First Sapporo Explorations

Both the rain and the jet lag improved considerably today allowing us to get out for our first real day of exploring. Fiona and I started the day at a local puppet theater just across the street from our apartment. We had no idea what the puppets were saying, but at one point, they ended up taking a magic carpet ride to the USA where there was a street vendor selling, "HAMBURGER!! HAMBURGER!!" After the show, there was a little sing along featuring Japanese children's songs. It was fun to watch Fiona do her best to join in!

Next we met Jason for lunch at a local ramen joint. When we got there, there was a line that wrapped around the corner so we had high hopes for a delicious lunch, and it did not disappoint! Before we left home, I had read about this Japanese style of queuing, but it was interesting to watch in practice. All food is served at a bar surrounding the kitchen, but as you file in to the restaurant, you sit in line along the outside wall and while waiting for seats to open up, you browse the menu and place your order in advance. It was all very efficient!

After lunch we headed for Odori Park, a block-wide park that runs for 13 blocks through the center of Sapporo. We had no idea that there was a major international festival - Yosakoi Soran Festival - happening there this weekend. We learned it is a dance festival drawing in nearly 30,000 dancers from Japan and abroad and approximately 200 million visitors. The dance companies paraded down the blocks of Odori Park, stopping on each block to perform in front of bleachers full of spectators before finally arriving at a main stage at the end of the park for a final performance. The music, costumes, and dances were fascinating. We were so lucky to have stumbled onto it!

Finally, we wrapped up the afternoon at a play area in the park that was made up of sculptures designed for play. So cool!