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

Kyoto is a historic city in central Japan that is known for its many temples, shrines, and gardens, and is a popular destination for traditional Japanese culture.

The Mongol invasions of Japan in the 13th century were repelled by a combination of strategic planning and a typhoon that destroyed the invading fleet.