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
- 8:55 Meet up @ Hotel
- 9:10 Odori Park
- 9:25 Former Hokkaido Government Office
- 11:05 Sapporo Clock Tower
- 11:20 Odori Park (TV Tower Area)
- 11:30 Nijo Market
- 11:45 Tanukikoji
- 12:10 Lunch @ Aburiya Bisse
- 13:25 Shiroi Koibito Park
- 15:05 Dismissal @ Susukino (Snow Festival: Ice Sculpture Exhibition Venue)
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 8:55 at @ Hotel and ended at 15:05. The day ran to 6 hours and 10 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch @ Aburiya Bisse at 12:10.
Over the course of the day the route took in Odori Park at 9:10, Former Hokkaido Government Office at 9:25, Sapporo Clock Tower at 11:05, Odori Park (TV Tower Area) at 11:20, Nijo Market at 11:30, Tanukikoji at 11:45 and Shiroi Koibito Park at 13:25.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Odori to Miyanosawa by subway (290JPY); Miyanosawa to Susukino by subway (290JPY). Across 2 sections the fare came to 580JPY per person.
What Is a Private Winter Tour of Sapporo Like During the Snow Festival? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from North America. At the time, the Snow Festival was being held mainly around Odori Park, and this Sapporo tour was arranged with that event in mind. Since the guests could visit the Snow Festival venue at Odori Park on their own later, I guided them to other sightseeing spots in central Sapporo. When I asked about their lunch preference, they said that since they had come all the way to Japan, they wanted Japanese food, so I tried to make a reservation at a restaurant serving Japanese cuisine. During the Snow Festival, many tourists visit the area, so I expected dining spots to be quite crowded, but perhaps because this restaurant was not so well known among tourists, we were able to dine at the time we hoped for. Finally, I took the guests to Susukino, another venue of the Snow Festival, and guided them to the ice sculpture exhibition held there, bringing the tour to a close.
Click here for more details: Sapporo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Subway | Odori～Miyanosawa | 290JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Miyanosawa～Susukino | 290JPY |
| Total | 580JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Hokkaido tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @ Hotel at 8:55, and the tour finished at @ Susukino (Snow Festival: Ice Sculpture Exhibition Venue) at 15:05.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours and 10 minutes in total, from 8:55 to 15:05.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Odori Park, Former Hokkaido Government Office, Sapporo Clock Tower, Odori Park (TV Tower Area), Nijo Market, Tanukikoji and Shiroi Koibito Park.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 580JPY per person across 2 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?
Tom 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 was born and raised in Hokkaido and have been a resident of Sapporo for over 30 years. I have been actively involved in guiding tourists around the scenic spots of Hokkaido, primarily focusing on Sapporo. Even before becoming a licensed interpreter guide, I engaged in volunteer activities to assist and guide foreigners, providing me with valuable opportunities to delve into the rich culture and history of Hokkaido.
Hokkaido is renowned for its exceptional culinary scene, and I am well-versed in gourmet information. I believe I can offer an excellent experience by guiding individuals through the highly acclaimed food experiences that Hokkaido has to offer.
Apr 22, 2026
Agent PT A
Tripadvisor review: Sapporo 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Super Sapporo in April with Tom.
Tom was kind…
Apr 22, 2026
Agent PT A
Tripadvisor review: Sapporo 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Super Sapporo in April with Tom.
Tom was kind enough to meet at our hotel to start the tour and then sat with us to make sure we saw the best of Sapporo that was available to us on the day. We even managed some Cherry Blossom which was an unexpected bonus.
Tom ensured we got to Sapporos highest view away from any crowds and navigated our route brilliantly. He left us at the Sapporo Brewery for us to drink and eat in our own time. We wish Tom sincere thanks for a great day in Sapporo.
Awesome!!
Feb 10, 2026
Alan_C
Very enjoyable and well…
Viator review: Sapporo 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Very enjoyable and well worth it. Our…
Feb 10, 2026
Alan_C
Very enjoyable and well…
Viator review: Sapporo 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Very enjoyable and well worth it. Our guide was very knowledgeable about Sapporo and I
would definitely recommend to anyone visiting
Sep 24, 2025
saratW9816BN
Tour up to the Moiwa mountain and lots more
Tripadvisor review: Sapporo 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
We’ve had…
Sep 24, 2025
saratW9816BN
Tour up to the Moiwa mountain and lots more
Tripadvisor review: Sapporo 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
We’ve had a great time on our tour with Tom . Very knowledgeable man . It was our first
experience of sapporo. Great start for our holiday here in Japan
Sep 2, 2025
roxannerW1499FK
Great experience!
Tripadvisor review: Sapporo 4hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
We had a wonderful city tour with Tom in…
Sep 2, 2025
roxannerW1499FK
Great experience!
Tripadvisor review: Sapporo 4hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
We had a wonderful city tour with Tom in Sapporo! He was very knowledgeable about Hokkaido’s history and culture and had a lot of great stories to share. He was extremely friendly and patient as well. Highly recommend booking a tour with Tom if you want to see Sapporo’s highlights in a day! He also does tours further out of Sapporo city center.