Sapporo

Sapporo is the fifth largest city in Japan by population, and the largest city on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido. It is the capital city of Hokkaido Prefecture and is an ordinance-designated city.

History

Sapporo was established in 1868, with the development of the city largely driven by the Hokkaido Development Commission. The city was chosen as the site of the 1972 Winter Olympics, the first ever held in Asia.

Geography

Sapporo is located in the southwestern part of Hokkaido, at the alluvial fan of the Toyohira River, which is a tributary stream of the Ishikari River.

Climate

Sapporo has a humid continental climate, with warm, humid and wet summers, and long, cold and snowy winters. The city is known for its Yuki Matsuri, or snow festival, which draws more than 2 million tourists from around the world.

Economy

The economy of Sapporo is well balanced with a mix of industries including information technology, retail, and services. The city is also known for its brewing industry, including the Sapporo Brewery, one of the oldest beer brands in Japan.

Culture

Sapporo is known for its vibrant food culture, including its seafood and Sapporo Ramen, and also its beer. The city has a number of parks and open spaces, including the famous Odori Park, which hosts the Sapporo Snow Festival each year.

Education

Sapporo is home to several universities, including Hokkaido University, one of the top universities in Japan.

Transportation

Sapporo is served by two airports: New Chitose Airport for international and domestic flights, and Okadama Airport for regional flights within Hokkaido. The city has a well-developed public transportation system, which includes the Sapporo Subway.

Sports

Sapporo is home to professional sports teams, including the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball and Consadole Sapporo of the J1 League.