Sapporo, the largest city in Hokkaido, Japan, is known as a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts. The city is home to several ski resorts, including Bankei, Sapporo Mt. Moiwa, Sapporo Teine, Sapporo Kokusai, and Takino Snow World, where visitors can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.
For those who want to save money on cold season sport equipment, buying second-hand is a great option. In Sapporo, there are several places where you can find quality used ski and snowboard gears at affordable prices. From October onward, the amount of equipment should start bloating, and in this post, you will be fully fed with some of the best spots for checking them out.
Writer’s Note: a quantity of equipment aggregated at each store is considerably dependent on the visiting season. For instance, many shops tend to clear out their winter offerings as soon as the end of slope season approaches. So, it is possible that you will not or find the very least of the snow wears and gears if you visit these stores starting from March.
What kind of winter gear will you find in the used stores in Japan?
You can find a pretty wide range of snow sport equipment in many second-hand shops in Japan, particularly in Hokkaido. Most of them include snowboards, skis, ski poles, boots, snow clothes, gloves, goggles, and helmets. Many of these items are with popular snow sport brands such as, Burton, Gray, K2, Nobaday, Jones, Salomon and Rome, and also are in decent condition. If visit early when the winter season is about to begin (October-November), there is a chance you will find gears from a few years back or even from last year’s season.
What are the prices like?
It’s an old-school thrift shop rule: the older it looks the cheaper it will be. Other than the item’s condition, the prices also vary strongly depending on brands. Generally, they are significantly lower than the prices for new gear. Here are some examples of prices you might expect to find in used stores in Japan:
Snowboards and Skis: Used snowboards and skis can range from around ¥4,000 for beginner-level equipment to ¥50,000 or more for high-end gear.
Boots: Snowboarding and skiing boots are usually priced between ¥3,000 and ¥15,000, depending on the brand, condition, and age of the boots.
Jackets and Pants: Used winter jackets and pants can range from around ¥1,500 to ¥15,000 or more, depending on the brand and condition of the clothing.
Gloves and Goggles: Gloves and goggles can be purchased for as little as ¥500 to ¥5,000, depending on the brand and condition.
Helmets: Used helmets can be found for as little as ¥1,000 to ¥8,000, but it’s important to ensure that the helmet is in good condition before purchasing.
Where to Buy Cheap/Second-hand Ski and Snowboard Gear in Sapporo?
2nd Street Thrift Shops:
2nd Street is one of the biggest and seems to be the most ubiquitous second-hand selling group in Japan. There are over 700 2nd Street stores established throughout the country. But, not every one of their goody jam-packed establishments has a corner for avid outdoor lovers.
In Sapporo, the 2nd Street shops whose stock includes snow sport equipment are compiled in the list below. And based on my visit to some of the stores on the list, the prices were very varied but the cheapest option seen onsite was a set of 138 cm long snowboard deck with a pair of bindings offered at only around ¥7,000.
Decent Used Models at one of the 2nd Street Stores
1. 2nd Outdoor Minami
Address: 1 Chome-1-60 Kawazoe 3 Jo, Minami Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 005-0803
Hour: 10AM-8PM
Located on the Toyohira River bank by the New Makomanai Golf Center, 2nd Outdoor is the biggest store amongst the 2nd Street branches selling used stuffs for outdoor activity. On a recent post-season visit in March, there was still a large number of ski and snowboard gears put on display here. The seemingly only downside is its location. If you plan to swing by the store from central Sapporo (Susukino and adjacent areas) by means of public transportation, a return trip can take up to two hours of your time.
Snowboards at 2nd Outdoor Minami
Ski Equipment at at 2nd Outdoor Minami
2. 2nd Street Sapporo Kose
Address: 5 Chome-1-10 Kita 10 Johigashi, Higashi Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 065-0010
Hour: 10AM-8PM
Located within a walkable distance from either Higashikuyakusho-Mae Station or Kita jūsan jō higashi Station of Sapporo’s Toho Line, the branch is also a perfect drop by spot if traveling to Sapporo Beer Museum is on your list.
2nd Street Sapporo Kose Shop
3. 2nd Street Sapporo Miyanomori
Address: 28 Chome-1-5 Kita 3 Jonishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0823
Hour: 10AM-8PM
If the place you stay in is served by the Tozai Line, you might as well want to check out this branch. Alight at Nishi nijuhatchome Station, it is only a 3 minutes walk from exit 3.
4. 2nd Street Kotoni
Address: 7 Chome-5-1 Kotoni 3 Jo, Nishi Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 063-0813
Hour: 10AM-8PM
This is another 2nd Street shop that can be easily accessed by the Tozai Line train. It is good to know that even if you cannot find what you are looking for at the Miyanomori shop, the Kotoni branch is there, only two stops away to fulfill your snowsport shopping quest. Walk out of exit 1 of Kotoni Station, it takes about 10 minutes to get there.
5. 2nd Street Sapporo Kita 33 Jo
Address: 5 Chome-120-1 Kita 33 Jonishi, Kita Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 001-0033
Hour: 10AM-8PM
This is one of the most convenient branches to get accessed to from the Susukino neighborhood. You can hop on a subway for Namboku Line at Susukino Station and get off at Kitasanjuyojo Station. The store is located only 250 meters away from the station exit 3.
6. 2nd Street Shinkotoni
Address: 〒001-0908 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Kita Ward, Shinkotoni 8 Jo, 8 Chome−2−10 ゲオ札幌新琴似四番通店
Hour: 10AM-8PM
As suggested by the branch name, this store is located in Shinkotoni-dori within a walkable extent from Shinkotoni Station of Gakuentoshi Line (Sasshō Line).
7. 2nd Street Kita41
Address: 8 Chome-3-13 Kita 41 Johigashi, Higashi Ward, Hokkaido 007-0841
Hour: 10AM-8PM
This branch is located nearby Hinomaru Park in Higashi Ward. While it can be accessed by many means of bus and the city municipal subway, the shortest walk option is to be from Toho Line’s Sakaemachi Station exit 1 and 3.
8. 2nd Street Toyohira Route 36
Address: 〒062-0003 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Toyohira Ward, Misono 3 Jo, 3 Chome−1−20 片山ビル
Hour: 10AM-8PM
This branch is another one of the 2nd Street stores that can be easily visited from Susukino and Nijo Seafood Market. All you need to do is take the 113 Omagari Hikari Sen bus at the Minami 4 Jo bus stop (near Hosuisusukino Station exit 1), and get off at Misono 3 Jo 4 Chome stop (8th stop).
9. 2nd Street Hiragishi
Address: 〒062-0935 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Toyohira Ward, Hiragishi 5 Jo, 8 Chome−1−1 ラルズストア 2F
Hour: 10AM-8PM
Even if the location of this branch falls in Toyohira Ward, it is still favorable to get to the store from Chuo-ku or the heart of Sapporo. One of the shortest and least walk options is to take the 79 Nishioka Hiragishi Sen bus at the Minami 4 Jo bus stop (near Hosuisusukino Station exit 5), then alight at Hiragishi 5 Jo 8 Chome stop (7 stops away).
10. Super 2nd Street Oyachi
Address: 2 Chome-4-30 Oyachihigashi, Atsubetsu Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 004-0041
Hour: 10AM-8PM
Besides the Miyanomori and Kotoni branch of 2nd Street, the Oyachi shop in Atsubetsu Ward is also reachable via Tozai subway. Just mark Oyachi Station as your destination, the store is located right next to the station exit 4.
11. 2nd Street Kiyota
Address: 1 Chome-8-12 Kiyota 1 Jo, Kiyota Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 004-0841
Hour: 10AM-8PM
Located in Kiyota Ward, a little farther to the southeast from the heart of Sapporo, the branch can be reached by the same bus route (113 Omagari Hikari Sen) that allows you to get to the Toyohira Route 36 store. The bus stop for the Kiyota branch is Kiyota Danchi Iriguchi. This can be a good backup store if the Toyohira Route 36 branch doesn’t have enough selection for you.
12. 2nd Outdoor Kitano
Address: 〒004-0863 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Kiyota Ward, Kitano 3 Jo, 2 Chome−13−65 シンエイビル 2F
Hour: 10AM-8PM
This is the second biggest 2nd Outdoor by 2nd Street in Sapporo that sells only used outdoor equipment. Although getting to the store directly from the center of the city requires the burden of transferring into a local bus, there is a higher chance you’d find a bunch of winter activity equipment here during a post snow play season, since it is the store profession. Also, this Kitano branch is located within a walkable span from the 2nd Street Kiyota Shop, so, it is perfect to include the spot to your shopping orgy.
13. 2nd Street Sapporo Utsukushigaoka South
Address: 5 Chome-3-10 Utsukushigaoka 4 Jo, Kiyota Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 004-0814
Hour: 10AM-8PM
If going on a second-hand shopping spree is the first thing you’d like to do right after your disembarkment at the New Chitose Airport, perhaps you should consider a visit to this branch of the 2nd Street. There is an airport shuttle bus linking to the central Sapporo that you can hop on at the international terminal platform 85. Ring the bus bell and get off at Satozuka Minami stop (about 30 mins later). The Utsukushigaoka branch is located 1 km away from the bus stop. And to make the trip more worthwhile, don’t forget to drop by at a Book Off Plus thrift shop located nearby the Satozuka Minami bus stop.
Nandemo Recycling Big Bang Stores:
Nandemo Recycling Big Bang or Anything Recycling Big Bang is operated by Okamoto Reuse Marketing Company, an originally established antique dealer based in Hokkaido. Similarly to other second-hand items dealing groups, the store provides the purchase and sale of used products. That said, Nandemo shops sell some of their goods at cheaper prices.
While there are a number of Nandemo Recycling Big Bang Stores and its associates scattered around Sapporo, only two seem to handle ski and snowboard equipment: Shiroishi and Teine branch.
Snowboards at Nandemo Recycling Big Bang Sapporo Shiroishi Shop
14. Anything Recycling Big Bang Sapporo Shiroishi
Address: 6 Kita-6-23 Hondori, Shiroishi Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 003-0027
Hours: 10AM-8PM
Located right opposite to Nagoyakatei Sushi restaurant in Shiroishi Ward, this two-storey store fills its second floor with outdoor equipment including a wide section for ski and snowboard gear. According to the last visit this March, there were still a lot of options of the gear selling at the store, even though it was quite late for the season.
15. Nandemo Recycle Bigbang Sapporo Teine
Address: 6 Chome-2-1 Inaho 2 Jo, Teine Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 006-0032
Hours: 10AM-8PM
Located 700m away from Inaho Station in Teine, an area famous for its Sapporo Teine Ski Area, the branch is a must stop for every winter sport enthusiast.
OFF Stores:
Off chains are another specialist for buying and selling used items in Japan. Amongst their extensive sister stores sprinkled in every dense city including Sapporo, BOOKOFF and HARDOFF are where you will find a carousel of ski and snowboard equipment.
Winter Sports Section at BOOKOFF PLUS Minami Shop
16. BOOKOFF PLUS Minami
Address: 1 Chome-3-70 Kawazoe 1 Jo, Minami Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 005-0801
Hours: 10AM-9PM
17. BOOKOFF PLUS Kiyota
Address: 〒004-0811 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Kiyota Ward, Utsukushigaoka 1 Jo, 5 Chome−1−10 ＢＯＯＫＯＦＦ３６
Hours: 10AM-9PM
18. HARD OFF Sapporo Nishi-Miyanosawa
Address: 1 Chome-14-10 Nishimiyanosawa 5 Jo, Teine Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 006-0005
Hours: 10AM-8PM
Murasaki Sports:
If you are a snowboard rider, this store can be your playground. Although Murasaki Sports is the biggest shop franchise in Japan that provides first-hand surf and snowboard gear, they also handle the sale of the used model. You can even browse and shop their secondhand online.
Having an eye on Murasaki’s second hand offerings, you should prepare a bigger range of your budget since the prices tend to be higher compared to all the aforementioned second hand chains. For one reason, because the store specializes in snowboards, the used model will be very well taken care of before it is handed to you!
19. Murasakisupotsu Sapporoparukoten
Address: 〒060-0061 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Chuo Ward, Minami 1 Jonishi, 3 Chome−3
Hours: 10AM-8PM
In Sapporo, you can find one of Murasaki Sports branches on the 4th floor of Sapporo PARCO, a shopping mall in the center of the city.
There you have it all for where to look for a good second hand deal of snow equipment in Sapporo! Whether you’re looking for a top-of-the-line snowboard or a vintage ski gear with character, you’re sure to find something that suits your needs in the capital city of Hokkaido. So, grab your gear and hit the slopes in style when the next winter comes!
Map of Places Mentioned in This Post:
Other Sapporo Posts You Might Like:
- SAPPORO TRAVEL GUIDE: BANKEI SKI AREA IN MARCH
- SAPPORO FOOD GUIDE: WHERE/WHAT TO EAT IN THE FAMOUS NIJO MARKET
- SHO-RIN SUSUKINO MAIN BRANCH: A MUST-TRY SOUP CURRY IN SAPPORO
- SAPPORO FOODIE GUIDE: NAGOYAKATEI SHIROISHI HONDŌRI BRANCH
- WINTER IN JAPAN – HISTORICAL VILLAGE OF HOKKAIDO
Suggested Ski Packages in Sapporo:
Did this entry help you? Or Did you enjoy my photos? Help support my small blog by giving a little cup of joe. I am always grateful when readers reach out wanting to support 🙂
p.s. This post is independently created. However, when you book or purchase something through the retail links, I may earn an affiliate commission to help keep Ploy’s Little Atlas running. Thank you very much for your support!
p.p.s All images used (unless specified) are owned by the author of the blog and permission is required for a repost. Please, reach out via social media channels to ask beforehand if you’d like to use them.