[2026] Autumn Travel in Hokkaido! Top 5 Fall Foliage Spots in Sapporo & Otaru and a Superb Dinner Day Trip Model Course Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Reservation Guide-

Update-Date: Jul 30, 2026

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

[2026] Autumn Travel in Hokkaido! Top 5 Fall Foliage Spots in Sapporo & Otaru and a Superb Dinner Day Trip Model Course

Blessed with clear air and rich nature, autumn in Hokkaido turns the entire city vividly colorful with fall foliage, making it an ideal tourism season. Particularly, the area from Sapporo to Otaru retains the ambiance of the pioneering era with historical buildings, and the contrast of trees turning red and golden creates a unique and beautiful landscape only available during this season.This article introduces a "One-Day Enjoyment Day Trip Model Course" that tours scenic spots in Sapporo and moves to the port town of Otaru in the evening. In addition to the top five must-visit autumn foliage spots, it also covers exquisite dinner options (seafood and local gourmet) in the vicinity to enjoy after a stroll. Please make use of this information for planning your autumn trip to Hokkaido.

1. Hokkaido University (Ginkgo Avenue)

Hokkaido University is accessible within about a 15-minute walk from Sapporo Station, or about a 4-minute walk from Kita 12 Jo Station on the Namboku Subway Line. The best time to visit is usually from late October to early November. The highlight is the "Golden Tunnel", where approximately 70 ginkgo trees line up over about 380 meters. The leaves become so dense that they block out the sky, and a carpet of fallen leaves spreads at your feet, creating a breathtaking scene that is a must-see. Every year on weekends in late October, a light-up event called "Koyo Festival" is held, where visitors can enjoy the magical sight of ginkgo trees illuminated against the darkness of the night.

Recommended Restaurants in the Area | Yakitori Banchou Sapporo Tsunagu-Yokocho Restaurant

A Must-Visit During Autumn Travel in Hokkaido! Top 5 Fall Foliage Spots in Sapporo and Otaru, and Exquisite Dinners Nearby

After sightseeing, toast in a lively alley bustling with locals and tourists! Enjoy hot, freshly grilled skewers made with ingredients from Hokkaido in a casual setting at an affordable price. The "Shinshu Delicious Sauce Yakitori Assortment 5 Pieces" and "Motsu Nikomi" are especially recommended, as they pair wonderfully with alcohol, making your travel nights more enjoyable.

Yakitori Bancho Sapporo Tunagu-Yokocho Branch

Open: [Monday, Saturday, National Holidays, Day Before National Holidayd] Dinner 4:00 pm - 12:00am (L.O. 11:00 pm)
Closed: Sunday
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY
Access: Go along JR railway tracks from the west exit of Sapporo Station. It's on the second floor of shopping mall WEST6 under the girder bridge, in Sapporo Tsunagu Yokocho
Address: WEST6 2F, Kita 6-jo nishi, Kita-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido

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2. The Ginkgo Avenue at the Former Main Government Building (Red Brick Building)

Located about a 5-minute walk from Exit 10 of Sapporo Subway Station, the popular spot known as the "Red Brick Government Building" was renovated and reopened in 2025 after extensive refurbishments. The best time to visit is usually from mid-October to early November. The highlight of the site is the beautiful collaboration between the American Neo-Baroque style brick mansion built in the late 19th century (1888) and the golden ginkgo-lined avenues within the premises. Although there is no specific lighting for the autumn leaves, the building itself is illuminated from sunset until about 9 PM, offering a romantic evening stroll filled with historical ambiance.

3. Sapporo Clock Tower

Located within walking distance from the red brick government building and about a 5-minute walk from Exit 31 of the Subway Odori Station, the Sapporo Clock Tower is not primarily known for its autumn foliage. However, this historic wooden structure, built during the 19th-century pioneering era, is a classic photo spot for Sapporo sightseeing. It is recommended to stop by during your walk and take a commemorative photo with its retro white exterior as the backdrop. After sunset, the tower is illuminated, offering a different, nostalgic atmosphere from the daytime.

Recommended Restaurants in the Area | CAFE LOUNGE mosuKe

A stylish cafe lounge where visitors can enjoy "Soup Curry", a soul food of Hokkaido. The spicy soup and chunky vegetables warm everyone's body from the core. The recommended dish is the "Salt Koji Chicken and Vegetable Soup Curry", which includes a special broth with added coffee and koji. This dish is highly popular among international travelers.

CAFE LOUNGE mosuKe

Open: 10:00 am - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY
Access: 3-minute walk from Susukino Station on Sapporo Municipal Subway Namboku Line
Address: BF1, moyuk SAPPORO, 3-20, Minami-Nijo Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido
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4. Odori Park

[2026] Autumn Travel in Hokkaido! Top 5 Fall Foliage Spots in Sapporo & Otaru Plus a Superb Dinner Day Trip Itinerary

Odori Park, which runs east to west through the center of Sapporo, is directly connected to the Odori subway station, making it highly accessible. The best time to visit is usually from mid-October to early November. The highlights include the brightly colored maple and ginkgo trees, and the unique autumn scenery created by the Sapporo TV Tower at the eastern end of the park. Although there is no special illumination for the autumn leaves, at night, the TV Tower lights up vividly, and the trees illuminated by the park's streetlights create a beautiful nightscape.

Recommended Restaurants Nearby | Tempura Takeuchi

This renowned restaurant offers the finest tempura, expertly fried by artisans, featuring the fresh delicacies of the sea and mountains unique to Hokkaido. Enjoy freshly fried "Kuroge Wagyu beef tempura" and "live abalone tempura" in a serene Japanese setting. The concentrated flavors of the ingredients promise a luxurious dinner experience.

Tempura Takeuchi

Open: [Monday-Saturday] Lunch 11:00 am - 1:00 pm / Dinner 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Closed: Sunday, National Holidays
Average price: [Dinner] 10,000 JPY
Access: 5-minute walk from Nishi-Juitchome Station on Sapporo Municipal Subway Tozai Line. About 3-minute walk from Nishi jugo chome Station on Sapporo Streetcar (Loop Line).
Address: Bestor Minami Odori, 13-4-62, Minamiichijo Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido

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5. Nakajima Park

Adjacent to Nakajima Koen Station (Exits 1 and 3) on the Subway Nanboku Line, this park is rich in nature. The best time to visit is usually from mid-October to early November. The highlights include a beautiful row of ginkgo trees, a traditional "Japanese garden", and the historic Western-style building "Hoheikan", where Japanese and Western cultures harmonize amidst autumn colors. Each autumn, a foliage illumination event is held, creating a fantastical world as the trees reflected on the pond's surface.

Recommended Restaurants in the Area | Yakiniku Minaho Shinshingyuittogai

Recommended Restaurants in the Area | Yakiniku Minaho - Exclusive Whole Shinshu Beef Purchase

This restaurant specializes in rare and high-quality cuts of meat, made possible by purchasing whole branded cattle from Hokkaido. Dishes like the melt-in-your-mouth "Shinkin Beef Rib Loin Shabu-Shabu" and "Shinkin Beef Chateaubriand" feature the sweet fat typical of these cuts, making them perfect for travelers wanting to indulge in Hokkaido's gourmet offerings.

Yakiniku Minaho Shinkingyuittogai

Open: [Monday - Thursday, Day before National Holidays] Dinner 6:00 pm - 0:00 am (Food L.O. 11:00 pm / Drink L.O. 11:30 pm) / [Friday, Saturday] Dinner 6:00 pm - 3:00 am (Food L.O. 2:00 am / Drink L.O. 2:30 am ) / [Sunday, National Holidays] Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (Food L.O. 10:00 pm / Drink L.O. 10:30 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 6,000 JPY
Access: 7-minute walk from [Susukino station] of Sapporo Municipal Subway Namboku Line, 6-minute walk from [Hosui-susukino station] of Sapporo Municipal Subway Toho Line
Address: 2F, LC Nibankan, 3-7-11, Minami-nanajo-nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido

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6. [Also Worth Visiting] Otaru Canal & Sumiyoshi Shrine

6. Places to Visit Together: Otaru Canal & Sumiyoshi Shrine

Located about 40 minutes by train from Sapporo, the port town of Otaru is a perfect day trip destination. The best time to visit is usually from mid to late October. About a 5-minute walk from JR Minami-Otaru Station, Sumiyoshi Shrine showcases traditional Japanese shrine architecture contrasted beautifully with the autumn leaves. After visiting the shrine, a 10-minute walk to the Otaru Canal from JR Otaru Station will allow visitors to enjoy a retro scene of old stone warehouses lined along the canal, draped in autumn ivy. The canal is particularly romantic in the evening when 63 gas lamps light up, making it ideal for a romantic stroll.

Recommended Restaurants Nearby ① | Otaru Takeno Sushi

Recommended Restaurants Nearby | Otaru Takeno Sushi

When visiting the port town of Otaru, visitors must not miss the opportunity to enjoy sushi made with freshly caught local seafood. At the main restaurant, skilled artisans craft authentic sushi with heartfelt dedication, allowing guests to savor the experience to their heart's content. Particularly recommended are the "Otaru Nigiri" and "Seafood Bowl", which highlight the delicious flavors of the ingredients, making the night in Otaru even more luxurious and special.

Otaru Takeno Sushi

Open: [Monday, Tuesday, Thursday - Sunday, national holidays, days before national holidays] Lunch 10:30 - 16:00. Dinner 17:00 - 21:00.
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 3,000 JPY
Access: Next to Kitaichi Glass on Sakaimachi Dori. A ten-minute walk from JR Otaru Station.
Address: 2-22 Sakai-machi , Otaru, Hokkaido
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Recommended Restaurants in the Area ② | Ryokichi

Recommended Restaurants in the Area ② | Gyokichi

A must-visit during autumn travels in Hokkaido! Top 5 fall foliage spots in Sapporo and Otaru, and exquisite dinners nearby

This is a seafood izakaya beloved by locals, featuring a warm and friendly atmosphere. The restaurant offers a diverse menu including fresh sashimi and grilled dishes, made with seafood unique to Hokkaido. Enjoying "seasonal donburi" or bite-sized sushi on the "9-piece plate" along with delicious local sake nurtured by Hokkaido's rich nature makes for an exceptional dining experience that soothes the weariness of travel.

Ryokichi

Open: 10:30 pm - 4:00 pm (L.O. 3:30 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 1,500 JPY
Access: Take the Hokkaido Chuo Bus Yoichi Line from Otaru Eki-mae to Okawa Shoggako. It's a 2-minute walk from the bus stop.
Address: 9-27-2, Okawa-cho, Yoichi-cho, Yoichi-gun, Hokkaido

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From the heart of Sapporo to Otaru, autumn in Hokkaido is filled with photogenic breathtaking views. Strolling under the vast sky, through golden ginkgo avenues and historic buildings, is a wonderful experience that refreshes both mind and body.

And to cap off a tiring day of walking, indulge in distinctive Hokkaido delicacies such as Jingisukan, seafood, and soup curry. Popular restaurants often fill up quickly, so it is recommended to make dinner reservations as soon as travel plans are set. Be sure to use this course as a reference to enjoy a fall trip in Hokkaido, savoring both the stunning scenery and exquisite cuisine.

Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.

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