Hokkaido Dosanko Plaza is a gift shop showcasing and selling the very best souvenirs of Hokkaido in the JR Sapporo Station building. This is not a huge shop, but it sells a great range of goods from across Hokkaido. Although it resembles a small supermarket, this promotional store sells more than 2,000 specialty food and drink products sourced from different areas of Hokkaido. Hokkaido Dosanko Plaza’s prime location close by the West Ticket Gates also makes it a good spot to grab some last-minute souvenirs before leaving Sapporo.
Hokkaido Dosanko Plaza gift shop
Hokkaido Dosanko Plaza is operated by the Hokkaido International Trade and Industry Promotion Association as a venue for the display and sale of Hokkaido’s unique regional goods. The name of the store is also suggestive of its regional pride. Originally, “Dosanko” was the name of a native breed of small horse in Hokkaido, but it is also used as a nickname for people who are born and raised in this prefecture.
Inside the store
Hokkaido Dosanko Plaza sells mainly edible goods, but also some cosmetics, and local handcrafted arts, crafts and fabrics which include traditional items made by the Ainu indigenous people of Hokkaido. Typical products include confectionary, seafood products (including crab), pickles, sauces, cheese, butter and other dairy goods, and local alcoholic beverages such as sake, shochu, beer, and wine. Different Hokkaido companies hold regular sales events here, some of which include tastings. The products on offer and opportunities to sample them vary by event.
The store publishes best-selling product rankings by category and introduces new items through a test-sales programme. Products are initially offered for three months, with successful items eligible for a further three months of sales. This gives shoppers an opportunity to discover lesser-known products from across Hokkaido as well as familiar souvenirs.
There is also an eat-in area where you can enjoy Hokkaido wines, craft beers and cheeses, along with soft-serve ice cream made using milk from Okoppe. It is a good spot for a short break while choosing your souvenirs.
Hokkaido Dosanko Plaza shares the Hokkaido-Sapporo Food & Tourism Information Center with the Hokkaido-Sapporo Tourist Information Center and other visitor services. At the nearby Tourist Information Counter you can find staff speaking Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean who can help you with your sightseeing enquiries. The Information Center also features a currency exchange machine, an ATM that accepts international bank cards, a mobile phone charging station, and a JR Information Desk for overseas visitors, where you can arrange eligible rail passes and JR tickets as well as ask about train services. The JR desk is open from 8.30 to 19.00, while the tourist-information counter is open from 8.30 to 20.00.
Location
Hokkaido Dosanko Plaza is located on the West Concourse of JR Sapporo Station and is just inside the station’s North Exit.
Open: 8.30 – 20.00 daily. Hours may be shorter during the New Year holiday period.
Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved. Last updated 12-Sep-2026.
