Sapporo Winter Shopping Guide 2026: Tanukikoji, Sapporo Station Area and Underground Mall Routes for Shopping Without Snow
This 2026 Sapporo winter shopping guide links Tanukikoji Shopping Street, the Sapporo Station area and the underground malls into one shopping route that barely touches the snow, ideal for independent travelers who hate the cold but love to shop and want a one-day plan.
The core idea is to make good use of Sapporo’s dense network of underground passages. Starting from JR Sapporo Station, the underground malls, about 2 km long and almost unaffected by wind and snow, link department stores such as Daimaru Sapporo and Sapporo Stellar Place, then connect to the Odori area and Tanukikoji Shopping Street, a 150-year-old arcade about 900 meters long, and finally reach COCONO SUSUKINO in Susukino, with almost no stepping outdoors in the snow. Whether you want to hit the drugstores, look for souvenirs, or simply stroll indoors in the warmth all day, this route covers it, and it suits families with older relatives or strollers especially well.
moyuk SAPPORO: A New Rainy-Day Landmark at Tanukikoji 3-chome
A complex that opened in 2023, combining shopping with the urban aquarium AOAO SAPPORO, one of the best indoor options on snowy days.
AOAO SAPPORO is on floors 4 to 6, open 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (last entry 9:00 p.m.), about a 3-minute walk from Odori Subway Station. The 6th floor has a penguin exhibit and the “BLUE ROOM” digital art space.
MEGA Don Quijote Sapporo Tanukikoji Main Store: A 24-Hour Shopping Safety Net
On Tanukikoji 4-chome, open all year and late into the night, it is a good place at the end of the trip to pick up any souvenirs and drugstore items you missed.
The whole store is open 24 hours. From November 1, 2026, Japan switches to a new tax-free system where tax is paid first and refunded after leaving the country; you must leave Japan within 90 days of the purchase date, so show your passport at checkout and keep your receipt.
Sapporo PARCO: A Fashion Department Store Connected to the Underground Mall
Connected to the Pole Town underground mall, with character goods, clothing and ski gear all in one place.
Sapporo PARCO is at Minami 1-jo Nishi 3-chome 3, directly connected to Odori Subway Station, and its basement floor connects to the Pole Town underground mall. Inside are character goods shops, a sports store and lifestyle goods floors, so you can shop entirely indoors even on snowy days.
How to Get to Tanukikoji and the Sapporo Station Area: Complete Guide to Transport and Costs
How to Get to Tanukikoji and the Sapporo Station Area: Transport and Costs at a Glance
To reach Tanukikoji Shopping Street, take the Namboku, Tozai or Toho subway line to Odori Station and walk about 5 minutes; taking the Namboku Line to Susukino Station is closer, about a 3-minute walk. The Sapporo streetcar also has a “Tanukikoji” stop: the clockwise streetcar stops at 3-chome and the counterclockwise one at 4-chome, making it easy to arrive directly from Susukino or Nakajima Park.
In winter we suggest walking through the underground mall instead. From Sapporo Station through Chikaho and Aurora Town to Pole Town is about 2 km, 20 to 30 minutes on foot and fully heated, avoiding ground snow and cold wind completely, the most recommended way to get around.
Must-See Spots for Winter Shopping in Sapporo: Highlights of Each Chome and the Underground Malls
From Tanukikoji Shopping Street to the underground malls around Sapporo Station, here are the landmarks and shops most worth adding to a winter shopping route.
Tanukikoji Shopping Street, 1 to 7-chome: A 900-Meter Century-Old Arcade
Tanukikoji Shopping Street is in Chuo Ward, Sapporo, from 1-chome to 7-chome along Minami 2-jo and 3-jo Nishi. Founded in 1873, it has more than 150 years of history and is one of the oldest shopping streets in Hokkaido. The transparent glass arcade, about 900 meters long, spans 7 blocks from 1-chome to 7-chome with nearly 200 shops covering vintage clothing, drugstores, restaurants and souvenirs, so you do not need an umbrella in the snow. We suggest starting from 1-chome near Nijo Market and walking toward the nostalgic 7-chome for the smoothest route. 8-chome is the separate “Tanukikoji 8-chome Shopping Street,” with no arcade cover, so watch the ground when there is snow.
moyuk SAPPORO and AOAO SAPPORO Aquarium: A New Urban Landmark at 3-chome
moyuk SAPPORO is a mixed-use commercial complex that opened on Tanukikoji 3-chome in 2023. The name means “tanuki” in the Ainu language, and its basement connects directly to the Pole Town underground mall, one of the most convenient shopping backups in rain or snow. Inside are lifestyle brands such as LOFT and Standard Products, while floors 4 to 6 house the urban aquarium “AOAO SAPPORO,” where on the 6th floor you can watch northern rockhopper penguins up close, plus the “BLUE ROOM” digital art space themed on the Shiretoko sea.
We suggest going on a snowy or windy day. You can stay indoors for shopping, exhibits and rest, making it the most practical stop when planning a winter rainy-day itinerary.
MEGA Don Quijote Sapporo Tanukikoji Main Store: A 24-Hour Shopping Paradise
MEGA Don Quijote Sapporo Tanukikoji Main Store, on Tanukikoji 4-chome, is a large discount store open 24 hours a day all year round. It stocks everything from drugstore items, snacks and souvenirs to cold-weather clothing, and is among the largest in Hokkaido, a place many travelers schedule as the last stop to stock up.
From November 1, 2026, Japan switches to a new tax refund system: foreign visitors pay the tax-inclusive price when shopping, and the consumption tax is refunded after customs confirmation on leaving the country. Show your passport at checkout and keep your receipt. The store also has e-coupons exclusively for foreign visitors; discount tiers follow the store’s current announcements.
Tanukikoji’s Drugstore Battleground: Comparing the Four Big Chains
Tanukikoji 3-chome to 6-chome is a drugstore battleground, with four chains competing: Don Quijote, Sapporo Drug Store, Sundrug and Tsuruha Drug. Coupon discount tiers differ by store and change often, so compare before checkout.
Best sellers include Chocola BB Plus, DHC lip balm, Minon moisturizing repair face masks, Salonpas patches, Ryukakusan throat lozenges and specialty face washes. Almost every branch carries them, making them the best value souvenirs.
Honjin Tanuki Daimyojin Shrine: Tanukikoji’s Century-Old Spiritual Landmark
Honjin Tanuki Daimyojin Shrine is around 2-chome of Tanukikoji Shopping Street, a local spiritual landmark enshrining the tanuki deity. It now stands inside “Tanuki COMICHI” at 2-chome, where you can pour water on the “Mizukake Tanuki Jizo” and touch different parts of it to pray for blessings; it is said to bring eight kinds of merit.
The shrine is small, but because it sits right on the shopping street’s main route, nearly every shopper passes by. It has become one of Tanukikoji’s most representative photo and prayer spots, and is a good place to stop in for a visit during a break between 2-chome and 3-chome.
Tanukikoji Market and Seicomart: A Hidden Food Base at 6-chome
Tanukikoji Market is tucked in the alleys of 6-chome, an old market that opens gradually after dark. More than 10 small shops focus on seafood, oden and sake, a late-night hot spot where locals gather after work. With fewer tourists, it feels closer to the real Sapporo night life.
Seicomart nearby is a convenience store chain that began in Hokkaido, with more branches than 7-Eleven. Its hot food counter’s fried chicken and bento are highly rated, a better-value supply stop than ordinary convenience stores when you are hungry on a late-night stroll. The 6-chome alleys have a very different feel from the lively 4-chome district and are worth setting aside time to explore slowly.
Tanukiya: A Souvenir Shop Founded in 1916
The signature tanuki statue at the entrance of Tanukiya (Hokkaido Miyage Tanukiya) is one of Tanukikoji’s most popular photo spots, and almost every traveler passing 4-chome stops to take a picture. Inside it concentrates classic Hokkaido souvenirs, including benchmark brands such as Shiroi Koibito, Rokkatei, the potato snack “Fries Three Brothers” and ROYCE’ chocolate, so you can buy everything on your must-buy list in one go without hunting for different specialty shops.
Prices at Tanukiya do not differ much from other outlets, so use its wide selection to confirm your shopping list. If you want the lowest price, compare at MEGA Don Quijote or the airport duty-free shops, but if time is short, Tanukiya’s concentrated range is still the most efficient choice.
Soup Curry GARAKU: A Famous Spot Worth Drawing a Number to Queue For
Soup Curry GARAKU is on Tanukikoji 2-chome, one of the leading soup curry shops in Sapporo, famous for its signature stewed pork soup curry, with pork stewed until it melts in the mouth. The classic side dishes of fried cauliflower and pumpkin are also must-orders. It is so popular that you have to draw a number and wait; at peak mealtimes the wait often exceeds 30 minutes, so avoid the peak hour from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
It operates in lunch and dinner periods (follow the store’s announcements) with limited seating. In winter the indoor heating is strong, and a bowl of soup curry warms you through, an excellent way to refuel after shopping on a snowy day.
SAPPORO Gyoza Factory: A Specialist in Large Gyoza
The SAPPORO Gyoza Factory Tanukikoji branch features factory-direct large gyoza, each noticeably bigger than a typical Japanese gyoza, with juicy, hearty filling and crisp pan-fried skins, a highly rated budget food option in the Tanukikoji area. Besides the signature gyoza, the Zangi fried chicken set (Hokkaido-style fried chicken) is also well reviewed, and some local food bloggers even think the fried chicken is worth ordering more than the gyoza.
The shop is near the liveliest part of 4-chome and open until late, good as a late-night bite after Don Quijote or the drugstores, with reasonable prices.
Tanukikoji 8-chome: A Separate, Nostalgic Street Without an Arcade
Tanukikoji 8-chome is administratively separate from Tanukikoji Shopping Street and has no arcade cover, so it can be snowy and slippery in winter. Wear non-slip shoes and bring an umbrella.
Many buildings here are converted old houses, now home to cafes, select shops and secondhand bookstores, with a more relaxed, artistic atmosphere than 1 to 7-chome. It suits travelers who like discovering small shops and photographing retro streets. Many shops focus on staying warm indoors and the pace of browsing is slower.
Each summer it hosts the local-only “Tanuki Hachi Festival.” There are no events in winter, but fewer visitors, so you can feel the everyday Sapporo closest to local life, good for in-depth travelers who like to avoid crowds.
The Three Sections of Sapporo’s Underground Malls: APIA, Chikaho, Aurora Town and Pole Town
Sapporo’s underground malls form the underground shopping route from JR Sapporo Station to Susukino Station, about 2 km in total and about 20 to 30 minutes to walk end to end, heated throughout and the backbone of winter wind-and-snow avoidance. They fall into three main areas: APIA under JR Sapporo Station (split into APIA CENTER, mainly clothing and goods, and APIA WEST, with budget restaurants); and “Chikaho,” a pedestrian space about 520 meters long linking Sapporo Station and Odori Station, with seating and free Wi-Fi along the way and a branch leading to the Hokkaido Government Office.
Further south is “Sapporo Underground Mall” (Sapporo-chikagai) across Odori Park, divided into “AURORA TOWN,” about 300 meters long, running directly under the Sapporo TV Tower and connecting to Mitsukoshi and Marui Imai department stores, and “POLE TOWN,” about 400 meters long, linking Odori Station and Susukino Station and connecting directly to Tanukikoji 3-chome and 4-chome and Sapporo PARCO. For a shopping route that never touches the snow, walk the whole sequence: “Sapporo Station area, Chikaho, Aurora Town, Pole Town, Tanukikoji, Susukino.”
Sapporo Station Area Department Stores: JR Tower, Stellar Place, Daimaru and Tokyu
The Sapporo Station area is centered on the JR Tower building, with malls such as Sapporo Stellar Place, Daimaru Sapporo and APIA linked by indoor passages, the first stop when planning a shopping trip. Daimaru Sapporo is known for its complete range of luxury and cosmetics counters, and its basement food hall is a good place to buy Hokkaido souvenirs such as Rokkatei and Kitakaro and prepared-food bento. Sapporo Stellar Place focuses on trendy fashion loved by younger shoppers.
Besides JR Tower itself, east of the south exit of Sapporo Station is Sapporo Tokyu Department Store, also focused on luxury fashion and cosmetics counters, with a slightly different customer base from Daimaru Sapporo; travelers who like comparing the selection styles of different department stores can include it. Note that ESTA, the original building at the south exit of Sapporo Station, has closed because of urban redevelopment, so for electronics head to nearby discount stores. Department store hours also differ slightly, so check opening times for the day before you go.
Sapporo PARCO: A Fashion Department Store Connected to the Underground Mall
Sapporo PARCO is at Minami 1-jo Nishi 3-chome 3, directly connected to Odori Subway Station, and about a 1-minute walk from the “Nishi 4-chome” streetcar stop. Its basement floor connects directly to the Pole Town underground mall, so you can reach it without stepping into the snow.
Inside are character goods shops, a sports store, lifestyle goods and other floors, handy for picking up cold-weather or ski gear in winter. For the latest floor layout, follow the official Sapporo PARCO website.
COCONO SUSUKINO and the Susukino Crossing
COCONO SUSUKINO is a mixed-use complex directly connected to the south end of the Pole Town underground mall. It opened in 2023 with restaurants, souvenir shops, an arcade and a cinema, so after Tanukikoji you can go straight into Susukino’s nightlife district without going outdoors. The Susukino Crossing above ground is the entrance to Hokkaido’s biggest entertainment district, lined with neon signs and one of the classic landmarks for photographing Sapporo at night.
Sapporo has a special local food custom called “shime parfait” (night parfait): after drinking or shopping late into the night, you finish with a parfait. COCONO SUSUKINO and the surrounding alleys have several dessert shops specializing in late-night parfaits, the best place to try this local habit and the most memorable ending to a Tanukikoji shopping trip.
Odori Park, Sapporo TV Tower and Nijo Market: Three Nearby Sights Together
Odori Park runs across central Sapporo with about 92 species and nearly 4,700 trees, the core green space linking the Aurora Town underground mall to street level. The Sapporo Snow Festival is held here each February, drawing about 2 million visitors, and in winter the “Sapporo White Illumination” and “Sapporo Munchener Christkindlmarkt” follow in turn.
The Sapporo TV Tower stands directly above the exit of the Aurora Town underground mall. Completed in 1957, its observation deck is about 90 meters high and overlooks all of Odori Park and the Tanukikoji area.
Sapporo Nijo Market is right next to Tanukikoji 1-chome, dating from the early Meiji era and known for fresh seafood, with crab, sea urchin, salmon roe and other Hokkaido seafood. It is a good start or end point for a Tanukikoji shopping trip: buy dried seafood as souvenirs or have a hearty seafood rice bowl at a market eatery.
How Much Does Winter Shopping in Sapporo Cost? Tickets and Experience Fees
Browsing Tanukikoji, the Sapporo Station area and the underground malls costs nothing in most shops, but if you want a deeper experience there are a few costs to budget for: aquarium admission, observation deck tickets, locker storage fees, and the easily overlooked but wallet-critical “drugstore tax refund threshold.” Here are the specific amounts and ways to buy for winter 2026, to help with budgeting and online price comparison before you go.
moyuk SAPPORO “AOAO SAPPORO” Urban Aquarium Tickets: The Tanukikoji Area’s Only Indoor Rain-and-Snow Backup
AOAO SAPPORO, on floors 4 to 6 of the moyuk SAPPORO complex on Tanukikoji 3-chome, is an urban aquarium that opened in July 2023. Its biggest draw is watching penguins up close on the 6th floor, plus the “BLUE ROOM” digital art space. The whole venue is indoors, an excellent backup when it snows or roads ice over in winter.
According to the official website (aoao-sapporo.blue), it is open 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (last entry 9:00 p.m.). Tickets are ¥2,200 for high school students and older, ¥1,100 for junior high and elementary school students, and ¥200 for children aged 3 and over. You can buy tickets online on the official website to skip the queue on site.
A visit takes about 60 to 90 minutes, all indoors, one of the most worry-free options on a snowy day.
JR Tower Observation Room T38 Tickets: A High Vantage Point Over the Sapporo Station Area and Underground Mall Routes
The Observation Room T38 on the top floor of JR Tower at the south exit of Sapporo Station is on the 38th floor, about 160 meters above ground. It is the most convenient viewpoint over the whole Sapporo Station area, toward Odori Park and even the Tanukikoji area, and on clear days you can even see Ishikari Bay in the distance.
According to the official JR Tower website (jr-tower.com/t38), the observation room is open 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (last entry 9:30 p.m.), with tickets at ¥740 for adults, ¥520 for junior high and high school students and ¥320 for elementary school children aged 4 and over. You can also reserve QR-code e-tickets through platforms such as KKday to skip queuing for tickets on site. In the evening, couples and travelers often gather to photograph the night view, so avoid the peak from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Visits are flexible: a quick 10 to 20 minute look, or sit in the viewing seats with a coffee and enjoy the night view. It fits after shopping at Daimaru or Stellar Place inside JR Tower and before heading to the underground mall or Tanukikoji, as a mid-trip rest and photo stop.
Don Quijote Tax Refund and Coupons: Money-Saving Tools to Use at the Tanukikoji Main Store
At MEGA Don Quijote Sapporo Main Store on Tanukikoji 4-chome, open 24 hours, you can get a tax refund by showing your passport once spending reaches the threshold (from November 1, 2026, this changes to paying tax first and a refund on leaving the country).
E-coupons follow the store’s current announcements and must be shown on your phone. Eligible items and discount details follow the announcements.
Tax refund and discounts must be calculated together, so we suggest buying drugstore items, snacks and souvenirs on the same day and settling in one go to reach the tax-free threshold and discount tiers, avoiding missed discounts from splitting payments.
Drugstore Price Comparison and Tax Refund Thresholds: Actual Discount Differences at Sapporo Drug Store, Sundrug and Tsuruha
Around Tanukikoji and the underground malls are drugstore chains such as Sapporo Drug Store, Sundrug, Tsuruha Drug and Matsumoto Kiyoshi, whose coupon discounts differ by store and change from time to time. From November 1, 2026 the system changes to paying tax first and a refund after leaving the country; you must leave Japan within 90 days of the purchase date, and the tax-free threshold follows announcements from the store and the Japan Tourism Agency.
Each store attracts customers with different low-priced items, so decide what you want to buy (such as Chocola BB Plus, DHC lip balm, Salonpas patches) and compare prices before deciding where to check out.
JR Sapporo Station and Odori Station Locker Fees: A Small Cost That Keeps You Traveling Light
There are coin lockers under JR Sapporo Station and Odori Subway Station, about ¥400 to ¥700 per use depending on size. During the Snow Festival or holiday peaks, large lockers are easily used up.
We suggest leaving bulky suitcases in a JR Sapporo Station locker and shopping at Tanukikoji and the underground malls with a light load. If you have many purchases, you can go back midway to drop them off, avoiding crowds or heat and sweat in the underground mall.
When lockers are full, JR Sapporo Station and some department stores offer staffed baggage counters, at a higher fee but holding bags until closing, suited to travelers shopping late into the night.
Where to Stay Near Tanukikoji and Sapporo Station: Nearby Accommodation Tips
Tanukikoji 3 to 5-chome: The Closest Places to Stay to the Shopping Area
Around Karaksa Hotel on Tanukikoji 5-chome is the drugstore cluster. After shopping you can be back in your room to drop off bags in minutes, the lodging location with the shortest trip back.
moyuk SAPPORO and AOAO SAPPORO are right at 3-chome. Staying on this stretch lets you walk there, and on rainy or snowy days it is handy for arranging indoor plans nearby.
Tanukikoji 7-chome: A Bookstore-Themed Inn Next to Showa-Era Nostalgia
LAMP LIGHT BOOKS HOTEL on 7-chome is bookstore-themed, combining a bookstore and cafe space, surrounded by a Showa-style izakaya street. It suits travelers who like a quiet reading atmosphere and want nearby local nightlife.
The stretch from 7-chome toward 8-chome has no arcade cover, so wear non-slip shoes when there is snow in winter.
Between Susukino and Odori: Business-Style Stays Connected to the Underground Mall
The Knot Sapporo is between Susukino and Odori, within walking distance of Tanukikoji and the Odori area, suiting business and independent travelers who value efficiency, have lots of luggage or do not want to move around in the snow.
Floors 7 to 18 of COCONO SUSUKINO are the “SAPPORO STREAM HOTEL,” directly connected to Susukino Subway Station, worth considering for travelers who want to avoid walking outdoors in the snow entirely.
FAQ
Q: What time do the shops on Tanukikoji Shopping Street close?
Opening hours vary by shop on Tanukikoji. MEGA Don Quijote is open 24 hours all year, and some izakaya on 7-chome are open until late at night.
Q: Which drugstore on Tanukikoji is cheapest?
There is no single cheapest one. Don Quijote, Sapporo Drug Store, Sundrug and Tsuruha have different discount thresholds, so compare coupon discount tiers against what you plan to spend that time, rather than looking only at the price of one item.
Q: Which stretch of Tanukikoji is the most convenient to stay on?
We suggest 3 to 5-chome, near the drugstores and MEGA Don Quijote, with the shortest trip back to your room after shopping. You can also choose The Knot Sapporo between Susukino and Odori.
Q: Do I need an umbrella on Tanukikoji in heavy snow?
The whole of 1 to 7-chome is covered by the arcade, so no umbrella is needed. 8-chome has no arcade, so wear non-slip shoes and bring a light umbrella.
Q: How long are Sapporo’s underground malls and how long does it take to walk?
Sapporo’s underground malls run about 2 km from JR Sapporo Station to Susukino Station. Walking the whole way takes about 20 to 30 minutes, heated throughout and connecting directly to Tanukikoji, PARCO and the major department stores.
Q: What changes in Japan’s tax refund system in 2026?
From November 1, 2026, Japan switches to a new system of paying tax first and refunds afterward. Foreign visitors pay the tax-inclusive price when shopping, and the consumption tax is refunded only after you leave the country within 90 days of purchase and customs confirms it, so keep your receipts and the goods.
Q: What should I watch out for when shopping in Sapporo in winter?
We suggest layering, since underground malls and department stores are heavily heated and can get stuffy. Winter transport is easily delayed by heavy snow, so leave buffer time and avoid tightly timed schedules, and choose non-slip-soled shoes for snowy roads.
