From Sapporo Subway Station board a Nanboku Line train to Odori Station. (2 mins)

Odori Station is located at the eastern end of Odori Park, a wide median of parkland that stretches over 12 blocks through the centre of Sapporo City. At one end of the park is Sapporo TV Tower (09:00-22:00JPY720), which has an obsevartion deck 90m up, and at the other end is the Former Sapporo Court of Appeal (Sapporo Shiryokan/09:00-19:00/free) where you can observe the restored courtroom, learn about the history of Sapporo and enjoy the changing exhibitions in the gallery room. The historical building overlooks an extensive rose garden.

Next, from Odori Station board a Tozai Line train to Maruyamakoen Station. (5 mins) From here it is a five minute walk to Maruyama Park, a popular spot for locals to view the cherry blossoms. This expansive park around the foot of Mt Maruyama is surrounded by woodland, and squirrels are not an uncommon site. Trails lead up Mt Maruyama which can be hiked in about 45 mins.

Stay: Keio Plaza Hotel Sapporo - 3/3