Sapporo, Japan 🇯🇵
Nomad Score:
63%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Sapporo is the largest city on the Japanese northern island of Hokkaido, known for its ski resorts and vast parks. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 1.9 million |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average download speed of 80 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 JPY ≈ 0.0067 USD |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable |
| 🔌 Power | 100V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | SoftBank, NTT Docomo, and au offer prepaid SIM cards with data plans. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Convenience stores like 7-Eleven and Lawson allow for payment via international cards. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Popular options include Airbnb, guesthouses, and monthly rentals available through sites like Homates. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely in urban areas, though cash is still commonly used. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Available on platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Sapporo Royton Hotel and Capsule Hotel MONtreal Sapporo are affordable options. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Sapporo Coworking Space (Sapporo, Chuo Ward) offers a great environment for remote work. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Cafe de Lune (Sapporo Chuo Ward) is known for its quiet atmosphere and ample power outlets. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetup groups for tech and business professionals can be found on Meetup.com. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Sapporo International Community (SIC) hosts regular events for expats visiting the city. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Daiko and JapanTaxi apps provide reliable taxi services. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Sapporo has bike rental services like Sapporo Bike Share. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Otaru Beach, around 30 minutes away by train. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | ANA (All Nippon Airways) operates numerous domestic flights. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Japan Airlines and AirAsia X provide extensive international services. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | The Hokkaido Expressway connects Sapporo to other parts of Hokkaido. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Sapporo Station is the primary transport hub. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Available day passes and monthly commuter passes for the subway and bus systems. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains (JR Hokkaido) connect Sapporo to nearby cities such as Otaru and Hakodate. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Sapporo Medical University Hospital is the leading healthcare facility. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Studio Tora provides excellent classes for all levels. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Anytime Fitness offers various locations and flexible membership plans. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Dai Raku Laundry services provide reasonable rates for washing and drying. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Uber Eats and Demae-can are popular food delivery services. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Sapporo ramen, especially Miso ramen, is a must-try. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Sapporo has options like Ramen Santoka which offers vegetable-based ramen. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Sapporo's Shiroi Koibito Park is famous for its white chocolate cookies. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Sapporo’s Nijo Market offers fresh seafood at reasonable prices. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon Japan and Rakuten are popular online marketplaces. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Services like Yamato Transport provide grocery delivery. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Susukino district is renowned for nightlife; a variety of clubs and bars. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Sapporo Brewery offers tours and tastings. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Wine and Bar RAY JIN is popular among locals and expats. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Sapporo's Susukino offers a variety of street food options. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Pizza Slice and Curry Up provide diverse international options. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Odori Park and Sapporo Clock Tower are essential stops. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art is an essential visit. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Historic Village of Hokkaido is a fascinating outdoor museum. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Sapporo's Hokkaido Jingu Shrine offers a peaceful retreat. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Sapporo Snow Festival in February is famous worldwide. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The Maruyama district has a vibrant cultural scene. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Sapporo Community Plaza hosts local performances and events. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Nijo Market is famous for seafood and Hokkaido specialties. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Sapporo has live music venues like the Sapporo City Theater. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Check out the artists in the streets of Susukino. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Sapporo Cooking Studio offers hands-on culinary experiences. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Sapporo Art Museum showcases local artists. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Former Hokkaido Government Office is a beautiful historic site. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Sapporo is known for its beer culture originating from the Sapporo Brewery. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Moerenuma Park is a beautiful recreational park with unique landscapes. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Shikotsu-Toya National Park is accessible for day trips to enjoy nature. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Soseigawa Park pathway offers scenic views for walking or biking. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Mount Moiwa offers panoramic views of Sapporo. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The Maruyama Park is great for birdwatching, especially in spring. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated bonfire areas can be found at Moerenuma Park. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Services like Yamato Transport and Japan Post provide reliable parcel delivery. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Apple Sapporo and local shops in Sapporo Station offer repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Sapporo Table Tennis Center hosts various gaming events. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Coto Language Academy offers Japanese language classes for foreigners. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Sapporo City Library provides quiet study areas. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Sapporo International Communication Plaza encourages cultural exchange. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Nintendo Pop-up Café is a popular gaming venue for fans. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Sapporo doesn't have casinos, but there are several gaming cafes. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ¥400,000 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = ¥12,000,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ¥250,000 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = ¥7,500,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ¥350,000 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = ¥17,500,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ¥220,000 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = ¥11,000,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ¥300,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ¥24,000,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ¥180,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ¥14,400,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | Around 23.2% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 15% for residents |
| 🏦 Tax System | Territorial basis for residents |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 45% |
| 🧾 VAT | 10% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, stringent regulations in place. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | An annual property tax applies based on property value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 6% standard rate. |