Enjoy everything from shopping to gourmet dining at JR Tower Square, directly connected to Sapporo Station!

Enjoy everything from shopping to gourmet dining at JR Tower Square, directly connected to Sapporo Station!

Formed by the “JR Tower,” known as the tallest building in Hokkaido, the “Daimaru Sapporo Store,” and the multi-use commercial complex “Sapporo ESTA” adjacent to JR Tower, JR Tower Square is one of the largest shopping areas in Japan. JR Tower houses the “JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo” and commercial facilities such as “Stellar Place,” “Apia,” and “Paseo,” all with excellent access as they are directly connected to JR Sapporo Station. With shops, gourmet dining, a cinema, scenic spots, and more all in one area, it's always bustling with tourists. Now, let us introduce some of the highlights of JR Tower Square!

table of contents

[x] close

Enjoy everything from shopping to gourmet dining at JR Tower Square, directly connected to Sapporo Station!

1. Stellar Place

Stellar Place is a multi-use commercial complex directly connected to Sapporo Station. Its symbolic "Star Clock" shines at the center of the building, and the facility houses over 200 stores, including apparel shops, variety stores, restaurants, cafés, and a cinema. With brands making their debut in Hokkaido and limited-time shops, it’s a great place to stop by while sightseeing.

2. JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo

Located on the 1st floor and from the 22nd to the 36th floors of the JR Tower East Building is the JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo. All 342 guest rooms offer a sweeping view of Sapporo's nightscape, and the hotel is conveniently located with direct access to Sapporo Station. On the 22nd floor, you’ll also find a natural hot spring sourced from underground near the south exit of Sapporo Station—making this one of the top hotels in Sapporo for both convenience and relaxation.

A must-visit here is the restaurant "Mikuni Sapporo," produced by world-renowned French chef Kiyomi Mikuni from Hokkaido. Featuring seasonal Hokkaido ingredients, the dishes are as beautiful as they are delicious, with top-tier service that’s earned high praise. It's also recommended for dates or special occasions.

3. Sapporo Cinema Frontier

If you're looking to watch a movie in Sapporo, head to Sapporo Cinema Frontier on the 7th floor of Stellar Place in JR Tower. With 12 screens and a total of 2,705 seats, and its convenient location directly connected to the station, this cinema has been bustling with visitors since it opened in March 2003. In addition to regular movies, you can enjoy concert live streams and event viewings, making for a variety of entertainment experiences.

4. Daimaru Sapporo Store

Daimaru Sapporo Store is a popular department store in Sapporo with floors from basement level 1 to the 8th floor. Together with facilities around JR Tower, it forms one of Hokkaido’s largest shopping areas. It’s also a hidden gem for experiencing popular Sapporo gourmet spots—definitely worth a visit.

On the basement floor "Hoppe Town," you’ll find a collection of Hokkaido’s most famous confectionery shops such as "LeTAO," "Rokkatei," "Kitakaro," and "ROYCE’." Nearby, many shops also sell fresh seafood, produce, and pickles—perfect for souvenir hunting.

If you want to enjoy delicious food on the spot, head to the restaurant area on the 8th floor. With a wide range including soba, sushi, tempura, eel, Italian cuisine, and buffets, it’s a favorite among people of all ages. "Nadaman Saryo," which serves Japanese cuisine, also has private rooms for those who wish to dine in a more relaxed setting.

5. Apia

Apia is an underground shopping mall stretching between Sapporo Subway Station and JR Sapporo Station. The first basement level consists of two areas—"Apia West" and "Apia Center"—with over 100 stores, including apparel shops, drugstores, convenience stores, and eateries.

"Omiyage Kobo Natoriya" is a souvenir shop featuring well-known Hokkaido treats like Shiroi Koibito, ROYCE’ chocolates, and Jaga Pokkuru. With convenient shipping options, it's a popular spot for busy business travelers. It’s a good place to remember in case you forget to buy souvenirs.

6. Sapporo ESTA

Sapporo ESTA is a shopping center adjacent to JR Sapporo Station. Four of its 13 floors are occupied by Bic Camera, attracting foreign tourists in recent years who are drawn to Japan’s high-quality electronics. It’s also famous for the popular gourmet spot "Sapporo Ramen Republic" and the seasonal flower-decorated "Sora no Garden."

If you want to try a variety of Hokkaido ramen all at once, head to Sapporo Ramen Republic. As of May 2019, it featured 8 shops including one each from Asahikawa, Hakodate, and Otaru, and four from Sapporo. Note that shops change periodically, so check the website in advance if you have a particular ramen you’re hoping to try.

7. Paseo

Paseo is a shopping street stretching east and west from the ticket gates of JR Sapporo Station. Paseo Center features character shops like "Donguri Republic" and "Aranzi Aronzo," while Paseo East has the "Rilakkuma Store," making it very popular among families with children. There’s also a direct connection to the Sapporo Subway Station (Toho Line), so it’s perfect for a bit of window shopping when transferring from JR to the subway.

◎ Lastly, enjoy one of Japan’s new top 3 night views at JR Tower Observatory!

JR Tower features an observatory called “T38 (Tower Three Eight).” Located 160 meters above ground, T38 offers a 360-degree panoramic view of Sapporo’s cityscape, and on clear days, you can even see as far as Ishikari Bay and Mount Yubari. Admission is 720 yen for adults (as of May 2019). While the view is great during the day, visiting at night to see Sapporo sparkling like scattered jewels is especially recommended. Incidentally, Sapporo has been selected as one of Japan’s "New Top 3 Night Views."

RELATED ARTICLES

REGIONS

CATEGORIES

FEATURED ON hokkaido

MOST POPULAR ON hokkaido