Nijo Market

Explore Sapporo in your own way with a private licensed guide. Choose the 6 or 4-hour option depending on what fits with your schedule. Let the guide know what special requests you have for the day and they will tailor your itinerary accordingly. All guides hold the nationally-licensed Tour Guide-Interpreter certification. It is issued by the Japanese government and requires a good understanding of Japanese culture and history. Sapporo City, on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, may be more famous for its winter activities, but with your guide, you will see how is a destination that can be enjoyed year-round. This tour feature a morning pickup at your hotel in Sapporo, then a visit to any number of possible sites. You can customize your itinerary according to the places you want to visit. See a suggested itinerary below.  This tour begins with your local guide greeting you at your accommodation or the nearest train station. You will then proceed to Okurayama Viewing Point. Take in the great panoramic view and experience the steep slope of a ski jump from 307 meters above sea level. Next, visit the historical village of Hokkaido. The village has a unique history and is home to 60 typical buildings from all over Hokkaido, dating back to the Meiji and Taisho Periods (1868 to 1926), the era when Hokkaido developed quickly.  Then, have lunch at Nijo Ichiba Market, with all its delicious seafood. Enjoy a kaisen-don bowl made from freshly-caught seafood, a local specialty. After lunch, visit the Sapporo Beer Museum. Sapporo Beer is one of the best premium beers in Japan. You can taste a reissued version of the beer that was produced 130 years ago.

Get to know Sapporo in the best way: through its food. Join a local host to feast your way around the city together, and sample of various local food specialties carefully selected for you. Benefit from the personal touch of a private tour and a flexible itinerary, allowing you to change your mind about what you want to do during the experience. From Hokkaido’s regional miso ramen (always yummier with a plate of gyoza on the side) to treats which may surprise you like soft serve ice-cream and Hokkaido cheese, you’ll discover how, what, and where the locals eat. Immerse yourself in Sapporo's unique culinary culture and probably find your new favorite dish along the way. Slurp soup curry (it’s good manners, don’t worry), a dish that was born in the city. Try kaisen don, a bowl of fresh, raw seafood on a bed of fluffy white rice. Set free your inner chef as you grill your own meat on a convex skillet at a classic Jingisukan BBQ restaurant — the ultimate soul food. Enjoy lush parks and shrines, and sample some of the city’s famous beer at the Sapporo Beer Museum. Cleanse your palette by indulging in a sake too, if you like. You might just be crawling back to your accommodation after all of that food. Important: As this is a private and personalised experience, the places you visit may differ from those listed and these will be chosen by your host based on your interests and preferences.

Walk around the classic tourist attraction in Sapporo. When there is snow, the width of the sidewalk becomes very narrow. For safety reasons, depending on the snow and road conditions, we may walk through underground walkways instead of outdoors during the tour. This tour includes: 1. Sapporo station 2. Former Hokkaido Government Office Building (Red Brick Office) 3. Kitakaro or Snow Brand Parlor or guide's recommendation (Sweets shop) 4. Sapporo Clock Tower 5. Odori Park 6. Sapporo TV Tower 7. Tanuki Koji Shopping Street (Afternoon Tour Only) 8. Nijo Fish Marcket (Afternoon Tour Only)

Take a guided tour to walk around the East area of Sapporo. Enjoy a fresh feeling of the city and make discoveries by strolling in the Sosei East Area, which is yet undiscovered by tourists. This tour will have you experience a sense of local life. [Itinerary] 10:00 Meet your guide at "The Sapporo Clock Tower" and start your tour. 10:15 Visit the "Sapporo city hall". 10:30 Entry to "Sapporo TV tower" and see the stunning view. 11:00 Walk along "the Sosei River" and learn about Sapporo's very early age. 11:30 Cross "the Sosei Bridge" and Visit "Hokkaido Jingu Tongue", which is a historical shrine loved by the local community 12:20 Arrive at the "Nijo-Market" 12:30 Enjoy your fresh and delicious lunch at the "Nijo Market." [Tour ends here.] *Tour guide may not join your lunch. Additionally, introduce a recommended cafe, "Kotobuki Coffee."

Sapporo, under the auspices of the Meiji government’s “Hokkaido Kaitakushi” development plan in 1869, was designated to be a large-scale metropolis. The Meiji government was interested in advancing the modernization of Japan, and Hokkaido, with its rich natural resources. Sapporo, as the center of all things Hokkaido, has rapidly progressed in its role as a central city, growing up to be a true metropolis of 1.9 million people. In February, 2017 as hosts of the Winter Asian Games, Sapporo is focused on being even more representative as an international city that showcases Japan’s best.  After leaving your accommodation, you will first visit the famous Nijo Market. This market is popularly known as the kitchen of Sapporo, with the best of seasonal seafood, fruits, and other specialties on display as you walk around. After Nijo market, you’ll ride the subway to the “White Lovers” (known in Japanese as “Shiroi Koibito”) Park. In this theme park, you will find an overflowing of candy charm, plus factory tours and of course the "white lover" confectionery itself, an institution in Hokkaido. You’ll not only enjoy a candy making experience, but also a learning one, specifically about the history of the brand and company, including a display of valuable antique cups. It goes without saying there will be many chances to enjoy the chocolate, be it white, brown, or black. White Lovers opened a new prayer room to accommodate their Muslim visitors. After “White Lovers” Park, you’ll return to the city center and visit the popular ramen shop  "Horyu" (founded in 1958), which is always bustling at lunchtime. The ramen here has a rich broth with a delicious infusion of miso, a perfect match for the noodles and toppings. Particularly recommended is the "Genghis Khan Ramen," which allows you to taste the two major Sapporo specialties of Genghis Khan and ramen at the same time. After lunch, by subway and bus you'll visit Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium. Okurayama is well known as the ski jump venue during the 1972 Olympic Winter Games in Sapporo, but even now many international ski jumping competitions are held. Ride the lift to the 307 meter summit and admire the city of Sapporo and the Ishikari Plain spreading out before you. During winter, you can enjoy a particularly superb view, with the pure white snow dazzling the scene around you. Beneath the 307 meter summit’s observatory is the starting line for the ski jump. Here you can realistically experience the jumper’s feeling before they make their run. After enjoying the ski jump stadium, the tour will end with a return to your accommodation.