| I don't know about you, but when I hear about | | | | sites. Many come for the international snow |
| Sapporo, the first thing that comes to mind is | | | | sculpture competition. |
| beer. I'm a long time Sushi eater and Sapporo is | | | | Perhaps the most interest aspect of the Yuki |
| my beer of choice when eating. What you might | | | | Matsuri is the community effort given to one |
| have not known is that there's an actual city in | | | | giant statue each year. If you arrive in Sapporo |
| Japan called Sapporo. In fact, that's where the | | | | just before the festival, you can participate in the |
| beer comes from. Sapporo is a perfect place for | | | | creating of this statue. It's advised that you book |
| making beer. The hops are excellent and it's cold. | | | | your stay ahead too. More than two million |
| Sapporo is the capital of Hokkaido Island-located in | | | | tourists flood into Sapporo for the Yuki Matsuri. |
| the West. It's the fastest growing city in Japan. | | | | Another aspect I find interesting about Sapporo, |
| At last check, there were more than two million | | | | as someone that doesn't speak fluent Japanese, is |
| living in Sapporo. It is the 5th largest city in Japan. | | | | the fact that the tourist information centers are |
| When many think of Japan, they think of the | | | | English-friendly. They are always staffed with |
| over crowded life in Tokyo. Life in Sapporo is | | | | personnel that speak English well. At the |
| much different. First of all, the island of Hokkaido | | | | International Information Corner, they have maps |
| is covered with forests. Many Japanese escape to | | | | and information handouts in English. This makes |
| the island and Hokkaido attracts millions of visitors | | | | any English-speaking traveler-that doesn't speak |
| annually. The summer is the peak time. | | | | Japanese-at home. |
| Earlier I mentioned the beer they make here. | | | | Another great first stop is the Sapporo |
| Sapporo has been making beer since 1891. If you | | | | International Communications Plaza. It's just across |
| visit Sapporo, you can take a tour of the facility. | | | | the street from the Tokeidai Clocktower and |
| It's one of those must-see attractions. There's | | | | right by City Hall. It has more literature in English, |
| nothing like a fresh Sapporo beer. | | | | including newspapers and magazines. You are |
| Sapporo is also famous for its snow festival, Yuki | | | | bound to meet Japanese people there who know |
| Matsuri. It takes place for one week each year in | | | | English as well. There is so much more to talk |
| February. It continues to grow each year. It | | | | about, but this article was meant to wet your |
| started out as a couple of snow sculptures and | | | | whistle for Sapporo, Japan. |
| has now grown to a main event held at multiple | | | | |