Flights to Sapporo

Major Events and Festivals

Sapporo Snow Festival

The Sapporo Snow Festival is the biggest event on the city's calendar. It takes place in the first week of February and attracts more than two million visitors each year. If you want to attend, book your return flights to Sapporo and your accommodation well in advance before the demand causes the prices to increase. During the festival, sculptures are lit up from sundown, and there is a snow sculpture contest that attracts contestants from all over Japan and the rest of the world.

Sapporo Lilac Festival

The Sapporo Lilac Festival takes place twice a year. The first part of the event is held towards the end of May at Odori Park and the second takes place at Kawashimo Park in June. Festival-goers buying plane tickets to Sapporo can expect a music festival, outdoor tea ceremonies, a wine garden, guided tours of the lilacs and lilac-themed quiz events.

Hokkaido Shrine Festival

If you want to experience Japanese culture at its finest, book your airfare to Sapporo around the Hokkaido Shrine Festival. It takes place from the 14th to 16th of June and thousands of people dress up in traditional Heian period costumes for parades around the city.

Sapporo Autumn Fest

The Sapporo Autumn Fest is a must-visit for travelling foodies. Held inside Odori Park, you'll find booths serving up delicious bowls of ramen, selling glasses of wine and of course, shots of sake. The chefs of Sapporo's most popular restaurants also attend, giving you the chance to enjoy some of the best food the city has to offer. When packing for your flights to Sapporo, bring a few warm layers as Sapporo Autumn Fest is held in September when temperatures start to cool.

Tips for First-Time Travellers to Sapporo

Check the weather

If you're buying return flights to Sapporo over the winter months, pack your warmest clothes. The temperatures plummet to as low as –15°C and snowfall is common. You'll want to bring along thermal clothing, sensible shoes (preferably waterproof) and a thick winter jacket. The spring and autumn seasons warm up to 20°C, but you'll still need to wear layers that you can take off as needed.

Pack a good pair of walking shoes

Sapporo is a walkable city with places of interest in close proximity of each other. You're going to end up walking a lot so make sure you pack a good pair of walking shoes before you head to the airport to catch your flights to Sapporo.

Buy the one-day subway pass

For attractions that you can't reach on foot, you can use the city's subway system to get around. It’s an affordable option for budget travellers buying cheap flights to Sapporo. Avoid the hassle of buying a new ticket for each leg of your journey by purchasing the one-day pass. It costs 830 JPY ($10.57 AUD) per person.

Cash is king

While Japan is a technologically advanced country, you'll still need cash to pay for some of your purchases. Once your flights to Sapporo land at New Chitose Airport (CTS), you can withdraw from one of the ATMs in the arrivals terminal. Alternatively, you'll find ATMs at most 7-Eleven stores. Keep in mind that there is a withdrawal limit of 50,000 JPY($636.65 AUD) per transaction.

Transport from New Chitose Airport (CTS)

The New Chitose Airport (CTS) is an hour away from the city centre. When your flights to Sapporo land, you can use the Chitose train line into the city. Other options include taking the airport limousine bus (a trip to downtown Sapporo will cost you 1,100 JPY ($14.01 AUD)) or a metered taxi.

Top Things to Do and See in Sapporo

Odori Park

Odori Park is one of the best things to do in Sapporo. If you need to escape the city for a few hours, come here and wander past the fountains, art sculptures and gardens. The park is close to other attractions like the Sapporo TV Tower and various museums and art galleries. It's a great place to visit if you're buying flights to Sapporo as a family and you want to let the kids run around while you have a picnic.

Hokkaido Shrine

The Hokkaido Shrine is one of Japan's most important Shinto religious sites. Pilgrims from all over the country buy flights to Sapporo to visit the site each year. The shrine received an extra boost in popularity when it was dedicated to the soul of Emperor Meiji in 1964.

Mount Moiwa

If you're after panorama views of Sapporo, head to the summit of Mount Moiwa. Hikers buying cheap flights to Sapporo can walk to the top, but if you're short on time, you can also take the aerial tramway.