Sapporo
City
 Sapporo is located on Hokkaido, the northernmost of Japan's mainislands.
Hokkaido, which encompasses one-fifth of the nation's land
area, is connected to the main island of Honshu by the Seikan
Tunnel, the world's longest undersea tunnel (53.85 kilometres).
The island of Hokkaido presents quite a contrast from the
frenzy of modern Japan. It is an island of breathtaking beauty,
and abundant with natural wilderness that even in modern times
has not been fully explored. In fact, Hokkaido was the last
area of Japan to be developed.
 Most tourists who visit Hokkaido take part in skiing and backpacking
through the island's untamed wilderness. Along with tourism,
fishing is the other great industry of this sleepy island.
Sapporo, the cultural and economic centre of Hokkaido, features
an attractive blend of modern buildings and natural greenery.
The city's two symbols from its pioneering days are the Clock
Tower and the red brick Old City Hall. The Clock Tower has
faithfully kept time since the Meiji era. Located just 30
minutes away from Sapporo is Shin-Chitose Airport, Japan's
first airport to operate around the clock. The airport is
the major gateway to the world's single busiest passenger
air route, Tokyo-Sapporo.
 Sapporo mirrors Western-style city planning.
Built with the help of United States President Ulysses S.Grant,
the city's layout features a grid system highlighted by wide
boulevards.
Sapporo is home to the world famous Snow Festival. People
from other parts of Japan and the world come to take part
in the crafting of snow sculptures for this event.
In preparation for the 2002 FIFA World CupTM, Sapporo is building
the new 42,122-seat Sapporo Dome stadium featuring the world's
first mobile natural turf. The stadium complex will consist
of the dome building with an artificial surface and an adjoining
outdoor facility with a grass field. With state-of-the-art
technology, the entire grass field will slide on top of the
artificial surface so that football activities may be resumed indoors during
the harsh winter weather. |
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