Things to do in Akaigawa

On an action-packed visit to Sapporo, Odori Park is both a destination and a space for relaxation. Stretched out over 1 mile (1.5 kilometers) or 12 city blocks down the center of the city, the park separates the northern administrative districts from the southern, residential and commercial districts. Stop here for a picnic lunch amid its 92 types of trees while visiting the city or come for one of the many festivals that set up on the plazas any time of the year. The famous Sapporo Snow Festival is one popular example.

Whether you are a beginner, an expert skier looking for fresh challenges or somewhere in between, Rusutsu Resort has it covered. Indulge in some of the best tree-skiing in Japan and participate in a range of snow-based activities, including snow rafting, horseback riding and dog sledding.

Though the Sapporo Dome is best known as the home ground of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters and the soccer team Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, it is a tourist destination in its own right. Perfect for sports fans of all kinds and featuring the world’s first “hovering” soccer field, it is full of activities even on days when concerts or sports games are not taking place. Take a tour of the stadium, jog through the nearby grounds or go up to the observation deck and look out onto the rolling nearby hills.

Like Hokkaido itself, Nakajima Park changes with the seasons but is lovely year round. This 52-acre (21-hectare) urban oasis gathers a charming collection of natural features and cultural institutions in a picturesque setting beneath Mount Moiwa. Come see why the city park, created on the site of an abandoned lumberyard, has become a favorite for locals and visitors.

Go on a self-guided tour of Hokkaido University and glimpse the daily activities of the city’s higher education students. Hokkaido University is famous for its leafy gardens and buildings that showcase varying architectural styles. Visit the campus museum to see collections that honor everything from a university founder, to Nobel laureates and natural science exhibits.