Sapporo

Sapporo is the main city on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido. It was not until the late 1800s that large numbers of Japanese began to settle this island. Hokkaido still has great natural beauty and wide-open spaces. And since there's plenty of space, the roads in Sapporo are straight and wide, and the buildings are lined up neatly rather than jumbled together. Sapporo has a young, modern feel, unlike some cities on Japan's islands of Honshu and Kyushu, which developed over a longer period of time. Sapporo hosted the 1972 Winter Olympics.

World Cup Games to Be Held in Sapporo
Germany vs. Saudi Arabia (June 1)
Italy vs. Ecuador (June 3)
Argentina vs. England (June 7)

Fun Facts About the Stadium
Sapporo Dome, where the World Cup games will take place, is used for baseball as well as soccer. It is home to the amazing Hovering Soccer Stage, a soccer pitch that floats on air! Before soccer games, first the artificial turf from the baseball field is rolled up. Next, the Hovering Soccer Stage is floated about 7.5 centimeters (about 3 inches) off the ground by air pressure. It is then wheeled into the stadium. The stage is 120 meters (about 394 feet) long and 85 meters (about 279 feet) wide, and weighs 8,300 tons. It glides into the stadium like a giant, slow-moving magic carpet at a speed of 4 meters (about 13 feet) per minute. And that is how the baseball field is turned into the soccer field. This is the first such hovering stage anywhere in the world.

Famous Local Foods
Because Hokkaido is surrounded by ocean and is one of Japan's leading agricultural regions, a rich variety of seafood, meat, fruits, and vegetables are available in Sapporo. One popular meal is Ishikari-nabe, a hearty fish and vegetable stew flavored with miso (soybean paste). Sapporo is also famous for its ramen (wheat flour noodles served in broth). Ramen noodles were first brought over to Japan from China long ago. Since then, Japanese people have developed many different varieties and flavors of ramen, and these noodles are one of the most popular foods nationwide. A bowl of classic Sapporo ramen features a miso-flavor broth and a knob of butter. This is one of the most popular kinds of ramen in Japan.

Famous Sights
Before Japanese people settled in Hokkaido, the island was inhabited by the Ainu people. The city name "Sapporo" comes from two words in the Ainu language meaning "dry land." In 1876, Sapporo Agricultural School was founded to train people to lead settlement efforts. Later, this school became Hokkaido University. The school's old clock tower, which is still in good condition, is a symbol of Sapporo. Another famous place is Jozankei, a hot-spring resort located near the city.

Festivals
The Sapporo Snow Festival, held every February, draws huge crowds of sightseers from Japan and abroad. Ice-sculpting teams gather huge amounts of snow, freeze it, and make giant ice sculptures. These come in all kinds of shapes – buildings, animals, or even cartoon characters like Mickey Mouse and Pikachu. Large sculptures tend to be about 15 meters (50 feet) tall and 24 meters (80 feet) wide. The sculptures are judged on artistic merit and other qualities and awarded prizes. Another popular festival is the Sapporo Lilac Festival. It is held in May, when the city's lilac trees bloom.