Profile of Sapporo, Hokkaido

Location

Sapporo, with a population of more than 1.8 million, is the fifth largest city in Japan, and is the political and economic center of Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island. Its nearest Russian neighbor is Vladivostock, directly to the west across the Japan Sea.

Nature

Hokkaido's physical geography is quite distinct from the rest of Japan, and it is famous for its striking natural beauty: Caldera lakes, meandering rivers, virgin forests, and fertile plains. Its ecologically diverse wetlands are also characteristic of the island, as is the wealth of flora and fauna indigenous to cold regions. Hot springs are found throughout the island, and it is internationally known as a winter sports center: the Winter Olympics of 1972 were held in Sapporo.

Climate

It is cool and comfortable for much of the summer, without a rainy season, and cold in winter, when snow falls from mid-December to late-March. It used to be said that the tourist season extended from June to September, but recently Hokkaido has become a year-round attraction, and in the winter a great number of people, come to Hokkaido to ski.

---

TopPage	Sapporo Cancer Seminar Foundation		Main Projects		Profile of Sapporo, Hokkaido
Summer Symposium		Invited speakers and chairpersons		Winter Symposium		Directers and Sponsors