Sapporo Fast Facts

Sapporo is Japan's third largest city, located on the western plains of Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan. More than 60% of Sapporo - primarily in the southwest - is mountainous, thus creating a concentration of urban activity focused around the Toyoshira River, which runs through the city.

This well-planned capital city is known for its unique history, striking natural beauty and relaxed character. Originally inhabited by the Ainu, aborigines of Hokkaido, 'Sapporo' is actually an Ainu word meaning "large dry land" or "important river flowing through a marsh."

In a little over a century, Sapporo, now with a population of 1.8 million people, has grown into a lively modern city which has become the centre of political and economic life of Hokkaido.

Weather
Highest temperature	31.5 degrees	Spring	May - Jun
Lowest temperature	-15.8 degrees	Summer	Jul - Aug
Average temperature	8.8 degrees	Autumn	Sep - Oct
		Winter	Nov - Mar

Food

Unlike traditional Japanese cuisine, Sapporo dishes rely on the simplicity and natural flavourof their ingredients. Crab, scallop and salmon are local specialties. Genghis Kahn, a lamb barbecue named after the Mongolian warrior, is unique to Hokkaido and especially popular at beer halls throughout the city, many with their own original sauces in which the lamb is either marinated or dipped after grilling.

No street or block in Sapporo is complete without a ramen shop, the internationally acclaimed noodles in miso, soy or salt-flavoured soups. Indeed some streets have nothing but ramen shops such as the famous Ramen Alley, where signatures of past and present celebrities adorn the walls of the shops that line either side of the narrow passageway.

Needless to say, Sushi anyone?

Summer sees the harvest of various types of melons grown in the area. Hokkaido is the home of vegetables in Japan and locally grown potatoes, onions and asparagus add their natural flavours to any local dish. The long history of dairy farming in and around Sapporo has produced a legacy of first class butter, milk and ice cream products.

Public Transport

The city of Sapporo is served by an extensive public transport system conting of three subway lines, JR (Japan Railway) lines, a streetcar route and a substantial bus service.

The three subway lines, which serves 46 stations throughout Sapporo, link the main business, commercial and entertainment areas, as well as the central railway station, to all parts of the city.

Regular streetcar and buses cover routes not serviced by the subways and convenient shuttle buses link shopping areas and event venues around the city. Various one-day or pre-paid passes covering all these services are available.

Festivals

The Sapporo Snow Festival is one of Japan's largest winter events. Every February, about two million people throng Odori Park and the main street in Susukino to see the snow statues and ice sculptures, which turn Sapporo into a winter wonderland.

Sapporo snow festival! This is the biggest event held in February in Sapporo...