Sapporo Museums

(Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan)

Museums in Sapporo cover an abundance of topics and history buffs will have a field day. In particular, the Salmon Museum and Meissen Ceramics Museum offer interesting exhibits you wouldn't necessarily expect to find in a city like this.

Get your walking shoes on and enjoy Sapporo's diverse and thriving cultural scene, and learn more about this Japanese hub through its specialist museums. The most popular museums in Sapporo are explained below.

Meissen Museum

Address: Nijoukan 4F, Sapporo Factory, Sapporo, 01 060 0032, Japan, JP
Tel: +81 011 222 1919
Focusing exclusively on Meissen ceramics, this museum traces the 300-year history of this world-famous brand. Showcasing the artists who are behind the creation of these lovely works of art, as well as the precious ceramics they produce, the Sapporo Meissen Museum is an attraction that will be enjoyed by those with an interest in decorative arts. Of particular interest, look out for the extraordinarily stunning wall of colourful ceramics.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge

Living Museum of Toyohira Salmon

Address: 2-1, Makomanai Koen, Sapporo, 01 005 0017, Japan, JP
Tel: +81 011 582 7555
This museum specialises in showcasing all kinds of salmon and related fish, with models, exhibits and reading and video materials to guide you through the life of these interesting marine creatures. Visitors to the Sapporo Living Museum of Toyohira Salmon can see live salmon up close in aquariums and the underground observation room offers a complete view of fully grown salmon. Various educational activities for children are held year-round making this a family friendly attraction.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 09:15 to 16:45
Admission: no charge

Winter Sports Museum

Address: 1274 Miyanomori, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, 064-0958, Japan, JP
Tel: +81 011 631 2000
The Sapporo Winter Sports Museum stands where the city's famous Winter Olympic Games took place in 1972, celebrating this significant occasion. Various exhibitions concentrate on different aspects of the Winter Olympics, together with film screenings in a cinema area, interactive simulators of both bobsled riding and ski jumping, exhibitions of equipment, and in-depth information relating to each of the actual competitors.
Open hours: daily, May to October - 09:00 to 18:00; November to April - 09:30 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts for children and groups

Historical Village of Hokkaido

Address: 50-1 Atsubetsucho, Konopporo, Atsubetsu-ku, Sapporo, 004-0006, Japan, JP
Tel: +81 011 898 2692
The Historical Village of Hokkaido is an appealing outdoor museum, sited within the Nopporo Forest. Covering a huge area of some 125 acres / 51 hectares, this enchanting attraction is split into separate villages, each of which is home to its own historic buildings and authentic reconstructions. The Historical Village of Hokkaido is bursting with interest and lies within the suburbs of Sapporo, boasting more than 50 buildings in total. Particular highlights include horse-drawn carriages, shops, a restored sake brewery, a church and a shrine.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 09:30 to 16:30
Admission: charge, discounts for children and students

Hokkaido Ainu Centre

Address: 7F Kaderu 2-7 Building, N2 W2, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, 060-0002, Japan, JP
Tel: +81 011 221 0462
Remembering Hokkaido's past inhabitants, otherwise known as the 'Ainu' people, this fascinating museum houses an array of local artefacts and items found during excavations of the area. Also of interest within the Hokkaido Ainu Centre are various photos, drawings and models.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: no charge