HOKKAIDO · FOOD & DRINK
Hokkaido rewards careful booking; the difference between a memorable day and a wasted one is usually the operator. These are the 15 food & drink tours we consider worth your time, strongest first.
Spend three hours with a local guide such as Midori, Kay, or Aika, visiting three Sapporo izakayas for 3 to 4 dishes, 3 drinks, local tips, and a final ramen or parfait stop.
“Enjoyed the tour guide she was great and provided great tips for things to do and places to eat. The food was good and so was the sake. Very enjoyable evening. Would highly recommend.”
Spend two lively hours at Sapporo Sumo Club Entertainment, where bilingual hosts explain sumo rituals, retired rikishi demonstrate techniques, and selected audience members enter the ring. Your meal, drink, photo, and souvenir bag are included.
“I had a wonderful time, the guide was really funny and interactive with everyone. it was nice to see the summoning action and get to ask them questions. inviting the guests to fight the sumo was hilarious. 100% recommend”
Spend about two hours at Sapporo’s first sumo show restaurant. Retired rikishi explain sumo, demonstrate morning exercises and winning techniques, compete in a best-of-three match, and invite a few people into the ring. Food, one drink, souvenirs, and a framed photo are included with the meal plan.
“Coming in i didnt know what to expect but the team here made it a memorable experience! The food was amazing. The Geshi was wonderful. The sumo wrestlers were friendly and some good guys. The staff and MC also brought the energy as well. Great experience overall and suggest it for everyone. They speak English and Japanese as well.”
Your private City Unscripted host builds a three-hour walking food tour around your tastes. Expect six to eight tastings, Nijo Market, Ramen Alley, Hokkaido seafood, ramen, soup curry, and one local drink.
“AMAZING! My guide was a beast and a gem when it comes to showing you good food in Sapporo. He picked me up at my hotel (winning already) and drove us around to some of his favorite places. From grilled beef tongue to tasty ramen to delicious and cheap sushi on a conveyor belt, nothing disappointed. He also told some great history about Hokkaido that was great to learn while feasting. I highly recommend!”
At a working soba restaurant in Sapporo, a buckwheat artisan guides you through mixing, kneading, stretching, cutting, and boiling noodles. Then enjoy your fresh soba with seasonal Hokkaido tempura and three local sakes, two chilled and one warm.
“Very charming non English speaking young lady, and a less engaging English speaking fellow. Not thetwoladies in their promotional picture. They delivered everything expected. They're at the end of the orange line. Plan on a 40 trip via subwRead more”
Join an English-speaking guide such as Scott E for an 8.5-hour Sapporo outing that pairs two striking Buddhist sites with TV Tower views and sake at a Susukino stand bar.
“Although I was the only person on this tour, my guide Scott worked just as hard at making sure I had a fabulous time. In addition to the original itinerary that he crafted, which was fabulous (Buddha statue, sake tasting, et cetera), Scott furtheRead more”
Spend 8.5 hours exploring Butsugan-ji Temple, the Hill of the Buddha, Sapporo TV Tower, and Yata Sake Stand Bar. Scott, one praised guide, adds friendly local tips, while transport, admission, and sake tasting are included.
“Une journée mémorable dans un environnement magnifique, rempli de spiritualité et de mysticisme ! Scott était juste super ! Et la dégustation de Saké à la fin est parfait également ❤️❤️”
Spend eight hours with guide Scott visiting Hokkaido’s 54-hectare Historical Village and Sapporo Beer Museum. See Meiji and Taisho-era buildings, follow Sapporo’s brewing story, and enjoy included beer tasting.
“The trip to the village, museum, and Sapporo beer museum is a great trip to see Hokkaido's history as it moved through the industrial revolution and into the modern era. If the time period interests you, book this tour.”
Travel from Sapporo to Otaru with an English-speaking guide, visit the canal, Kitaichi Glass, Music Box Museum, and Steam Clock, then enjoy a beer or nonalcoholic drink at Otaru Beer.
“Had a wonderful time experiencing Otaru with our guide Scott. He shared a ton of information about the local culture and history of the town as we wandered the streets. A beautiful, relaxing place to visit as our trip wound down.”
Meet guide Scott at Sapporo Station for a full-day visit to the Historical Village of Hokkaido, Hokkaido Museum, and Sapporo Beer Museum, ending with a three-beer tasting.
“This tour is amazing! Very educative and it really gets you into the old Hokkaido vibes. Also Scott is a great guide. We liked the museum the most, it is super interesting, and lastly the beer tasting is great. I really recommend this tour if you want to do something different at Sapporo!”
Meet your English-speaking local guide at Lawson Hakodate Morning Market for a private 90-minute walk through Ekini Market. Sample seafood and Hokkaido specialties, with tasting costs covered up to a set amount.
Spend about seven hours with a national licensed guide, traveling from Otaru to the Sapporo Beer Museum before exploring Otaru Canal and nearby historic sights. Beer, architecture, shopping, and local food all fit into one private day.
“Sapporo Beer Museum, free admission, explanation in Japanese and English”
Start at Sapporo Station at 4:30 pm with a private guide, visit several night-view spots including Mount Moiwa, then finish with local food and drinks in Susukino. Food, transport, and entrance fees cost extra.
“Wanting to explore the Sapporo food scene, I booked this experience. I am a foodie, and as foodies do, we seek out things to eat in the cities we land in.”
Spend about 10.5 hours exploring Abashiri by private luxury bus, with an Aurora icebreaker cruise, drift ice kayaking, fat-bike cycling, a snow-hut lunch, a drift ice sauna, and Chef Kamata’s Hokkaido course dinner. The group is limited to six.
In Samani, local mothers from the Manma Association teach you to prepare Kajika Tomoae and make one take-home trail-food bag. Choose pasta or rice, share a meal, and learn Hidaka flavors.
