Looking for the best hostels in Sapporo for an affordable and cozy trip?
Sapporo is an ideal destination for all your snow-filled adventures and winter festivities while you backpack Japan.
Sapporo became world famous in 1972. when the Olympic Winter Games were held there. Today, the city is well known for its ramen, beer, and the annual snow festival held in February.
Although the city boasts four seasons, winter is the one that is the most memorable due to the landscape of snow-capped mountains that surround the town. But spring and summer also have incredible flowers that bloom, transforming their boulevards into rainbows of colors.
Regardless of when you’re visiting, you’ll need a place to stay, and we have the top 3 best hostels in Sapporo in this guide.
Our favorite hostels in Sapporo are:
- Untapped Hostel - best for solo female travelers
- SappoLodge - best for social butterflies
- The Stay Sapporo - best for backpackers
Money-saving tip: Compare hostel prices with Hostelz.com. They compare prices from Hostelworld, Booking.com and others with 1 click.
1. Untapped Hostel
2. SappoLodge
3. The Stay Sapporo
Whether you’re looking for a lively social atmosphere or a comfortable place to sleep, these Sapporo hostels will meet your expectations (maybe even surpass them).
This guide is perfect for YOU, when you…
- are tired of crappy hostels!
- want a social Hostel to actually meet people
- are happy to spend $1 to $2 more for a much better experience
What do we cover in this article?
You can find all 5 Star Hostels here with Hostelgeeks and all guides to “Best Hostels In” here.
Quick Introduction to Sapporo
Average price for a bed: Hostels in Sapporo cost $18 – $24 per night for a bed in a dorm. A private room has an average of around $86 per night. This is a rough average, just to give you an idea.
Prices always depend on the season and holidays. Please always check the exact rates on Hostelz.com or Hostelworld.com.
Check-In and Check-Out: The average check-in time is from 15:00 (3 pm), while the Check-Out time is before 11:00 (11 am). Hostels usually offer luggage storage in case you arrive earlier or leave later. Make sure you check if luggage storage is free or if there is an extra cost.
Sapporo itinerary for backpackers and solo travelers: Sapporo is a very large city, so plan your trip accordingly. We recommend you give yourself plenty of time to explore the area (Hokkaido is massive).
Trying to cram a visit to Sapporo into one or two nights is likely to be tiring and even unenjoyable. Most travelers recommend spending at least four nights.
Smoking and Sapporo: In Sapporo City, approximately 25% of the population smokes. Not only is it normal to smoke in public, but some restaurants allow smoking indoors.
Although the Japanese government has enacted laws to limit smoking in certain areas, those who are sensitive to cigarette smoke may want to make preparations in advance or look for restaurants with non-smoking sections.
What is the best month to visit Sapporo? July is famous for the blooming of myriads of flowers, and August is the best time to get out and enjoy all of Hokkaido’s lush scenery and the outdoors. The Sapporo Snow Festival, or Yuki Matsuri, is a must-see if you are in Japan during the winter, and is even worth planning your trip around. Every February, Sapporo, in the country’s northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido, is the site of the week-long festival.
Why visit Sapporo? Sapporo is the largest city in Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island. Here are a few reasons why you might want to visit:
- Snow Festival: Sapporo hosts an annual Snow Festival in February, where you can see incredible snow and ice sculptures and participate in various winter activities.
- Food: Sapporo is famous for its food, especially its ramen and beer. You can try various types of ramen, such as miso ramen, which originated in Hokkaido. You can also visit the Sapporo Beer Museum and taste some of the local brews.
- Nature: Hokkaido is known for its beautiful natural scenery, and Sapporo is no exception. You can visit Odori Park, which spans 13 blocks in the center of the city and is a great place to see cherry blossoms in the spring and colorful leaves in the fall. You can also take a day trip to nearby areas such as Otaru, a historic port town, or Jozankei, a hot spring resort.
- Culture: Sapporo has a rich history and culture, with various museums and galleries to explore. The Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art and the Sapporo Art Park are both worth a visit.
- Sports: Sapporo hosted the Winter Olympics in 1972 and is a great place for winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding. There are various ski resorts in the nearby mountains, such as Niseko, which is famous for its powder snow.
🎁 New to Hostels? Read my guide to staying in a Hostel for the First Time here. I especially recommend reading:
- How to book hostels?
- Understanding Hostels in Europe - and what makes them special
The 3 Best Hostels in Sapporo are …
Let’s jump right into the coolest hostels in Sapporo.
- Untapped Hostel – best for solo female travelers
- SappoLodge – best for social butterflies
- The Stay Sapporo – best for backpackers
These are our favorite hostels in Sapporo. We want to make your life even easier, so we put all accommodations on a map for you. We even added our own tips for favorite restaurants, things to see, and more.
1. Untapped Hostel
2. SappoLodge
3. The Stay Sapporo
Overview: Best Hostels by Traveler Type
| 🦸 Solo Traveler: | Untapped Hostel |
| 🎒 for Backpacker: | The Stay Sapporo |
| 🙎♀️ Female Solo Traveler: | Untapped Hostel |
| 🧘 Cozy Hostel: | The Stay Sapporo |
| 👫 For Socializing: | SappoLodge |
1. Untapped Hostel
Untapped Hostel is the best Hostel in Sapporo for solo female travelers.
This Hostel has the following facilities:
- A rooftop terrace
- A shared lounge
- A common kitchen
- Laundry facilities
- A restaurant (for lunch and dinner, closed on Tuesdays)
At Untapped Hostel, guests can enjoy both private and shared accommodations. Free WiFi is available in all areas. Rooms are fitted with wooden beds, reading lights, and privacy curtains.
The Hostel boasts three unique dorm rooms, each with beds designed to provide privacy. Of these, one is reserved explicitly for female guests.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
Untapped Hostel is known for its clean, warm atmosphere and helpful staff, as well as its convenient location and access to public transport. It also offers a bike rental service.
On the first floor, travelers can experience the long-established restaurant, Gohanya Haruya, which has been serving original Japanese dishes and selecting Nihonshu wines for over 20 years.
Location: in the heart of Sapporo, this Hostel provides easy access to JR Sapporo Station – just a 5-minute subway ride away. Guests can also enjoy the convenience of being a 5-minute walk from Hokkaido University and a 1-minute walk from Kita 18-jo Subway Station.
The best choice in Sapporo for
- Solo female travelers
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
2. SappoLodge
SappoLodge is our best hostel in Sapporo pick for social butterflies.
On-site, you’ll find:
- A bar
- A shared lounge
- A shared kitchen
The property’s interior is marked by wooden accents that make it feel very warm and inviting. Its common areas are also ideal for socializing, especially its bar, where the staff has remarkable hospitality.
Guests can rent a bicycle to explore Sapporo or take advantage of the surrounding hiking and skiing opportunities. The friendly staff is available to help organize sightseeing and outdoor tours.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
Some rooms feature Japanese-style futon bedding and tatami (woven-straw) floors, while others offer Western bedding. Toilet, bathroom and wash-basin facilities are shared amongst travelers.
They pride themselves on offering a bigger bed space than is generally available in Sapporo.
Note that showers are located on the ground floor next to the bar, so make sure not to forget your towel when you head downstairs.
Location: A vast selection of dining options can be found within a short stroll from this property. Just 5 minutes away from the exciting Susukino district of Sapporo, a convenience store is located only one minute away, and Hosui-Susukino subway station is a 2-minute walk. Nearby points of interest include Sapporo Clock Tower, Sapporo TV Tower, Old Hokkaido Government Building, Nakajima Park, Sapporo Factory, and Nijo Market.
A great choice for
- social butterflies
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
3. The Stay Sapporo
The Stay Sapporo is our favorite backpacker hostel in Sapporo.
Here, you’ll find:
- A shared kitchen
- A Common lounge
- A restaurant
This hostel offers furnished dormitory and family-type rooms, with complimentary WiFi access throughout the premises.
Bicycle rental services are available on-site. The rooms are carpeted and offer nice views of the city. Fully-equipped showers and other necessary facilities are provided, and the price is affordable.
The property has a great atmosphere and amenities, keeping the entire place clean throughout the day. The shared lounge is cozy and an ideal place to meet other travelers.
Our only issue is with the dorm room size, as they are small and can get cramped if you end up traveling with people with big luggage.
Location: a short 8-minute walk from the bustling Susukino area and Susukino Subway Station. Various restaurant options surround the area.
This is one of the best hostels in Sapporo for
- Backpackers
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
Best Hostels in Sapporo for Solo Travelers?
We think that the best hostel in Sapporo is Untapped Hostel. This Sapporo hostel has a wide range of different dorm and room types that are bound to fit the requirements of all types of solo travelers.
The overall atmosphere is very warm and friendly, with staff wiling to help you out if you run across any issues during your trip.
Their location is also ideal for exploring what the rest of the town has to offer.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
More Hostels worth a mention
We have a few more hostels worth a mention here that it could enrich your travel and hostel experience.
plat hostel keikyu sapporo sky
Plat hostel keikyu sapporo sky is located extremely close to the subway and within 5 meter walking distance of Sapporo center. The kitchen is very well equipped and offers free tee and coffee. There’s a small fridge in the room which is nice.
The rooms are nice and the showers and bathrooms are clean. The furniture and appliances look nice and the entire building is neat and tidy.
Check prices at: Booking.com | Hostelz.com
Sapporo International Youth Hostel
Sapporo International Youth Hostel is located just a three minute walk from Gakuenmae Subway Station so you can easy go to the city center whenever you want. Cosy rooms are fitted with air conditioning/heating facilities and a TV. Bathrooms and toilets are shared with other guests. The building itself looks old, but it is very beautiful and clean. It is budget friendly and the staff are very kind.
Check prices at: Booking.com | Hostelz.com
plat hostel keikyu sapporo ichiba
plat hostel keikyu sapporo ichiba is right in the center of Sapporo and very accessible to any kind of transit one may need. Rooms are clean, and facilities are well maintained. You can even cook in the shared kitchen. Not to mention their bathrooms are great as well. They have a laundry facilities at first floor, so no need to bring so much of clothes while traveling.
Check prices at: Booking.com | Hostelz.com
What about the cheapest hostels in Sapporo?
Of course, there are always cheap hostels. But how do you actually find them? When you are traveling on a shoe-string budget and you want to save every dollar, there are ways to find the cheapest places in Sapporo.
- Open Hostelz.com with a full list of all hostels in Sapporo
- add your dates
- Order the listings by price
Simple as that.
Hostelz.com is a price comparison site for hostels. They list every single one in the world and tells you exactly which website is cheaper to use.
Another smart Tip: Check what is actually included, and what is excluded. Take a closer look at the location, too. A further location might mean more costs in transport.
Any Discounts?
From time to time, I receive special promo codes for booking platforms, hotels, or hostels. I will be sharing these here once received. Bookmark this page to get an update.
How to book?
The most popular booking platforms are Booking.com and Hostelworld.com. On both platforms, your credit card is 100% protected and the booking 100% confirmed.
I included some handy links to each of the recommended hostel. Just click on the hostel name. The link will lead you to check prices and availability.
I recommend booking your hostel as early as possible! All of Sapporo best hostels are popular; especially in high-season. To make sure you end up in those stylish and good hostels, secure your room/bed as soon as you have your travel dates fix.
My Best Hostels in Sapporo for Female Traveler on a Map + Sights
We’re listing all the three best Sapporo hostels on a map to give you an idea of the location and distances between them.
And sights in Sapporo we recommend you to visit are:
- Hokkaido Jingu
- Moerenuma Park
- Sapporo Beer Museum
- Shiroikoibito Park
- Sapporo TV Tower
- Maruyama Park
- Asahiyama Memorial Park
- Hokkaidō Government Office
- Historical Village of Hokkaido
- Sapporo City Maruyama Zoo
- JR Tower Observatory T38
- Mt. Moiwa
- Takino Suzuran Hillside Park
- Hokkaido Museum
- Mt. Okura Ski Jump Stadium
FAQs
Here we share with you the most asked question:
What are the best hostels in Sapporo?
The best hostels in Sapporo are:
- Untapped Hostel – best for solo female travelers
- SappoLodge – best for social butterflies
- The Stay Sapporo – best for backpackers
What is the best hostel in Sapporo for solo travelers?
The best hostel in Sapporo for solo travelers is:
Untapped Hostel
What does Sapporo mean in English?
'Sapporo' stems from the Ainu language spoken by the Ainu people on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido. The name, 'sat poro pet', translates to 'dry, great river', in reference to the Toyohira River.
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