Sapporo |
Because of its thick snows that turn the city into a winter wonderland Sapporo is favoured more as a winter sports destination than a spring or summer resort. There are ski-slopes within the city limits and residents often enjoy a quick run after work. Sapporo is one of Japan's newest cities, having been constructed almost from scratch as the capital of Hokkaido in 1871. Japan imported foreign technicians (including 46 Americans) to aid in the development of the city, formerly a small settlement of the native Ainu people, which has now grown to accommodate 1.8 million inhabitants. Despite a large population, Sapporo is not as crowded or densely packed as other Japanese cities. A national survey ranked it as one of the country's most desirable places to live, which is not surprising because its natural setting allows for easy access to mineral spas, mountain hikes, campsites, and superb ski runs.
Attractions
Beer Museum
If you are here for the beer, which is possible because Sapporo beer is known throughout the world, then a visit to the beer museum in the historic Sapporo Brewery building is a must, together with a tour of the brewery itself, which, of course, ends with a tasting. The red brick brewery building has been home to the Sapporo Beer Company, third-largest beer producer in Japan, since 1876. One-hour tours are conducted at 15-minute intervals every day throughout the year; however these are in Japanese only. It is possible to book in advance and request an English interpreter.
Telephone: (0)11 731 4368; E-mail: museum@sapporobeer.jp; Website: www.sapporobeer.jp; Transport: Subway to Higashi-kuyakusho station; Opening time: Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm; Admission: Free; a fee is charged for tasting
Historical Village
The impressive and entertaining outdoor museum village depicting Hokkaido life in days of old is situated in Sapporo at Atsubetsu Ward, in a corner of the Hokkaido Nopporo Forest Park. The site features restored or recreated buildings from the Meiji and Taisho periods, and includes edifices like the old Sapporo railway station, old Otaru newspaper company buildings, fishermen’s cottages, mountain villas and the like. Horse-drawn trolleys run through the village and in winter horse-drawn sleighs carry visitors around the site.
Address: Konopporo 50-1, Atsubetsu-chyo; Telephone: (0)11 898 1000 (recorded information); Website: www.kaitaku.or.jp/info/info.htm; Opening time: Daily except Mondays 9.30am to 4.30pm (October to May), 9am to 5pm (June to September); Admission: Summer: ¥830 (adults), ¥610 (students). Winter: ¥680 (adults), ¥550 (students)
Hokkaido Ainu Centre
The Ainu people with their unique culture have lived on the island of Hokkaido for hundreds of generations. The Ainu Centre in Sapporo details the history and culture of the island’s indigenous people using interesting exhibits and demonstrations.
Address: 7F Kaderu 2-7 Bldg., N2 W2, Chuo-ku; Telephone: (0)11 221 0462; Opening time: Daily 9am to 5pm; closed Sundays and between 29 December and 3 January; Admission: Free
Excursions
Events
Since its humble beginnings in 1950, when local students built six snow statues in Odori Park, the Snow Festival has grown into an international event and is the biggest and most spectacular festival in Japan, and a major tourist attraction. Every winter local and international teams compete in the Snow Statue Contest in which sculptors create fantastic art out of snow and ice. Hundreds of beautiful and elaborate snow statues and ice sculptures dot the area, some the size of multi-story buildings, and it is these massive sculptures in particular that have made the festival famous.
Venue: Odori Park, Makomanai, and Susukino; Date: 5-11 February 2009; Website: www.snowfes.com/english/index.html