Sapporo - Beer and Blossom

No not Paris - that isn't the Eiffel Tower in the background. Sappora my friends - the capital of Hokkaido; a surprisingly large and modern city. Sure it's got some nice views as you can see, but let's not mess around and cut to the chase - Beer! The only true reason to come to Sapporo is on a beer pilgrimage to discover Sapporo "biru" as the Japanese would say.


After an early warm-up at the Sake museum, I was ready for the main event - a visit to the Sapporo Beer Museum and Garden. After learning a few interesting facts about how the Japanese brought beer-making to Japan from Germany in the 1870s, and how beer is actually made from barley and hops (which look like green flower buds), I got down to the nitty gritty - tasting! I hadn't come this far to hold myself back, so i went for the triple tasting - after all, I have the British reputation to uphold. The girls at the bar prepared 3 beautifully presented glasses of different types of Sappora beer; just look at them; make you mouth water don't they!

Let's just say i didn't hand around to admire them for too long:


Three beers and a bag of curry flavoured rice munchies later, the conclusion was that Japan make excellent beer. I take my hat off to them. For a man that is quite fussy when it comes to beer I couldn't falt any of them; this is a nation that excels at most things they put their mind to.

Suitably satisfied with my latest cultural experience, I stumbled out of the museum to find a restaurant. I was advised that the Sapporo beer experience is not complete without tasting a lamb dish known as "Jingisku-Khan", concieved after the Manchurians' failed attempt to conquer Japan. The dish consists of grilled Hokkaido lamb, accompanied of course, with a glass of Sapporo beer; that really hit the spot.


At this point I was sure the day couldn't get any better, but i was wrong. Before I arrived in Japan, I was told that in the spring, the blossoming of the cherry trees is a sight not to be missed. The height of the cherry blossom season is in April, so i was sure i had missed the boat. All was not lost, however, as the further north you go, the colder it gets therefore the later the blossoming starts. Today in Sapporo I caught up with the cherry blossom season and it was truly a feast for the eyes.


Definately one of the best days so far!