The most remarkable thing about the northern Japanese island of
Hokkaido, and its capital city Sapporo, is the contrast in
temperatures between winter and summer. Sapporo, site of the 1972
Winter Olympics, is a favourite ski destination with temperatures
plummeting well below freezing in December and January - the lowest
ever recorded was in January 1945, when the mercury dropped to
-11ºF (-24ºC). Summer time, however, sees daytime highs of above
86ºF (30ºC), although evenings and mornings remain cool and
pleasant.
Because of its thick snows that turn the city into a winter
wonderland Sapporo is favoured more as a winter sports destination
than a spring or summer resort. There are ski-slopes within the
city limits and residents often enjoy a quick run after work.
Sapporo is one of Japan's newest cities, having been constructed
almost from scratch as the capital of Hokkaido in 1871. Japan
imported foreign technicians (including 46 Americans) to aid in the
development of the city, formerly a small settlement of the native
Ainu people, which has now grown to accommodate 1.8 million
inhabitants. Despite a large population, Sapporo is not as crowded
or densely packed as other Japanese cities. A national survey
ranked it as one of the country's most desirable places to live,
which is not surprising because its natural setting allows for easy
access to mineral spas, mountain hikes, campsites, and superb ski
runs.
