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A little more easily managed than Tokyo or Yokohama, Sapporo has breathing
space that the bigger cities lack. Odori Park, Maruyama Park and the Botanical
Gardens are relaxing places to unwind away from an urban centre that's every
bit as vibrant and modern as any 21st century city.
Surrounded by stunning natural beauty and pleasantly cool in summer, all four
seasons are celebrated in Sapporo. In particular, winter with the Yuki Matsuri
(snow festival) in February. Started by kids making snow statues in the park,
the trend they set didn't melt away. Instead it grew into an international snow
statue competition and a celebration of all things icy that attracts nearly 2
million visitors every year. There's also the five-day Yosakoi Soran Matsuri
in early June that celebrates traditional song and dance and attracts just as
many.
A number of Sapporo's sights will be of more interest to Japanese rather than
foreign visitors. The number one attraction, the Tokeidai clock tower, has more
than a little of the Mid-Western mission building about it. This, the University,
the Sapporo Brewery and the broad, tree-lined avenues all tell of foreign influence
that started when American town planners and engineers were invited to build
the city in the mid-19th century. A bit of this old Sapporo has been lovingly
preserved in the Historical Village of Hokkaido, a short bus ride from the town
centre. Comprising of some sixty buildings it's an impressive monument to how
the city used to be.
Nearby Hakodate and Otaru are also worth visiting. The old port town of Otaru
has a canal area that was once grimy with hard work. Now retired, you can amble
unhurriedly around the turn-of-the-century Japanese and Western architecture.
Hakodate boasts a star-shaped fort (now more of a star-shaped park since the
conquering troops of the Meiji restoration had their way with it) and some wonderful
night views. But Hokkaido's real charms lie outside the cities.
Hokkaido, until relatively recently, was only partially explored and sparsely
populated with Japan's indigenous people, the Ainu. Now the peak holiday periods,
especially June through August, seem to bring the rest of Japan north for the
hiking, climbing and camping opportunities. Near Hakodate is one of Japan's scenic
highlights, the quasi-national park around the town of Onuma. Fisherman still
make a living from the teeming waters of lakes Onuma and Konuma, even while tourist
row boats navigate their way around the lily pads. There are camping and bicycle
hire facilities too, all under the watchful eye of Mt. Koma. Shikotsu Toya National
Park is within easy reach of Sapporo and boasts expansive lakes, abundant wildlife
and onsen baths in which to rest hike-weary legs.
The further north you go, the wilder it gets. There is ample hiking on the twin
islands of Rishiri Rebun Sarobetsu National Park as well as at Daisetsuzan National
Park, which encompasses the popular ski resort of Furano. Only the adventurous
and well prepared should head to Shiretoko National Park, an untouched wilderness
at the northeast tip of Hokkaido, known appropriately in Ainu as "the ends
of the earth". |
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Accommodation |
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| ANA Hotel Sapporo |
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011-221-4411 |
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011-222-7624 |
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1-2-9 Kita-Sanjyo-Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido 060-0003,
Japan |
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| Here in Japan's northernmost major city you'll appreciate the
warm service and personal care of ANA Hotel Sapporo's staff, whether you're visiting
here for the annual Snow Festival, doing business or just seeing the sights. |
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| ANA has no control of how your personal information is
handled by other sites. Please refer to the privacy statement on each new site
you enter. |
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Amusement |
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| Odori Park |
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1-12 Odori-nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo City, Hokkaido |
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Always open |
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Free |
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| Odori Park is a green belt that runs for about 1.5 km from Nishi
1-chome to Nishi 12-chome. It divides the city into Kita Ichijo (north) and Minami
Ichijo (south). Flowers are planted each season and events that represent Sapporo
are held here. |
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| Maruyama Park |
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Miyagaoka, Chuo-ku, Sapporo City, Hokkaido |
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Always open |
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Free |
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| A park located north of Mt. Maruyama. It has lots of greenery
because a virgin forest is kept in its natural state. Maruyama Zoo is open even
during winter. The Hokkaido Shrine is one of the best places in Hokkaido to view
cherry blossoms and celebrate the coming of spring. |
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| Sapporo Factory |
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011-207-5000 |
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1-2 Kita 2, Higashi 4, Chuo-ku, Sapporo City, Hokkaido |
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10:00-20:00 (restaurants 11:00-22:00) |
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Varies by facility |
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| Both sides of the glass-covered atrium have many stores and restaurants.
The Meissen Art Museum and cinemas are also located here. "Sapporo Beer
Brewery"
opened here where the first beer in Japan was made. |
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Sightseeing |
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| Former Hokkaido Government Building |
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011-231-4111 |
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Kita 3, Nishi 6, Chuo-ku, Sapporo City, Hokkaido |
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9:00-17:00 (lit up from sunset to 21:00, walking through
the garden 9:00-21:00) |
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Free |
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| This American-style neo baroque structure was completed in 1888.
It houses the archives of Hokkaido and a memorial hall that was formerly the
governor´s office. The building has been designated as an important cultural
property of Japan. |
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| Clock Tower |
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011-231-0838 |
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Kita 1, Nishi 2, Chuo-ku, Sapporo City, Hokkaido |
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9:00-17:00 |
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¥200 for adults and free for children |
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| Sapporo Clock Tower was built to be a martial arts training hall
for Sapporo Agricultural College in 1878. It is now the symbol of Sapporo and
has been designated as an important cultural property of Japan. The clock tower
has four faces and has been ticking for over 120 years. |
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| Poplar Avenue |
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Around Kita 11, Nishi 10, Kita-ku, Sapporo City, Hokkaido |
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Free |
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| Hokkaido University is famous for the Poplar Avenue in back of
the Department of Science building and the bust of Dr. Clerk. Poplar trees rise
up to the northern sky, lining the avenue. They are the most beautiful in May
when everything is at its greenest. |
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Restaurants |
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| Bakuyotei |
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011-207-5555 |
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B1 Sapporo Factory Atrium, Kita 2, Higashi 4, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
City, Hokkaido |
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11:00-22:00 |
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"Yakiniku" (grilled meat) plate (2-3 people) ¥2,400, all
you can eat milk lamb Genghis Khan (barbecued lamb) with drinks ¥3,400, "yakiniku"
lunch ¥680 and up |
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| Serves barbecued lamb from animals fed only breast milk and natural
feed with no grass. Milk lamb is very popular because it does not have regular
lamb´s distinguished smell and tastes better than raw lamb. Hokkaido beef
is used to make "yakiniku." |
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| Ramen Horan |
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011-531-6582 |
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Minami 5, Nishi 5, Chuo-ku, Sapporo City, Hokkaido |
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11:00-3:30 |
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"Shouyu" ramen (Chinese noodles) ¥700, "extra spicy
miso" ramen ¥800, ramen with roasted pork fillet ¥900 |
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| The second owner of the restaurant says he maintains the original
taste of the restaurant. Customers say that the "shio" ramen is difficult
to stop eating, "shouyu" ramen is unforgettable, and "miso"
ramen is addictive. "Shouyu" ramen without bean sprouts is highly recommended. |
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| Ebi-kani Gassen Sapporo |
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011-210-0411 |
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12th floor F-45 Bldg. Minami 4, Nishi 5, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
City, Hokkaido |
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16:00-24:00 |
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All you can eat (90 minutes) ¥3,500-5,000, full course (120 minutes)
¥3,000-10,000, a la carte ¥300 and up |
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| You can eat as much shrimp and crab as you want. All 70 dishes
include shrimp or crab. The restaurant´s motto is "the best quality
at the lowest price." It never fails to satisfy tourists who come to eat
crab. |
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| Seafood restaurant Marudai-tei |
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011-210-7321 |
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1st and 2nd floor F-45 Bldg. Minami 4, Nishi 5, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
City, Hokkaido |
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17:00-22:30 |
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Salmon roe and rice ¥1,500, grilled sea urchins and crab in a shell
¥1,500 and up, a plate of raw fish ¥6,000 and up |
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| Come to this restaurant if you want to eat fresh seafood in season,
not frozen. It is run by a salmon trader. Staff goes to various fish markets
and directly buys seafood, including salmon. |
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| Popura Sushi |
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011-511-4488 |
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1st floor Liberty Bldg. Minami 5, Nishi 5, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
City, Hokkaido |
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17:00-0:30 |
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All you can eat first class sushi (reservation is needed) ¥3,800,
second class sushi set (10 pieces) ¥1,200, first class sushi set (10 pieces)
¥1,700 |
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| This restaurant serves local fish from Otaru and Shakotan at
reasonable prices because it is run by the Japanese-style bar chain Fuji Group
that buys raw material in bulk. It serves sea urchins from Otaru from mid May
to August. |
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| Bel Pre |
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011-736-0196 |
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1st floor Castle Elm, Kita 9, Nishi 4, Kita-ku, Sapporo City,
Hokkaido |
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11:30-14:00, 17:30-21:00 |
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Seasonal a la carte ¥800 and up, dinner ¥3,500 and 5,000, daily
lunch ¥1,500 and up |
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| Serves country-style dishes often cooked at homes in rural areas
of France. The chef bakes bread and grows herbs by himself because he wants to
use ingredients he can accept. |
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| Sapporo Beer Garden |
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011-742-1531 |
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Kita 7, Higashi 9, Higashi-ku, Sapporo City, Hokkaido |
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11:30-20:45 (Fridays and Saturdays in May through September
until 21:15) |
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All you can eat Genghis Khan (barbecued lamb) with drinks ¥3,400,
northern province-style seafood salad ¥1,300 |
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| Developers´ Hall was closely related to the history of
Sapporo City. Kessel Hall on the second and third floors has a gigantic pot that
was used to prepare beer. Enjoy Genghis Khan and the atmosphere of an old beer
brewery. |
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