Sapporo City is located in the southwest corner of Ishikari Plain, Hokkaido Prefecture.  As one of Japanese newly developed cities, Sapporo's population has grown from 7 in 1857 to nearly two million today occupying about one-third of that of Hokkaido (precisely 1,888,728 on September 1, 2006) with an area of 1121.12 sq km.  Being a new city, especially by Japanese standards, means that it has little in the way of traditional architecture and the like of cities such as Kyoto.  But what it lacks in "Japaneseness" makes up for with its lovely open, tree-filled boulevards to enjoy in summer and excellent snow (and facilities to cope with said snow) in the long winter.  Sapporo is a modern city constructed aiming at creating the well-balanced modern Kyoto.  Sapporo is famous for its ski resorts and especially "Sapporo Yuki-matsuri" (Sapporo Snow Festival on the first week of February) best known for the ice sculpture competition attracting artists from around the world.  Sapporo is also famous for delicous food including hairy crab, the miso ramen (the ubiquitous noodle dish with miso paste added to the stock) and Sapporo soup curry (just what it sounds like), and many more.  When eating in Sapporo, the drink of choice is definitely Sapporo beer (lager beer).
  The name of Sapporo is said to be derived from the Ainu word "Sat-poro" (dry and broad area) or "Sari-Poro-Pet" (broad damp ground).  The modern city Sapporo started to be constructed in 1869.  In 1970 the population exceeded one million.  In 1972 Winter Olympic Games was held here, became a "Seirei-shitei-toshi" (a city [with more than 500,000 population] specially designated by a government ordinance) and accorded the privilege of executing on its own some of the administrative affairs which are ordinarily within the jurisdiction of the prefectural office.  In 2002 the city hosted the 2002 FIFA World Cup.  In 2006 it hosted the 2006 FIBA World Championship games.  In addition, Sapporo will host the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships Sapporo 2007.  Thus Sapporo is acknowledged as one of the most international cities of Japan.

IMAGE	IMAGE NO.	DATA
Sapporo Station		This area, with the JR Tower on the right, is the center of Sapporo.
	spr2006-001	(Saturday 9 September) JR Sapporo Station (札幌駅)
Okurayama		"Okurayama Jump Kyogi-jo" (大倉山ジャンプ競技場; Okurayama Jump Hill) 1274 Miyanomori, Chuo-ku, Sapporo.  Built in 1932 with the advice the late Prince Chichibu-no-miya who visited Hokkaido in 1928.  Okurayama Jump Hill is a site for the 1972 Winter Olympics in Sapporo: It was used as the 90 m Ski Jump Tower.
	spr2006-003	(Saturday 9 September) "Okurayama Jump Kyogi-jo" Okurayama Jump Hill, 1274 Miyanomori, Chuo-ku
	spr2006-005	(Saturday 9 September) "Okurayama Jump Kyogi-jo" Okurayama Jump Hill, 1274 Miyanomori, Chuo-ku
	spr2006-006	(Saturday 9 September) "Okurayama Jump Kyogi-jo" Okurayama Jump Hill, 1274 Miyanomori, Chuo-ku
	spr2006-007	(Saturday 9 September) Group photo of the Tsuchinotomi Society at the victory rostrum of "Okurayama Jump Kyogi-jo" Okurayama Jump Hill, 1274 Miyanomori, Chuo-ku
	spr2006-008	(Saturday 9 September) "Okurayama Jump Kyogi-jo" Okurayama Jump Hill, 1274 Miyanomori, Chuo-ku: Viewed from the observatory at the top of "Okurayama Jump Kyogi-jo" Okurayama Jump Hill, 1274 Miyanomori, Chuo-ku
	spr2006-009	(Saturday 9 September) Sapporo, viewed from the the observatory at the top of "Okurayama Jump Kyogi-jo" Okurayama Jump Hill, 1274 Miyanomori, Chuo-ku
	spr2006-010	(Saturday 9 September) Sapporo, viewed from the observatory at the top of "Okurayama Jump Kyogi-jo" Okurayama Jump Hill, 1274 Miyanomori, Chuo-ku
	spr2006-011	(Saturday 9 September) Sapporo, viewed from the observatory at the top of "Okurayama Jump Kyogi-jo" Okurayama Jump Hill, 1274 Miyanomori, Chuo-ku
	spr2006-012	(Saturday 9 September) Sapporo, viewed from the observatory at the top of "Okurayama Jump Kyogi-jo" Okurayama Jump Hill, 1274 Miyanomori, Chuo-ku
	spr2006-013	(Saturday 9 September) Sapporo, viewed from the observatory at the top of "Okurayama Jump Kyogi-jo" Okurayama Jump Hill, 1274 Miyanomori, Chuo-ku
	spr2006-014	(Saturday 9 September) Sapporo, viewed from the observatory at the top of "Okurayama Jump Kyogi-jo" Okurayama Jump Hill, 1274 Miyanomori, Chuo-ku
	spr2006-015	(Saturday 9 September) Sapporo, viewed from the observatory at the top of "Okurayama Jump Kyogi-jo" Okurayama Jump Hill, 1274 Miyanomori, Chuo-ku
	spr2006-016	(Saturday 9 September) Group photo of the Tsuchinotomi Society at the observatory of the top of "Okurayama Jump Kyogi-jo" Okurayama Jump Hill, 1274 Miyanomori, Chuo-ku
	spr2006-017	(Saturday 9 September) "Okurayama Jump Kyogi-jo" Okurayama Jump Hill, 1274 Miyanomori, Chuo-ku
	spr2006-019	(Saturday 9 September) Me & the bus conductor of Donan Bus Co., Ltd. Sayaka Kobayashi in the parking lot of Okurayama Jump Kyogi-jo."  On the previous night she stayed up all night for making this welcome map & schedule with her wish in Ainu on the upper right: "Nisattaka Shiripirika Kunine" (May Tomorrow Be Fine).
Toyohira River		The Toyohira River (豊平川) is a river in Hokkaido Prefecture.  It is 72.5 km in length and has drainage area of 859 sq m.  It is a tributary of the Ishikari River (cf. Finnegans Wake 207.24: "Ishekarry").  It supplies water to Sapporo City built on the alluvial fan formed by the river.  Some people say that the name "Sapporo" may be derived from the Ainu word for the river.  in this small river is an important river.
	spr2006-022	(Saturday 9 September) The Toyohira River, viewed from Munchen Ohashi Biridge, S30, W8, Minami-ku (along Nishi-Nan Municipal Road).
Hitsujigaoka		Hitsujigaoka (羊ヶ丘; lit. "Sheep Hill" named after the fact that there were so many sheep pastured around this area for making military uniforms), Toyohira-ku, is famous for the statue of the American Puritan scholar/colonel Dr. William Smith Clark (1826-1886), who founded "Sapporo No-gakko" (Sapporo Agricultural School) which eventually became the Hokkaido Imperial University (now Hokkaido University).  When he founded the school, his aphorism for students was "Be gentleman!"  Later his maxim "Boys, be ambitious" made his fame and honor immortal among Japanese people.   No photo of the statue of Dr. Clark is available on this web page because on our visit we were so busy for eating the famous "Jingisukan-nabe" (Mongolian mutton barbecue served in the pot) and there was not enough time to go up the hill to the observatory where the statue stands.
	spr2006-024	(Saturday 9 September) "Hitsujigaoka Tenbo Beeru-en" (Beer Garden at the Observatory of Hitsujigaoka), 10-3-2 Fukuzumi-3-jo, Toyohiwa-ku.  We are eating delicious "Jingisukan-nabe" (Mongolian mutton barbecue served in the pot).
	spr2006-025	(Saturday 9 September) "Hitsujigaoka Tenbo Beeru-en" (Beer Garden at the Observatory of Hitsujigaoka), 10-3-2 Fukuzumi-3-jo, Toyohiwa-ku.  We are eating delicious "Jingisukan-nabe" (Mongolian mutton barbecue served in the pot).
Sapporo Dome		Sapporo Dome (札幌ドーム), 1-3 Hitsujigaoka, Toyohira-ku, Sapporo, was open to the public in June 2001.  The nearest station is Fukuzumi Station on the Toho Underground Line (about 10 minute walk).  The seating capacity is 42,300.  It is the home ground for Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters (baseball) and Consadole Sapporo (football)
	spr2006-029	(Saturday 9 September) Sapporo Dome, 1-3 Hitsujigaoka, Toyohira-ku, Sapporo
	spr2006-031	(Saturday 9 September) Group photo of the Tsuchinotomi Society in Sapporo Dome, 1-3 Hitsujigaoka, Toyohira-ku, Sapporo
	spr2006-113	(Saturday 9 September) VIth "Nihon-no-Matsuri" (Festivals of Japan), Sapporo Dome
	spr2006-114	(Saturday 9 September) VIth "Nihon-no-Matsuri" (Festivals of Japan), Sapporo Dome
	spr2006-116	(Saturday 9 September) VIth "Nihon-no-Matsuri" (Festivals of Japan), Sapporo Dome
	spr2006-117	(Saturday 9 September) VIth "Nihon-no-Matsuri" (Festivals of Japan), Sapporo Dome.  For further information and more photos, go to the "Nihon-no-Matsuri" (Festivals of Japan) page.
Sapporo Grand Hotel		The Social Gathering of the Tsuchinotomi Society in Sapporo is held at Beer Hall Big Jug (ground floor of Sapporo Grand Hotel (札幌グランド・ホテル), N1, W4, Chuo-ku, Sapporo), reserved by the organizer Shoichi Sugawara.
	spr2006-122	(Saturday 9 September) The Social Gathering of the Tsuchinotomi Society in Sapporo is held at Beer Hall Big Jug (ground floor of Sapporo Grand Hotel, N1, W4, Chuo-ku, Sapporo)
	spr2006-123	(Saturday 9 September) The Social Gathering of the Tsuchinotomi Society in Sapporo is held at Beer Hall Big Jug (ground floor of Sapporo Grand Hotel, N1, W4, Chuo-ku, Sapporo)
	spr2006-124	(Saturday 9 September) The Social Gathering of the Tsuchinotomi Society in Sapporo is held at Beer Hall Big Jug (ground floor of Sapporo Grand Hotel, N1, W4, Chuo-ku, Sapporo)
	spr2006-125	(Saturday 9 September) The Social Gathering of the Tsuchinotomi Society in Sapporo is held at Beer Hall Big Jug (ground floor of Sapporo Grand Hotel, N1, W4, Chuo-ku, Sapporo)
Odori Park		"Odori Koen" (大通り公園) or Odori Park
	spr2006-126	(Saturday 9 September) Sapporo TV Tower, east of Odori Park (W1 Odori, Chuo-ku).  Built about 50 years ago it has the 90-m-high observatory with the great view of the streets of Sapporo.  Taken from Odori Park.
	spr2006-127	(Saturday 9 September) Sapporo TV Tower, east of Odori Park (W1 Odori, Chuo-ku).  Built about 50 years ago it has the 90-m-high observatory with the great view of the streets of Sapporo.  Taken from Odori Park.
	spr2006-128	(Saturday 9 September) Odori Park
	spr2006-129	(Saturday 9 September) Group photo of the Tsuchinotomi Society in Odori Park with Sapporo TV Tower in the background
	spr2006-130	(Saturday 9 September) Group photo of the Tsuchinotomi Society in Odori Park with Sapporo TV Tower in the background
	spr2006-131	(Saturday 9 September) Group photo of the Tsuchinotomi Society in Odori Park with Sapporo TV Tower in the background
Clock Tower		"Tokei-dai" (時計台) or the Clock Tower is close to Odori Station.  This tower was completed in 1878.  Since then, it is the icon of Sapporo's history.
	spr2006-132	(Saturday 9 September) "Tokei-dai" (the Clock Tower), N1, W2 Chuo-ku
	spr2006-134	(Saturday 9 September) "Tokei-dai" (the Clock Tower), N1, W2 Chuo-ku
	spr2006-135	(Saturday 9 September) "Tokei-dai" (the Clock Tower), N1, W2 Chuo-ku
	spr2006-137	(Saturday 9 September) "Tokei-dai" (the Clock Tower), N1, W2 Chuo-ku
Tanuki-koji		Tanuki-koji (狸小路), the oldest shopping arcade of Hokkaido with more than 100-year-history.  It was once called "Asakusa in Sapporo" in the golden age of the Taisho Era (1912-1925).  A few shops established more than 100 years ago still exist.
	spr2006-138	(Saturday 9 September) A street musician surrounded by members of the Tsuchinotomi Society n S3 W3 (near Don Quijote Co., Ltd.) along the arcaded Tanuki-koji Street
	spr2006-139	(Saturday 9 September) S3 W3 (near Don Quijote Co., Ltd.) along the arcaded Tanuki-koji Street
Ganso-Ramen-yokocho		"Ganso-Ramen-yokocho" (元祖ラーメン横丁; lit. the Original Ramen Side Street), S5, W3, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, was established in 1951 with seven ramen restaurants.  The original site was in the side of Toho-Koraku, S5, W3, which existed until 1969 when major road construction for the 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympic.   The origin of ramen is obscure, although people believe that miso ramen originated here.
	spr2006-140	(Saturday 9 September) A scene of S5, W3 (near the famous Susukino Street), Chuo-ku
	spr2006-141	(Saturday 9 September) North Entrance to the "Ganso-Ramen-yokocho" (the Original Ramen Side Street), S5, W3, Chuo-ku
	spr2006-142	(Saturday 9 September) A shot taken from the north entrance to the "Ganso-Ramen-yokocho" (the Original Ramen Side Street), S5, W3, Chuo-ku
	spr2006-143	(Saturday 9 September) South Entrance to the "Ganso-Ramen-yokocho" (the Original Ramen Side Street) and "Aji no Karyu" (味の華龍, founded in 1965), S5, W3, Chuo-ku.  The restaurant is famous for miso ramen, but I ate shio ramen: not bad.
	spr2006-144	(Saturday 9 September) Najimi-tei (なじみ亭) near the north entrance to the "Ganso-Ramen-yokocho," Hotel Sunflower (basement floor), S5, W3, Chuo-ku
	spr2006-145	(Saturday 9 September) Najimi-tei (なじみ亭) near the north entrance to the "Ganso-Ramen-yokocho," Hotel Sunflower (basement floor), S5, W3, Chuo-ku
	spr2006-146	(Saturday 9 September) Najimi-tei (なじみ亭) near the north entrance to the "Ganso-Ramen-yokocho," Hotel Sunflower (basement floor), S5, W3, Chuo-ku
Apa Hotel Sapporo		Apa Hotel Sapporo (アパ・ホテル札幌), 10-1 S2, W7, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
	spr2006-147	(Saturday 9 September) Road sign showing "South 2, West 7" near Apa Hotel Sapporo, 10-1 S2, W7, Chuo-ku, Sapporo: The streets of central Sapporo are laid out at right angles following Kyoto.
	spr2006-148	(Saturday 9 September) Apa Hotel Sapporo, 10-1 S2, W7, Chuo-ku, Sapporo

        

Copyright (c) 2006 Eishiro Ito.  All rights reserved.