Points of Interest in Sapporo, Japan

There are many great places to visit in Japan, and one such place is the capital of Hokkaido which is Sapporo. Aside from enjoying the Snow Festival where you can get to behold giant ice sculptures, there are also other things which you can enjoy in the area.

Mt. Moiwa

If you are looking for a great place to ski, Mt Moiwa is definitely the place for you. It is a small skiing slope which is actually great because this means it is low key, so you don’t have to worry about bumping into other skiers. If you don’t have your own skiing equipments, you can rent one from the shops there. Another thing that makes the place wonderful is that the slopes are easy to ride. Many beginners and kids frequent this mountain in order to learn how to ski. Riding the lifts is also a great experience as well as the viewing point which provides great views of the city. There is also restaurant on top of the mountain where you can enjoy a bowl of warm ramen should you start to feel the cold.

Moerenuma Park

This large park is located in the northeastern part of Saporro, and is a great place to go for a short day walk. There is the Play Mountain which is small hill with green rolling grass and a dedicated paved walkway. It is not a strenuous walk as the slope is gently going up. You can also try walking up the stairs in Mount Moere which offers a great 360 degree view of the whole park and the nearby surrounding areas. There are other activities to be enjoyed in the park aside from walking and hiking. You can watch the famous Sea Fountain shows in the middle of the park from April to October, shooting water as high as 25 meters up in the air. You can also enjoy the beach or rent a bike and go around the park. Don’t forget to drop by the Hidamari Center for more information about the park and to view their galleries as well.

Historical Village

Another great place to visit near Sapporo is the Historical Village. Unlike conventional museums, this one is located out in the open air with the exhibits outside as well. The exhibits are composed of ancient buildings of Japan which include about 60 buildings from Hokkaido, with architectures from 1860s to the 1920s. There are horse drawn carriages, and if you are lucky, you might even catch a movie being filmed there as it is a famous spot for shooting films. There is also the Historical Museum which covers the whole history of the place from when it was first inhabited 20,000 years ago until the present.

So the next time you book a visit to Japan, make sure to add Sapporo to your list of destinations. The bustling city and the relaxed countryside will definitely make for a great travel that you will not soon forget.

Photo by chrisandkylie onFlickr