Sapporo (Muroran), Japan

Sapporo is the fifth-largest city in Japan by population, and the largest city on the island of Hokkaido. Sapporo is best known outside Japan for hosting the 1972 Winter Olympics, the first ever held in Asia, and for the annual Yuki Matsuri in the city, internationally referred to as the Sapporo Snow Festival. The city is also home to Sapporo Brewery and the famous white chocolate biscuits "White Lovers" (白い恋人) exclusively sold in Hokkaido.

Many historical buildings, as well as shopping malls and parks, are located in Sapporo, and draw many tourists in every year. Historic landmarks include the Former Hokkaidō government office building, the Sapporo Clock Tower, the Hokkaido Shrine (Hokkaidō Jingū), and the Sapporo TV Tower.

Sapporo has many parks, and among them, Odori Park is located in the heart of the City and is one of the places that a number of annual events and festivals are held throughout the year. Moerenuma Park is also one of the largest parks in Sapporo, and was constructed under the plan of Isamu Noguchi, a Japanese-American artist and landscape architect.

Things to See & Do

* Clock Tower
* Odori Park
* Ishiya Chocolate Factory
* Moiwa Mountain cable car
* Sapporo Brewery

General information

Cruise Season – Jan - Dec
Currency – Yen (JPY)
Language – Japanese
Population – 2,000,000approx
Land Area – 1,121.12 km2
Electricity – 2 perpendicular flat pins USA style or with a round pin below
Time - GMT plus hours nine hours
International Country Telephone Code – 81

Port Location – The port of Muroran is located approximately 100 km’s from Sapporo.

Travel Links – All international and inter-island flights land at New Chitose Airport to the south east of the city. Direct international service to Sapporo is limited to China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, Sakhalin, Guam and seasonal flights to Macau and Australia, but both JAL and ANA provide nonstop service to Narita for intercontinental connections.

Although Sapporo is located inland, there are two major ferry ports nearby: Otaru and Tomakomai. Both have scheduled car and passenger ferry service to points outside Hokkaido.

Express buses connect to most points in Hokkaido. The main terminal is next to the Bus Center-Mae station of the subway Nanboku line and Toho line.

The fastest way to get to Sapporo from Tokyo is 9 1/2-10 hours in duration, taking three trains (one Shinkansen and two Limited Express trains, connecting in Shin-Aomori and Hakodate).