Bow down to the majestic place of Sapporo

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We’ve been all fascinated by snow. No matter what age bracket we’re in, whenever we see the season of snow on television and social media, we all have this liking to be at that exact place to have fun and portray nonchalance despite the cold.

Japan is one of the lucky countries to experience this season even though it’s an Asian country and the state boasts of a town called Sapporo. Best known to hold an annual festival that is dotted by humongous frozen sculptures, Sapporo and the Sapporo Snow Festival is a part of everyone’s vacation dream.

But aside from this special event, the town is known to be a starting point if you also want to stretch your Japan stay and explore the wilderness. Some of the many things that you’d definitely adore about Sapporo are their wide array of gastronomic treats, the infamous Sapporo bear and the self-indulging nightlife and shopping opportunities that can be found within its limits.

Location

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Known to be a Japanese city basically being surrounded by everything—land forms, bodies of water, nearby rural and urban areas. Sapporo is specifically located at Ishikari Plain’s southwestern tip and the well-known Toyohira River.

Sapporo’s southern and western areas are being dotted by a number of mountain ranges from Maruyama, Mount Moiwa and Mount Teine with a few stints from the rivers of Sosei and Ishikari.

Some of the neighboring cities that border Sapporo include Otaru, Date, Tobetsu, Kyogoku, Eniwa, Ebetsu, Kitahiroshima and Chitose. Sapporo is dubbed as Japan’s fifth largest city, which scopes a total land area of 433 square kilometers and is currently being inhabited by a total of 1.9 million people.

Climate

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As according to the Koppen Climate Classification, Sapporo is tagged under a humid continental climate, which equates to summers being generally warm and hot while winters are frigid and saturated with too much snow.

Temperatures begin to pick up its pace in the month of May and at its zenith in August at a record-high of 36-degree Celsius. December paves way for colder temperatures and snow would be best felt during the months of January, February and March with a mean average of 27 snow days per month.

Rainfall can still be observed in Sapporo with September garnering the highest amount of rainfall collected at 5.40 inches while the number of days with clear skies can be experienced during May at 198 hours per month.

Transportation

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Transportation isn’t much of a concern in Japan as they are well-known to have propagated sophisticated ways of commuting regardless of what method one would use.

In Sapporo, the main railway system is being served at the JR Hokkaido Station, which can transport customers with three lines including Hakodate, Chitosa and Sassho. Rapid transit can also be relied on when in Sapporo as the city offers swift methods via Sapporo Municipal Subway, Sapporo Streetcar, Teineyama Ropeway and Mount Moiwa Ropeway.

True to its dubbing as one of the most accessible cities in Japan, Sapporo is being supported by two airports—Okamada Airport for domestic and local flights to Hokkaido and the New Chitose Airport which caters to a more diverse international flight options.

Bus lines are also a major thing in Sapporo locals and it is evident through the mishmash of bus lines circling the town such as JR Bus and Chuo Bus Services.

What to See

Sapporo Beer Garden & Museum

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The city is pretty much the very place where the Sapporo Gold beer had been made and so it is just fitting to have a museum dedicated to alcohol production, hence, the Sapporo Beer Garden and Museum.

This place of interest is originally the Sapporo Beer Brewery and this had been flipped into becoming the town’s main focal point if travelers would want to know better.

There had been guided tours on how the famed beer is being made all complete with tastings while a restaurant adjacent to the main museum would defy your cravings for an artisanal meal under a variety of cuisines.

Sapporo Clock Tower

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What sets this landmark apart from all the others is the synchronicity that has provided since its erection in 1878. The Sapporo Tower Clock, as what the name says, is a signature landmark in Sapporo and is formerly one of the tallest edifices made within the city.

Feel the historical importance of this monument and take in the impressive structure which had been the main reason on as to why it is still standing and serving Sapporo locals up to this very day.

Hokkaido University

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Not just serving as a hall for academic excellence, the Hokkaido University is known all over the world to house the most intrinsically designed school buildings and well-manicured lawns that are just beauty to the site.

After a couple of centennials, this spot has left visitors breathless since 1876 and one must nod in agreement that it’s all worth the visit due to the museums being opened to public and several campus areas are just adorable to stay at.

Sapporo TV Tower

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If Paris has the Eiffel Tower, Sapporo brags about the Sapporo TV Tower as the exact counterpart. Located on the eastern side of Odori Koen, this towering edifice has an observation deck at 90 meters high and is one of the main reasons why travelers pay this landmark a visit. Be enthralled as you see the sun set and rise while at the Sapporo TV Tower, free of charge.

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Images:
(1) www.lifetoreset.wordpress.com
(2) www.planetware.com
(3) www.japantimes.co.jp
(4) www.en.wikipedia.org
(5) www.welcome.city.sapporo.jp
(6) www.placesfortour.com
(7) www.commons.wikimedia.org
(8) www.panoramio.com