The fifth largest city of Japan and the largest on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, Sapporo is considered the cultural, economical, and political center of Hokkaido.
Portraying both the modern and more traditional side of Japanese life, Sapporo is known for its winter themes attractions such as a winter festival as well as some stunning ski resorts on the outskirts.
Welcoming tourists throughout the year, Sapporo has some amazing facts that might surprise you.
Go through the list now!!
1. Sapporo is a haven for people with the sweet tooth. The Ishiya Chocolate Factory, there gives you a tour of the facility and explains you their method of making chocolates.
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They also greet you with their signature treat; white chocolate prized as ‘Shiroi Koibito’ which is a specialty of Hokkaido.
2. Every year in February at Odori Koen, Sapporo the renowned snow festival is celebrated. The most attractive feature of which is the ice sculpture making competition.
3. Sapporo Dome was the host of the FIFA World Cup in 2002 and now it serves as the home ground of a variety of baseball teams such as the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters.
4. Constructed back in the 1880s, in the honor of Hokkaido University, the Clock Tower is recognized for being one of the most iconic buildings in Sapporo.
5. Representing one of the city’s most popular drinks, the Sapporo Beer Museum is owned by the wider Sapporo Brewing Company. The tour here gives you the explanation of how beer is made and allows you to taste some of their different blends.
6. Sapporo TV Tower, which resembles the Eiffel Tower in Paris, is one of the most recognizable buildings not just in Sapporo but also in the whole of Japan.
7. Sapporo became world famous in 1972 when the Olympic Winter Games were held there. That was the first Winter Olympics held in Asia.
8. Opened in May 1951, Maruyama Zoo is the 10th largest zoo in the nation. The zoo has about 185 varieties of mammals, birds and reptiles as well as raising and exhibiting about 1,000 of living creatures.
9. The world record for most snowmen made at one time was 12,379 snowmen in 2003 in Sapporo, Japan. At the time the town had more snowmen than humans.
10. The signature foodstuff in Sapporo is the hairy crab which is also known as kegani. These crabs are expensive at purchase but fresh and delightful in taste.
11. Sapporo is also famous for its particular style of rāmen noodles, which rank among the best.
12. Sapporo is covered in snow for approximately 132 days a year, making it the 2nd snowiest city on earth.
13. Tanukikoji is one of Sapporo’s most famous spots. It is an approximately 1km-long arcade with around 200 shops.
14. With an enormous range of fish and seafood, which is delivered to the market fresh every day, Nijo Ichiba of Sapporo is often billed as the fish market equivalent to the famous Tsukiji in Tokyo.
15. Hokkaido Shrine is a famous place for cherry blossoms, where 1,034 cherry blossom trees bloom all over in spring.
Despite the fact that the city has a population of around 2 million people, you will also be able to enjoy your own space in many parks dotted across Sapporo. Start packing your bags now.