Sapporo Bar Hopping Food Tour

Sapporo’s best evening meal may come in three parts: seafood from Hokkaido, a drink in a tucked-away izakaya, then one more stop chosen with a local guide. This three-bar walk through Susukino turns dinner into a relaxed introduction to the city’s after-dark food scene.

I like two things in particular: you get three drinks and 3 to 4 dishes as you move between bars, and guides such as Midori, Aika, and Ayumi help you find places you might not spot on your own. The relaxed, conversational style also makes this a good way to meet other people.

One thing to weigh: the tour is for adults 20 and older, and it cannot accommodate vegetarian diets or guarantee allergy-safe meals. Some stops may also be inaccessible to wheelchair users and people with strollers.

• Three izakayas, three different moods: The bars are selected by local guides, and the stops can range from an underground izakaya to a tucked-away indoor bar.
• A taste of Hokkaido: Expect regional food and drinks, with seasonal ingredients shaping what appears on the table.
• A guide who helps you choose: Past guides include Midori, Aika, Ayumi, Yoko, and Miu. Their recommendations and local stories are part of the evening.
• A sociable walk, not a bus tour: You travel between venues on foot, with time to eat, talk, and get ideas for later in your trip.
• A flexible final craving: The evening may end with a sweet parfait or a bowl of ramen, but extra food and drinks are not included.
• Know your limits before booking: The tour is not wheelchair- or stroller-accessible, and vegetarian meals cannot be accommodated.

Start beneath Susukino’s giant NIKKA sign

Meet your guide outside Susukino Station, beneath the giant NIKKA sign. The meeting point is at 3-chome-3-3 Minami 4 Jonishi, Chuo Ward, and your guide will be holding a board marked Magical Trip. It is a useful landmark in a busy part of central Sapporo, but give yourself time to find it and arrive nine minutes early.

You can choose an 18:00 or 19:00 departure when booking. The return time is listed as either 21:00 or 22:00, depending on your departure and the tour’s duration. One account of the experience puts the evening at about three and a half hours, so plan on giving it most of your night rather than squeezing in another fixed appointment.

The group sets out on foot. That is a plus in Susukino, where the point is to move between local places rather than spend the evening in transit. It also means you should wear comfortable shoes and be ready for Sapporo’s weather. The city can have very hot summer days and cold winter weather, so dress for the season.

The tour starts on time. If you arrive late and miss the group, you cannot join, reschedule, or receive a refund. This is one booking where a little extra time to find the sign is worth it.

First stop: Hokkaido food in an izakaya

The first stop sets the tone: sit down, order local food and drinks, and let your guide help you make sense of the menu. The experience puts particular emphasis on seafood from Hokkaido’s cold waters, a strong reason to choose a food tour here. The exact dishes can change with the season and ingredient availability, so the appeal is in tasting what is good at the time, not expecting a fixed menu.

An izakaya is a casual Japanese drinking and dining spot where food is shared alongside drinks. Moving through several of them gives you a broader sample than settling into one restaurant for the whole evening. The tour includes 3 to 4 dishes and three drinks across three local bars. You can also choose soft drinks if you do not drink alcohol.

One of the experiences described for this tour is a secret, underground izakaya. That kind of setting is part of the attraction: a local guide can take you somewhere you may not have found by simply following the main street. Still, the exact venues and menu are not guaranteed, and the tour may adjust its schedule for weather or other conditions.

Three bars, three different ways to spend an evening

The main value lies in the change of scene. One stop may feel intimate and traditional, another may have a different atmosphere or specialty. A guide named Midori, for example, has led groups to three bars with distinct styles and dishes. Other guides praised for their warm hosting include Aika, Ayumi, Yoko, and Miu.

The guides do more than get you through the door. They can help with food and drink choices, share favorite places, and answer questions about the local area. Ayumi has shared stories about Japanese history and the region, while Aika has helped people choose sake and beer. Those conversations give the evening context that you would miss if you simply ordered from a menu on your own.

The mood is meant to be informal. The tour is not designed as a formal tasting class with a lecture at every stop. It is closer to an evening out with a local who knows where to go. If you enjoy chatting over a meal, that format should suit you. If you would rather eat quietly or stick to a strict schedule, a guided bar hop may feel too social.

There is also a chance you will be in a very small group. One person had a private-feeling tour when nobody else joined, and enjoyed the guide and the stops. That can make for easy conversation, though the company may still run the tour with only one participant. Do not book on the assumption that there will be a large group.

Three drinks included, but budget for anything extra

At a starting price of $102.79, this is not the cheapest way to have dinner in Sapporo. You are paying for a guide, three bar stops, three drinks, 3 to 4 dishes, and the ease of being led to places that may be hard to choose on your own. If you value local recommendations and want an organized first night out, that package can make good sense.

The price is less compelling if you only want a full meal or plan to drink heavily. Additional food and drinks are not included, and the amount of food is described as 3 to 4 dishes rather than a guaranteed large dinner. You may want to bring extra money if you expect to order more, or if you want another drink after the included three.

The tour also includes photos, a small extra that can help you remember the evening without having to take pictures at every stop. The more valuable takeaway, though, may be the guide’s suggestions for where to eat or drink later in your stay. One guide even recommended a bar for after the tour.

Parfait or ramen for the final stop

Sapporo’s nightlife does not have to end with another glass. The tour highlights a choice between a sweet parfait and savory ramen as a possible finish. Hokkaido is known for both its drinking culture and its satisfying late-night food, so this is a fitting way to end the walk.

Treat that final choice as a possible part of the evening, not a guaranteed included item. The stated inclusions are three drinks and 3 to 4 dishes, while additional food and drinks are extra. If you are keen on ramen or a parfait, ask the operator what the current plan covers before you book.

This is also a useful moment to ask your guide where to go next. The tour is a sampler, not a full survey of Sapporo’s bars. If one stop catches your eye, or you want another regional drink, you can use the local recommendations to plan a return visit.

Who will get the most from this night out

I would put this tour near the top of the list for a first evening in Sapporo, especially if you are curious about izakaya culture but unsure where to start. You get a guide, food, drinks, and three different venues without needing to plan each stop yourself. It also works well for people who like meeting others and enjoy conversation as part of a meal.

It can suit a solo visitor, too. The guides’ friendly, welcoming style can make the evening easier than walking into unfamiliar bars alone. Just remember that group size can vary, and you could end up as the only participant.

This is not a good fit for everyone. It is restricted to people aged 20 or older, Japan’s legal drinking age, and you should bring valid ID to prove your age. Non-drinkers can choose soft drinks, but vegetarian diets cannot be accommodated. The food is prepared in kitchens outside the operator’s control, so allergy-free meals and dietary substitutions cannot be guaranteed.

Accessibility is another important limit. The tour is not wheelchair- or stroller-accessible, and some venues may be difficult to enter. Smoking is prohibited at some possible locations, but the tour may not be able to change venues in those cases. If either accessibility or smoke exposure is a concern, contact the operator before booking.

A few practical details before you book

The menu changes with the season and ingredient availability, so come ready for local dishes rather than a set list of seafood or other specialties. Weather and conditions may also affect the schedule. The walking route is part of the experience, so choose shoes and clothing that make sense for the season.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the activity date, using destination local time. If extreme weather or another unforeseen event leads the operator to cancel, you can request a refund or reschedule. A late arrival or no-show is not refundable, so aim to reach the NIKKA sign early.

Should you book the Sapporo bar hop?

Book it if you want a guided, social evening that links Hokkaido food with local bars, and if the price fits your budget for dinner and drinks. The strongest reasons are the three different izakayas, the guide’s help choosing what to eat and drink, and the chance to get practical suggestions for the rest of your stay.

Skip it if you need a vegetarian or allergy-safe meal, require step-free access, or prefer to choose every dish and venue yourself. For everyone else, it is a useful way to get your bearings in Susukino, eat regionally, and start the night with a local’s advice rather than a guess.

FAQ

Where does the Sapporo Bar Hopping Food Tour meet?

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

What departure times can I choose?

The listed departure choices are 18:00 and 19:00. Select your preferred time when booking and arrive nine minutes early.

How long does the tour last?

The listed return time is 21:00 or 22:00, depending on the departure and tour duration. One account of the experience describes it as about three and a half hours.

How many bars does the tour visit?

The tour includes visits to three local izakayas, with the route taken on foot.

What food and drinks are included?

The package includes 3 to 4 dishes and three drinks. Soft drinks are available for people who do not drink alcohol.

Are extra food and drinks included?

No. Additional food and drinks are not included. A parfait or ramen may be an option at the end, but check with the operator if you want to know whether either is covered.

Can I join if I do not drink alcohol?

Yes. Soft drinks are available as an alternative to alcoholic drinks.

Can the tour accommodate vegetarian diets or food allergies?

Vegetarian diets cannot be accommodated. The operator also cannot guarantee allergy-free meals or dietary substitutions because the food is prepared in kitchens it does not control.

Is the tour accessible by wheelchair or stroller?

No. The activity is not wheelchair- or stroller-accessible, and some locations on the tour may not be accessible.

What is the minimum age, and should I bring ID?

Participants must be at least 20 years old, the legal drinking age in Japan. Bring valid ID as proof of age.