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

The Heian period, which lasted from the 8th to the 12th century, was a time of great cultural and artistic achievement in Japan.

The Shinkansen, or bullet train, is a popular mode of transportation for tourists in Japan, and travels at speeds of up to 320 km/h (200 mph).