Excursion Sapporo on your own tour at Otaru

Indulge your senses with the splendid shopping, dining, culture, and sites of Sapporo during this self-guided, full-day sightseeing excursion.

Otaru, Sapporo, Sapporo TV Tower, Breath-Taking City Views

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately one-hour drive to Sapporo, the prefectural capital of Hokkaido and Japan’s fifth-largest city. Upon arrival, proceed to the Sapporo TV Tower, the drop-off/pick-up point for your tour and an iconic symbol of Sapporo. The height of the tower is approximately 483-foot (about 147.2 metres), and its 296-foot-high (about 90.3-metre-high) Observation Level offers breath-taking, 360-degree views over the entire city of Sapporo.  

Odori Park, Former Hokkaido Government Building, Free Time

Beautiful Odori Park stretches out directly in front of the Sapporo TV Tower. The park is approximately 0.93 miles (about 1.5 kilometres) in length and plays a key role in hosting major Sapporo tourist events, with the Sapporo Snow Festival in February being the most famous one. Completed in December 1888, the red-brick Former Hokkaido Government Building is a beloved tourist site in Sapporo and has been designated an Important Cultural Asset by the Japanese government. After departing the coach at the Sapporo TV Tower, ample free time is made available for you to explore the tower, Odori Park, and other scenic, historic, and fun-filled landmarks and dining options in Sapporo at your leisure.

Hokkaido Jingu, Beer Museum, Hokkaido, Maruyama Zoo, Parks, Museums, Shopping

Popular local sites to be seen during your self-guided visit to Sapporo may include Hokkaido Jingu, a Shinto Shrine, the Sapporo Beer Museum, historical village of Hokkaido, Maruyama Zoo, several parks and museums, and a wealth of superb dining options your guide can recommend for you. In addition, Sapporo is home to numerous boutiques, shoppes, and shopping malls to explore, including the JR Tower. One of the largest shopping malls in Japan, the JR Tower features its own panoramic Observatory. At the pre-determined time, return to the Sapporo TV Tower, re-board your coach, and commence the approximately one-hour drive back to the pier.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion may include: Otaru City, Sapporo, Sapporo TV Tower, Odori Park, Government Building, Hokkaido Jingu, Beer Museum, Hokkaido, Maruyama Zoo, Parks, Museums, Shopping

Note

Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking, at times over uneven surfaces, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach. Walking in Sapporo is at the discretion of each guest. This tour is not suitable for guests prone to motion sickness, guests with a fear of heights, guests with limited mobility, and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes, and bring sun protection, a sweater or light jacket, bottled water, and Japanese Yen or credit cards for purchases from the ship. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate on this tour. Guests must be at least 20 years old to be served alcoholic beverages. Infrastructure in Otaru may be basic, and local conditions may be challenging; coaches, guides, hotels, restaurants, equipment, and services are the best-available in the area, but may not be up to the standards of those found on other ports. Therefore, we urge flexibility and understanding as we visit unique, less-touristic destinations. The cost of providing a tour programme in this area is proportionately more expensive than in neighbouring regions, as vehicles and guides are brought in from the whole region. This may be reflected in the prices of the tours, and we thank you for your understanding. Purchases of food, drinks, and souvenirs in Sapporo are at each guest’s own expense. The driving time between the pier and sites visited is approximately one hour in each direction. Operation of this tour is subject to weather conditions. The tour sequence may vary.