72 dogs in Sapporo demonstrate their keen sense of smell in a police dog test.

Jozankei is a hot spring resort located in a scenic valley near Sapporo, Japan, known for its natural beauty and relaxing onsens. Its history dates back to the mid-19th century when a Buddhist monk named Miizumi Jōzō discovered the hot springs, and the area later developed into a popular tourist destination. Today, Jozankei offers visitors a mix of traditional ryokan inns, outdoor baths, and seasonal attractions like autumn foliage and winter illuminations.

Minami-ku is one of the 11 wards of Hiroshima City, Japan, located south of the city center. Historically, it developed as a key residential and commercial area after the atomic bombing in 1945, with much of its modern infrastructure rebuilt during the post-war recovery. Today, it is known for landmarks like the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park (partially within its borders) and the bustling Hiroshima Station area.

Sapporo is the largest city on Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido, known for its modern urban planning, the annual Sapporo Snow Festival, and its famous beer. Originally developed in the late 19th century as a colonial administrative center, the city was designed with wide, grid-patterned streets inspired by Western models. Its history is closely tied to the Meiji-era government’s efforts to develop Hokkaido, with many Western-style buildings and institutions established during that period.

The Sapporo Clock Tower, officially known as the Former Sapporo Agricultural College Clock Tower, is a historic wooden structure built in 1878. It was originally part of the Sapporo Agricultural College (now Hokkaido University) and served as a drill hall and military training facility. Today, it stands as a beloved symbol of Sapporo, housing a small museum that showcases the city’s development during the Meiji era.

Otaru is a historic port city in Hokkaido, Japan, known for its well-preserved canal district and late 19th-century architecture. Once a major hub for herring fishing and trade during the Meiji era, it earned the nickname “Wall Street of the North” due to its booming financial industry. Today, the city’s charming canals and warehouses have been transformed into popular tourist attractions, featuring glass workshops, music boxes, and seafood markets.

Ebetsu is a city located in Hokkaido, Japan, known for its industrial development and as a home to Hokkaido University’s research facilities. Historically, the area was settled in the late 19th century during Hokkaido’s colonization, and it later grew as a center for brewing and sake production, with the Ebetsu Beer Brewery being a notable landmark. Today, it is also recognized for its natural attractions, such as the Nopporo Forest Park.

Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost main island, was historically known as Ezochi and was primarily inhabited by the indigenous Ainu people before large-scale Japanese settlement began in the late 19th century during the Meiji era. The region was renamed Hokkaido in 1869, and the government actively promoted development, agriculture, and colonization, transforming it into a major agricultural and tourist destination. Today, Hokkaido is famous for its natural landscapes, national parks, ski resorts, and unique culture that blends Japanese and Ainu influences.

The Sapporo Snow Festival is an annual winter event held in Sapporo, Japan, featuring impressive snow and ice sculptures displayed throughout the city. It began in 1950 when local high school students built six snow statues in Odori Park, and has since grown into a world-renowned festival attracting over two million visitors each year. The festival now includes massive sculptures, ice slides, and illuminated displays, celebrating the beauty of winter in Hokkaido.