Sapporo

Sapporo is a city that wears winter like a superstar. Sitting on Japan’s wild northern island of Hokkaido, it receives more snow than almost anywhere else in the country, turning its streets and parks into a glistening white wonderland for months at a time. Far from hiding from the cold, the people of Sapporo celebrate it — every February, Odori Park fills with jaw-dropping sculptures carved entirely from snow and ice, some towering as tall as buildings. It is one of the most spectacular festivals on Earth.

But Sapporo is more than just snow. The city has a relaxed, spacious feel compared to Japan’s busier metropolises, with wide tree-lined streets, a striking red-brick brewery that has been crafting famous beer since 1876, and a breathtaking park that is actually a giant sculpture designed by a world-renowned artist. Whether you are gazing out over a snowy skyline from a tall observation tower or exploring a serene forest shrine, Sapporo surprises you at every turn.