Food destinations within easy reach of Sapporo, worth the early start.
Food destinations within easy reach of Sapporo. worth the train, the rental car or the early start.
Famous for: Sushi at Sankaku Market and LeTAO double-fromage cheesecake
Hokkaido's port-town day trip 30 minutes from Sapporo. Sankaku Market sushi, LeTAO cheesecake honten and the Otaru Beer brewery all in walking distance.
Famous for: Nikka Yoichi single-malt distillery tour and tasting
Nikka Whisky's Hokkaido distillery sits in Yoichi an hour west of Sapporo. Free tour, paid tasting and a small museum on Nikka's founder Masataka Taketsuru.
Famous for: Asahikawa shoyu ramen at Ramen Mura
Hokkaido's number-two food city, 90 minutes from Sapporo. Asahikawa's distinctive shoyu ramen and a small ramen-village; alternative to Sapporo miso.
Famous for: Hokkaido lamb and modern Japanese at Sushi Shin by Miyakawa
Niseko's resort village runs Sapporo's strongest winter dining outside the city. Sushi Shin by Miyakawa, the Niseko sister of the three-star Sapporo room.
Famous for: Furano cheese factory tasting and lavender ice cream
Furano's lavender-and-cheese country sits two hours east of Sapporo by train. Furano Cheese Factory runs cheese-making demos and a lavender ice cream stand.
Famous for: Asaichi morning market squid and uni
Hakodate's Asaichi morning market is the southern Hokkaido counterpart to Nijo. Live squid (ikodon), uni and salmon roe over rice; a long day-trip option.
Famous for: Tokachi wagyu at Windsor Hotel Lake Toya
Lake Toya is the southern Hokkaido caldera-lake resort, the 2008 G8 host. Windsor Hotel's lake-view dining and Tokachi wagyu anchor the day-trip food.