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
- 9:50 Meet @ Hotel
- 10:30 Clock Tower, TV Tower
- 11:00 Nijo Market
- 11:30 Snow Festival Sightseeing
- 12:15 Lunch @ Picanti
- 13:00 Hokkaido Shrine
- 14:15 Disband @ Odori Station
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Meeting at @ Hotel at 9:50, the group explored Hokkaido until the tour ended at 14:15. The day ran to 4 hours and 25 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch @ Picanti at 12:15.
The itinerary covered Clock Tower, TV Tower at 10:30, Nijo Market at 11:00, Snow Festival Sightseeing at 11:30 and Hokkaido Shrine at 13:00.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Sapporo to Odori by subway (210JPY); Nishi 11-chome to Maruyama Koen by subway (210JPY); Maruyama Koen to Odori by subway (210JPY). Across 3 sections the fare came to 630JPY per person.
Title: What's a Private Winter Day Tour of Sapporo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guest was a returning visitor from North America who had studied Japanese at a university in Tokyo years ago. This was their eighth trip to Japan, and although they had been visiting almost every year recently, it was their first time in Hokkaido. Since they said they had largely forgotten their Japanese, I guided entirely in English. We had originally planned to visit the Historical Village of Hokkaido, but due to delays on JR trains and buses caused by heavy snow, we switched to sightseeing within the city.
After visiting the Clock Tower, the TV Tower, and Nijo Market, we toured the Snow Festival and had lunch at a soup curry restaurant near Maruyama Park. The guest loved curry but had never tried soup curry before and was delighted by it. Afterward, we visited Hokkaido Shrine, where the guest bought many charms. They also purchased original sweets at a Japanese confectionery shop on the shrine grounds.
Since the guest wanted to do some shopping in the city, we got off the subway at Odori, where I showed them the department stores and the location of the ramen alley in Susukino before saying goodbye. The weather was clear and the temperature was not too cold, so it seems the guest was able to enjoy comfortable sightseeing.
Click here for more details: Sapporo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Subway | Sapporo～Odori | 210JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Nishi 11-chome～Maruyama Koen | 210JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Maruyama Koen～Odori | 210JPY |
| Total | 630JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Hokkaido tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @ Hotel at 9:50, and the tour finished at @ Odori Station at 14:15.
How long does the tour last?
About 4 hours and 25 minutes in total, from 9:50 to 14:15.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Clock Tower, TV Tower, Nijo Market, Snow Festival Sightseeing and Hokkaido Shrine.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 630JPY 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?
Hiroko 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.
Hello I’m Hiroko.
I started tour guide in 2017. I work not only in Hokkaido but also in Honshu area.
Last year
Freelance tour guide-operates over 120 days of operation.
8 times of long -term escort tour in Hokkaido. 4 times of 8-10days in Honshu.
12 times of Cruise guests’ one day excursions in Hokkaido and Tohoku. I love my job.
Until then I’ve worked as a short-term study abroad coordinator of an English language School in Japan and Canada.
I was born and brought up in Sapporo, I’m good at skiing.
I majored Japanese history at college in Tokyo. I like Calligraphy.
Let’s enjoy the tour together!
Aug 11, 2024
M
Miller A
Good intro to Sapporo
Tripadvisor review: Sapporo Half-Day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Our guide was very knowledgeable…
Aug 11, 2024
M
Miller A
Good intro to Sapporo
Tripadvisor review: Sapporo Half-Day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Our guide was very knowledgeable about the history and customs of Sapporo and made
sure we saw a wide variety of things. We especially liked Hokkaido Shrine and Odori Park.
May 24, 2024
Brian_K
Sapporo with guide
Viator review: Sapporo Full-Day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Views from Sapporo TV Tower and visiting and…
May 24, 2024
Brian_K
Sapporo with guide
Viator review: Sapporo Full-Day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Views from Sapporo TV Tower and visiting and trying desserts at the Shiroi Koibito factory
were pleasant.