A snowy Susukino site along Sapporo's shopping streets (Photo: Sapporo City)

(Writer: Mari Kiguchi)

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For the souvenir seekers, Tanuki-koji (Racoon Dog Street), located five blocks south of Odori Park, is an interesting shopping spot with a 135-year history. A large number of Tanuki ornaments and unique souvenirs are sold throughout the traditional and trendy shops occupying antique buildings.

At Pirika Mingeiten, at Tanukikoji 5 chome, Ainu folk-crafts such as statues of bears and accessories decorated in traditional Ainu patterns can be purchased – the reason behind a large number of shops displaying bear statues the fact that the Ainu admired brown bears as gods, and traditionally helped raise baby bears. Why not have at least a peek at the small shops and eateries in Tanuki-koji.

And, of course, for the beer lovers, Sapporo Factory in the east of the city is the perfect place to visit. The factory was originally built as the pioneer of the Japanese beer industry in 1876. Today, the building is 130 years old, and has been renovated as a giant shopping mall intermingled with some newer premises. Fresh local beer goes for as little as 250 yen.


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From Sapporo Station, it is about 30 minutes by train to New Chitose Airport to the south or Otaru Station to the north, and about 2 hours to Niseko to the east (NB: trains for Niseko only leave in the morning) enabling you to head out to your next fantastic Hokkaido destination.