Japan’s fifth largest city, Sapporo has a curious unhurried and uncrowded feel. Leisure locales, peaceful parks, a 17th century teahouse and a Beer Garden- you’ve left the frenzied pace and concrete jungle of Tokyo behind.

Sapporo is a relatively young city but it has acquired economic and political importance. The city celebrates its 130th anniversary this year. Dubbed by many as the most important city of northern Japan, Sapporo earns huge revenues from tourism - 2 million people alone come to see the Ice Festival in February!

The Sapporo TV Tower is 147.2m tall and easily recognizable in the horizon. If you want a panoramic view of the city, the best place is the observation deck at 90.38m. The appropriate time to see Sapporo from the deck is at late evening when the lights are lit. The other place to get a great view is Mt Moiwa (531m), which can be ascended by cable car. Forests dominate the landscape and the view from the top of the mountain is breathtaking.

The Hokkaido Government Building is famous for its unusual octagonal dome, which resembles the Massachusetts State House. Built in 1888 in the American neo Baroque style the structure was rebuilt in 1911 after an outbreak of fire. The Clock Tower is a landmark in Sapporo but apart from that quite ordinary. Built in 1878 in a Russian style, it had a clock from Boston added to it three years later. It contains a small museum that traces the local history of Sapporo. The Tower has been refurbished recently. Hokkaido University is one of the most prestigious institutions in Japan. It is worth a visit to see the ‘Poplar Promenade’ in the beautiful and expansive campus grounds.

There are some unusual parks that you simply must have on your sightseeing agenda. The Nakajima Koen has a 17th century Hasso-en Teahouse set amidst a Japanese garden, located in the west side of the park. The park also has the Hoheikan, a 19th century residence of the Meiji Emperor. Odori -Koen is a 345ft wide park in the city centre. Summer sees a lot of office goers picnicking here. If you want to skip park food, buy the famous lunch boxes from the basement floors of he Marui Imai department store south of the park. June to August is time for festivals in the park; February for the giant snow sculptures made by the Japanese Self-Defence forces for the Sapporo Snow Festival. The Sapporo Art Park displays work by Japanese artists and internationally acclaimed artists. It also holds art, craft and music classes in its spacious lawns.

The Sapporo Beer Garden and Museum is a German man’s idea of course! He came to Hokkaido and found wild hops growing and taught the locals to make beer. The redbrick Museum is open during the day and takes visitors through the steps of beer brewing. The best part of the place is the three-tier beer hall and the enormous beer garden. Most of the action happens in the evening with pub goers dropping in for their pint. For eats, skip the bratwurst and order the Jingisukan , griddle -cooked lamb, Sapporo’s best known specialty. In summer, the beer garden is a real fun place with the locals and tourists availing of the tabe-nomi-hodai, eat and drink all you can offer. The timings for the Beer Garden are: May to September - daily 11am to 9:30pm; October to April daily 11am to 8:45pm.

Sapporo is very popular in winter for its skiing slopes. Makomanai Ski area is in the downtown area and has facilities for skiing and snowboarding. Very popular with families because it allows children to avail of the facilities, Makomanai has another great advantage - night skiing is allowed until 10pm. It has two trails have been made into seven different routes down the mountain for skiers and snowboarders. Sapporo Kokusai resort is on the outskirts of the city. Its specialty is seven long courses that wind through woods and the powdery snow that remains on the trails even as late as early May. It is open to beginners and advanced skiers. The Teine Olympia Ski Area is very spacious and for beginners and intermediate skiers. Snowboarding is permitted on all slopes. Operational from December to early April, Kokusai is beautiful at night when the silver birch trees turn it into a fairyland. This ski slope was used during the Winter Olympics of 1972. Teine Highland Ski area is conveniently located 40 minutes from central Sapporo. Here you can choose the trail to suit you - beginners, intermediate or slalom. Mt Moiwa has 11 courses and has night skiing facilities complete with lights. Snowboarding is prohibited making this an all-skiers getaway. The view of Sapporo as you ski down the slopes at night is one you’re not likely to forget in a hurry!

The latest feather to Sapporo’s cap is the futuristic Dome Stadium built for World Cup 2002 matches. Nicknamed Hiroba in Japanese, meaning Plaza, this gigantic stadium is on the edge of the city centre. The Dome bears the bold style of Japanese architecture and engineering, which is difficult to emulate. It is an all-weather stadium, keeping in mind the snow, and very hi-tech. The grass field can be moved in and out of the stadium. It is kept outside the Dome allowing the grass to grow when matches are not on. The pitch, the lower section of the field, is rolled into the stadium on a cushion of air. Simultaneously, the seating areas adjust to settle around it. This fascinating maneouvre takes two hours.

Sapporo’s entertainment district is Susukino. More than 5000 bars and restaurants contribute to a lively nightlife that usually continues till 5am. If you’re a night bird, this definitely is not-to-miss. Sapporo’s table fare is displayed at restaurants. You can point out your choice if the staff doesn’t understand English. Continental food is available at most large hotels. Miso Ramen, or noodles served in broth, is the local favourite. There are more than 1000 Ramen restaurants in the city but the best places are on Ramen Yoko-chu, an alley running parallel to Susukino.

Visit Sapporo any time of the year - snow in winter makes it one of the most popular skiing destinations in Asia; summers are mild unlike the rest of Japan, which is extremely humid and uncomfortable.

Sapporo has wide sidewalks and it is easy to find your way around. City maps are available at the railway stations, most hotels, the subway station at Odori and all tourist offices. A streetcar service runs in the southwest part of Sapporo but doesn’t connect most sightseeing spots. Travelling by Sapporo’s subway is truly a pleasure. Smoothly efficient and extremely reasonable (we suggest the pre-paid card), the government has encouraged residents to use the subway and leave their cars at home by promoting ‘eco-tickets’. Private companies run taxis. It is a good idea to check the meter before you get in.

Getting There: Direct flights from Seoul, China, USA and Europe touch down at the New Chitose Airport, Sapporo. 36 domestic destinations are also connected to Chitose. Haneda Airport (Tokyo) and Chitose (Sapporo) hold the record of connecting the largest number of passengers in the world on a daily basis.

Accommodation: There are quite a few ryokans - the traditional Japanese inns in Sapporo and depending upon the level of service and amenities offered, can range from exorbitant to fairly affordable. For other options, there is plenty to choose from luxury hotels to affordable budget motels.

For detailed country & visitor information, see Japan.