Next year, thousands of local and international rugby fans will arrive in friendly, laid back Sapporo, Japan, one of the host cities for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Visitors could be forgiven for assuming the city's main draw between matches would be its famous beer museum, which tells the story of local brewing dating back to 1876.
While the museum is certainly worth a visit, there is far more to discover in this historic and cultural capital.
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Just a 90 minute flight from Tokyo, Sapporo is Japan's gateway to the northern island of Hokkaido and all its natural beauty.
Whether it's markets, museums or mountains, here are seven ways to make the most of this Japanese gem.
Odori Park and Sapporo TV Tower
Its name translates as "large street," but Odori is actually a mile wide park that stretches through the center of Sapporo.
Even though Sapporo lacks the bustling energy of a big city, Odori still offers a pleasant escape with its acres of gardens, sculptures, fountains, lawns and regular festivals.
Chief among them is the Sapporo Snow Festival, and snow blankets the ground in Sapporo for roughly a third of the year, drawing visitors from around the world with its stunning illuminated ice sculptures.
The city's most visible landmark also stands on the eastern side of Odori: the 147 meter Sapporo TV Tower, which dates back to 1957. Its observation deck is a must for the panoramic views and Instagram opportunities.
Sapporo TV Tower, Odori Nishi 1-chome ~ Odori Nishi 12-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo; +81 011 251 0438
Sapporo Beer Museum
The handsome red brick factory of the Sapporo Sugar Company dates back to 1890 and remains one of the city's most striking and historic architectural treasures.
Since 1987, however, it has served as Japan's only beer museum, celebrating the national brewing industry and arguably the city's most famous global brand, Sapporo Breweries Ltd.
Tours highlight the history of beer production, from the pioneering brewers of the 19th century to the present day. And yes, at the end of the tour you really can sample the company's wares.
Afterward, visitors can unwind at the many venues in the Sapporo Beer Garden, perhaps sampling even more of the brewery's output, while enjoying dishes such as Genghis Khan lamb or snow crab and sushi.
Sapporo Beer Museum, Kita 7-jo, Higashi 9-chome 1-1, Higashi-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido; +81 011 748 1876
Hoheikan
Odori Park was the original home of a historic, elegant wooden guesthouse known as Hoheikan. Today it sits in Nakajima Park, south of the city's main railway station.
It was built in 1881 in a Western style by a local master carpenter using Japanese techniques, designed to host dignitaries who came to visit, most notably Emperor Meiji, who was its first overnight guest.
The building's picture perfect blue and white facade has made it a popular spot for weddings and corporate events, but it can be visited by the public free of charge.
It is worth a visit for its architecture and beautiful interiors, complete with a spiral staircase and refined decor, underscoring why it was designated an "Important Cultural Property of Japan."
Hoheikan, Nakajima Koen 1-20, Chuo-ku, Sapporo; +81 011 211 1951
Nijo Market
For many visitors to Sapporo, the first stop is the atmospheric, 100 year old Nijo Market. In the very heart of the city and within walking distance of most major sights, it makes for a perfect introduction to Hokkaido's legendary abundance of seafood and other produce.
Charismatic stall owners draw in locals topping up their daily supplies, while foreign visitors are lured by the dizzying array of ocean delicacies, such as king crab and scallops, or beautifully arranged vegetables from the rich local soil.
Once you have finished stocking up on culinary souvenirs, take your pick from the small food stalls selling glistening sushi and sashimi, but above all the sensational donburi rice bowls, most often topped with local crab, sea urchin and salmon roe.
Nijo Market, 1 Chome Minami 3 Johigashi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo; +81 11 222 5308
Sapporo Clock Tower
With its red roof and white walls, the city's clock tower is a major landmark for visitors and a distinctive feature of the urban landscape. Modest yet elegant, the structure has watched the city grow up around it, since it dates back to 1878.
It began life as a training hall for Sapporo Agricultural College, the forerunner of the prestigious Hokkaido University, and an exhibition inside tells the tower's story.
It also explains why its design has such an American look, since it was commissioned by the school's second vice director, Professor William Wheeler, who had previously led Massachusetts Agricultural College.
The bell chimes every hour, as it has done since it was installed more than a century ago, and it is especially picturesque when lit up at night.
Sapporo Clock Tower, Kita 1-jo Nishi 2-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo; +81 11 231 0838
Hokkaido Museum
There is no better introduction to the culture and history of Hokkaido than the impressive Hokkaido Museum.
Its collection spans millennia, beginning with reconstructed skeletons of two giants that once roamed Hokkaido, Naumann's elephants and mammoths, before going on to explore the island's unique ecosystems.
Of particular interest is the focus on the Ainu, the indigenous people who have lived in the region for thousands of years. The museum, alongside the dedicated Ainu Heritage Museum that offers an even deeper dive, explores generations of Ainu culture, deepens historical recognition and celebrates their unique story.
Hokkaido Museum, Atsubetsu-cho Konopporo 53-2, Atsubetsu-ku, Sapporo; +81 011 898 0466
Mount Moiwa
Just a few minutes' drive from the city center, Mount Moiwa is cloaked in primeval forest and offers breathtaking views over the city, especially at sunset, when Sapporo begins to light up beneath you.
To get there, you will use a combination of a ropeway followed by a mini cable car for the final stretch to the summit.
At the top you'll find an observation deck, a planetarium and a restaurant serving meals with a decidedly romantic view.
Speaking of romance, there is a 'Bell of Happiness' you can ring together with your loved one, and couples are also encouraged to leave a lock on the railings declaring their love. Sweet.
Mount Moiwa, Yubinbango 064-0942, Chuo-ku, Sapporo Fushimi 5-chome No. 3, Sapporo; +81 011 561 8177
