When you're on a busy trip, you tend to only visit the city center or do sightseeing in nearby areas, right?

But if you know how to get there, you might be able to go to even more places.

This time, we'll introduce how to get to tourist spots in the suburbs of Sapporo using the subway and buses. Let's take a step outside of your usual Sapporo trip!

Table of contents
About the Sapporo Municipal Subway
　Subway discount tickets and transfer fares
Tourist attractions accessible from the subway terminal
1. Sapporo Dome
2. Shiroi Koibito Park
Tourist attractions accessible by subway and bus
3. Hitsujigaoka Observatory
4. Art Forest Museum
5. Moerenuma Park
6. Hokkaido Historical Village
7. Takino Suzuran Hillside Park
8. Sapporo Olympic Museum
Explore tourist destinations at a great price! Sapporo Select
Final thoughts

The subway is an indispensable part of life for the citizens of Sapporo.

Sapporo is served by three train lines: the North-South Line (green), the East-West Line (orange), and the Toho Line (blue). These three lines, with a total of 49 stations, support the lives of 1.9 million people.

Discount subway tickets

Sapporo Municipal Subway offers two types of unlimited ride passes: the "Subway One-Day Pass (830 yen for adults)," which allows unlimited rides on the subway for one day, and the "Weekend and Public Holiday Ticket (520 yen for adults)," which can only be used on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.

Both can be purchased at ticket vending machines or at the ticket counter of a commuter pass sales office.

The places I'll be introducing this time are both located near terminal stations, far from the center of Sapporo. Therefore, if you're traveling from the city center, you can recoup the cost of a Donichika Ticket (weekend pass) just by making a round trip. Make good use of it and enjoy sightseeing at a great price!

Transfer fare

A transfer fare applies when transferring from a bus to the subway, or vice versa. The transfer fare for buses is listed below the fare table, so please refer to it.

Please note that the aforementioned "One-Day Pass" and "Weekend Ticket" do not include transfer fares for buses.

Sapporo Dome, located in Toyohira Ward, Sapporo City, was built in time for the 2002 World Cup and is currently used for concerts and events, as well as the home stadium for "Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo" and "Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters".

Some of you might be wondering, "Can soccer and baseball be played in the same place?" But actually, Sapporo Dome can be used as both a soccer field and a baseball field, with the two being swapped.

In addition to watching the matches, you can also visit the observation deck, and on some days, you can even watch the court setup process.

On days when there are no games, you can take a detailed tour of the Sapporo Dome facilities, so if you're interested, I recommend checking it out.

You can check the schedule for the day at the following URL.
https://www.sapporo-dome.co.jp/cgi/today.html

【directions】
■Approximately 10 minutes on foot from Exit 3 of Fukuzumi Station on the Toho Subway Line
If you keep walking along the road, you'll soon see a silver dome.
Please be aware that the subway can get very crowded on days when there are games or concerts.

"Shiroi Koibito" is a famous Hokkaido confection that is known by virtually everyone throughout Japan. Shiroi Koibito Park is a theme park operated by Ishiya Seika, the company that manufactures Shiroi Koibito.

At Shiroi Koibito Park, you can take a factory tour where Shiroi Koibito cookies are produced, and also participate in activities such as making cookies and chocolates (all for a fee), offering plenty of experiences that are sure to create lasting memories for families and groups.

In addition, there are facilities that can be enjoyed for free, such as the sale of limited-edition products and the "Candy Lab" where you can make colorful candies on-site. Many flowers are planted in the courtyard, and in the summer, roses bloom profusely in the rose garden. There are plenty of opportunities to enjoy taking photos!

【directions】
■ 7-minute walk from Exit 4 of Miyanosawa Station on the Tozai Subway Line
(Please follow the signs.)

When you think of Sapporo, you might picture the statue of Dr. Clark with the famous quote, "Boys, be ambitious." That statue is located at Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill.

A bust of Dr. Clark, who came to Sapporo Agricultural College (now Hokkaido University) to train leaders for the development of Hokkaido, became famous at Hokkaido University. The bust attracted so many tourists to the university that it affected academic studies, and the statue of Dr. Clark at Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill was erected in its place.
(The bust at Hokkaido University is still there.)

This observation deck offers panoramic views of Sapporo city, and the surrounding scenery changes beautifully with the seasons, making it a must-visit spot if you're in Sapporo.

【directions】
■Get off at Fukuzumi Station on the Toho Subway Line (Exit 3 is the closest to Fukuzumi Bus Terminal)
Fukuzumi Station Bus Terminal [Platform 4]
Bus to Hitsujigaoka Observation Deck (Fuku 84, Hitsujigaoka Line): Approximately 10 minutes (*Operates only during summer)
Bus fare: 210 yen for adults

Please also check out this article!
[Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill | A must-see tourist spot in Sapporo]

Sapporo Art Park Museum, located in Minami Ward, Sapporo, is a popular art spot for Sapporo residents. The entire grounds surrounding the museum are artistic.

In addition to exhibitions of paintings and photographs, the park constantly hosts various events, including an open-air art museum where sculptures nestled in nature create a wondrous world. It is a hub for culture and art in Sapporo, attracting many citizens and art students.

There are workshops where you can enjoy making things yourself, as well as restaurants and cafes offering delicious buffets, so you can relax and enjoy yourself all day long.

【directions】
Because it's located quite far out in the suburbs, it usually takes about 50 minutes to get there from central Sapporo.
■Get off at Makomanai Station on the Namboku Subway Line.
Take the Central Bus from bus stop number 2 [Soranuma Line/Takino Line].
Get off at "Art Forest Entrance" or "Art Forest Center" (approximately 15 minutes).
All Chuo Buses departing from platform 2 stop at "Geijutsu no Mori Iriguchi" (Art Forest Entrance).
Bus fare: 290 yen for adults

Please also check out this article.
[How to enjoy Sapporo Art Park | Enjoy abundant nature and art]

Another artistic park in Sapporo is Moerenuma Park.

This park has attracted attention both domestically and internationally because it was designed by the sculptor Isamu Noguchi.

This vast park, formerly a waste disposal site, features a unique space where art pieces designed by Isamu Noguchi blend seamlessly with nature. It's not just a place to look; you can touch and play with the artwork, which is sure to stimulate your curiosity.

Beyond its artistic value, it's also a place of activity and relaxation for Sapporo residents, with water play in the summer and snow play in the winter. I'd love to go there for a picnic on a nice day.

【directions】
■Get off at Kanjodori-Higashi Station on the Toho Subway Line
Chuo Bus, Route 69, bound for "Ainosato Education University Station"
Chuo Bus, Route 79 East, bound for "Nakanuma Elementary School Street"
Get off at "Moerenuma Park East Entrance"

■ Subway Namboku Line, Kita 34-jo Station
■ Subway Toho Line, Kanjodori-Higashi Station
East 76 bound for "Nakanuma Elementary School Street"
Get off at "Moerenuma Park West Entrance"
*The same bus also provides access to "Sapporo Satoland".
Bus fare: 210 yen

Please also check out this article.
[Let's go to Moerenuma Park, a place in the suburbs of Sapporo where you can enjoy nature and art!]

Hokkaido has reached its current state after a arduous pioneering era. The Hokkaido Historical Village is an open-air museum that recreates that pioneering era by restoring and relocating buildings from the Meiji to early Showa periods.

Stepping inside, you can catch glimpses of life from over 100 years ago through various shops and houses. Leaving the residential area, a fishing village appears, truly giving the impression of a real village. Tools used at the time are also on display, and after spending some time there, you begin to feel like you've become a villager yourself.

Numerous events are held every month, and you can enjoy activities such as building old-fashioned playground equipment, watching silkworms being raised, and even riding in a carriage pulled by Hokkaido horses. There's more to do than you might expect, making it a great spot for anyone who wants to learn more about Hokkaido, and it's also recommended for families!

【directions】
■ Travel from Shin-Sapporo Station on the Tozai Subway Line to Shin-Sapporo Bus Terminal
To Shin-Sapporo Bus Terminal: North Lane, Platform 10
Take the JR Hokkaido Bus [Shin 22 bound for "Kaitaku no Mura"] for approximately 15 minutes.
Bus fare: 210 yen for adults
*The same bus also provides access to the Hokkaido Museum.

Please also see this article.
[Enjoyable for three generations of family! Explore the Hokkaido Historic Village]

Takino Suzuran Hillside Park is the only national park in Hokkaido. It's a park where you can enjoy flowers, forests, and a variety of activities throughout the year.

The main feature of Takino Suzuran Hillside Park is undoubtedly the abundance of fun playground equipment for children. They can play and use their bodies to their heart's content. Of course, there are also gardens for adults to enjoy, and fishing experiences are available, making it a park that the whole family can enjoy.

This park also features Ashiribetsu Falls, which is one of Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls. The "Mountain Stream Zone," where Ashiribetsu Falls is located, offers other beautiful waterfalls as well, making for a relaxing stroll. It's a bit of a walk from the bus stop, but I think it's well worth a visit!

【directions】
■Get off at Fukuzumi Station on the Toho Subway Line
From platform 6 at Fukuzumi Bus Terminal
Take the Chuo Bus Fukui 87 and get off at "Suzuran Park East Entrance".
Bus fare: 620 yen (approximately 65-minute ride)

■Get off at Makomanai Station on the Namboku Subway Line
Take the Chuo Bus Takino Line, Route 106, and get off at "Suzuran Park East Entrance".
Bus fare: 440 yen (approximately 50-minute ride)

Please also see this article.
[Hokkaido's only national park! Enjoy Takino Suzuran Hillside Park with your family | Sapporo City]

The Sapporo Olympic Museum is located on the grounds of the Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium and is an interactive museum where visitors can learn about materials related to the 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics, as well as the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

It was originally the "Sapporo Winter Sports Museum," but after renovations, it has taken on its current form. It's a facility befitting an Olympic host city.

Here, you'll find a wealth of exhibits related to the Sapporo Olympics, the state of Sapporo at the time, and winter sports, including various sports equipment. Sports enthusiasts will find plenty to be interested in.

Furthermore, the experience booths on the first floor offer plenty of exhibits that adults and children alike can enjoy, such as bobsleigh and ski jumping simulations, and the chance to try being an ice hockey goalkeeper. You'll easily find yourself completely absorbed in the experience. A visit here will definitely make the next Olympics more enjoyable than ever before!

【directions】
■Get off at Maruyama Park Station on the Tozai Subway Line ⇒ Exit 2 to Maruyama Bus Terminal
From Maruyama Bus Terminal, take the JR Hokkaido Bus "En14 Araiyama Line" for approximately 10 minutes.
Get off at "Okurayama Athletic Stadium Entrance" bus stop and walk for about 10 minutes.
Bus fare: 210 yen

"Sapporo Select" is a ticket that allows you to use tourist facilities in Sapporo at a discounted price.

This ticket allows you to use up to three designated tourist facilities, and you'll receive discounted admission fees no matter which facilities you choose.

The tickets can be purchased at tourist information centers inside JR train stations, as well as at the various tourist facilities that accept them. They are valid until March 31, 2019, so you can use them over several days. The tickets come in a set of three, and you will need to have the staff at the tourist facility tear them off for you (they will become invalid if you tear them off yourself).

There are two types of tours: Course A (2,300 yen) which includes the Moiwa Mountain Ropeway and two facilities, and Course B (1,350 yen) which allows you to choose three facilities. For example, if you take Course B and visit Hitsujigaoka Observation Deck (admission fee 520 yen), Historical Village of Japan (800 yen), and Olympic Museum (600 yen), you can save 570 yen compared to visiting them individually.

If you're planning to visit multiple facilities, be sure to check this out.

Great value tickets "Sapporo Select"
http://www.sapporoselect.jp/

Final thoughts

The above is a summary of tourist spots in the suburbs of Sapporo that can be reached by subway and bus.

If you venture a little outside the city center, you'll get a better sense of Sapporo's rich natural environment despite being a metropolitan city.

Whether you're from outside Hokkaido and have visited Sapporo many times, or you're from within Hokkaido and have heard of it but never been there, I highly recommend you check it out!

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