Sapporo Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide Meji
December, 2024
This is a private guided tour report by Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.), a network of 1,000+ government-licensed, English-speaking local guides across all 47 prefectures of Japan. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Tour Itinerary
- 10:00 Meet up, share a common understanding of the situation given it's New Year's Eve, and since the customer will be staying in Sapporo for a few days, start the walking tour including an explanation of spots to enjoy Sapporo and how to use transportation
- 10:10～11:30 Walking and visiting Nijo Market
- 11:40～12:30 Subway ride and visiting/entering the Clock Tower
- 12:40～13:40 Subway ride and Hokkaido Shrine
- 13:45～14:10 Subway ride and heading to the Shiroi Koibito entrance
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The itinerary covered Walking and visiting Nijo Market at 10:10, Subway ride and visiting/entering the Clock Tower at 11:40, Subway ride and Hokkaido Shrine at 12:40 and Subway ride and heading to the Shiroi Koibito entrance at 13:45.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Subway Susukino to Subway Odori Station (520JPY); Subway Odori Station to Subway Maruyama-koen Station (0JPY); Subway Maruyama-koen Station to Subway Miyanosawa Station (0JPY). Across 3 sections the fare came to 520JPY per person.
What Is a Private New Year's Eve Walking Tour of Sapporo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests' hotel was about a 20-minute walk from the Sapporo Beer Garden, but the venue was closed that day for New Year's Eve. Since the guests were staying several nights in Sapporo, I provided information about Sapporo as well as Otaru so that they could continue enjoying their stay after my guided tour. It was a pleasant group with a warm family atmosphere.
I explained the grid layout of central Sapporo, and how the subway Namboku Line and Tozai Line cover the sightseeing spots to a reasonable extent. I also explained that even in cold weather, one can enjoy Sapporo using the underground shopping arcade and underground walkways. After building a sense of location including walking routes, we first walked a little to Nijo Market. I also explained and visited the Clock Tower, which is essential to Sapporo's history. As a Japanese cultural way to spend New Year's Eve, we visited a shrine. Along the way at Maruyama Park, the guests enjoyed taking photos with snow squirrels, snow snakes, and snowmen made in the trees. Since the Red Brick Government Building was under restoration, I asked whether they would prefer the Hoheikan or Shiroi Koibito, and they chose Shiroi Koibito Park. We were running quite behind on time, and I told them I did not mind and would be happy to continue guiding, but they said everything, including the return trip, would be fine. I handed them a map for the return route, a Sapporo map, sightseeing pamphlets, a discount ticket for the TV Tower, a Norbesa pamphlet (where night views can be enjoyed), and an Otaru map, and we parted in front of the Shiroi Koibito ticket counter. The guests had bright expressions and asked many questions, and they even gave me souvenirs such as a keychain and chocolates.
Click here for more details: Sapporo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Other | Subway Susukino～Subway Odori Station | 520JPY |
| Section 2 | Other | Subway Odori Station～Subway Maruyama-koen Station | 0JPY |
| Section 3 | Other | Subway Maruyama-koen Station～Subway Miyanosawa Station | 0JPY |
| Total | 520JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Walking and visiting Nijo Market, Subway ride and visiting/entering the Clock Tower, Subway ride and Hokkaido Shrine and Subway ride and heading to the Shiroi Koibito entrance.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 520JPY per person across 3 sections. Transport fares are paid by the guests and are not included in the guiding fee.
Is the guide licensed, and what language is the tour in?
Meji is a government-licensed national guide-interpreter of Japan and guided this tour in English. Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.) works with more than 1,000 licensed guides across all 47 prefectures. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Can the itinerary be changed for my own trip?
Yes. This report describes one private tour as it actually ran. Every Hokkaido itinerary is built around the guests, so the places, the pace and the starting point can all be changed before the tour.
I’m certified guide speaking English and Spanish. I’m well experienced tour guide. My tour is always full of joy. I know Namahage, Onsen and alcoholic beverage verry well. I speak spanish too. I worked there for 5 years. My tour is always full of joy and smile. I was born in Hakodate, so naturally I know Hokkaido verry well including some special points too. I can tell you very special Samurai story, verry noce and local restaurants and verry typical atmosphere. I wait your kind offer. In my tour experiences, no one was unsatisfied. And if you want to ski, I’ll be happy to share a joy of winter spports.
Aug 2, 2025
Emily_M
Our guide, Meji, was very…
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Our guide, Meji, was very professional, knowledgeable, and kind, making certain that he
tailored our tour specifically to our priorities. We had a wonderful tour with him and saw lots
of interesting sights of Hakodate that he explained clearly. We enjoyed our tour.