The land of the ice and snow! Sapporo the northernmost prefecture.

Temperature (-3) Yes, it’s a minus … the lowest it went was minus 10

Every year people gather in Sapporo to see sculptures made of ice and snow and following a whim, I too wanted to venture to the land of the snow. This entry will look at Sapporo itself, I have decided to break down my trip into 10 different entries covering various aspects. Today’s entry will review Sapporo and my thoughts on the city.

My initial reaction was amazement at the enormous snowbanks lining the sides of the paths. I quickly realized I needed to be cautious about my footing because of the ice. The pathways can slow you down, so be sure to factor this into your travel plans or consider using the underground walkways if you're in a hurry. I didn’t discover the underground paths until the second night and once I did it was a game changer.

Sapporo is a city that resembles Tokyo but also has its own unique features to set itself apart. Featuring a skyline of tall buildings, neon advertisements, busy crosswalks, and trams. The city is a far cry from the small sleepy saga I call home. Sapporo is well-connected, making it easy to navigate even in the snow. It is well-prepared for the extreme winter weather, and its underground walkways are impressive. The streets feel wider than those in Tokyo and the mountains are visible, so the city doesn’t feel like an ongoing sprawl of buildings like Tokyo does.

Both Tokyo and Sapporo are built using grid planning something I am not use to as most English towns are more wistful in their planning streets can be narrow and winding with seemingly no real organisation.

Before my trip, my coworkers warned me to be cautious about where I chose to eat, as many places raise their prices due to tourism. Fortunately, since I don’t eat fish or seafood, I didn’t face this issue too much. It is mainly the seafood bowls and seafood that experiences these price hikes. I discovered a variety of affordable dining options throughout the city, offering plenty to choose from, which can be a bit overwhelming. But the food in Sapporo was fantastic and very quickly it made its way up my favourite food ranking.

I plan to discuss the food in a future entry, but my advice is to have an idea of what you want to try before you set out. This will help you plan your meals more effectively by considering the local cuisines and the highly ranked hot spots you can turn your trip to Sapporo into a foodie paradise.

Sapporo is characterized by numerous traditional wooden buildings that harken back to its history as a trading post on land inhabited by Ainu people. Today, it ranks as the fifth most populated city in Japan. These wooden structures add unique character and charm to various places in Hokkaido, standing out amid the modern cityscape and serving as a glimpse into a bygone era. During my journey, I discovered several of these buildings, and it was a joy to see them.

Sapporo has a subway system and underground walkways that are lined with stores, and most importantly, they are warm. When I first arrived, I found it strange that a city as large as Sapporo felt very empty. This is because, during the winter, most people choose to walk underground for safety and comfort. This design has the added benefit of making a large city feel more manageable in terms of crowds, which is great if you get overwhelmed by large groups of people. It is also a direct route not interrupted by cross walks and waiting on lights to turn green. The city is very efficient, and I particularly enjoyed the presence of stores in the walkways, as it reminded me of the shopping centre in Milton Keynes, just on a larger scale.

Sapporo is home to many green spaces and parks, and I would love to return to Hokkaido during a different season to experience another side of it. I really enjoyed my trip; I initially planned to stay for five nights, which allowed me plenty of time to explore the surrounding areas. My goal was to immerse myself in Hokkaido's beauty, and I left feeling satisfied that I had made the most of my time there.

During my visit, I went to Otaru, the new Ainu Museum south of the city, and several locations within Sapporo itself. One of my favourite anime series is Golden Kamuy, which is set in Hokkaido. This trip felt like a small pilgrimage for me, and seeing the passion and love for the show among locals made me very happy. The prefecture uses the show to promote various locations in the area, and now I have even more places I want to visit on a return trip

I highly recommend adding Hokkaido to your bucket list. Even if you’re not a fan of snow and freezing temperatures, there are many advantages to visiting this northern prefecture. The temperatures are cooler during the notoriously hot Japanese summers, making it a refreshing escape.

Hokkaido is quite large, with plenty to explore. Hakodate, for example, is nearby and rich in military history, as well as offering various coastal activities. If you plan carefully, there’s ample opportunity for a road trip around the prefecture. Just keep in mind that this area is still home to bears, who roam freely in its vast spaces.

Hokkaido felt like a distinctly different place compared to the other prefectures I had visited during my travels. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about its history and the Ainu people, who also call Hokkaido home. The local cuisine, especially soup curry and Genghis Khan, has solidified its place at the top of my favourite Japanese foods list. Sapporo had a unique vibe that I really appreciated.