I don’t know about you, but when I hear about Sapporo, the first thing that comes to mind is beer. I’m a long time Sushi eater and Sapporo is my beer of choice when eating. What you might have not known is that there’s an actual city in Japan called Sapporo. In fact, that’s where the beer comes from. Sapporo is a perfect place for making beer. The hops are excellent and it’s cold.
Sapporo is the capital of Hokkaido Islandlocated in the West. It’s the fastest growing city in Japan. At last check, there were more than two million living in Sapporo. It is the 5th largest city in Japan.
When many think of Japan, they think of the over crowded life in Tokyo. Life in Sapporo is much different. First of all, the island of Hokkaido is covered with forests. Many Japanese escape to the island and Hokkaido attracts millions of visitors annually. The summer is the peak time.
Earlier I mentioned the beer they make here. Sapporo has been making beer since 1891. If you visit Sapporo, you can take a tour of the facility. It’s one of those must-see attractions. There’s nothing like a fresh Sapporo beer.
Sapporo is also famous for its snow festival, Yuki Matsuri. It takes place for one week each year in February. It continues to grow each year. It started out as a couple of snow sculptures and has now grown to a main event held at multiple sites. Many come for the international snow sculpture competition.
Perhaps the most interest aspect of the Yuki Matsuri is the community effort given to one giant statue each year. If you arrive in Sapporo just before the festival, you can participate in the creating of this statue. It’s advised that you book your stay ahead too. More than two million tourists flood into Sapporo for the Yuki Matsuri.
Another aspect I find interesting about Sapporo, as someone that doesn’t speak fluent Japanese, is the fact that the tourist information centers are English-friendly. They are always staffed with personnel that speak English well. At the International Information Corner, they have maps and information handouts in English. This makes any English-speaking travelerthat doesn’t speak Japaneseat home.
Another great first stop is the Sapporo International Communications Plaza. It’s just across the street from the Tokeidai Clocktower and right by City Hall. It has more literature in English, including newspapers and magazines. You are bound to meet Japanese people there who know English as well. There is so much more to talk about, but this article was meant to wet your whistle for Sapporo, Japan.
Author is the owner of TourismJunction.com, a travel & vacation articles and websites portal. You can find more Japan Travel articles by clicking the link. Read an article about Tokyo travel by clicking the link.
Tags: asia, japan, sapporo, travel, vacationasia, japan, sapporo, travel, vacationShare This
Winchester has been a popular tourist destination for over 300 years. Once, a favourite summer residence for London’s aristocracy and leading socialites, Winchester is now a year-round destination for people from around the world.
Winchester was once the ancient capital of Anglo-Saxon England; it was the capital city of a region of England called Wessex. The city’s rulers spent large sums of money on building churches, palaces, parks, and of course, the Cathedral. The city is rich in history and many famous figures from English history have visited, lived, worked and died in Winchester. The city is now the administrative capital of the county of Hampshire - a county that many regard as being the quintessential English county, with rolling hills, downs, pretty villages and crystal clear rivers.
Winchester has many attractions for the visitor. The first port of call should be Winchester Cathedral. The cathedral is probably England’s most beautiful. It’s setting, just off the High Street, is idyllic, being surrounded by a park with tree-lined avenues. Construction of the present day cathedral began in 1079. There is a small admission fee but one really should go inside to appreciate the beauty of the cathedral. Also, you can see the tombs, of some ancient Kings of England as well as the tomb of Jane Austen, the famous novelist. Winchester Cathedral Choir is recognized as one of Britain’s leading cathedral choirs, both for its singing of the services and in concert. The Choir comprises sixteen to twenty choristers and twelve lay clerks, whose numbers are augmented when larger forces are required. If you have the chance, you should go to one of their concerts.
St Cross Hospital is a short, but beautiful walk, from the centre of town. St Cross was never a hospital in the modern sense of the word; rather it has its name from the word ‘hospitality’. St Cross was founded in 1132 by Bishop Henri du Blois. The Bishop is quoted as saying that the establishment would be for `thirteen poor men, feeble and so reduced in strength that they can scarcely or not at all support themselves without other aid
Tags: day trip, destin, England, excursion, Hampshire, holiday, hotels, tourism, tourist, travel, vacationday trip, destin, England, excursion, Hampshire, holiday, hotels, tourism, tourist, travel, vacationShare This
Well, what do World War II veterans have in common with Singapore? Very long lasting, unforgettable memories that you can share with fellow family members and friends. Especially those who had survived or had served in Singapore back in the year between 1942 to 1945.
So, if you travel to Singapore again with your family or friends or loved ones, would you like to walk down the memory lane? (Some memories are painful but some still brought back a smile. Do you agree?)
Well veterans, if you happen to travel back to Singapore in your next holiday, make your travel a memorable one. These are some things worth visiting to bring back those dark years.
The Battle Box
The Battle Box is the largest underground command center of the British Malaya Command Headquarters in Singapore during World War II and tucked into the hillside of Fort Canning.
This bombproof complex comprises of 22 rooms linked together by a corridor and capable of recycling its own air supply.
Today, the Battle Box has undergone extensive restoration. Visitors will be able to relive the morning of February 15, 1942 when Singapore fell to the Japanese.
Reflections Of Bukit Chandu
http://www.s1942.org.sg/bukit_chandu/directory.htm
Back in 1942, 1400 soldiers of the Malay Regiment fought with courage against 13000 Japanese soldiers. They chose death over dishonour.
Pepper’s Ghost will bring you through the Battle of Pasir Panjang and you will be able to walk through the Galleries displaying maps, photographs and information regarding the Malay Regiment and the Defence of Malaya.
Fort Siloso
http://www.sentosa.com.sg/explore_sentosa/attractions/fort_siloso.html
The British built Fort Siloso in the 1880s to protect Singapore harbour’s western entrance. During the Japanese Occupation (1942-1945), it became concentration camp for POWs.
Fort Siloso serves as an important window to Singapore’s colonial past and as reminder of the war years.
Changi Chapel & Museum
http://www.changimuseum.com/
This place, called a beacon of hope for the hopeless. Built by Changi Prison inmates, the Changi Chapel stands as a monument to those who maintained their faith and dignity during the Japanese Occupation.
More than 50 000 civilians and soldiers were imprisoned during those days. Some exhibits that you can find and relate to their agony are letters, photographs, drawings and their personal effects. However, their main attraction is a replica of The Changi Murals, a series of wall painting recreated from the originals painted by Stanley Warren.
Old Ford Factory
http://www.s1942.org.sg/bukit_chandu/FordFactory.htm
On February 15, 1942, Lt Gen A.E.Percival then Commander of the British Forces in Singapore surrendered to the Japanese Army. The ‘ceremony’ took place here, the Old Ford Factory.
On February 16, 2006, Singapore Minister for Defence Mr Teo Chee Hean officially opened Memories at Old Ford Factory. Here, you can find the exhibition ‘Syonan Years: Singapore Under Japanese Rule, 1942-1945′.
Kranji War Memorial
Kranji War Memorial honours the men from Britain, Australia, Canada, Sri Lanka, India, Malaya, the Netherlands and New Zealand who gave their lives for freedom in World War II.
Here you can find 4000 servicemen’s graves stand in neat rows. For about 24 000 soldiers and air force men, whose bodies were never recovered, their names were inscribed on 12 columns. Besides that, it is also a burial ground for Singapore’s first two presidents.
Civilian War Memorial
Located in the Padang, the Civilian War Memorial is dedicated to all those who perished during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore between February 15, 1942 to September 12, 1945. Every year on 15 February, a memorial service is held here to remember the victims of the war.
Here you can find four identical vertical pillars rise to a pinnacle of 92.5 metres, symbolising the shared experiences of the four major races of Singapore - Chinese, Malay, Indian and other races. The remains of the unidentified war victims are buried beneath the monument.
Copyright © 2006 Jaffa Matt
Jaffa Matt is a Freelance writer who was born and live in Singapore. His website http://mysingapore.jeeran.com provides ideas & informative articles about his country, Singapore.
Tags: asia, holiday, singapore, travel, vacation, world war veteranasia, holiday, singapore, travel, vacation, world war veteranShare This