Hokkaido Travel Tips: Food, Souvenirs, and Local Insights

In this blog, I'm going to share some tips and personal experiences that may be helpful for your travels around Hokkaido.

The Tourist Information Center beside Otaru Canal in Hokkaido

Things You Should Know Before Going to Hokkaido:

1. Food

Some food prices are much higher than in Tokyo. For example, in Tokyo, you can buy ramen for less than 1,000 yen, while in Hokkaido, most ramen dishes start at 1,000 yen.

On the other hand, ramen in Hokkaido, especially in Sapporo, is considered the best. This type of ramen is called Sapporo-style ramen. It's known for its rich miso-based broth, typically served with curly noodles and topped with ingredients like corn, butter, bean sprouts, and chashu (braised pork). While miso ramen is one of the most well-known ramen styles in Sapporo, Hokkaido also offers other regional varieties, including:

• Shoyu Ramen (soy sauce-based broth)

• Shio Ramen (salt-based broth)

Sapporo-style ramen

In Ramen Alley, Sapporo

2. Souvenirs

Buying souvenirs in Sapporo can be quite pricey. If your itinerary takes you from Hokkaido to Tokyo (or vice versa), I'd recommend buying souvenirs in Tokyo, but only for items that you can find there. For instance, KitKat in Ameyoko, Ueno, is around 198 yen, whereas in Hokkaido, including at Don Quijote in Sapporo, it's about 298 yen.

Royce, Sapporo, Hokkaido

The photo on the right is very meaningful to me because it's
my husband's Valentine's present: Nama Chocolate by ROYCE.

Just a quick story: I've been wanting to try this chocolate for a
long time, so I'm so happy my husband bought it for me
and that we enjoyed it in a place I never thought I would visit.

Yay! Every small detail matters when the person truly loves you. ♥

Ishiya, Sapporo, Hokkaido

Also, the prices for chocolates like Royce and Ishiya are the same at New Chitose Airport as they are in the physical stores. So, if you forget to buy some varieties of these chocolates, you can still get them at the airport.

3. People

People in Hokkaido are warmer and more welcoming than in Tokyo.

Sapporo TV Tower

4. Transportation

Transportation fees in Hokkaido are a bit higher than in Tokyo. For example, the fare from Tokyo Station to Shinjuku (via the Yamanote Line, which is about 16 stations) is around 208 to 210 yen. In contrast, the fare from Sapporo Station to Susukino (via the Namboku Line, which is only about 2 stations) is also about 210 yen. See the difference?

Otaru Station

5. Best Area to Stay

We highly recommend booking a hotel in Susukino. Why Susukino? It’s a bustling entertainment area located in the heart of Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. Known for its vibrant nightlife, Susukino offers a wide range of bars, restaurants, karaoke spots, nightclubs, and izakayas (Japanese pubs). As one of Japan's largest entertainment districts, it provides diverse experiences for both locals and visitors. In our case, we stayed at Toyoko Inn Hokkaido Sapporo Susukino Kosaten.

The picture on the left is of the facade of Toyoko Inn
Hokkaido Sapporo Susukino Kosaten.

The best thing about staying at this hotel is that they offer a buffet breakfast. Additionally, the dining area has a great view, allowing you to enjoy your meal while watching the snowfall. Imagine sipping miso soup as snowflakes fall—it's the perfect way to start the day.

Book the hotel?

Toyoko Inn Hokkaido Sapporo Susukino Kosaten: Click Here