Sapporo is the largest city on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido, and is known for its winter sports and beer.

Takoyaki, a dish made with small balls of batter filled with chopped octopus, is a popular Japanese street food.

During the Edo period, which lasted from the 17th to the mid-19th century, Japan was ruled by the Tokugawa shogunate and experienced a period of peace and stability.