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Sapporo After Dark: Bar Hopping Three Local Spots with a Guide

Top rated
5.0
Activity provider: AsiaByLocals
Sapporo After Dark: Bar Hopping Three Local Spots with a Guide
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Three hours out on the town in Sapporo with a local guide, visiting three bars and izakaya for drinks, snacks and the story of the city's drinking culture.

Highlights

  • Visit three different bars and izakaya in one evening
  • Taste local sake, Hokkaido wine or Sapporo craft beer
  • Snacks at each stop alongside the drinks
  • A mix of popular spots and hidden places
  • Learn how Sapporo's thriving drinking culture works
  • Central start and finish, so the night is yours afterwards

Sapporo After Dark: Bar Hopping Three Local Spots with a Guide: Key Facts

PriceFrom $135.52 per person
Duration3 hours
LanguagesEnglish
Tour typeExperience
BookingDirect with the local operator — no OTA markup

Full description

Sapporo drinks well, and it drinks locally, but finding the good places on your own is genuinely difficult in a city where the best bars are stacked several floors up behind unmarked doors. This three-hour evening tour puts a local guide between you and that problem. You visit three different venues over the course of the night, a mix of bars and izakaya ranging from well-known spots that locals actually fill to smaller hidden places you would never have found by wandering. At each stop there are drinks and snacks, and your guide talks you through what is in front of you, whether that is local sake, Hokkaido wine or craft beer from a city that has been brewing seriously for well over a century. The point is not just to drink but to understand a scene: how the izakaya works, what people order and in what order, why certain drinks belong to this part of Japan, and how the thriving alcohol culture here differs from the rest of the country. Walking between the venues takes you through central Sapporo after dark, which is a different city from the one you see in daylight. The tour starts at the TV Tower and finishes near Odori, so you are left in the middle of everything with the evening still ahead of you if you want to keep going. It is sociable, easy to join alone, and a fast way to feel at home in a city you have only just arrived in.

Tour Itinerary

Itineraries are customisable as per your request

The schedule below is a suggested plan and can be adjusted to suit your preferences.

6:00 PM

Meet at the Sapporo TV Tower

Gather with your guide and set off into the city on foot.

6:15 PM

First bar or izakaya

Your opening venue for drinks, snacks and an introduction to the local scene.

7:10 PM

Walk to the second stop

A short walk through central Sapporo after dark.

7:20 PM

Second venue

A different style of bar, with more local drinks and regional food.

8:10 PM

Third venue

A final hidden spot to round out the night.

9:00 PM

Finish near Odori

The tour ends in the centre, leaving you free to carry on.

Detailed Itinerary

6:00 PM - Meet at the Sapporo TV Tower: Gather with your guide and set off into the city on foot.

6:15 PM - First bar or izakaya: Your opening venue for drinks, snacks and an introduction to the local scene.

7:10 PM - Walk to the second stop: A short walk through central Sapporo after dark.

7:20 PM - Second venue: A different style of bar, with more local drinks and regional food.

8:10 PM - Third venue: A final hidden spot to round out the night.

9:00 PM - Finish near Odori: The tour ends in the centre, leaving you free to carry on.

Includes

  • Professional local guide, all fees mentioned in the itinerary, drinks and snacks at each venue

Excludes

  • Personal expenses, meals unless specified, gratuities

Important information

Meeting point

Sapporo (details confirmed with operator on booking)

Know before you go

  • Free cancellation available up to 24 hours before the activity starts

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Secure payment
Complete your booking safely with Razorpay. Full refund if you cancel 24h prior. Read more
Duration 3 hours
Check availability to see starting times
Live tour guide
English
Wheelchair accessible

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Main Tour Price
Starting from $135.52
$135.52
Tour Type
Experience
Need a custom booking or have a larger group?Contact Support via WhatsApp
Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Secure payment
Complete your booking safely with Razorpay. Full refund if you cancel 24h prior. Read more

Traveler Reviews

5/5
based on 12 reviews
Guide
5/5
Value for money
5/5
Verified reviews from travelers on this operator’s experience
5
H
Henner
May 11, 2026

Iku was an outstanding hostess and an even better person. She goes to great lengths to give you the best possible evening and is also charming and funny! I had the best evening in Sapporo with her, and also the best morning, as she also takes care of the city tours with lunch at the fish market. Neither of them should be missed when you are in Sapporo!

5
K
Kelsi
April 20, 2026

Iku was an amazing host. She was very knowledgeable and friendly. It was just my husband and I and she really tailored the places we visited to our tastes and interests. Our tour was at 6pm and we had just landed into Sapporo at 1pm so we were TIRED. But Iku was such great company and showed us some amazing spots. 100% worth it especially if you are short on time and would like to have a more local experience of tasty food and drinks! Arigato Iku-San!!! 100% recommend this tour.

5
J
José María
April 11, 2026

We had an amazing bar tour in Sapporo with Paul, and I cannot recommend him highly enough. He took us to places and introduced us to food that we would never have found on our own, which made the whole experience feel authentic and special. Paul clearly knows Sapporo extremely well. He is kind, talkative, and full of interesting stories and experiences, which made the tour not only fun but also very engaging. What stood out most was how much he genuinely enjoys showing visitors the very best of Sapporo’s bars, food, and nightlife. His enthusiasm is real, and it makes the experience even better. Thanks to Paul, we got to see a side of Sapporo that we would have completely missed otherwise. This was much more than just a bar tour — it felt like being shown around by someone who truly loves the city and wants you to enjoy the best it has to offer. Highly recommended.

5
W
William
January 23, 2026

Iku our guide provided a most interesting, fun and insightful evening. We really enjoyed ourselves. Thank you, Iku!!

5
G
Gregory
November 20, 2025

it was an amazing tour! We told Iku our preferences and she customized the tour for us! She was so thoughtful with her planning and a great conversationalist! We had a wonderful time with wonderful food and drinks and wish we could have done it for longer time! thank you Iku!

5
N
Neal
November 16, 2025

Iku was a fantastic host and took us to some out of the way places we would never have found ourselves. The Sake bar was brilliant! Would highly recommend her! I’m

5
R
Ricardo
October 18, 2025

A fantastic and memorable night in Sapporo! Our guide Iko was truly amazing — very experienced, engaging, and full of positive energy. She made the whole evening super fun and interactive while sharing lots of local insights. We visited some great hidden food and bar spots with delicious dishes and drinks. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to experience authentic Sapporo nightlife with a knowledgeable and friendly guide!

5
Z
Zac
August 17, 2025

Great value for money , visited multiple food / drink venues you wouldn’t know were there. Our guide Paul was extremely knowledgeable about the area and super helpful Also gave us heaps of recommendations to try for our trip he went above and beyond and the tour felt like we were out drinking with mates Cheers Paul !

5
R
Raul
March 16, 2025

Our tour was fabulous. Iku shared her vast knowledge about Sapporo’s history and food culture. As I travel through various cities, I try to partake in food tours or bar hopping . Iku was able to combine the best of both aspects . The places we went to were totally delicious . My brother and I both enjoyed her personality and attitude so much we wanted to hire her for a private tour the next day. She’s a grand winner of food tour guides in my book.

5
G
GetYourGuide traveler
May 1, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

You visit three different venues over about three hours, a mix of bars and izakaya, and drinks and snacks at each stop are included along with your local guide. Anything you order beyond that, plus gratuities, is on you.
Depending on the venue you may taste local sake, Hokkaido wine or craft beer from a city that has been brewing seriously for well over a century, with your guide talking you through what is in front of you. The aim is to understand the scene, not just to drink: how an izakaya works, what people order and in what order, and why certain drinks belong to this part of Japan.
It starts at the Sapporo TV Tower in the early evening and finishes near Odori around three hours later, so you are left in the middle of everything with the night still ahead of you if you want to keep going. Exact meeting details are confirmed with the operator when you book.
Yes. It is sociable and easy to join alone, with up to ten guests, and it is a fast way to feel at home in a city you have only just arrived in. It is an adult drinking experience, so it is not aimed at children.
You walk between the three venues through central Sapporo after dark, which is a different city from the one you see in daylight. The distances are short and the ground is flat, but in winter wear warm layers and boots with grip, since you will be outside repeatedly between stops.
Professional local guide, all fees mentioned in the itinerary, drinks and snacks at each venue
The duration of the Sapporo After Dark: Bar Hopping Three Local Spots with a Guide is typically 3 hours. We recommend arriving 15 minutes before the scheduled start time for a smooth check-in. Your guide will meet you at the designated meeting point and ensure the experience runs on schedule while remaining flexible to your pace.
For most experiences, we highly recommend an early morning start. This allows you to avoid the midday heat, bypass the largest crowds, and capture the best lighting for photography. Your guide can advise on the optimal timing based on the season and specific attractions included.
Yes, once your booking is completed via our secure payment gateway, you will receive an instant confirmation email with your tour details, meeting point address, guide's name, and direct contact information. You can also view and manage your booking through your AsiaByLocals account dashboard.
Yes! All our private tours are fully customizable. Whether you want to add extra stops, skip certain locations, change the pace, or adjust the start time — simply let your guide know in advance or on the day. We aim to create a personalized experience tailored to your interests and energy level.
We offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours may be subject to a partial charge depending on the tour type. Weather-related cancellations for outdoor and boat tours are handled on a case-by-case basis, with full refunds or free rebooking offered when safety is a concern.
Most of our experiences are family-friendly and suitable for children of all ages. However, some tours involving extensive walking, water activities, or early morning starts may be better suited for children aged 5 and above. Please check the specific tour description for age recommendations, or contact us for personalized family itinerary advice.
After booking, you will receive detailed meeting point instructions via email. Most tours include complimentary hotel pickup within the central area. For tours without pickup, your confirmation email will include the exact address, Google Maps pin, and your guide's phone number for easy coordination. Guides typically arrive 10 minutes early and will message you on WhatsApp.
We accept all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), PayPal, Apple Pay, and Razorpay for Indian cards. All payments are processed through a PCI-compliant secure gateway with 256-bit encryption. You can also pay in multiple currencies — the price is automatically converted to your local currency at checkout.
Yes, all AsiaByLocals guides are licensed professionals who have been rigorously vetted through background checks, skill assessments, and customer reviews. Many hold government-issued tourism licenses, university degrees in history or cultural studies, and have years of experience leading tours for international travelers. Every guide maintains a minimum 4.5-star rating to remain active on our platform.
February for deep snow and the Snow Festival, or late June to mid-July for Furano's lavender. Note that Sapporo's cumulative snowfall of 4.7–5 m is often misread — actual ground depth peaks around 80–100 cm in February. Full month-by-month detail in our best time to visit Sapporo guide.
The 2027 festival runs 4–11 February across Odori, Susukino and Tsudome, and entry to all three sites is free. Hotels sell out 6–9 months ahead and rates run 2–3× normal — our Snow Festival guide covers whether that premium is worth paying.
The subway covers most of the city at ¥210–380 a ride, and the weekend Donichika pass is just ¥520 — far better value than the ¥830 weekday version. The airport train is ¥1,230 (33–37 min). See getting around Sapporo.
Yes — it's 30 minutes and ¥800 by JR, making it the easiest day trip in Hokkaido. The canal, glassworks and sushi street fill a comfortable day. Timing tips and the Snow Light Path dates are in our Otaru day trip guide.
Miso ramen (invented here around 1954), jingisukan lamb BBQ, soup curry, and Nijo Market seafood. Bowls run ¥900–1,500. Where locals actually eat — and which famous spots to skip — is in our Sapporo food guide.
Niseko has the deepest snow (~15 m a season) but the highest prices — a 2026-27 peak day pass is ¥13,500. Rusutsu, Kiroro and Sapporo Teine (¥8,400 online) offer similar powder for less. Honest comparison in our Niseko and Hokkaido ski guide.
Three days works well: one for the city, one for Otaru, and one for a day trip or ski day. Our Sapporo 3-day itinerary has winter and summer variants with realistic timings.
Starting from$135.52