The Snow Festival. The 2027 festival runs February 4 to 11 at Odori, Susukino and Tsudome, free to walk, lit until 10 p.m., and more than two million people come. Hotels sell out months ahead at roughly double the price, so book the bed before the flights. Expect 14 to 23°F (minus 10 to minus 5°C) and sidewalks of ice.
The airport train and the day passes. The JR Rapid Airport runs from under the domestic terminal to Sapporo Station in about 40 minutes for roughly ¥1,200, and the reserved u-seat costs extra; check the fare on JR Hokkaido’s site, since it has risen since 2025. In town, Suica and Kitaca work on the subway (from ¥210), the streetcar (¥230 flat) and the buses. A subway-only day pass is ¥830 on weekdays and the Donichika pass ¥520 on weekends and holidays, cash only at the machines.
The beer. The Sapporo Beer Museum started charging in 2025: ¥1,000, open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed only on December 31, with a 55-minute premium tour and tasting for ¥2,000 that does not run on Mondays. The Beer Garden next door grills jingisukan lamb from 11:30 a.m.; book a table, and note that Poplar Hall is closed for renovation until early 2027.
Moiwa. Ropeway and mini cable car to the summit cost ¥2,100 round trip, run from 10:30 a.m. in summer and 11 a.m. in winter until 10 p.m. with the last ascent at 9:30 p.m. The whole mountain shuts for maintenance from March 29 to April 28, 2027. In midwinter sunset is around 4 p.m., so ride up at 3:30 p.m. and shop Tanukikoji afterwards.
Otaru. The Rapid Airport continues to Otaru in about 30 minutes for under ¥1,000, roughly three an hour; get off at Minami-Otaru for Sakaimachi. The last train back is a local leaving Otaru a little after 11 p.m., 45 minutes to Sapporo, and the Yoichi trains for Nikka run hourly with the distillery’s last entry at 3:30 p.m.
The Red Brick Office. The Former Hokkaido Government Office reopened on July 25, 2025 after six years of restoration: 8:45 a.m. to 9 p.m., closed December 29 to January 3, ¥300 for the exhibits with the shop and café free.
The ice. By February the sidewalks are glass. Wear boots with grip or buy slip-on spikes at a convenience store, take short flat steps, and use the underground walkway from Sapporo Station to Susukino to cross the center dry.
Evening plan. Put Moiwa on the first clear evening and ask Waystop for a rain plan, a second version of the day, in case cloud comes in. Carry coins for the day-pass machines and check the Otaru train before dinner, not after.