Japan's Winter Wonderland

Sapporo is Japan's fifth-largest city and the capital of Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost main island. Unlike the densely packed metropolises of Honshu, Sapporo has a spacious, grid-pattern layout that makes it immediately navigable, with wide boulevards, efficient public transport, and a relaxed pace that distinguishes it from Tokyo or Osaka. It's a city that rewards exploration, with a distinctive character shaped by its 150-year history as a planned settlement and its dramatic northern climate.

The food culture of Hokkaido is arguably Japan's finest, driven by exceptional dairy produce, the world's best snow crab, sea urchin, scallops, and corn. Sapporo ramen — a rich, miso-based broth — is uniquely Hokkaido and differs from the ramen styles of southern Japan. The city's restaurant scene, centred on the Susukino entertainment district, serves everything from high-end kaiseki to cheap yakitori izakayas, with outstanding quality across the board.

For outdoor enthusiasts, Sapporo is the perfect base. Ski resorts at Niseko, Furano, and Rusutsu are among the world's finest powder destinations. Summer brings hiking, cycling, and lavender fields at Furano. The Hokkaido countryside — vast by Japanese standards, with rolling hills, dairy farms, and volcanic hot springs — is best explored by rental car. The JR Hokkaido rail network also connects Sapporo to coastal fishing towns and national parks of remarkable beauty.