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Tanukikoji Shopping Street is Sapporo’s lively covered arcade, where over 200 shops, restaurants, and game centers create a fun mix of history and modern shopping.
A Historic Arcade in the Heart of Sapporo
If you’re ready to mix sightseeing with shopping, head to Tanukikoji Shopping Street. This iconic covered arcade has been welcoming visitors for more than 140 years. Stretching 900 meters across seven blocks, it’s home to everything from ramen joints and souvenir shops to vintage boutiques and tax-free drugstores.
We visited on a hot summer afternoon and loved how comfortable it felt inside the arcade. The glass roof shields visitors from rain and the sun, keeping the arcade comfortable and popular all year round.
What Makes Tanukikoji Shopping Street Special
Tanukikoji may not be the biggest shopping district in Japan, but it has its own unique character. Part retro charm, part modern convenience, it’s where locals and tourists gather for food, fashion, and fun.
Highlights include:
- Size: Over 200 shops spread across seven blocks
- History: A shopping street in use since the Meiji era
- Pedestrian-only: Easy to stroll without traffic worries
- Variety: From 100-yen stores to quirky snack stalls
- Atmosphere: Colorful signs, arcades, and tanuki mascots tucked into displays
Shopping and Eating Along the Arcade
What we loved most about Tanukikoji? You can take little breaks from browsing to enjoy local treats! A tasty snack here and there makes shopping even more fun. Many stalls have space to stand and eat right outside the shop before you continue exploring.
Shops worth stopping by:
- Don Quijote (ドン・キホーテ): Quirky and practical souvenirs
- Daiso and Seria: Budget-friendly finds at ¥100 each
- Matsumoto Kiyoshi: A popular drugstore chain with tax-free options
- Local snack stalls: Selling dried scallops, cheese treats, and Hokkaido corn crackers
How to Get to Tanukikoji Shopping Street
Tanukikoji runs east to west between Odori and Susukino in central Sapporo.
By Subway
- Odori Station (Namboku, Tozai, Toho Lines): about 2 to 5 minutes on foot
- Susukino Station (Namboku Line): about 2 minutes on foot
By Streetcar
- Sapporo Streetcar Tanukikoji Stop: about 1 minute on foot
Pro Tip: Pair your visit with Odori Park, Sapporo TV Tower, and Nijo Market for a simple downtown loop.
Is Tanukikoji Shopping Street Worth Visiting?
Yes. Tanukikoji Shopping Street is one of Sapporo’s most enjoyable and accessible attractions. Whether you’re looking for last-minute souvenirs, sampling street food, or simply wandering on a rainy day, it delivers a mix of local charm and convenience. We especially enjoyed ending our day here with snacks in hand and a soft-serve cone for the walk back to our hotel.
More to Explore Nearby
Tanukikoji is Sapporo’s oldest and most famous covered shopping street, offering a unique blend of souvenir shops, local diners, and modern stores. Once you’ve explored its many arches, the surrounding area provides excellent access to Sapporo’s major attractions.
- Susukino – Walk directly south to the city’s main entertainment and nightlife district, famed for its vibrant neon signs, diverse late-night dining, and lively atmosphere.
- Odori Park – Head north to explore the city’s central green space, which stretches for over a kilometer and is the host location for the annual Sapporo Snow Festival.
- Nijo Market – Visit this lively public market, often called “Sapporo’s Kitchen,” to sample the ultra-fresh seafood of Hokkaido, including crab, scallops, and sea urchin.
- Sapporo Clock Tower – Take a short walk to see this famous, historical wooden building, one of Sapporo’s oldest landmarks and a key symbol of the city.
