Tanukikoji Shopping Street, located in between the main shopping districts of Odori and Susukino, is Hokkaido's oldest shopping center, having been around for more than 135 years. Featuring about 200 stores and a roof over most of its path, Tanukikoji offers a variety of unique shops and restaurants to explore. The best Japanese knife store in Sapporo is in this covered shopping center, and a Kit-Kat store where you will find flavors of the popular candy bar that you never knew existed, such as sake, green tea and matcha. The gree tea and matcha flavors are amazing, so bring some home with you.

Fun fact: The Japanese Tanuki, also known as the "raccoon dog," is a fascinating creature in Japanese folklore, often recognized for its distinctive physical feature – notably, its disproportionately large testicles. Resembling a raccoon but belonging to a different species, it's often depicted as mischievous and jovial. Tanuki statues, with their pot-belly, cheerful expression, and large testicles, are a common sight in Japan and represent good luck and prosperity. These charming animals play a unique and sometimes humorous role in Japanese culture, blending whimsy and symbolism in a truly endearing way.