The Sapporo Symphony Orchestra was originally founded in 1961 under the name "Sapporo Citizen Symphony Orchestra," then renamed the "Sapporo Symphony Orchestra" in 1962. In 2009 it became the first public interest incorporated foundation among Japanese orchestras. The only professional orchestra in Hokkaido, affectionately known as "Sakkyo," it celebrates its 65th anniversary in 2026. The orchestra's transparent sound and powerful expression are widely known as representative of the magnificence of Hokkaido.

Masao Araya served as honorary founding conductor, and since its founding, Peter Schwarz, Hiroyuki Iwaki, Kazuyoshi Akiyama, Tadaaki Otaka, Max Pommer, Radomil Eliška and Matthias Bamert have led the orchestra. Elias Grandy currently serves as Chief Conductor, Tadaaki Otaka as Conductor Laureate, Junichi Hirokami as Friendship Conductor, Tatsuya Shimono as Principal Guest Conductor, and Kentaro Kawase as Resident Conductor.

Based in Sapporo Concert Hall Kitara, known for its excellent acoustics, and Sapporo Culture and Arts Theater hitaru, a theater suitable for opera and ballet, the orchestra performs about 120 concerts annually, including performances in various parts of Hokkaido and Tokyo. Overseas, the orchestra has visited the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Southeast Asia, South Korea, and Taiwan, with much success. While based in Hokkaido, the orchestra aims to bolster its continued growth as an orchestra that presents its unique sound to the world.