Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Sapporo?
Yes, tap water in Sapporo is safe to drink. The Sapporo Waterworks Bureau treats water to Japan’s strict 51-parameter quality standard, producing some of the best-tasting tap water in the country thanks to clean snowmelt sources.
Water Source
Sapporo draws its water from the Toyohira River, fed by snowmelt from the mountains of Shikotsu-Toya National Park, and from the Hoheikyo Dam reservoir. Treatment at the Moiwa and Hakusui plants uses rapid sand filtration and chlorination.
Contaminants & Concerns
No significant health concerns. Sapporo’s water is noted for its excellent taste, attributed to the clean snowmelt source and relatively low chlorine requirements. The city’s cold climate also reduces bacterial growth risk in the distribution system.
Tips
- •Tap water is safe and excellent everywhere in the city — fill your bottle freely at any tap or public fountain
- •Sapporo’s snowmelt-sourced water is particularly good for brewing beer and coffee, as the city’s famous breweries can attest
- •No need to buy bottled water — save money and plastic by drinking from the tap
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources & References
The safety rating and guidance on this page draw on the following sources. See our full methodology.
- •WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality
- •CDC Travelers' Health destination pages
- •The municipal water utility's published quality data