When you’ve had your fill of cookie-cutter vacations, there’s one destination surely to rock your socks off with its wildly diverse culture and endless wonders.
Asia.
Now, where to go within this vast continent is another question entirely, but for many Americans, it usually boils down to Thailand, Japan, or Bali.
This time, United is adding a piece to the puzzle.
Usually, travelers venturing off to Japan have one place in mind: the sprawling playground of Tokyo.
Although Osaka might have something to say about that…
That said, United is set to launch the first-ever nonstop flight from the continental U.S. to lesser-known Sapporo.
Well, lesser-known for some — I love their beer, which is their claim to fame outside of Japan’s borders.
Making history with one of Asia’s most overlooked cities now easier to reach, Americans can soon jet off to experience a completely different side of Japan, one where winter is surprisingly the peak season.
Be sure to check the latest Travel Alerts & Entry Requirements before your trip.
Will Sapporo Be Japan’s Next Hotspot?
Let’s be real — Tokyo is tough to beat. There’s simply no place like it, where a city so massive can be so tamed in some ways, like being able to hear a pin drop on the metro, yet being welcomed to your hotel by robots.
Make it make sense.
That said, it may not seem like it, but the gargantuan metropolis of Tokyo merely scratches the surface of Japan’s immeasurable layers.
Before this groundbreaking flight announcement, we might’ve argued Kyushu was destined to be Japan’s new tourism hotspot.
But now Sapporo, located on Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido, may have cut the line despite Kyushu being promoted as more of a year-round escape with pristine beaches, natural wonders, and a focus on wellness tourism instead of how much Sapporo-style ramen you can pack in your gut.
Or maybe that’s just my M.O….
So, the question remains why did United opt for Sapporo?
Here’s why:
United said its “new nonstop service … to Sapporo makes it easier to vacation in one of Japan’s most unique destinations.”
Additionally, the popular airline highlighted skiing as the top reason to visit hence our prior winter reference.
That’s not to say you shouldn’t visit Sapporo another season, but it’s the rare type of place where its magic really comes to life with snowy 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 once you factor in its parks, ramen shops, nearby hot springs, and proud beer culture.
This is the birthplace of Sapporo Beer, after all, where travelers can visit the Sapporo Beer Museum, hit local beer halls, and toast to a totally different side of Japan that doesn’t require elbowing through Tokyo crowds.
San Francisco Hits Jackpot With Sapporo Flight
It makes sense San Fran would be the lucky winner for Sapporo’s first-ever U.S. flight, given the city is home to one of the few authentic Japantowns in America, along with fellow bayside neighbor San Jose.
Go ahead and take your summer vacay because this one is going to be more of a Christmas break getaway.
Slated to launch from San Francisco (SFO) on December 11, 2026, United will launch 3 times weekly winter seasonal service as a test run to Sapporo (CTS) with hopes to expand service if it proves popular.
Best of all, even if this is a one-and-done route, at least you did it in style. The flight will operate on a cushy 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 what was perhaps one of its most bizarre travel alerts yet.
Due to frequent bear sightings and attacks, authorities closed Maruyama Park in Sapporo and provided an additional warning, stating “bears have also been spotted in other residential areas in Hokkaido “.
Take that for what it’s worth, as it’s specific to Sapporo.
However, our Safety Index tool proves Japan as a whole couldn’t feel much safer, as travelers are currently scoring it with 88/100.
Piggybacking off both the alert and our real-time Safety Index score from fellow travelers, the U.S. State Department currently classifies Japan as “Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions” — the lowest possible designation for travel advisories.
