Sapporo
Sapporo is one of the easiest Japanese cities to navigate because of its street system of wide boulevards connected to a compass-oriented grid of minor streets. These are numbered according to their order in relation to the major thoroughfares. From the visitor\'s point of view, Sapporo can be divided into four areas: north and south of Sapporo Station, Odori Koen, and Nakajima Koen. Be aware, however, that Sapporo is one of Japan\'s largest cities in terms of area, so distances between places on the map can be quite far; but do not let this worry you. The transportation network in the city is excellent, with two subway lines running north to south and one east to west. The city bus service is also outstanding.
There are three main attractions to the north of Sapporo Station. One of these is Hokkaido University, which was founded as Sapporo Agricultural School in 1876. In a park at the southern end of the campus you will find a bust of Dr. William S. Clark, who was President of the University of Massachusetts Agricultural College and one of the founders as Sapporo Agricultural School. Dr. Clark\'s famous statement, "Boys, be ambitious," is still used by educators to encourage their students.Sapporo Brewery is another one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city, and not only for beer drinkers. The other main point of interest in this area is the Sapporo Racecourse, which is actually more than just a horse track as it provides entertainment for the whole family.
The most interesting parts of the city lie south of Sapporo Station, with the downtown stretching from the station to Susukino. If you head directly south, you will enter the main administrative area. The Hokkaido Government Buildings, including the Old Hokkaido Government Building, are on the west side. Further west are the Botanical Gardens, which cover almost 14 hectares and hold almost 5,000 varieties of plants. If you continue west, you will come to theHokkaido Museum of Modern Art.
Retrace your steps and you will come across the offices of the major airline companies, banks and other financial institutions. Just to the east of the main thoroughfare you will find most of the major department stores and a number of top class hotels. Turn south and you will come to Sapporo City Hall, where you will see theTokei-dai, one of the major symbols of Sapporo. This majestic clock tower has been tolling the hour for more than a century. Close by, in Odori Park, stands the 147-meter TV Tower, which you can ascend and survey not only the whole of the city, but also the surrounding countryside for miles in every direction. Odori Park, located just about in the center of the city, is approximately 100 meters wide and hosts many of the seasonal events that take place in Sapporo each year, including the Sapporo Snow Festival and the Sapporo Summer Festival. To the west of Odori Park, you\'ll find Maruyama Park, a popular all-year recreational spot that is home to a zoo and a sports stadium. Hokkaido Jingu, the most important shrine in Hokkaido, is also located within the park.
If you continue south from Odori Park, you will come to Susukino, one of the largest entertainment districts in Japan. It is said that there are more than 4000 establishments operating in an area of about one square kilometer. As the sun goes down, the lights turn on at restaurants, bars, cafes, discos, saunas, pool halls, peep shows, soaplands (a Japanese euphemism for brothel), and massage parlors. There are also numerous reasonably priced hotels in this area.
Further south you will come to Nakajima Park, the oldest park in Sapporo. This vast park is a superb recreational area that blends nature with culture. The excellentSapporo Winter Sports Museum and the Hokkaido Museum of Literature are located here, as is Sapporo Concert Hall (Kitaro), the city\'s premier concert venue. The Nakajima Sports Center is more than just a gym; it hosts championship boxing and wrestling as well as rock concerts.
When you travel to Sapporo, do not restrict yourself to the city boundaries. There are some wonderful attractions in the suburbs and surrounding areas. Two places that are certainly worth visiting areNopporo Forest Park and Noboribetsu Onsen.
There are three main attractions to the north of Sapporo Station. One of these is Hokkaido University, which was founded as Sapporo Agricultural School in 1876. In a park at the southern end of the campus you will find a bust of Dr. William S. Clark, who was President of the University of Massachusetts Agricultural College and one of the founders as Sapporo Agricultural School. Dr. Clark\'s famous statement, "Boys, be ambitious," is still used by educators to encourage their students.
The most interesting parts of the city lie south of Sapporo Station, with the downtown stretching from the station to Susukino. If you head directly south, you will enter the main administrative area. The Hokkaido Government Buildings, including the Old Hokkaido Government Building, are on the west side. Further west are the Botanical Gardens, which cover almost 14 hectares and hold almost 5,000 varieties of plants. If you continue west, you will come to the
Retrace your steps and you will come across the offices of the major airline companies, banks and other financial institutions. Just to the east of the main thoroughfare you will find most of the major department stores and a number of top class hotels. Turn south and you will come to Sapporo City Hall, where you will see the
If you continue south from Odori Park, you will come to Susukino, one of the largest entertainment districts in Japan. It is said that there are more than 4000 establishments operating in an area of about one square kilometer. As the sun goes down, the lights turn on at restaurants, bars, cafes, discos, saunas, pool halls, peep shows, soaplands (a Japanese euphemism for brothel), and massage parlors. There are also numerous reasonably priced hotels in this area.
Further south you will come to Nakajima Park, the oldest park in Sapporo. This vast park is a superb recreational area that blends nature with culture. The excellent
When you travel to Sapporo, do not restrict yourself to the city boundaries. There are some wonderful attractions in the suburbs and surrounding areas. Two places that are certainly worth visiting are
