A guide to bar-hopping in Sapporo, Japan

Sapporo loves the nightlife, and you’ll find pumping izakaya bars on every block. These are the best ones to hunt down (and what to order when you get there).

As night falls in Hokkaido’s capital city, Sapporo, huge billboards illuminate the streets, towering over the Susukino district from buildings as high as seven stories.

You can’t see stars in the sky, but things will twinkle all around you. Variety stores, shoe shops, pharmacies, giant plastic mechanical bowls of ramen, karaoke venues, cake shops, sushi bars, blaring music, vending machines, cinemas, yakiniku (meat) restaurants, Family Marts, vintage shops selling Louis Vuitton and hundreds of people, all the time.

Sapporo loves the nightlife, and you’ll find izakaya bars on every block.

An izakaya is a cross between a pub and a restaurant that’s designed for family, work or friendship groups to celebrate and have fun together. The Japanese go there to drink and to eat salty, fried, good-for-when-you’re-drinking food.

Visiting an izakaya is an integral part of any trip to Japan. Picture: iStock

At an izakaya there’s usually an otōshidai (seating charge) that’s between $2 and $10. Tipping isn’t necessary and if you leave money on your table you may find a waiter running after you in the street to return it.

Izakaya serve meals tapas style, with the expectation that food will be shared. You can get western favourites like edamame, yakitori or chicken karaage, but think of this as an excellent chance to try some of the more interesting Japanese dishes. Most izakaya don’t have a sushi bar so take the opportunity to order takoyaki (octopus balls), pickles or tempura.

Takoyaki is a must-try dish at an izakaya. Picture: Leng Cheng / Flickr

Before heading out, you should be across these rules of etiquette in Japan

Pour sake for senior members of the group first. Picture: iStock

1. Never point your chopsticks at someone. It’s considered VERY rude.
2. Don’t hover your chopsticks between dishes. Make your decision then use them to get what you want from the dish.
3. You must order drinks and something to eat. Get a beer to start, then hit the sake menu. Non alcoholic drinks are always available.
4. As a sign of respect, pour drinks for your seniors first, then don’t take a sip until everyone has their drinks. After that, Kampai (cheers)!
5. Izakayas deliver dishes as they’re completed by the kitchen so don’t order too much at a time or your table will start to overflow.
6. Approach the counter when you’re finished eating and always follow the Japanese tradition of splitting the bill evenly, regardless of what you ordered.

These are the izakayas locals recommend in Sapporo

Sapporo comes alive at night.

There are thousands of Izakaya in Sapporo and everyone has their own favourite, so if you don’t like where you are, move on and find the place that’s right for you.

Columbia Sapporo

This family-friendly izakaya on a backstreet in ​​the Susukino area is excellent for it’s crispy yakitori and has mostly local patrons. Food is local and traditional and the sake range is extensive, making you linger longer than you might have planned. Look for a string of lanterns out the front.

(no website -  4-16 Minami 4 Jo Nishi, Chuo-Ku, Sapporo Hokkaido)

Aburiya

This izakaya serves Sapporo beer, sake and local Yoichi wine. A minute’s walk from JR Sapporo Station, it’s best to make a booking for your group. The food ranges from sushi and sashimi to charcoal grilled delicacies. Try the peony shrimp, hairy crab, salmon roe rice bowl, or the Pacific Atka mackerel, for something different.

Hachikyo

Relax and have fun at Hachikyo. You’ll find a happy, welcoming, laughing crowd of people of various ages. This is a place to order fresh seafood (fish and shellfish) .

Bonus tips for Sapporo

For more nightlife highlights, don’t miss eating the famous butter or miso ramen in Ramen Alley. Check out the TanukiKoji, a covered shopping strip with over 200 outlets that continues for seven city blocks, then walk a few blocks over to climb the Sapporo Tower for a spectacular view of the cityscape. Right across the road, the Canvas Rooftop bar at the Odori Park Royal Canvas Hotel keeps the party going until 11pm.

The writer’s trip was supported by the Japanese Tourist Bureau (JTB).

Originally published as A guide to bar-hopping in Sapporo, Japan