Aside from the fantastic food and amazing nature in Sapporo, it is also a haven for shopping! There are countless department shops and independent store to fill all your shopping desires!
Tanukikoji Shopping Street (狸小路商店街), located in the city centre, dates back to 1869 and is one of the most popular areas for shoppers to enjoy themselves. Stretching eight blocks, the shopping street is home to dozens of restaurants, bars and entertainment facilities!
History of Tanukikoji
Tanukikoji during the day
Sapporo’s Tanukikoji Shopping Street (often referred to as Tanukikoji for short) is one of the oldest shopping streets in all of Hokkaido, founded in 1873.
In Japan’s current address system, cities are divided into districts called “chome.”
The Meiji government set up the Hokkaido Development Commission in Sapporo, which led to an increase in merchant houses, shops, and restaurants around Tanukikoji 2-chome and 3-chome (its current location).
Moving to 1958, Tanukikoji 2-chome and 3-chome became full-covered shopping streets. This later expanded all the way from 1-chome to 7-chome, with each chome fitted with a different design. The current design of Tanukikoji was installed in 1982.
Importance of Tanukikoji in Sapporo’s shopping scene
Tanukikoji during the evening
Many shopping streets (or “shotengai”) across Japan have tended to become a little run down, with many vacant shops and relatively few visitors.
However, Tanukikoji Shopping Street is still the place to go for locals and travelers visiting Sapporo. The shopping street is frequently updated with new shops and restaurants to keep it fresh and up-to-date.
The latest addition of the food-complex Tanuki COMICHI, in 2022, is filled with some of Hokkaido’s unique dishes, attracting workers and students to relax and eat some delicious food. It highlights that Tanukikoji is still the place to go to eat, shop and have some fun.
What is Tanukikoji Shopping Street?
Tanukikoji’s location and accessibility
Tanukikoji Shopping Street is located between Odori Park and Susukino, Sapporo’s entertainment district. From Odori Park, it takes less than a five-minute walk. You can walk overground, enjoying the city’s scenery, or, if the weather is not great, you can make use of the underground walkways, which take you all the way from Sapporo Station to Tanukikoji!
What kinds of shops and establishments are found in Tanukikoji?
The shopping street has everything you could ask for and more. From vintage clothes and footwear shops to cute cafes and izakayas (Japanese-style pubs), it is the perfect place to do some shopping and eat some of Hokkaido’…
