48 Hours in Sapporo | 6 Things to do in Hokkaido's Capital

When I arrive in a new city, the first thing I like to do is go up a tower to get a 360-degree view, a bit like Assassin's Creed! This is one of the best views I've had in a Japanese city so far, mainly because of how Odori Park stretches out before you. You can also find Hokkaido's adorable mascot, Jingisukan, and the nightmarish Melon Bear here.

Head to a Genghis Khan restaurant for Sapporo's most famous dish: mutton barbecue grilled on an iron plate over charcoal. As the fat drips from the sizzling mutton, it marinades the vegetables below, typically onions, which sweeten the meat. It's an intense dining experience with about 30 customers crammed into the second floor, constant sizzling, and an atmosphere of 90% smoke. It can be noisy and busy, but the meat quality is good and very nice.

For the best view of Susukino Crossing, head to Flair Bar. It's one of the only bars in Sapporo with 'cocktail magic' – where they throw bottles around in the air with complete disregard for health and safety. It's a fun spot to play Jenga and enjoy the vibrant nightlife.

Kick off your second day with a bowl of ramen to see if Hokkaido's traditionally miso-based ramen lives up to its reputation. Expect a queue around the block even 15 minutes before opening – a good sign for a Japanese ramen place with a good reputation. I added butter as a topping, which Hokkaido is known for, making an already unhealthy dish just a little bit more healthy. The soup is probably the highlight, tasting like thick gravy with a hint of butter. It's fantastic!

Make the pilgrimage to the Sapporo Beer Garden & Museum, where beer lovers can enjoy beer, learn how it's brewed, and take awkward selfies. Sapporo Beer was founded in 1876, making it Japan's oldest beer brand. You can try a special five-star beer exclusive to the factory, which is lighter in flavor and viscosity than normal Sapporo. If you're going to drink one beer in Japan, Sapporo beer is the best!

Visit Shiroi Koibito Park, the factory of Hokkaido's best-known sweets, Shiroi Koibito cookies. It's a thriving theme park that feels like a cross between Disneyland, Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, and a bizarre European village – and surprisingly, it works! You can see animatronic chefs dancing around and watch cookies rolling off the assembly line. You can even get biscuits with your face on the box, which are regarded as Sapporo's most popular souvenir. The cookies are basically two soft biscuits with chocolate sandwiched between them, with a nice soft and fresh texture, not crunchy hard.