One of the biggest concerns when traveling is the weather.
You may have experienced a sudden breakdown in the weather while traveling.

“I have just arranged a travel ticket to Sapporo, but the weather forecast says it will rain.”
“I am already in Sapporo, but the rain has ruined all my plans…” and so on.

Don’t worry even if rain is forecasted.
There are many places in Sapporo where you can have fun even if it rains.

In this article, we will introduce sightseeing spots in Sapporo that can be enjoyed on rainy days from the perspective of local residents, asking “Where do locals go sightseeing on rainy days?
If it is raining on the day of sightseeing and you are wondering where to go, please read to the end for reference.

No problem even if it’s raining at the Onsen (Hot Spring)! Enjoy Jozankei Onsen!

Jozankei Onsen is one of the most easily accessible hot springs for Sapporo citizens.
It is only an hour and a half drive from downtown Sapporo, making it one of the most popular hot spring resorts in Hokkaido.
A day trip to Jozankei Onsen is sure to be enjoyed to the fullest, even on a rainy day!
Many of the hot springs in Jozankei have roofs over their outdoor baths due to the large amount of snowfall in winter, so you can fully enjoy the great outdoors without worrying about getting wet in the rain!

Inside the Jozankei Daiichi Boteiru Suizantei Hotel, which is located in the Jozankei hot spring resort area and offers one-day bathing, there is a store called “Sakanoue no monaka” where you can eat stylish monaka.
This place has become a hot topic on social networking sites for its cute and delicious monaka, which look like a fusion of Western and Japanese cakes, so if you are looking for a photogenic treat, be sure to visit the store for the monaka!
Monaka is also available in the store, so it is recommended to relax with a monaka and a cup of tea after a long day at the onsen.

One of another popular hot springs in the Jozankei area is Hoheikyo Onsen.
This is also about 80 minutes away from Sapporo Station by bus (take the “Kappa Liner” or “Hoheikyo Onsen” of the Jotetsu Bus, and get off at the last stop, “Hoheikyo Onsen”).

The reasons for the popularity of Hoheikyo Onsen are the open-air baths surrounded by nature and the famous Indian curry!
This Toyohirakyo Onsen, to the surprise of Trip Advisor 2018, was named “Travel Lovers’ Choice! One-day Onsen & Spa” by Trip Advisor 2018.
It is so popular that even Sapporo citizens go out of their way to visit.

Quoted：SAPPORO SOUPCURRY BLOG

The curry is a super authentic curry made by an Indian chef!
Many people may not think of curry in a hot spring, but why not join the locals and enjoy the unique local flavor?

Movies and shopping at Sapporo Factory!

Quoted：札幌ファクトリー

On rainy days, it is nice to spend time relaxing, going to the movies, and shopping.
This time, we would like to introduce Sapporo Factory, a large-scale commercial facility built on the former site of the Sapporo Beer Factory where visitors can go shopping.
The red brick building, which still retains its original appearance, has been repurposed and is still used as a brewery to produce beer exclusively for the factory.
The facility has a beer hall, movie theater, game center, restaurants, clothing stores, and many other stores.

The nearest station to Sapporo Factory is “Bus Center-mae”, which is one stop away from Odori Subway Station in Sapporo.
From Sapporo Station or Odori Station, you can use the underground walkway to get to “Bus Center-mae” on foot!
However, you will need to walk 3~5 minutes above ground from the Bus Center-mae station, so be sure to bring an umbrella if it is raining.

This is an all-weather indoor facility, so you can play all day long without getting bored comfortably even on rainy days.
On Saturdays and Sundays, live performances and hero shows for children are held at the event space on the first floor, so please check in advance.
At the brick tunnel-shaped beer hall on the grounds of the Sapporo Factory, you can sip Sapporo beer and taste Genghis Khan, so if you get hungry after walking around, this is the place to enjoy Hokkaido’s gourmet delights!
The souvenir corner is also well-stocked.
This is a facility that both adults and children can enjoy, so why not pay a visit?

Watching sports at the Sapporo Dome!

Some people may have seen Sapporo Dome from the outside, but few have actually seen the inside of the dome.
For those people, watching a sports game at Sapporo Dome is the place to be!
At Sapporo Dome, you can watch Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters baseball games.
It is interesting to watch a baseball game after checking the game schedule.

Besides baseball, you may also be able to see a Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo soccer game depending on the schedule.
Compared to other domes, Sapporo Dome has a steeper slope for spectator seats, making it easier to see the ground and the pitch even from the back seats.
In addition, the grass is beautiful, and the turf for baseball and soccer is switched depending on which sport is being held on the day.
And of course, since it is a dome, you can enjoy watching sports regardless of the weather, even if it is raining!

If you use public transportation such as subways or buses, be sure to bring an umbrella with you since it is at least a 5-minute walk outdoors to the dome.
In addition to sports, there are often artist concerts held mainly on Saturdays and Sundays.
Depending on tickets, it is possible to get tickets the day before or even the day of the concert, so why not check the schedule?

There is an observation deck on the rooftop where you can look down on the magnificent view of the arena and enjoy the panoramic view of Sapporo city, Mt. Teine and Yubari-dake.

Take a sightseeing cab and visit tourist spots in Sapporo without getting wet from the rain!

If you want to visit tourist attractions in Sapporo, you will probably use public transportation or a rental car.
However, on rainy days, traveling by public transportation may be inconvenient because you may get wet and some spots are not served by many public transportation systems.
Also, even if you consider renting a car and driving by yourself, you may feel a little uneasy driving in an unfamiliar place.
In such a case, using a sightseeing cab is the way to go!

Not only will a sightseeing cab efficiently take you to the city’s sightseeing spots without getting wet from the rain, but the driver, who is an expert on the local area, will also guide you through the sights!
The plan introduced by Basho Trip includes a two-hour tour of the Clock Tower, the Old Hokkaido Government Office, Odori Park, and the Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium, among other classic sites.

Using a sightseeing cab is a great way to see the sights because there is no need to park and unload your car, and when you are done sightseeing, you will be picked up at a predetermined location.
You don’t have to worry about getting tired from walking around.
Many people use this service on sunny days as well, but it is especially recommended on rainy days!
Basho Trip’s plans are well-reputed as a fun and enjoyable way to see the sights, with a professional driver who knows the local area well and will guide you around the city with fun commentary!

Summary of Sapporo sightseeing spots for rainy days

There are some classic indoor spots recommended by locals for Sapporo sightseeing spots that can be enjoyed even on rainy days, such as “Shiroi Koibito Park” and “Stellar Place at JR Sapporo Station,” but we have focused our introduction on more in-depth indoor facilities.
Don’t be discouraged even on a rainy day.
On the contrary, it is a good opportunity to visit places you would not normally go.
Let’s make memories just because it is raining.
There are many facilities in Sapporo that can be enjoyed even in the rain, so go ahead and enjoy your visit to Sapporo!

For Hokkaido activity experiences visit Basho Trip