Hokkaido is definitely a great place you could spend weeks or even months exploring its beautiful attractions, events and more. Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido is a fantastic city to visit and I love its vibe as there is so much to see and do and eat and drink!
If you plan on visiting Sapporo in July, this guide will help you understand the main summer highlights that you are going to experience.
A lot of tourists travel to Sapporo in July. Accommodation is often expensive in July, so advance hotel reservation is highly recommended. In this post, you will also find a variety of amazing day trips from Sapporo.
1. Horomitoge Lavender Garden
Hokkaido is famous for its stunning lavender fields and flower gardens in the summer. Furano is the perfect place to admire plenty of lavender plants in Hokkaido. Does it mean you can’t see lavender in Sapporo?
In July, you can visit Horomitoge Lavender Garden, located in Sapporo. This garden is home to thousands of vibrant lavender plants that bloom in shades of purple from early July to early August.
You should stroll through the lavender gardens, taking in the calming scent and breathtaking views of the surrounding hills and Sapporo city in the distance. Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere as you relax and take photographs.
This 10 hectares lavender garden is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Sapporo in July. For tourists wishing to visit the park should get a taxi from Maruyama Koen Station.
2. Takino Suzuran Hillside Park
Takino Suzuran Hillside Park is one of the most popular parks to visit in Sapporo for local and tourists alike. Please note this 400-hectare park is the only government-operated park in all of Hokkaido.
You can easily spend a day in this park from Sapporo as there are many interesting things to do all year round. With a variety of flower blooms, summer is a perfect time to explore the park.
This stunning park is an ideal place for families looking to enjoy picnic and outdoor gatherings. Your little ones would be very happy finding playgrounds there. I truly believe this attraction would be a perfect place for those wishing to experience trilling activities, such as zip-lining and tree climbing.
In July, one thing that most of you would like to do there is a pleasant stroll along the designated paths. The “Country Garden” in the park is a very popular spot with a large flower garden, where different kinds of flowers bloom across the hillside.
In late July, you will be witnessing thousands of hydrangea flowers!
3. Odori Park/Odori Koen
Every city in the world has its own parks. Odori Koen is the most beloved park in Sapporo for sure.
It’s considered the heart of Sapporo city. This park stretches 1.5 km across the city center from east to west. At the eastern edge of Odori Park you find the iconic Sapporo TV Tower.
TV Tower offers a 360° view of Sapporo! In fact, from its observatory you can see the entire Odori Park including the beautiful mountains in the distance.
The park hosts a number of popular festivals and events, such as the famous Sapporo Snow Festival, Sapporo White Illumination, YOSAKOI Soran Festival, Sapporo Summer Festival, Sapporo Autumn Fest, and more. In July, visitors can experience two summer events – the Sapporo Summer Festival and Sapporo City Jazz.
Without question the park is a relaxing green space with lawns, fountains, playgrounds, and trees of different kinds. Flowers can be spotted as you take a stroll along the park in the summer.
4. Jozankei Farm
Fruit picking is quite fun and I absolutely enjoy it. There are many fruit picking spots to be found in Hokkaido and one of the best fruit picking spot near Sapporo is Jozankei Farm. This fruit farm is located adjacent to Hokeiyo Dam, one of the best autumn foliage spots at Jozankei!
At Jozankei Farm, fruit picking is open for visitors from spring to autumn. Enjoy picking a variety of fruits including strawberries, cherries, plums, grapes and apples. In general, cherries begin to ripen early- to mid-July. So, you will likely be picking cherries there in July.
Apart from fruit picking, you can enjoy a number of outdoor activities including tree trekking, fishing, and a stroll in the Orchard Garden. Beautiful display of a verity of flowers bloom there will definitely impress you.
Jozankei offers a long-running illumination event, which takes place every year from early June to late October. Begun in 2016 for the first time to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Jozankei Onsen, this event is called Jozankei Nature Luminarie. In the evening, experience the dazzling illumination from the walking path of Futami Park to Futami Suspense Bridge.
You may rent a car from downtown Sapporo and enjoy a drive all the way to Jozankei Farm. The farm is a 5-minute ride from Jozankei Onsen.
5. Makomanai Music Fireworks Festival
Summer in Japan is all about fireworks festival. Makomanai Music Fireworks Festival is one of the largest fireworks displays in Hokkaido, featuring over 22,000 explosions synchronized to music. It’s held annually at the Makomanai Sekisui Heim Stadium in early July.
This summer festival in Sapporo combines stunning pyrotechnic displays with synchronized music, creating a mesmerizing experience for visitors. Families and friends gather and find their perfect viewing spots to enjoy the fireworks.
Therefore, If you want to a stunning fireworks display in Sapporo in July, where stunning display of light, sound, and pyrotechnics can be experienced then get to the stadium and secure you viewing spot.
In 2024, the festival will be held on July 6th.
6. Moerenuma Park
Designed by famous sculptor Isamu Noguchi, Moerenuma Koen is a comprehensive park in Sapporo. Construction begun in 1982 and the park had its grand opening in 2005.
It features expensive grounds where visitors can see the Glass Pyramid, Mt. Moere, Sea Fountain, Music Shell, Tera Mound, Play Mountain, and more. It should be noted the fountain and wading pool facilities are open to public in the summer.
Oviously, the park offers a refreshing escape from the city heat in the summer. In fact, the park has attractions for all seasons. For example, in the spring you can see beautiful sakura in a green zone called “Forest of Cherry Tree.”
If you want to enjoy skiing and sledding in the park during winter, you have to climb Mt. Moere. This is one of the main attractions of this park from where visitors can overlook the entire park and also the entire city of Sapporo!
7. The Hill of the Buddha (Atama Daibutsu)
The Hill of the Buddha is located on the outskirt of Sapporo at Makomanai Takino Cemetery. The cemetery showcases a collection of statues including moai heads, Stonehenge, and a big Buddha statue.
Atama Daibutsu itself is a giant Buddha Statue that attracts a lot of visitors during the lavender season in July. Designed by world-famous architect Tadao Ando, this amazing masterpiece is a place not to be missed during your visit to Sapporo.
The statue itself is 13.5 meters tall and weighs 1500 tons. The Atama Daibutsu actually sits largely within a hollow dome with only the top of its head sticking out above ground. The head of the Buddha statue is surrounded by the landscape of the hill! Beautiful lavender fields are found all around in July!
Take the subway from Odori Station on the Namboku Line to Makomanai Station, and then get on a local bus bound for Takino Suzuran Hillside Park. Be sure to get off in front of the gate of Makomanai Takino Cemetery.
8. Sapporo Beer Museum
When it comes to different things to do in Sapporo, one of the first attractions you will likely to stumble upon is Sapporo Beer Museum.
We often recommend this place for visitors wanting to explore museum around Sapporo. And a visit to this iconic red-brick building is one of the best things to do in Sapporo. It’s located next to the Sapporo Beer Garden. This historic attraction in Sapporo provides unique glimpse into Japan’s beer culture and history.
If you did not know, Hokkaido is the birth place of beer in Japan! You probably have tasted one of Japan’s oldest beer brand called Sapporo Beer. Have not you? In fact, the right place for beer tasting experience in Sapporo is at Sapporo Beer Museum.
The museum provides guided tours, offering in-depth insights into the brewing process and the brand’s historical significance. In addition, you would like to see a variety of vintage beer bottles, and advertising posters.
Please note that after you have spent enough time inside the building, it’s time to head over to the famous Sapporo Beer Garden. This is a perfect place to try Genghis Khan, a local specialty!
9. Day Trips from Sapporo
Sapporo is a hugely popular tourist destination in the Hokkaido region of Japan. You really can’t come to Hokkaido and not experience the best day trips from Sapporo, such as Otaru, Lake Toya, Furano, Biei, Asahikawa, Shakotan Peninsula, Yoichi, Lake Shikotsu, and Noboribetsu.
There are lots of day trips out of Sapporo that allow you to see amazing attractions of Hokkaido and then return to Sapporo later in the same day.
This guide here highlights the popular day trips from Sapporo. Enjoy reading!
10. Ishikari Asobeach
For you this may not be one of your favorite beaches but for locals this is precious, and they like to visit it every summer! Ishikari Asobeach is located just 40 minutes from Sapporo in Ishikari City.
Many people from Sapporo plan on visiting the beach during the summer months. It offers a perfect escape for relaxation and recreation. There, you can enjoy sunbathing on the beach, swimming, playing beach volleyball, and picnicking.
If you are searching for a beach nearby Sapporo, Ishikari Asobeach is an ideal place to go and have a memorable beach holiday by doing fun outdoor beach activities.
In conclusion, Sapporo is indeed a great place to explore. When you come to Sapporo in summer, there are many exciting things awaiting for you there, including the best shopping spots and restaurants offering mouth-watering food!