Sapporo, Japan 🇯🇵 

Sapporo, located on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido, was established as a city in 1868 during the Meiji Restoration. It quickly developed into a thriving center known for its beer production, initiated by the opening of Japan's first brewery in 1876. Today, Sapporo is celebrated for its annual Sapporo Snow Festival, attracting visitors worldwide with its spectacular ice sculptures and vibrant winter atmosphere.

Sapporo Snow Festival ❄️

The Sapporo Snow Festival is held for one week every February in Hokkaido's capital Sapporo. It is one of Japan's most popular winter events.

The Sapporo Snow Festival was started in 1950 when high school students built a few snow statues in Odori Park. It has since developed into a large, commercialized event, featuring spectacular snow and ice sculptures and attracting huge numbers of visitors.

The 2025 Snow Festival is scheduled for February 4-11.

Sapporo Beer Museum 🍺 

Hokkaido is the birthplace of beer in Japan. Sapporo Beer, one of the oldest and most popular beer brands in the country, has been brewed in Sapporo since 1877.

The Sapporo Beer Museum (サッポロビール博物館, Sapporo Beer Hakubutsukan) was opened in 1987 in a former brewery from the Meiji Period. The museum introduces the history of beer in Japan and the process of beer making. After the exhibitions, beer tastings are available at a small fee. Alternatively, paid tours are held in Japanese that include a tasting session at the end.

Lake Shikotsuko ⛰

Lake Shikotsuko and nearby Lake Toyako are the two most prominent features of the Shikotsu-Toya National Park. Both lakes are caldera lakes, which were formed from collapses in the earth after volcanic activity.

Most of Shikotsuko is little developed except for Shikotsu Kohan, a small, touristy town with a visitor center some lodgings along the lake's western shores. From there, visitors can rent boats, bicycles or scuba gear to enjoy the natural surroundings or join a sightseeing cruise of the lake in glass-bottomed boats or speed boats from late April to early November.

Lake Shikotsuko is encircled by mountains, one of which is Mount Tarumae. Tarumae ranks among Japan's most active volcanoes and most recently erupted in 1981. The mountain can be climbed in a steep but short ascent in less than an hour and offers impressive views of the deserted crater landscape and over Lake Shikotsuko. It is also possible to circle the crater in about two hours, but due to poisonous gases it is not allowed to enter the crater.

Moerenuma Park - Unique city park designed by Isamu Noguchi.

Sapporo Historic Village - Open-air museum about Hokkaido.

Mount Moiwa - Small mountain with views of Sapporo.

Shiroi Koibito Park - Chocolate factory, shop, and museum.

Teine Ski Resort - This attractive ski resort just outside the city center.

Source(s): Japan Guide

Until next week,

Kane 🌎