Transportation network disrupted… Winter disaster “anxiety” after earthquake off eastern Aomori, with maximum seismic intensity of 4 in Sapporo, JR and subway lines temporarily suspended.

The Sapporo Municipal Subway is the underground rapid transit system serving Sapporo, Japan, which opened in 1971 ahead of the 1972 Winter Olympics. It is notable for being the first subway system in Japan to use rubber-tyred trains on its lines, a technology chosen for its ability to handle the city’s heavy snowfall and steep gradients.

Susukino is a major entertainment and nightlife district located in Sapporo, Japan, famous for its neon lights, bars, restaurants, and nightclubs. Historically, it developed rapidly after the 1920s, becoming a bustling hub, and was notably expanded and redesigned in preparation for the 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics. Today, it remains one of Japan’s largest and most vibrant entertainment quarters.

Sapporo is the capital city of Hokkaido, Japan, founded officially in 1868 during the Meiji era as part of a planned development of Japan’s northern frontier. It is now internationally famous for hosting the 1972 Winter Olympics and its annual Sapporo Snow Festival, which began in 1950. The city’s modern grid layout and beer-brewing history, marked by the founding of the Sapporo Brewery in 1876, reflect its unique blend of Western-inspired planning and Japanese culture.

Aomori Prefecture is the northernmost prefecture on Japan’s main island of Honshu, known for its rich nature, cold winters, and vibrant apple production. Its history is deeply tied to the indigenous Jōmon period, with the Sannai-Maruyama Site being one of Japan’s largest and best-preserved Jōmon settlements, dating back over 5,000 years. The region later developed as a key political and transportation center of northern Honshu, with its modern capital, Aomori City, growing as a major port for trade and travel with Hokkaido.

Sapporo is the capital of Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost main island, founded officially in 1868 during the Meiji era as part of a planned development project. It is now internationally famous for hosting the 1972 Winter Olympics and its annual Sapporo Snow Festival, which began in 1950. The city’s modern grid layout, beer brewing heritage at the Sapporo Beer Museum, and vibrant food scene centered on ramen and fresh seafood are key parts of its cultural identity.

“JR conventional lines” refer to the extensive network of conventional (non-high-speed) railway lines operated by the Japan Railways Group (JR Group) across Japan. These lines, which include local, regional, and commuter services, originated from the Japanese National Railways (JNR) system that was privatized and split into regional JR companies in 1987. They form the backbone of Japan’s daily transit, connecting cities, towns, and rural areas with a history dating back to the 19th century.

JR Sapporo Station is the main railway hub of Hokkaido’s capital, opening in 1880 as part of the early development of Japan’s northern frontier. Today, it is a vast, modern complex directly connected to the underground shopping city of Sapporo ESTA and serves as the primary gateway for the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Hokkaido, linking the island to Japan’s main high-speed rail network.

Odori Subway Station is a major underground transit hub in Sapporo, Japan, located beneath the city’s central Odori Park. It opened in 1971 as part of the initial line of the Sapporo Municipal Subway, developed in preparation for the 1972 Winter Olympics. The station is notable for its direct access to key landmarks, winter events like the Sapporo Snow Festival, and its role as a bustling commercial and civic center.