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If you’ve had your fill of cookie-cutter vacations, there’s one destination that’s sure to amaze you with its wildly diverse culture and endless wonders.
Asia.
Where to go on this vast continent is another question entirely, but for many Americans it usually comes down to Thailand, Japan or Bali.
This time United adds a piece to the puzzle.
Usually, travelers who venture to Japan have one place in mind: Tokyo’s sprawling playground.
Although Osaka may have something to say about that…
That said, United is about to launch the first-ever nonstop flight from the continental US to lesser-known countries Sapporo.
Well, less known to some: I love their beer, which is their fame beyond Japanese borders.
Making history With one of Asia’s most overlooked cities now easier to get to, Americans can soon head out to experience a completely different side of Japan, one where winter is surprisingly the peak season.
Be sure to check the latest travel warnings and entry requirements before your trip.
Will Sapporo become Japan’s next hotspot?
Let’s face it: Tokyo is hard to beat. There is simply no place like it, where a city so big can be so tamed in some ways, as if you could hear a pin drop on the subway, yet still be welcomed into your hotel by robots.
Make it meaningful.
That said, it may not seem like it, but the gigantic metropolis of Tokyo merely scratches the surface of Japan’s vast layers.
Before this groundbreaking flight announcement, we could have argued that Kyushu was destined to become Japan’s new tourist hotspot.
But now Sapporo, located on Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido, may have crossed the line, despite Kyushu being promoted as a year-round escape, with pristine beaches, natural wonders and a focus on wellness tourism rather than how many Sapporo-style ramen you can stuff into your belly.
Or maybe that’s just my MO….
So the question remains why United chose Sapporo?
This is why:
United said the “new nonstop service… to Sapporo makes it easier to vacation in one of Japan’s most unique destinations.”
In addition, the popular airline is emphasized skiing as the main reason to visit, hence our earlier winter reference.
That’s not to say you shouldn’t visit Sapporo again for another season, but it’s the rare kind of place where the magic really comes alive with snow-capped ski slopes and the Sapporo Snow Festival.
But hey, we get it. Packing a winter coat takes up a lot of space.
Sapporo is still fun well beyond ski season, especially when you consider its parks, ramen shops, nearby hot springs, and proud beer culture.
After all, this is the birthplace of Sapporo Beer, where travelers can visit for the beer Sapporo Beer Museumhead to local beer halls and toast a totally different side of Japan that doesn’t require elbowing your way through the crowds in Tokyo.
San Francisco wins jackpot with Sapporo flight
It makes sense that San Fran would be the lucky winner of Sapporo’s first-ever American flight, as the city is home to one of the few authentic Japantowns in America, along with bayside neighbor San Jose.
Go ahead and take your summer vacation, because this one will be more of a Christmas vacation getaway.
Scheduled to launch from San Francisco (SFO). December 11, 2026United will launch a three-times-weekly winter service as a test flight to Sapporo (CTS), hoping to expand the service if it proves popular.
Best of all, even though this is a one-off route, at least you’ll have done it in style. The flight is operated with a comfortable Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, my personal favorite.
How safe is Japan to visit?
Well, we have good news and bad news.
Let’s start with the negative and work our way up, shall we?
Last fall, the U.S. Embassy issued perhaps one of the most bizarre trips warnings yet.
Due to frequent bear sightings and attacks, authorities have closed Maruyama Park in Sapporo and issued an additional warning: “Bears have also been spotted in other residential areas in Hokkaido.”
Take that for what it’s worth, because it’s specific to Sapporo.
However, our Safety Index tool proves that Japan as a whole couldn’t feel much safer, with travelers currently scoring it 88/100.
Based on both the warning and our real-time Safety Index score from fellow travelers, the U.S. Department of State currently classifies Japan as “Level 1: Take Normal Precautions” – the lowest possible designation for travel advisories.
