Visit Japan Web invites you to explore Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido and the fifth largest city in Japan. It is noteworthy as one of the nation’s youngest major cities with a population of only seven in 1857. During the Meiji Period, Sapporo was selected as the island’s administrative hub. It expanded based on the guidance of international experts when Hokkaido’s development commenced on a large scale. Sapporo gained global recognition in 1972 when it hosted the Olympic Winter Games. Currently, the city is renowned for its ramen, beer as well as the annual snow festival held in February.

Sapporo, the capital of the northernmost island of Japan, extends along the Ishikari River. The river runs through the city center, dividing the city into east and west sections, both lined with linden trees. This has earned Sapporo the nickname “Linden Tree City”. Sapporo is a typical northern city, with a very strong northern flavor. Every year, Sapporo hosts outdoor activities with snow and ice as the main theme, giving rise to the Sapporo Snow Festival.

Sapporo boasts a rich variety of seafood and agricultural products, making its cuisine an important aspect of tourism. Salmon is quite common in the Hokkaido region, and in Sapporo, you can savor salmon dishes with a unique Hokkaido flavor. “Sanpei Soup” and “Ishikari Nabe” are examples of dishes that involve placing fragrant broth and salmon in a sand pot, and cooking them together at the table.

Here are some places of interest that Visit Japan Web recommends.