Where to Stay on a Budget in Sapporo

Not only is the Quintessa Hotel just north of Nakajima Park, a scenic green space for walks in summer or cross-country skiing in winter, it’s also only a sushi roll’s toss from a metro station – so exploring Sapporo is easy. The spacious rooms, decorated in cappuccino tones, also come with handy add-ons: parking for your hire car, rental bikes and laundry service. The breakfast buffet is a serious affair, with around 80 different dishes on offer, from Hokkaido pumpkin to local milk.

Only a couple of blocks from Sapporo’s party heart, Susukino, which is packed full of whisky bars, izakaya pubs, lamb-scented jingisukan barbecue restaurants and more, Karaksa is a natural pick for night owls who want to enjoy the city after dark. Cheery rooms are decked in whites and light woods, while a restaurant serves up only-in-Hokkaido specialities. A second-floor public bath is ideal for warming frosty limbs after a winter’s day exploring.

A fresh, youthful vibe pervades at Red Planet, from the dramatic red-and-black lobby stylings to the minimalist, contemporary rooms with white-washed walls. Desk areas suit business travellers planning to mix work with pleasure, but in truth this hotel is best used as a crash pad for further exploration. After all, you’re primely placed: just a short walk from Odori Park, the centre of Sapporo’s annual Snow Festival.

Looking to socialise? The Stay, the largest guesthouse in Hokkaido, has shared kitchens, lounge spaces, bedrooms and even bathrooms, to give you the chance to meet fellow travellers. Sleeping between two and eight people in hostel-style dorms – stylishly decked out in raw woods – the rooms are walking distance from going-out hotspot Susukino (so you’ll have plenty of bars to visit with your new friends). There’s a coin laundry on hand if you’re planning on staying a while.

Lifort is a winner for outdoorsy types who want to immerse themselves in one of Sapporo’s prettiest green spaces, Nakajima Park. There are loads of amenities on site, including a 24-hour front desk, a chapel and even a restaurant, while fans of Japanese culture will love the proximity to the Koharadojo Calligraphy Art Museum. It’s a popular spot for big weddings and banquet events, so keep eyes peeled for local revellers dressed to the nines.

Sapporo is best-known for its annual Snow Festival, when epic, multi-storey ice sculptures – fashioned by the world’s finest carvers – appear in central Odori Park. And Grids Sapporo puts you in the centre of this energetic strip, also home to live music and cockle-warming drinks. The hostel itself is set in a shopping arcade, so you can indulge in a spot of boutique-browsing before bedding down in dorm-style rooms. Travelling as a family? Book a traditional tatami room with futon beds for the full Japanese experience.

Right next to Hokkaido University – as well as a metro stop that will whisk you to central Sapporo station – Untapped is one of Sapporo’s coolest affordable stays: think concrete-style walls, industrial-chic lighting and distressed wood detailing. There’s a comfy lounge area and kitchen space where you can catch up with friends, old and new, over a steaming hojicha roasted tea. Or, prep a meal before tackling the Sapporo brewery tour – an easy journey away via public transport.

Want to see the real Hokkaido, away from the tourist trail? In the eastern reaches of the city, Ino’s Place is in a local neighbourhood that gives you an authentic Japanese experience. With free coffee and tea, and a cosy lounge – as well as equipped kitchen for self-catering – it’s not fancy, but it’s certainly homely. Wooden bunk beds feature in sleeping quarters, while there are laundry facilities and lockers for storing away valuables when you head out to explore.