10 Best Shopping Experiences in Sapporo

Sapporo Stellar Place is a sprawling shopping complex directly connected to the city's JR train station. The huge mall houses shops selling men and women's fashion, cosmetics, accessories, household goods, music, books and toys, as well as a variety of dining options and a movie theater.

Split over 2 wings, East and Central, the multileveled complex is largely populated by high-street retail giants, including HMV and Disney Store, as well as local favorites Muji and ABC Mart. There's tax-free shopping for overseas visitors, and free Wi-Fi throughout. It's easy to while away the hours in this vast retail labyrinth, and the impressive food court should provide ample sustenance to fuel your bargain-hunting escapades.

Tanuki Koji shopping arcade, close to the Susukino train station, is among the largest and most historic shopping areas in Sapporo. You’ll find more than 200 individual stores along this covered shopping street, along with a great and varied choice of food choices.

Browse the shops selling kimonos, tea or incense, scattered between modern stores specializing in computers and software or state-of-the-art electronics and digital cameras, all of which lends it a bazaar-like quality. Some items for sale here are even cheaper than in the 100-yen shops. Tanuki Koji is a popular spot to pick up some affordable souvenirs.

Parco is a trendy shopping complex in downtown Sapporo and one of the best places to find designer fashion. Parco boasts excellent clothing and cosmetics departments, for women and men alike.

Western-style boutiques such as Cabane de Zucca and Justin Davis are all available, alongside plenty of Japanese brands such as Muji, Bao Bao, Issey Miyake and Onitsuka Tiger. And if you feel like a coffee break or a bite to eat then you’ll not have far to look. The 7th floor comprises a lifestyle center and eighth floor is the place to go if you’re hungry as it houses a collection of restaurants. Parco Sapporo is next to Odori subway station.

Marui Imai is a giant department store selling everything from jewellery to power tools. It’s a stellar shopping destination and not to be missed. Located bang in the middle of downtown Sapporo, so you’re never far from the action at Marui Imai. When the tummies start to rumble, you’ll find plenty of food outlets and different cuisines to explore.

For larger items, it’s possible to ship them back home from the Post Office located on the 9th floor of the nearby Ichijo Building. Major credit cards accepted.

Nijo Market is a famous seafood market in the city center. The market is located near Tanuki Koji shopping arcade and is arranged into crowded alleyways. Here you’ll find over 50 different vendors selling everything from fresh fish to sea urchins to salmon roe to truly impressive giant Hokkaido crabs.

The market also has a hole-in-the-wall food stalls that serve the freshest food in the area. It’s a great place for a sashimi breakfast. Among the most popular menu items for starting the day here is uni ikura donburi (sea urchin and salmon eggs on rice). Nijo market also sells seasonal fruits and even Japanese chocolate. Some bargaining is expected and accepted here.

Sapporo Factory is a grand mall constructed on the former site of a Sapporo brewery. The complex includes over 100 shops, restaurants, a hotel and a fitness center within a group of historic redbrick buildings. The main building has an imposing glass atrium which adds to the pleasant experience. A multi-screen movie theater, the Sapporo Beer Museum and occasional events provide entertainment options.

Items for sale here include clothes, home furnishings, and household goods, souvenirs and craft shops. In the atrium, the centerpiece of the Factory complex, there’s a stage with regular live performances.

Bic Camera is a popular electronics chain store dealing in the latest type of electrical appliances, IT-related-goods and cool gadgets, all at good prices. The camera section, along with the mobile phones section and games displays are always crowded with customers.

In the basement, there’s a food-hall and a 100-yen shop, while the upper floors are for clothing, general goods, toys, baby goods, a pet shop and a craft shop. You can find Bic Camera Sapporo next to JR Sapporo station.

Ario Sapporo is a child-friendly shopping centre and a popular place for souvenir hunting. The main attraction here is the wonderful Ario Mall, complete with its fitness and entertainments facilities. The Ito-Yokado grocery store is a great place to buy locally produced food, and its seafood section is a particular draw for local shoppers.

The entire Ario Sapporo complex goes to great lengths to ensure families are well catered for, with children's restrooms onsite and strollers and highchairs available on request. Next to the famous Sapporo Beer Garden, there's also a large outdoor park adjacent to the mall, a great place to breathe some fresh air between your shopping rounds (weather permitting).

Pole Town is an underground shopping centre lined with fashion stores, cafes and restaurants. Located in central Sapporo, the curiously named Pole Town passage extends about 1,300 ft between the city's Odori and Susukino subway stations. Its convenient location makes it a great place to grab a coffee or kill a little time in between train journeys.

Thanks to its subterranean position, the temperature-controlled complex is especially busy during the cold winter months when Sapporo is generally covered in a thick blanket of snow. Its flat, level pathways make it easy to explore for visitors using wheelchairs or baby carriages.

100-yen shops ("hyaku-en shoppu" in Japanese) sell a wide range of products for 100 yen per item (plus tax), making them the favorites among thrifty travelers. They are a treasure trove if you’re looking for fun trinkets or souvenirs.

There are thousands of 100-yen shops across Japan, from multi-story department setups to small stalls in a corner of a shopping mall. Popular chains include Daiso, known for its vast selection and trendy items, Can Do that offers stylish and high-quality products for everyday use and Seria that focuses on cute and design-oriented items.