Sweet Sapporo

Sapporo is a surprising little city. The warmth of the locals is amazing. When we got off the train it was raining and I couldn't be bothered fishing around in my mammoth backpack to find my little brolly. We got a tad lost and were standing on a street corner holding a soggy map.

A very kind lady offered to help us and not only walked us to our hotel but also shared her umbrella with us! I asked her name in Japanese and introduced myself and Wei Yi San. This apparently highly impressed Wei.

Sapporo is...

Sapporo Station and funky underground malls




Ishiya Chocolate Factory - a strange Charlie in the Chocolate Factory experience with lots of kitsch statues, corny songs and random exhibits







Odori Park, with the TV Tower in the background




Sapporo Beer Museum - beiru kudosai?




Only a 90 minute train ride to Lake Toya which is famous for hosting this year's G8 Summit and onsen!




Hand and foot springs around Lake Toya