Sapporo Station has been at the heart of Sapporo since the late 19th century and it continues to be the main railway hub for Hokkaido island. Most visitors to Sapporo will transit through here, and the station is surrounded by major downtown attractions, including an array of shopping malls and the JR Tower.

Regional JR railway lines intersect at Sapporo Train Station, offering services south towards New Chitose Airport and Hakodate, west to Otaru and Teine, and east towards Asahikawa and then Wakkanai. But one thing that isn't seen at Sapporo Train Station is a bullet train, as the Shinkansen network has only reached Hakodate in the south of Hokkaido. Rising above the southern entrance is the JR Tower, accessed via an elevated shop-lined walkway. An observation deck is located on its 38th floor, offering sublime views of the city streets and the distant mountains. The underground Apia Shopping Centre is an excellent place to grab souvenirs while the 10th floor of the Esta Shopping Centre is a great place to sample ramen and Hokkaido's culinary delicacies.

Two of Sapporo's three subway lines run through the station and provide access to destinations across the city. Next to the five railway platforms is Sapporo Station Bus Terminal. Train tickets can be bought from the machines or at one of the staffed ticket booths.

This train station originally opened in 1880 although the current building dates to 2003. During the reconstruction, the original white and red brick structure was moved to the Historic Village of Hokkaido, a tourist attraction in Nopporo Forest Park.