Cafe Pas a Pas: A Modern Gem Near Hokkaido University

PAS A PAS

A Charming Sapporo Cafe

Tucked away near Hokkaido University, this delightful spot boasts an impressive 4.8-star rating on Google Maps. It's truly a hidden gem waiting to be discovered.

While a previous cafe I shared had a distinctly traditional Japanese feel, Cafe Pas a Pas offers a more modern ambiance. Its convenient location near Hokkaido University makes it a popular spot. Since the owner runs the cafe solo, be prepared for a relaxed pace; your order might take a little extra time, but it's well worth the wait.

I remember a friendly conversation I had with another customer there. They started chatting with me, praising the owner's kindness.

At first, I didn't quite catch what they were saying...

“Oh, I’m sorry, I’m from Korea and my Japanese isn't very good.”

“No way, you’re doing great! How did you find this place?”

“I saw it on Google Maps!”

“Ah, are you a student here?”

“No, I’m… traveling! Just enjoying my trip.”

“Isn’t the owner just the friendliest?”

“Absolutely!” (I wanted to say 'I think so too!' but couldn't quite get the words out).

The cafe is quite intimate, with just four counter seats and three tables, so it doesn't accommodate a large crowd.

Usually, in smaller Sapporo cafes, I might feel a bit awkward pulling out my laptop to work, but not here. Perhaps it’s because of its proximity to Hokkaido University. To my left, someone was reading; to my right, another person was studying; and at the counter, someone else was diligently working on their tablet. Most of the customers seemed to be solo visitors, just like me.

This relaxed atmosphere made me feel perfectly comfortable to open my laptop and start drafting this very post! Writing about my experiences right in the moment is so much more engaging and enjoyable than trying to recall everything later, which often feels like a chore.

I spotted a Wi-Fi signal and hoped for the best, but unfortunately, it wasn't available for guests. Next time, I'm definitely getting an unlimited data plan. My 1GB-per-day plan for this trip has been a bit of a headache; on the first day, I blew through it quickly, and the "low-speed" access felt like no access at all!

Just as I was pondering my data woes, my order arrived.

I'd just come from another Sapporo cafe, so this time I opted for something delightfully sweet.

And there it was, a thoughtful touch: a single piece of chocolate resting casually on the spoon.

So delicious, truly!

The base of this pastry was pure chocolate, making it incredibly sweet and satisfying.

The music playing was a smooth jazz, and with no one engaged in loud conversations, all I could hear were the gentle tunes and the soothing sounds of coffee being prepared.

It was around 4:30 PM, and already the sky outside was growing dim. Winter in Sapporo truly brings early sunsets.

I've heard that in summer, dawn breaks as early as 3:00 or 4:00 AM, which made me incredibly curious about Sapporo in other seasons. I made a mental note to revisit during the summer of 2026. Looking back, I did manage to visit Hokkaido this past summer, and now, in late 2026, I'm finally publishing this post that I'd lazily put off from last winter!

When I return, I’ll be sure to seek out even more new Sapporo cafes.