Monthly Breakdown for Winter Wanderers, Onsen Seekers, and Christmas Market Lovers

Sapporo in December has a very specific kind of magic — snowfall, twinkly lights, and steaming hot food when your fingers can’t feel anything. I always find myself back here around Christmas. It’s peaceful, pretty, and has enough festive vibes without being overwhelming.

💰 Expenses Breakdown

🛏️ Accommodation: SGD4,600
→ I splurged a little and booked a hotel with an onsen. During the winter, that warm soak was a must. Also — Sapporo hotel rooms tend to be a little bigger than what I got in Osaka or Tokyo.
🍽️ Food: ~SGD60/day
→ Cold weather = big appetite. Think snow crabs, motsunabe, and Sapporo draft beers. No notes, just cravings.
🚇 Transport: SGD200
→ Got around easily by train and underground walkways — a lifesaver in the snow.
💄 Grooming: SGD200
→ Small splurges on snacks, gifts, and some festive shopping.

Total: ~SGD6,860 (excluding activities)

📌 One of my pricier stays in Japan, but 100% worth it for the season and setting.

🏡 Where to Stay in Sapporo

✔️ Sapporo Station — Central, well-connected, and close to the Christmas markets and winter light-ups.
✔️ Otaru Canal — Just outside of Sapporo, but if you’re after slow romantic vibes and snowy canal walks, this is the place.

🏠 Airbnb, Hotel, or Something Else?

✅ Hotels with onsens are a major win during winter.
✅ Airbnbs may be cheaper, but hotels tend to have better heating and snow-ready facilities.

📌 In winter, comfort matters more than savings. I chose a hotel with an onsen, and it made all the difference — better heating, easier snow access, and no stressing over icy walkways to laundromats or convenience stores. Worth the higher price tag if you’re not built for the cold.

🍽️ Food and Dining in Sapporo (SGD60/day)

✔️ Snow Crabs — Sweet, fresh, and best eaten while it’s snowing outside.
✔️ Motsunabe — A winter classic. Comfort in a pot.
✔️ Sapporo Draft Beers — Cold outside, cold inside — and still somehow perfect.

🚕 Transport Costs (SGD200 for the Month)

✔️ Train system is efficient and easy to navigate.
✔️ Underground shopping walkways are extensive and connect key areas — a huge win when it’s snowing heavily.

📌 No need to rent a car — walking and trains will do just fine.

Japan Transport – Suica card

📶 Internet and Workspaces (SGD25)

✔️ Great connection in the hotel.
✔️ Cafés and malls have decent WiFi too.

📌 As expected in Japan — stable and reliable.

🎟️ Where I Spent My Time in Sapporo

✔️ Sakaimachi Street (Otaru) – Felt like walking through a Christmas village — lights, snow, and small shops.
✔️ Otaru Canal – Quiet, romantic, and extra photogenic with snow falling.
✔️ Susukino Shopping Street – Underground shopping that connects to various stations — ideal for escaping the cold.
✔️ Shiroi Koibito Park – A dreamy spot if you love chocolate and winter aesthetics.

🌟 Final Thoughts: Was SGD6,860 Worth It?

✔️ Expensive? Yes.
✔️ Regret it? Not at all. The snow, the food, the warm baths, and the festive atmosphere made it feel like a slow, snowy hug.

🙋‍♀️ Who This City is For

• Winter dreamers and Christmas romantics
• People who love hot soup and cold beer
• Travellers who want their holidays a little quieter, a little prettier