Sapporo Bar Hopping Food Tour

Sapporo’s best drinking night may begin below street level, in a tucked-away izakaya where the seafood comes from Hokkaido’s cold waters and the first toast is kanpai. This walking tour visits three local bars with a guide who can help you choose what to eat and point out places you might not find on your own.

I like two things in particular: you get a taste of Hokkaido food and drinks without having to plan each stop, and the guides help make the evening feel more like a night out than a formal tour. The chance to finish with either ramen or a parfait is a distinctly Sapporo choice.

The main consideration is fit: this is for adults aged 20 or older, and it is not suited to vegetarians or people who need guaranteed allergy accommodations. You should also be ready to keep pace on foot and arrive on time.

The highlights at a glance

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• Three local izakayas: Walk between three bars chosen by your local guide, with each stop offering a different atmosphere.
• Food from Hokkaido: The tour includes 3 to 4 dishes, with seafood among the attractions. Menus can change with the season and ingredient supply.
• Three included drinks: Try alcoholic drinks or choose soft drinks if you do not drink alcohol.
• A local guide at your side: Guides such as Aika, Midori, and Ayumi have led evenings that include food recommendations and local stories.
• A flexible finish: The experience points to ramen or a sweet parfait as possible ways to round out the night.
• A Susukino meeting point: Meet beneath the giant NIKKA sign outside Susukino Station, then walk between stops.

👉 See our pick of the 10 Best Guided Tours In Sapporo

Start beneath the NIKKA sign in Susukino

The meeting point is directly outside Susukino Station, beneath the large NIKKA sign at 3-chome-3-3 Minami 4 Jonishi. Look for a guide holding a board marked Magical Trip. It is a useful landmark in a central nightlife district, but do not rely on arriving at the last minute: the operator asks you to be there nine minutes before your selected start time.

You can choose an 18:00 or 19:00 departure when booking. The return time is listed as 21:00 or 22:00, depending on the start time and tour duration. One participant described the evening as about three and a half hours, so plan for a substantial night out rather than a quick tasting.

The walk between bars is part of the experience. You will not be shuttled from door to door, and the order or timing can change with weather and other conditions. Wear shoes you can walk in, and dress for the season. Sapporo weather can range from summer highs near 40°C to winter lows around -5°C.

Three izakayas, three different moods

An izakaya is a Japanese drinking spot where food is served alongside drinks. The appeal here is not simply sampling a fixed menu. Your guide takes you to three local establishments and helps you make sense of what is on offer, which is especially useful if menus are unfamiliar or you are unsure what to order.

The stops may include an underground izakaya or a less obvious indoor bar. Specific venues are not guaranteed, and the menu can change depending on the season and what ingredients are available. That flexibility is part of the local character, though it means you should not book expecting a particular dish or bar.

At each stop, the guide can recommend food and drinks, answer questions, and explain why a place is a favorite. Aika, Midori, and Ayumi are among the guides named by people who have joined the tour. The descriptions of their evenings point to friendly conversation and practical help choosing from the menu, rather than a lecture delivered between bites.

The stops also give you a small window into how Sapporo’s nightlife works. You move from one setting to another, try a few local specialties, and get suggestions for places to return to later. If you are new to Japanese izakayas, having someone to help with ordering can take some of the guesswork out of the first round.

Hokkaido seafood and the included menu

Hokkaido is known for seafood from its cold surrounding seas, and the tour makes local food a central part of the evening. The package includes 3 to 4 dishes and three drinks. You can expect recommendations from the guide, but there is no fixed list of dishes, and the food can vary with the season and ingredient availability.

The menu is meant to give you a tasting of several places, not necessarily a full dinner on its own. How filling it feels will depend on what is served and how much you usually eat. Additional food and drinks are not included, so budget extra if you want to order more at a bar or continue eating after the tour.

The drinks are another way to sample the region. Hokkaido beer or whiskey may appeal if you drink alcohol, while soft drinks are available for those who do not. The included three drinks keep the cost clearer than a night of ordering without a plan, but they do not cover anything you choose to buy beyond the package.

At the end of the evening, the choice between ramen and a sweet parfait captures two local ways to round off a night out. The description presents both as possible finishes, but the exact menu and what is available can vary. If one option matters especially to you, ask about it before booking rather than assuming it is guaranteed.

The guide is part of the value

The bars and dishes matter, but a good local guide can make the format more useful than simply following a list of restaurants. A guide can help you order, share favorite locations, and give context to the food and neighborhood. Ayumi, for example, has shared stories about Japanese history and the local region; Aika has helped people choose food and drinks and suggested a bar for after the tour.

The tone can be social and relaxed. Some people join with a companion, while others may find themselves in a small group. One participant had a one-person tour with guide Miu and enjoyed the stops and conversation. That suggests a smaller group is possible, but you should not assume you will have a private guide or know the size of your group in advance.

This tour is also a natural way to meet other people over a shared meal, though the group dynamic will vary by date. If you prefer to keep your evening quiet or choose every venue yourself, you may be happier exploring independently. If you like having someone else handle the first round of decisions, the guide is a meaningful part of the price.

Is $102.79 good value?

At a starting price of $102.79, this is not the cheapest way to eat in Sapporo. You are paying for a local guide, three bar visits, 3 to 4 dishes, three drinks, and tour photos. You also get help navigating the choices and an introduction to places you may not have picked out on your own.

The value depends on what you want from the night. If you would happily spend several hours sampling food and drinks, and value the company and local recommendations, the package can make sense. You are paying for structure as well as what is served. If your main goal is to eat as much as possible, or you are comfortable choosing bars and ordering alone, buying food and drinks directly may suit you better.

Remember to set aside money for personal expenses and anything extra you order. The included food and drinks are a tasting framework, not an open tab.

Who will enjoy this evening most?

I would recommend this for adults who want an easy introduction to Sapporo nightlife, especially if you are curious about izakayas but do not know where to begin. It is a good match for people who enjoy conversation, local food, and trying more than one venue in a single evening.

It may also work well for solo visitors who would rather share the night with a guide and a group than plan every stop themselves. The guide can help you settle into the experience, though the group size is not fixed.

This is not the right choice if you are vegetarian: vegetarian diets cannot be accommodated. Kitchens belong to the individual bars, so allergy-free food and dietary substitutions cannot be guaranteed. The operator says it will make efforts to compensate at other stops when possible, but you should not rely on that if an allergy or dietary need is serious.

The tour is also not accessible to wheelchair or stroller users. Some venues may prohibit smoking, and the operator may not be able to change the venues in that case. If either point affects your comfort, ask before booking.

Practical details before you book

Bring valid identification to show that you are at least 20, Japan’s legal drinking age. You can still join if you do not drink alcohol, since soft drinks are available.

Choose either the 18:00 or 19:00 departure and arrive nine minutes early at the NIKKA sign. The group starts on time, and late arrivals who miss it cannot join, reschedule, or receive a refund. Your mobile voucher is valid only on the date and time booked.

You can cancel for a full refund at least 24 hours before the activity, using destination local time. If extreme weather or another unforeseen event leads the operator to cancel, you can reschedule or request a full refund. Weather can also affect the schedule, so dress for the forecast and allow room in your evening plans.

Should you book the Sapporo Bar Hopping Food Tour?

Book it if you want a guided introduction to Sapporo’s izakaya scene, enjoy a social evening, and value local recommendations as much as the food and drinks. Three bars, several dishes, and three included drinks make for a well-structured night, while the option of ramen or parfait gives the finish a local flavor.

Skip it if you need vegetarian or guaranteed allergy-friendly food, require step-free access, or would rather choose every venue and order at your own pace. For everyone else, it is a practical way to get beyond the obvious and start your Sapporo night with a local guide.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

Meet beneath the giant NIKKA sign outside Susukino Station, at 3-chome-3-3 Minami 4 Jonishi. Your guide will be holding a board marked Magical Trip.

What departure times can I choose?

The available departure times are 18:00 and 19:00. Return times are listed as 21:00 or 22:00, depending on the selected start time and tour duration.

What is included in the price?

The package includes a local guide, visits to three local izakayas, 3 to 4 dishes, three drinks, and tour photos. Additional food, drinks, and personal expenses are not included.

Can I join if I do not drink alcohol?

Yes. Soft drinks are available for participants who do not drink alcohol.

Can the tour accommodate vegetarians or food allergies?

Vegetarian diets cannot be accommodated. The food is prepared in kitchens that do not belong to the operator, so allergy-free meals and dietary substitutions cannot be guaranteed.

Is the tour wheelchair- or stroller-accessible?

No. The tour includes locations that are not accessible by wheelchair or stroller.