly hostel or something a bit quirkier (how about a comic book-themed capsule hotel?), there’s something for you in Sapporo.

Sapporo, capital of Hokkaido island and the largest city in northern Japan, is chiefly famed for its well-known beer (the oldest in the country) and the February Snow Festival, featuring huge illuminated snow sculptures in urban parks. Skiing and hot springs are also a prime draw, and the almost-central location of the city makes it a useful springboard for exploring this relatively undeveloped and scenic island.

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Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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Pirka Sapporo

Hostel, Ryokan

Pirka Sapporo
Courtesy of Pirka Sapporo / Expedia

Pirka Sapporo offers down-to-earth yet fastidiously clean hostel-style accommodation in a quiet residential neighbourhood of downtown Sapporo. Although not particularly close to the city sights, it’s within easy reach of the metro, and the attentive host couple run a tight ship. Choose from capsule-like bunk-bed dormitories or Japanese-style rooms, all with shared facilities, abundant toiletries and a communal area with complimentary tea, coffee and water.

The Base Sapporo Susukino

Hotel, Apartment

The Base Sapporo Susukino
Courtesy of the Base Sapporo Susukino / Expedia

In the midst of Susukino, the south-central restaurant and entertainment district of Sapporo, the modern apartment-rooms of the Base each accommodate up to six guests. Stepped neon-white bunk-beds and futons lend an affable fun-with-friends – or family – vibe, and each is thoughtfully complemented with a small kitchen, dining table and washing machine. It’s immaculately kept, relatively spacious, and the room balconies along with the sleek building facade almost suggest plusher accommodation.

Randor Residence Susukino Suites

Chain Hotel, Apartment, Hotel

Randor Residence Susukino Suites
Courtesy of Randor Residence Susukino Suites / Expedia

Immaculate, modern and faintly austere suites equipped with kitchens, washing machines and hot tubs characterise this small centrally located property between Odori and Nakajima Parks. More like apartments with one per floor, their spaciousness and flexibility – up to three bedrooms plus additional futons and sofa beds – make them ideal for large families or groups of friends. The myriad restaurants and eateries of Susukino mean the kitchens here might go underused.

Nakamuraya Ryokan

Ryokan

Nakamuraya Ryokan
Courtesy of Nakamuraya Ryokan / Expedia

Just metres from Sapporo Botanic Garden, this cosy traditional Japanese-style inn tucked away in a modern building offers a more authentic and unlacquered experience of contemporary Japan. Expect tatami-covered floors, low-slung tables and chairs, futon bedding and, food-wise, few if any concessions to Western palates. Shared onsen (hot spring) baths, which are also open to the public, help round off a more immersive experience, though guests with tattoos might be discouraged from bathing here.

Comics and CapsuleHotel

Capsule Hotel, Budget Hotel

Comics & CapsuleHotel
Courtesy of Comics and CapsuleHotel / Expedia

Imagine sleeping in a library among books and behind shelves. Your “room” is an immaculate wood-panelled cocoon-like capsule with curtains not unlike the sleeping berth in a train. Welcome to Comicap, a peculiarly Japanese kind of hideaway where, in its hotel-speak, you “forget about time and read comics.” It’s wonderfully quirky, and although the 30,000-plus comics may be unintelligible to most foreign guests, nothing stops you bringing your own to empathise with the distinct pressures of urban Japan and its unique routes of escape.

Jozankei Tsuruga Resort Spa

Resort, Spa Hotel, Luxury

Jozankei Tsuruga Resort Spa
Courtesy of Jozankei Tsuruga Resort Spa / Expedia

In the forested hills southwest of the city, this modern upscale resort taps the locality’s abundant hot springs and spiritual-inflected respect for nature with traditional Japanese sensibility. Indoor and outdoor onsen, hot stone saunas and several holistic “calming spaces” to connect with the forest’s perceived healing powers are intrinsic to the atmosphere. Western- and Japanese-style accommodation includes cottages with private onsen while the kaiseki – a traditional haute cuisine dinner of seasonal, artfully arranged and presented dishes – rounds off the day.

KIYAZA Home Sapporo

Apartment

KIYAZA Home Sapporo
Courtesy of KIYAZA Home Sapporo / Expedia

Sleeping up to 13 guests, this four-bedroom apartment with a tiny garden south of the city centre is ideal for families or groups of friends seeking an authentic living-in-Japan experience. The workaday neighbourhood has plenty of small shops and eateries, and although the small block is functional rather than beautiful, the well-equipped accommodation is immaculate. The enthusiastic owners are used to hosting and helping foreign guests perhaps unfamiliar with the city and Japanese etiquette.

Goen Lounge and Stay Sapporo

Hostel

Goen Lounge & Stay Sapporo
Courtesy of Goen Lounge and Stay Sapporo / Expedia

A “dormitory-hostel” might not sound so compelling but, this being Japan, the concept embraces fastidious design. The centrally located property doubles as a co-working space: by day, the breakfast lounge becomes an office and café, while at dusk it morphs back into a social hub, occasionally with impromptu “beer parties”. Fully screened bunkbed capsules with reading lamps, plug and USB sockets form the dormitory. Premium beds have hatch-like openings (into what would otherwise be the upper capsule) allowing guests to stand up while changing. Yes, really.

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