When it comes to Japanese matcha sweets, most people instinctively think of century-old tea houses in Kyoto or trendy tea salons in Tokyo. However, matcha sweets in Hokkaido have their own unique logic for survival—in this extreme northern land where winter temperatures average below freezing, the role of matcha sweets has transformed from a cool refreshment into a "warm healing" winter-exclusive delicacy. This transformation is precisely the greatest charm of Hokkaido matcha sweets.
Unlike the matcha sweets in Kansai or Kanto that focus on ice cream and monaka (ice cream cones), Hokkaido's matcha shops place greater emphasis on presenting "hot" options. When walking into matcha dessert shops in Sapporo or Otaru during winter, the most popular among locals is not matcha ice cream, but piping hot matcha ozoni (matcha shiratama zenzai) or matcha latte with generous amounts of milk. This transformation makes sense—Hokkaido is Japan's largest dairy-producing region, and high-quality fresh milk resources have made the combination of matcha and milk a regional specialty. Red bean paste, shiratama dango, kudzu noodles, and other toppings absorb the matcha tea's subtle bitterness and sweetness in the hot soup, making this the standard way to enjoy winter sweets in Hokkaido.
It's worth noting that the pricing of Hokkaido matcha sweets is more affordable than in Tokyo or Osaka. At an average matcha shop in central Sapporo, matcha latte prices range from ¥450-650, and matcha ice cream sundaes cost around ¥500-800, which is quite friendly for travelers on a budget. This is related to local salary levels and the highly competitive food and beverage market, allowing visitors from Macao, Hong Kong, and Taiwan to enjoy quality matcha at more reasonable prices.
Recommended Shops
1. Sahou Suehiro (Central Sapporo)
This is a local tea house without obvious tourist packaging, located in a small alley near Tanukikoji Shopping Street. The owner is a tea ceremony teacher who moved from Tokyo to Sapporo, and her attention to matcha is excellent. The specialty here is "Matcha Shiratama Zenzai"—extra-large shiratama dango paired with self-brewed Tokachi red bean paste, topped with a thick layer of matcha powder. In winter, the owner proactively asks if you'd like it served "warm." Biting into the soft and chewy shiratama dango, matcha's subtle bitterness and red bean's sweetness achieve perfect balance in your mouth. The shop has only eight seats, with tea ceremony utensils hanging on the walls, creating a tranquil atmosphere. Matcha latte ¥480, zenzai ¥620.
2. Otaru Nanpou (Canal Store)
This dessert shop is located next to the Otaru Canal, an obligatory stop for tourists, but unexpectedly maintains a local and affordable character. The biggest feature of their matcha sweets is that you "can add ice cream"—they offer matcha ice cream sundaes in summer, and in winter, the hot matcha add-on service is their popular way to enjoy it. The matcha powder used in the shop comes from an award-winning tea garden in Kyoto, but is processed and adjusted in Otaru, resulting in lighter bitterness and higher sweetness, which is very acceptable for visitors from Macao, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Nanpou's Matcha Tiramisu (¥580) is their original product, quite popular on social media. The top layer is rich matcha whipped cream, and the bottom layer is matcha-infused mascarpone cheese with a smooth texture.
3. Asahikawa Chaya Midori (In Front of Asahikawa Station)
Asahikawa is a city famous for soy sauce ramen, but this tea house's matcha sweets are also worth making a special trip for. "Matcha Cheese" is their confidence piece—using cheese made from fresh milk from local Hokkaido farms, drizzled with special matcha syrup, with a texture similar to pudding but even smoother. The cheese's milky aroma and matcha's returning sweetness complement each other perfectly, making it the most surprising combination I've ever had in Hokkaido. The shop's interior features warm wooden-style decoration, and on snowy winter days, sitting by the window while watching the street scene and sipping hot matcha brings a special kind of northern浪漫. Cheese set ¥720, includes one bowl of matcha.
4. Sapporo Odori Cha-ga (Fika)
A Nordic-style tea cafe near Odori Park, emphasizing a "Hygge"-like comfortable atmosphere. Their matcha sweets don't follow the traditional route but are combined with Swedish cinnamon rolls to create "matcha cinnamon rolls"—matcha cream cheese is rolled into the cinnamon roll dough, and after baking, more matcha powder is sprinkled on top. The rich layers of texture make it a favorite among young people. The shop provides Wi-Fi, and many locals bring laptops to work here for an afternoon. The barista studied in Sweden, and has a special fondness for the concept of "fika" (Swedish word for coffee/tea break), promoting a relaxed matcha culture. Cinnamon roll ¥380, matcha cinnamon roll ¥420.
5. Hakodate Tsuei (Bay Area)
Hakodate is the southernmost city in Hokkaido, and its matcha sweets carry a bit of "port city"浪漫. This old-established tea house is located near the Former Anglican Church District, with over sixty years of history, passed down through generations of local families. The specialty is "Matcha Yokan"—different from the overly sweet typical yokan, this one has a distinct tea leaf bitterness, paired perfectly with a strong bowl of matcha. The shop retains Showa-era architectural style, and the tatami seating area offers views of the bay area. One piece of yokan ¥350, matcha set ¥550. In winter, they also offer a limited edition "hot yokan," where yokan is cut into small pieces and soaked in hot matcha—a truly unique treat.
Practical Information
The best season to visit Hokkaido matcha sweets shops is from October to March. During this period, the weather is cold, and shops offer hot matcha sweets, forming a stark contrast with the iced treats that Taiwan visitors are familiar with—a very unique experience. If visiting in summer (June to August), matcha ice cream is still available, but the selection is smaller, and some shops don't even open in summer.
In terms of transportation, Sapporo's matcha shops are concentrated in the city center (around Sapporo Station, Odori Park, and Tanukikoji), accessible on foot; Otaru requires a JR Chuo Line ride from Sapporo for about 30 minutes; Asahikawa is about 1 hour and 15 minutes from Sapporo by JR; and Hakodate takes about 3 hours by express from Sapporo or New Chitose Airport. It's recommended to combine matcha sweets with city sightseeing to avoid long trips specifically for them.
In terms of average spending, matcha latte ¥450-650, matcha ice cream sundae ¥500-800, matcha zenzai or shiratama desserts ¥550-750, complete set (including tea and wagashi) ¥800-1200. The sweetness level is generally higher than in Tokyo, which is an adjustment for foreign visitors' taste preferences, but the bitterness is still maintained at a certain level, falling within an "acceptable range of adjustment."
Travel Tips
For first-time visitors from Macao, Hong Kong, and Taiwan to Hokkaido, I recommend starting in Sapporo—the highest density of matcha shops here makes it easy to compare different stores' styles. If time permits, Nanpou in Otaru can be combined with "Otaru Canal Walk," and after finishing the dessert, you can explore the glasswork shops in the canal area.
It's worth noting that Hokkaido's matcha shops don't place as much emphasis on "queue-famous shops" as those in Tokyo. Many truly delicious old establishments are actually quiet. It's recommended to avoid chain stores thatmainly target tourists and choose locally-recommended authentic shops to experience the true Hokkaido matcha culture. Additionally, most shops primarily accept cash, with少数 supporting mobile payments like PayPay, so it's recommended to carry cash. If visiting in winter, be sure to stay warm—matcha shops have heating, but the temperature difference between indoors and outdoors is extreme, which can easily cause discomfort.
