Sapporo Streetcar 札幌市電

A tram that has supported daily life in Sapporo since its opening in 1918 (Taisho 7). Once stretching across multiple routes through the city, the network was gradually reduced with the rise of automobiles and the opening of the subway, leaving only the current section in operation after 1974. Then, in December 2015, the missing link between Nishi-4-chome and Susukino was reinstated with the addition of the Tanukikoji stop, completing a loop. This loop transformation increased ridership and drew new attention to the streetcar as a sightseeing route through the city center.

Today, the tram operates in a continuous loop from Nishi-4-chome via Tanukikoji, Susukino, and Nakajima Park, passing near attractions such as Odori Park, Hoheikan, and Nakajima Park. A flat-rate fare system makes boarding and alighting simple for tourists, and a full circuit of the approximately 9-kilometer loop takes about 50 minutes — a leisurely mini-tour of central Sapporo.

The recently introduced low-floor "Polaris" trams (A1200 series) feature a sleek black-and-white exterior and warm interiors that incorporate locally sourced Hokkaido timber. Seeing the vintage and modern trams share the same tracks is one of the unique pleasures of riding this historic streetcar line.