Canals, Crystals, and Willy Wonka Vibes: The Ultimate Sapporo Day Trips (Part 2 of 3 of the Sapporo Series)

Welcome back to part two of our Sapporo adventures! If part one was all about the city's neon lights and our arrival, this leg was a whirlwind of artisan towns, accidental detours, and some serious culinary surprises.

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The Winery Pivot
Our day started with a trip to the Chitose Winery. We originally had a formal tour booked, but before we arrived our tour guide informed us that we'd only be able to take pictures through a window. Realizing that wasn't the hands-on vibe we wanted, we made an executive decision before we arrived: we canceled the tour and decided to explore it on our own.

Honestly? That was a great decision! We were able to ask the staff questions directly, and they graciously showed us the haskap berry trees right in front of the winery. These berries are used in their wines.

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PRO-TIP:  Navigation
Use Google Maps to navigate public transport. It doesn't just give you routes—it tells you exact train times, exactly what platform to walk to, and even which station exit to leave from. It is an absolute lifesaver.
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Oh, and on our way back to the station? We stopped at a local KFC for a snack. You know, strictly for culinary research to compare the taste to the states and Abu Dhabi. (Just kidding... but we really did eat the chicken! LOL!)

Whiskeys &  Otaru
We hopped on the train from Sapporo to Otaru, which took about 45 minutes.

PRO-TIP: Sapporo to Otaru
For the Sapporo-to-Otaru route, get to the train station early. It’s a popular commute, and arriving early drastically cuts down your chances of having to stand the whole way!
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Once we arrived at Otaru Station, we took a quick bus ride to Yoichi Station and walked about 7 minutes to the famous Nikka Distillery. We had a personal tour guide who was absolutely amazing. He shared hidden stories and deep-dived into the history of the whiskeys in a way we never could have uncovered on our own.
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Now, I am not a whiskey fan, but Mike is! He found several varieties he absolutely loved. Since our friends in Abu Dhabi are big whiskey drinkers too, we hit the gift shop to pick up some bottles. Plus, our tour came with 2,400 Yen each to use specifically for the tasting or at the shop—a fantastic perk that we fully put to use.

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Crystals, Canals, and... Dairy Miracles
​Stepping out into Otaru felt like walking into a postcard. The Otaru Canal was breathtakingly beautiful and so peaceful. The weather was a welcome, crisp blessing.

Otaru is famous for its glasswork, and there were so many individual glass shops that I physically couldn't choose where to start—so naturally, I went into several! Every single item was made entirely by hand, and the intricate details on the crystal and glass pieces were stunning.
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Before leaving, we had to check off a major bucket-list item: Hokkaido ice cream. It was unbelievably rich and creamy. As someone who is lactose-sensitive, I was practicing my deep breathing and feeling super nervous to try it. But guess what? Zero issues. Absolute perfection. Huge shout-out to the Hokkaido cows!

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The Free "Willy Wonka" Experience
Next up was the Shiroi Koibito Chocolate Park. We took the train there, and again, it was incredibly easy to navigate. The second we stepped out of the station, the chocolate factory was practically calling our names!

I had done some research before we arrived and knew the actual factory line was closed that day, meaning we wouldn't see the workers on the line. I was worried it might dampen the experience, but I was so wrong! The moment we walked up, it gave us immediate, pure Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory vibes. They had miniature figurines performing a whole automated show—I wanted to join in so badly, but space was limited and it was packed! 

For flower lovers, this place is paradise; the grounds are covered in beautiful blooms. Plus, they have the ultimate photo-ready setup throughout the park: dedicated stands where you place your phone, set a timer, and snap the perfect picture. It's a game-changer if you're traveling as a couple or solo!

We stopped at the park's ice cream shop for a chocolate and vanilla swirl (which completely lived up to the hype) and had a passionate debate about whether we should buy a second one right then and there. Right beside the park is also the training field for the local soccer team, which was cool to see. We couldn't leave without souvenirs, so we loaded up on trinkets for family and plenty of chocolate for ourselves.
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BUDGET PRO-TIP: All of this exploring on the grounds was completely free! If you are trying to save money or budget travel, finding free experiences like the Chocolate Park grounds is the absolute way to go. It was such a pleasant surprise.

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 The Wrong Streetcar & The Great Donki Hunt
On our way back, we intended to head to the Mt. Moiwa Ropeway. We hopped on a streetcar, only to realize a few minutes later that we were on the wrong one! We jumped off at the very next station, and to our complete surprise, we found ourselves right in the heart of Susukino, standing directly in front of the massive, iconic Nikka Whiskey sign. It’s the ultimate proof-shot that you are actually in Sapporo!
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Since we were already there, we stumbled right into a Mega Don Quijote (Donki) and decided to conquer our shopping list. We stocked up on Japanese foot care, breathable moisture masks, and more souvenirs.

PRO-TIP: Tax Free Shopping
​Always carry your physical passport with you when shopping in Japan! To get tax-free shopping, they have to scan your passport at the register. Just remember: the items you buy tax-free are sealed in plastic and cannot be opened or used while you are still inside the country.
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After exiting Donki, we hit a major shopping street. Naturally, we had to hunt down the Sony Store, but along the way, we ran face-first into a massive stationery store. Did someone say beautiful pens for work? Yes, please! I loaded up. After a massive day of walking, we headed back to our room and happily ordered room service to relax.

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Wait... You Want Me to Cook on Vacation?!
I have to share one more hilarious highlight. On one of our nights, Mike really wanted to try an all-you-can-eat seafood buffet, so I tracked down a hidden gem called Nanda Seafood Buffet, located in the basement level of an 8-story building.

We walked in, and the spread was overwhelming—massive piles of fresh meat and incredible seafood. The waiter gave us a quick orientation in the best English he could. In my mind, I thought, "Perfect, I'll fill my plate, and they'll grill it to our liking."

Nope. Completely wrong! You load up your plate, march back to your own table, and cook it all yourself on a personal grill. I looked at Mike and said, "I thought this was a vacation!" 

​We had a strict 90-minute timer to eat as much as we wanted. They had an open bar add-on, but we just opted for soft drinks and juice. Even though we had to do the manual labor, the food was absolutely delicious. A lot of the meats were already beautifully marinated, which added so much flavor. It was a total hidden gem and a brilliant, chaotic surprise.

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Let's Chat!
From unexpected basement buffets to hopping off the wrong streetcar right into a shopping paradise, our time in Sapporo has been full of beautiful detours.
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Have you ever altered your travel plans on the fly or gotten lost, only for it to turn out better than the original plan? And more importantly... would you be annoyed if you had to cook your own food at a vacation buffet? Let me know in the comments below!

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