Local Bar Hopping Tour in Sapporo

Three bars, one smart night plan. This guided bar hopping tour is built for figuring out where to go in Sapporo’s nightlife without guessing. You start with a short stroll through Susukino and Tanuki-koji, then you land at three bars chosen to match your group’s tastes, with sake, wine, or craft beer in the mix.

I especially like that you’re not stuck with a rigid route. Your guide tailors the bars to you, and a guide named Paul has been praised for steering a solo night into exactly the kind of local spots you would never find on your own. I also like that the tour includes snacks 3–4 dishes plus one drink at each place, so you get both food and alcohol without tallying every decision mid-walk. One consideration: the tour includes only one drink per bar, and extra food and drinks are on you.

Key points to know before you go

• Three different drinking stops in about three hours, with snacks and one drink per place included
• Tailored choices based on your group’s preferences, not a one-size-fits-all route
• Susukino + Tanuki-koji cover the area where Sapporo’s nightlife culture is concentrated
• Small group size (max 8) keeps it flexible and easy to ask questions
• Night photo moments are built into the walk, including a strong “start-of-night” photo spot
• Good weather matters, since this is a walking tour through nightlife streets

Sapporo’s night streets: why Susukino and Tanuki-koji work

If you want Sapporo after dark, start with Susukino. This is the area that has been one of Hokkaido’s most popular drinking districts since the 19th century, and it still shapes how the city drinks today. Walking through it with a guide helps because the streets are full of signs, alleys, and doorways, and it’s easy to miss the places that fit your vibe.

Right next door is Tanuki-koji, an area built around an arcade-style stretch. The tour plan uses it well: you get a change of scenery from the street atmosphere into a covered walkway where options are close together. The tour also mentions the arcade has about 200 shops and restaurants across genres, which is perfect for a bar hop because you can bounce from one flavor of place to another without long travel gaps.

The practical value here is simple. You’re not spending your whole night trying to find a “maybe” bar. You’re moving through nightlife zones designed for walking, then checking off three curated stops.

Price and what you actually get for $117.72

At $117.72 per person for about three hours, this isn’t a bargain deal like buying a convenience-store snack. But it also isn’t priced like a fine-dining event. You’re paying for four things that matter in Japan nightlife: local direction, translation support, a time-efficient route, and food-and-drink coverage that reduces decision fatigue.

Here’s what’s included: snacks described as 3–4 dishes (enough for a full meal, with one or two dishes at each bar/restaurant) and alcoholic beverages at the three stops, with one drink per place. GST is included, and you also get tour guide support in English/Japanese plus insurance.

So the value works best if you want to drink and eat but you don’t want to spend the first hour hunting menus. The tour also says extra food and drinks are not included, which means you can keep your spending controlled if you stick to the included drinks, or you can budget extra if you’re the type who orders more than one beverage per stop.

The 6:00 pm flow: where you meet and how the night ends

Timing matters for nightlife tours, and this one starts at 6:00 pm. Meeting is set at Sapporo TV Tower (Odori Nish) 1-chome, then your guide meets you at the entrance of the first building used for the night walk. That first meeting spot also serves as a practical photo moment, so you’re not just standing around waiting before the fun begins.

At the end, the tour finishes at Ōdōri Station, and the guide will take you to the subway station. The plan also notes they might get you to a station that’s easier to reach from your accommodation, and there’s even mention that they might take you to your accommodation. That last part depends on the group and conditions, so don’t count on it as guaranteed transport, but it’s a nice sign of how they manage the night.

One more practical point: you’ll use a mobile ticket, which is convenient for nights when you don’t want to dig out paper.

Stop 1: the first building and the best night photos

The first moment is all about getting oriented and getting pictures fast. Your guide meets you at the entrance of a building that’s described as one of the best places for taking photos at night. This is smart because you’re in place before the streets get complicated, and you can grab your “proof of Sapporo night” shots early while it’s still easy to see landmarks.

What this means for you: you’ll feel less lost as soon as you start. Even if your phone photos aren’t perfect, the early photo stop helps you remember what part of town you’re in once the night moves into arcades and Susukino-side streets.

This stop is also a quick reset. You’re about to eat and drink, and the pace shifts from meet-and-greet to walking, so having a moment to settle is useful.

Stop 2: Tanuki-koji’s long arcade with about 200 places

The middle stop centers on the arcade area with about 200 shops and restaurants. That’s a huge range in one corridor, which is exactly why this kind of bar hopping works here. It’s not a random street where you could walk forever and still find nothing that fits. It’s a concentrated strip where your guide can steer you into the right kind of bar without wasting your time.

The tour notes that you can find a bar that interests you in this arcade, across different genres. That matters because “bar hopping” can mean anything from tiny sake counters to craft beer spots, and you don’t always want the same style three times in one night. With a guide adjusting for what your group prefers, the arcade becomes a menu of options rather than a problem to solve.

Potential drawback: an arcade is still crowded areas at night. If you prefer quiet bars and low-volume conversation, this is the part where the noise and foot traffic are just facts of the area. The tour’s value is that you’re not stuck there; it’s a transition point that keeps you moving toward the next stop.

Stop 3: Susukino’s must-see nightlife zone and photo proof

The final nightlife zone is Susukino proper, with a “you cannot miss this place” photo moment. It’s positioned as a key part of exploring Susukino, and the tour specifically encourages you to take photos so you have something to remember from the heart of Sapporo’s drinking district.

Why that matters: Susukino isn’t just entertainment. It’s a historic pattern of how people socialize and drink together. The tour notes it’s been a most popular place for drinking in Hokkaido since the 19th century, which gives context for what you’re seeing. You’re not only walking past modern signage. You’re moving through a district shaped by a long tradition of night life.

In practical terms, the last photo moment also helps you keep track of where you are before wrapping up. After that, you’re guided toward Ōdōri Station, which is the clean exit from the chaos.

Drinks and snacks: one drink each, food that fills you up

The tour includes snacks 3–4 dishes and alcohol at each of the three bars: one drink per stop. The snack portion is described as enough for a full meal, which is a big deal for bar hopping because a lot of tours either underfeed you or skip food and then act surprised if you’re hungry.

This setup makes the tour feel like a full evening plan, not just a drinking crawl. You’ll likely taste more than one category of Japanese alcohol culture—since the tour mentions local sake breweries, wineries, and craft breweries—and your guide can tailor the actual places to what you want.

One important consideration: because it’s one drink per stop, if you’re planning to get seriously drunk, you’ll probably end up spending extra at each bar. That’s not a problem if you budget for it, but it’s worth knowing. The tour is designed to give you a guided tasting experience, not an all-you-can-drink night.

Your guide’s role: tailoring bars and explaining culture

This is a guide-driven experience, and the guides seem to get high marks for adapting in real time. One guide named Paul has been described as superb, especially for steering a night into great local bars with food and drinks, and explaining Japanese culture along the way. That kind of context matters because it turns a bar hop from a checklist into understanding what you’re tasting.

The tour also mentions that the guide will tailor the bars to the group’s preferences. So if your group wants more sake-forward stops, they can go that direction. If you’d rather focus on craft beer or wine, they can steer there. You’re not locked into a single style.

Group size is capped at 8 travelers, which usually means the guide can keep conversations going and adjust choices without losing the thread. It also tends to make it easier to ask questions and get quick recommendations at each stop, instead of waiting your turn in a big crowd.

Practical tips that make the whole night smoother

A few small choices can make this tour feel effortless:

• Wear shoes you can walk in. You’re moving through Susukino and an arcade area at night for about three hours.
• Plan for the pace: you’ll get food and a drink at each stop, but extra orders are on your own cost.
• If you have dietary needs, don’t assume perfect matching. The tour says they will make every effort to assist, but complete accommodation can’t be guaranteed and you ultimately make informed decisions.
• Bring a phone you’re comfortable using outdoors. The tour uses a mobile ticket, and you’ll likely want to find meeting moments and grab photos.

Weather matters too. The experience requires good weather and can be canceled if conditions aren’t right, with an option for a different date or a full refund.

Who this tour suits best (and who might want a different plan)

This tour fits you best if you want structure without feeling locked in. You’re getting three specific stops in a focused time window, plus enough food to keep you comfortable. You also want local guidance so you can choose between sake, wine, and craft beer without doing homework.

It’s also a good pick if you like learning while you eat. The tour includes a guide who shares history and culture around Sapporo’s alcohol scene, so you’ll likely leave with more context than just a list of bars visited.

You might choose differently if you want a long party with no limits. Since it’s one drink per bar and the rest costs extra, it may not match an all-night drinking plan. Also, if your group has strict dietary restrictions, you should expect some uncertainty and double-check ingredients at each stop, as the tour warns.

Should you book this Sapporo bar hopping tour?

I’d book it if you’re heading to Sapporo for the nightlife and you want a smart way to see Susukino and Tanuki-koji while actually eating and drinking well. The combination of three tailored bar stops, included snacks that cover a full meal, and a small group guided pace makes it a strong value for people who don’t want to spend the evening guessing.

I’d hesitate only if you’re certain you want lots of extra drinks beyond the included one-per-stop set, or if your dietary needs are so complex that you can’t risk partial accommodation. For most people, though, this is exactly the kind of guided plan that turns a confusing nightlife district into a smooth, memorable evening.

FAQ

How long is the bar hopping tour in Sapporo?

The tour duration is approximately 3 hours.

How many bars will I visit?

You will visit 3 bars as part of the bar hopping route.

What is included in the price?

The price includes snacks (3–4 dishes), alcoholic beverages with one drink at each of the three places, GST, insurance, and a tour guide (English/Japanese).

Are additional food and drinks included?

No. Additional food and drinks are not included, so you’ll pay for anything beyond what’s provided at the three stops.

Where do I meet the guide, and where does the tour end?

You meet near Sapporo TV Tower (Odorinishi 1-chome) at 6:00 pm. The tour ends at Ōdōri Station, and the guide will take you to the station (and may help you reach a more convenient station or your accommodation).

Can the tour accommodate allergies or dietary restrictions?

They will make every effort to assist, but complete accommodation can’t be guaranteed. You can check ingredients at each stop, and you’re responsible for making informed decisions about what you consume.