Sapporo is one of Japan's most popular tourist spots.

Why not visit the next time you come to Japan?

Sapporo is a wonderful place to visit for sightseeing and shopping. And the good news is that there are many free Wi-Fi spots in Sapporo. In this article, we will introduce some tourist attractions and the free Wi-Fi that you can use there. When you visit, please be sure to try it out!

Sapporo_City_Wi-Fi

"Sapporo_City_Wi-Fi" is a free Wi-Fi service provided by the City of Sapporo. It can be used at various locations in Sapporo, including the Sapporo Municipal Subway, commercial buildings, and tourist spots.
It is compatible with the free Wi-Fi app "Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect", so it is also convenient to install the app and connect automatically.

There are two types of network names (SSIDs): "Sapporo_City_Wi-Fi" for the 5GHz band and "Sapporo_City_Wi-Fi_2G" for the 2.4 GHz band. We recommend connecting using "Sapporo_City_Wi-Fi".If your device does not support the 5GHz band or if the 5GHz band signal is weak in your environment, it is best to use "Sapporo_City_Wi-Fi_2G". However, please note that "Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect" is not compatible with "Sapporo_City_Wi-Fi_2G", so please be careful if you are connecting using an app.
Both of these are free Wi-Fi provided by the City of Sapporo, so you can use them with peace of mind. For more information, please check the City of Sapporo website.

Related site: Sapporo City Wi-Fi／札幌市
https://www.city.sapporo.jp/keizai/kanko/news2/city_wifi.html

Recommended spots where you can use Sapporo_City_Wi-Fi

Sapporo Station Underground Pedestrian Space (Chikaho)

Chikaho, a popular meeting spot for locals, is an underground pedestrian space located directly beneath Sapporo Station Street. It allows you to move comfortably between Sapporo Station and Odori Station on the Sapporo Municipal Subway Nanboku Line, regardless of the weather. It's not just a place to walk through, but also a convenient spot with a plaza where various events are held, and exits directly connected to commercial buildings and gourmet spots.

"Sapporo_City_Wi-Fi" in chikaho is available at the Kita-odori intersection plaza, the Kita-2-jo intersection plaza, the Kita-3-jo intersection plaza area, and part of the Sapporo Kita-3-jo plaza station front street side.

Related site:チ・カ・ホ [札幌駅前通地下広場]
https://www.sapporo-chikamichi.jp/

ODORI BISSE

If you're looking for souvenirs, we recommend Odori Bisse, which is directly connected to Chikaho.
Odori Bisse is home to a whole range of popular Hokkaido shops, so you can enjoy gourmet food and shopping. In particular, the "Bisse Sweets" area, which is home to a collection of famous sweets shops, is very popular, and you can enjoy sweets from all over Hokkaido on one floor.

Sapporo_City_Wi-Fi is available on the basement floor and on each floor from the first to fourth floors of the building.

Related site: ODORI BISSE
https://www.odori-bisse.com/leaflet/

Odori Park

After shopping, why not take a stroll in the adjacent Odori Park?
Odori Park, located in the center of Sapporo City, is a popular spot that attracts many visitors throughout the year, hosting events such as the Lilac Festival, the YOSAKOI Soran Festival, and the White Illumination. The Sapporo Snow Festival, held in February, is a particularly popular event that is always bustling with tourists.
Also, within the park is the Sapporo TV Tower, a landmark of Sapporo, from which you can get a great view of the city.

You can use "Sapporo_City_Wi-Fi" at Wi-Fi spots in 1Chome to 11chome.

Related site: Odori Park - Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Sapporo City Parks and Greenery Association
https://odori-park.jp/en/

Maruyama Park

Maruyama Park, which is about 11 minutes by car from Odori Park, is also recommended.
It is a popular spot for cherry blossom viewing in spring, with its natural monument of primeval forest, but there are also several famous tourist spots in Sapporo, such as Maruyama Zoo and Hokkaido Shrine.

One place that is particularly recommended is Maruyama Zoo. You can see animals that are unique to northern countries, such as polar bears, up close, and you can also enjoy commentary and tours led by expert animal guides. The "Sapporo Maruyama Zoo Polar Bear Ramen" is made with this polar bear motif, and although it's instant ramen, the flavor of the noodles is the talk of the town, making it a great souvenir with good value for money.

"Sapporo_City_Wi-Fi" can be used within Maruyama Zoo. The entire outdoor path, the zoo center, the main animal enclosures such as the African Zone, and the restaurant space are all Wi-Fi spots.

Related site: ホーム／札幌市円山動物園
https://www.city.sapporo.jp/zoo/index.html
Related site: Maruyama Park | 円山公園
https://maruyamapark.jp/en/
Related site: 北海道神宮
http://www.hokkaidojingu.or.jp/

Jōzankei Onsen Spa Resort Area

Jōzankei Onsen is a popular destination for those who want to relax and unwind in a hot spring resort. You can enjoy not only overnight stays, but also day trips to hot springs and footbaths. If you take the "Kappa liner" bus (reservations required), which goes directly to Jōzankei Onsen, you can get there from Sapporo Station in about 60 minutes.

In the Jōzankei Onsen area, you can use "Sapporo_City_Wi-Fi" in the central part of the hot spring resort, Jōzankei Gensen Park, two footbaths, handbaths, Jōzankei Shrine, Futami Park, and Mikasa Green Space. By the way, the only area sign in the Jōzankei Onsen area is a brown sticker instead of blue to match the scenery.

Related site: Jozankei Onsen Tourist Information "Jozankei Tourist Association Official Website"
https://jozankei.jp/en/
Related Site: Jozankei Onsen Kappa Liner
http://www.jotetsu.co.jp/bus/kappa_liner/kappa_liner.html

Sapporo Dome

Sapporo Dome is no longer the home stadium of the Nippon Ham Fighters from the 2022 season, but it continues to be the home stadium of Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo of the J League, and is bustling with many supporters when games are held.

Sapporo_City_Wi-Fi is available in all stands and in some areas of the first floor concourse, so it's useful not only for watching the game but also for meeting up with friends!

Related site: 札幌ドーム｜SAPPORO DOME
https://www.sapporo-dome.co.jp/

It can also be used on the Sapporo Municipal Subway.

You can also use "Sapporo_City_Wi-Fi" at the following stations on the Sapporo Municipal Subway. This will be useful when traveling by public transport.

Here are some other free Wi-Fi services that are useful in the Sapporo area.

JR_TOWER_FREE_WiFi

There is also free Wi-Fi in the JR Tower building, which is directly connected to Sapporo Station. You can use it in various places in commercial facilities such as Apia, Esta, Paseo, Sapporo Stellar Place, and the JR Tower Observation Deck T38.

New Chitose Airport Free Wi-Fi

Of course, there is free Wi-Fi at New Chitose Airport. It is mainly available in the terminal building, so you can use it while waiting before boarding, etc.

If you have trouble with free Wi-Fi, go to a convenience store

The free Wi-Fi at the following convenience stores can be used nationwide, so please try to find one if you are in trouble. All of them are compatible with Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect.

• LAWSON
  LAWSON_Free_Wi-Fi

By the way, when it comes to convenience stores in Hokkaido, Seicomart is famous for its delicious Hot Chef meals! There are many Seicomart stores with good eat-in facilities, but unfortunately, Wi-Fi is only available at a limited number of stores, such as Hokkaido University.

What to do if you run into trouble with free Wi-Fi when you're traveling

We found that there are many Wi-Fi spots around Sapporo, centered around "Sapporo_City_Wi-Fi". However, no matter how much research you do, there are often things that don't go as you expect when you're on a trip. For times like these, we recommend the following two things.

1. If you're in trouble, go to a convenience store
2. Install the free Wi-Fi app "Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect"

With Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect, you can use the map in the app to find nearby Wi-Fi from your current location. In addition, the Android version automatically connects to available free Wi-Fi, so you won't get lost because you don't know the network name. And if the Wi-Fi is compatible with this app, the provider is highly reliable and it is unlikely to connect to suspicious Wi-Fi, so you can feel safe. It may be more useful than usual when you are traveling.

Related link: Is Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect really safe? A comparison with not using the app
https://www.ntt-bp.net/column/en/blog/2021/10/post-66.html