Sapporo (jap. 札幌 市, -shi) is one japanese Big city on the island Hokkaido.
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| Sapporo | ||
| prefecture | Hokkaido | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 1.9 million | |
other value for residents on Wikidata: 1961690   | ||
| Tourist info web | http://www.city.sapporo.jp/city | |
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
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background
Sapporo is the capital of Hokkaidō Prefecture, which includes the island of the same name.
The city is very young, it was only founded in 1869 as the seat of the colonial administration of Hokkaidō. Today it is the largest city in Hokkaidō. Until the 1950s, the largest city was the nearby and much older Otaru. The town planning was carried out like a chessboard.
The agricultural university in Sapporo, which was founded together with the city, still fulfills an important educational mandate in Japan today.
In 1972 the first Olympic Winter Games in Asia took place here.
getting there
By plane
Chitose Airport is connected to the city center by rail (20 minutes).
By train
Sapporo Central Station is served by the JR Hokkaido Railway Company.
Currently, two changes have to be made between Tokyo and Sapporo. From Tokyo on the JR Tohoku Shinkansen Line to Shin-Aomori (3.5 hours). There you get on the JR Tohoku Line through the Seikan Tunnel to Hakodate (1h30). Where to change to the JR Hakodate line to Sapporo (3h30).
The Shinkansen has been running to Hakodate since 7.1.2016. The extension to Sapporo is being planned.
By bus
In the street
By boat
The shipping company has ferries from Otaru, the port suburb of Sapporo, from June to September Shin Nihon Kai to the industrial city Maizurufrom which one Kyoto can easily be reached by train. Travel time is around 21 hours, and both cities drop off shortly before midnight. Reservations must be made 60 to 10 days in advance at the latest. The cheapest class costs just under 11,000 yen in 2020, double that in 1st class, and the high season surcharge for August is around 80%. Bikes about 3500 yen extra.
The same company also drives in 16 hours Niigata. The cheapest class here costs 7200-11,100 yen, depending on the season. Meals on board are included.
mobility
There are 3 underground lines, 3 suburban train lines, 1 tram line and several bus lines.
Tourist Attractions
Churches, mosques, synagogues, temples
- Hokkaidō-jingū. The largest Shinto shrine in the city.
Castles, chateaus and palaces
- The red brick building of the former official residence of the governor has been converted into a museum.
Buildings
- Clock tower. The clock tower of the former assembly hall of the agricultural university.
- Sapporo television tower. The 147.2 meter high television tower (Japanese さ っ ぽ ろ テ レ ビ 塔: Sapporo-terebi-tou) was built in 1957. On the steel framework there is a viewing platform open to tourists at a height of 90.38 meters.
Museums
- The development village (開拓 の 村 kaitaku no mura). Many restored old buildings from all over Hokkaidō can be viewed at this open-air museum.
Parks
- Oodōri Park. The annual snow festival takes place here.
various
- Sapporo brewery. The oldest brewery in Japan can be visited.
- In the middle of the city is located on a 75 meter high building, the "Norbesa Building", a ferris wheel with a diameter of 45 m, from which one has a view of the whole city. Information in English ("Ferris Wheel") at http://www.ec-pro.co.jp/hokkaido-pedia/pdf/201203/march_0607.pdf and https://www.sapporo.travel/en/spot/facility/norbesa/.
activities
shop
- The Tanuki-koji is the shopping street of Sapporo, often also Sapporo-Ginza
