Live Music in Sapporo – 7 of the Best Underground, Alternative Venues for Rock, Metal, Pop, Punk, Funk and More

Visiting Hokkaido? In the mood for some great live music? With so many great gig venues, we guarantee there’s something Sapporo that you will love.

Sapporo. The capital of Japan’s northernmost island, Hokkaido. Famous for its February Snow Festival and winter sports season, its music scene is often overlooked. As a matter of fact, even some lifelong residents of Sapporo are unaware of the quality and quantity of great music on offer here.

So, if you are planning a holiday, studying, working, or even if you have lived in Sapporo for your whole life, this guide will take you through some of the best ‘live house’ (ライブハウス – ‘raibu-hausu’) spots in Sapporo. Read on to learn where to find them, what to expect and how to find upcoming events via social media. As always, let us know if you think there’s anything missing, or if you’d like to know more.

Things to know before you go

It’s important to realize that very little English is spoken in Sapporo. As a result, it’s best to assume that wherever you go, the level will be near-zero. This means that having some basic Japanese at your disposal, like being able to order drinks, say please and thank you, introduce yourself and say where you are from will go a long way.

Of course, languages aren’t for everyone, and Japanese is far from the easiest. However, the people of Sapporo are friendly and super chilled, especially in the music scene, so don’t let any communication challenges put you off catching some great live music.

I highly recommend installing ‘DeepL Translate‘ for any visit to Japan. It’s by far the most accurate translation tool I’ve ever used. If you keep your sentences short and simple, you’ll rarely go wrong.

Keep up to date

Live music in Sapporo can be much harder to find, or at least easier to miss, than you might be used to elsewhere. Websites are often out of date. Additionally, there’s no real coverage of the underground scene from websites such as Bandsintown or Songkick at the moment. As a result, keeping a constant eye out on social media, especially Twitter and Instagram, will help you keep track of all the best live music in Sapporo. It also worth checking every flyer and poster you see in the wild. Most will have locations and dates (in Year/Month/Day or Month/Day order) printed in English. Use DeepL to scan the image and translate the text if not.

1- Sound Crue

A long-time favourite within the scene, Sound Crue is a must-visit for anyone interested in great live music. Friendly people, affordable drinks and, at the time of going to press, a pizza menu too.
The live space is big for Sapporo. It has a high stage meaning visibility is good and the sound quality is excellent. Many local bands play here but it also hosts guests from around the country. Conveniently located a few streets away from the iconic TV Tower and central train station, this spot is one of the best in the city.
Website: SOUND CRUE web
Address: 〒060-0041 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Chuo Ward, Odorihigashi, 2 Chome−15−1-2 ＳＯＵＮＤ ＣＲＵＥ

2 – Pigsty

Slightly further away but definitely worth the journey, Pigsty (pronounced ‘pig-stee’ by locals) is a slightly more DIY Sapporo haunt. It’s a 20 minute walk from JR Shiroishi Station, so it’s still convenient, and its remote location allows the owners to crank up the volume.
Pigsty is the go-to spot for anyone who likes their music hard, fast and noisy. The drinks are cheap and there’s a Seven Eleven opposite if you get hungry or need a pick-me-up caffeine hit. It’s raw, grungy and wild.
It has a high stage for good visibility and excellent sound quality at a decent volume. This spot is highly recommended for a wild night out.
Website: Pigsty
Address: 〒003-0027 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Shiroishi Ward, Hondori, 3 Kita−1−5 第一大岡ビル

3 – Sound Lab Mole

Located on Tanuki Koji, Sapporo’s covered shopping street, Sound Lab Mole is another excellent city centre venue. The live space is big, with plenty of standing room and limited but comfortable seating. The stage is high allowing for good visibility and the sound is excellent.
There is a very small smoking room hidden away behind the stairwell, meaning it’s a perfect venue for anyone who dislikes the smell of tobacco. There are also many coin lockers in which to stash your newly purchased merch during the show.
They host local and guest bands most nights of the week, so you shouldn’t have trouble finding something worth seeing. With such a diverse range of music on offer, it’s worth keeping an eye on their listings any time you’re in Sapporo.
Website: Sound lab mole (mole-sapporo.jp)
Address: 2 Chome-14 Minami 3 Jonishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0063

4 – 161倉庫 (Hyaku Roku-ju Ichi Souko)

Next up is 161倉庫 (161-Souko), a much smaller space located near Kitajuhachijo Station, two stops north of Sapporo’s main station. This is another excellent grassroots venue that hosts a wide variety of bands ranging from catchy and uplifting to noisy and wild. It is located on the building’s basement floor and has a cozy izakaya opposite with affordable drinks and delicious food.
The room is small and the stage is low, giving it an intimate, raw feel. The sound is great and, because of the size of the room, it’s loud as well.
Website: 161倉庫 Web Station (161souko.netlify.app)
Address: 〒065-0016 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Higashi Ward, Kita 16 Johigashi, 1 Chome−2−10 西沢ビル B1F

5 – Revolver Maruyama / Revolver 909

A great little spot near the beautiful Hokkaido Jingu/Maruyama Park area. An intimate live room, it hosts most of Sapporo’s underground bands at some point over the year. Next door, you’ll find a great bar with an incredible whisky selection and a bar snack menu. Smoking is allowed at designated spots inside, so it’s perfect for anyone who enjoys a cigarette with their drink.
A little further out of the way than some of the other spots, it’s well worth exploring Maruyama Park and the local area before the show starts to see another part of this incredible city.
Website: Revolver – Maruyama & 909
Address: 〒064-0801 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Chuo Ward, Minami 1 Jonishi, 24 Chome−1−8 エスターアベニュー Ｂ１Ｆ ビル

6 – Sutajio Shi-rakansu – スタジオシーラカンス (Studio Coelecanth)

A musical paradise 1 minute away from Susukino Station, it is first and foremost a highly affordable and well-stocked rehearsal studio. DW and Gretsch drumkits, Marshall guitar amps and cabs, Hartke bass amps and cabs, Ampeg, Fender, a huge collection of Strymon pedals… it’s heaven for gearheads. And, at ¥480 per person per hour for non-members, it’s a highly recommended spot if you fancy making noise in between sightseeing days and izakaya nights.
They also host shows in one of the larger rehearsal rooms. Purpose built for volume, events here are loud and have a true DIY feel. There’s no bar area, so bands will usually bring a cooler full of drinks, or there’s a Family Mart a 1-minute walk away.
Website: Sutajio Shi-rakansu – スタジオシーラカンス
Address: 〒060-0063 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Chuo Ward, Minami 3 Jonishi, 3 Chome−３−２ 第2 タムラビル B1F

7 – Klub Counter Action

A favourite in Sapporo, the venue hosts legendary bands such as tricot as well as local acts. They have a well-stocked bar with a range of craft beers, consistently updated social media pages and a constant stream of great alternative bands coming through.
Centrally located in Susukino, just south of Tanuki Koji, it’s a perfect venue for visitors who want something loud and wild from their weekend!
Website: Klub Counter Action
Address: 〒060-0063 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Chuo Ward, Minami 3 Jonishi, 2 Chome−3 ＷＡＬＬ ＨＡＬＬ 1階

There you have it, seven recommendations for a great night of music in Sapporo. Up next is a guide to Sapporo’s underground club scene, so be sure to subscribe for more updates.

Have any recommendations that we missed? Want to add more to any of the listings? Want to meet up for a beer and a dance? Get in touch and let us know!