By JJ Thomas and Toby Miller
There’s something special about Japan in the winter. For years, the powder mecca of Niseko has been a top destination for snowboarders seeking bottomless snow and world-class terrain. But on our latest trip with JJ Thomas & Toby Miller, we set our sights on Sapporo—a city that blends deep snow with deep culture, where you can ride all day and eat some of the best food of your life by night.
This wasn’t just a snowboard trip; it was a deep dive into one of Japan’s most underrated winter destinations, a place where perfectly groomed runs, rich history, and late-night ramen sessions all come together to create something truly unique.
Sapporo: The City That Breathes Snowboarding
Most snowboard destinations exist in a bubble—you land, go straight to the mountains, and never really experience the culture beyond the resort. Sapporo is different.
With approximately two million people, it’s one of Japan’s largest cities, but it feels like a snowboarder’s paradise in disguise. Walk through the streets in winter, and you’ll see board bags leaning against restaurant walls, riders straight from the slopes still in their gear, and locals swapping powder stories over bowls of steaming miso ramen. The snowboard culture here isn’t just alive—it’s ingrained in the city itself.
We started every morning like locals: grabbing coffee at a cozy café before heading to the mountains. The transition from city to snow is seamless—within an hour you go from bustling urban energy to untouched powder.
Snowboarding in Sapporo: Where the City Meets the Snow
Sapporo isn’t just a place where you can snowboard—it’s a place designed for snowboarders.
Our first stop was Sapporo Kokusai, a hidden gem just an hour from downtown. The terrain was playful, with pristine groomers and ocean views that felt like they belonged in a dream sequence. Even though we were there on a bluebird day, I could tell this place goes off when the storms hit.
At the top of the mountain, we found a cozy café serving excellent coffee and pies with panoramic views. Sitting there with a warm cup in hand, watching the clouds roll in over the peaks, was one of those moments where snowboarding and travel collide in the best way possible.
Later, we hit Teine, another nearby resort with Olympic history and insane night riding. There’s something surreal about riding while looking at the Sea of Japan and taking runs that feel like you are diving into the city, knowing that just beyond the slopes, Sapporo is buzzing.
A Food Lover’s Snowboard Trip: Ramen, Sushi & Izakayas
If there’s one thing that rivals Sapporo’s snow, it’s the food. And trust me, we ate.
Miso Ramen: The Soul of Sapporo
Sapporo is the birthplace of miso ramen, and you can taste the history in every bowl. Rich, savory broth, perfectly chewy noodles, melt-in-your-mouth chashu pork—it was next level.
One night, we wandered into a tiny, family-run shop tucked away down a side street. The menu was handwritten, the broth had been simmering for hours, and the chef greeted us like old friends. We sat shoulder to shoulder with locals, slurping down ramen so good it made me rethink everything I knew about food.
After a long day on the mountain, nothing hits like a bowl of Sapporo’s miso ramen.
Sushi in Sapporo: The Best You’ll Ever Have?
Japan is known for sushi, but Sapporo takes it to another level. Being so far north, the seafood is fresher, colder, and somehow sweeter than anything I’ve had before. Maybe because the area is surrounded by three different seas? We were told that it wasn’t only our crew that came in search of otherworldly sushi… a large number of Japan’s citizens travel to Hokkaido just for the fresh seafood.
We tried Hokkaido’s famous uni (sea urchin), buttery salmon, and scallops straight from the coast. Every piece tasted like it had been pulled from the ocean that morning. If you’re a sushi lover, Sapporo will ruin you for sushi anywhere else.
Izakayas & Sapporo’s Legendary Nightlife
After riding all day, Sapporo’s nightlife takes over.
We found ourselves in izakayas (Japanese pubs), snacking on grilled skewers while locals told us their favorite secret powder stashes. The city has a laid-back energy, but if you want to turn it up, Susukino—the biggest nightlife district in Hokkaido—is wild. Neon lights, tiny bars hidden in alleyways, and late-night food spots that keep the party going until sunrise.
It’s the kind of place where you lose track of time, make new friends, and somehow find yourself eating another bowl of ramen to end the night.
Onsen: The Post-Ride Ritual You Can’t Skip
No snowboard trip to Japan is complete without an onsen soak.
After back-to-back days on the mountain, we hit the Jozankei Onsen in Sapporo City which is surrounded by snow-covered trees. If you’ve never soaked in steaming natural hot springs while snowflakes fall around you, it’s one of the best feelings in the world. Not to mention it is in a beautiful national park.
It’s a full reset—a way to recharge, reflect on the day, and get ready to do it all over again.
Sapporo: The Ultimate Snowboard Experience
Most snowboard trips are about the mountains. Sapporo is different—it’s about the entire experience.
It’s a place where you can ride world-class terrain, eat the best food of your life, and dive into a snowboard culture unlike anywhere else in Japan. Whether you’re carving perfect groomers, slurping miso ramen, or soaking in an onsen, every moment here feels like a deep dive into something special.
Would we go back? In a heartbeat. JJ is already planning a trip for next year and wants to bring his son along to experience it too.
If you’re looking for more than just a snowboard trip—if you want to experience the culture, the food, and the rhythm of a city built around snowboarding—Sapporo should be at the top of your list! Check out more on Instagram from @visit.sapporo here!
