Sapporo is the capital of Hokkaido. The city itself is not really beautiful, but is an excellent base for exploring the rest of the island. This is the place to arrange trips and then head for places like Daisetsuzan national park, Akan or Rishirito Island. As long as tourists are in Saporro they might as well enjoy themselves and this is actually one of the specialties of the city. It has more nightlife than any other city north of Tokyo. The Susukino district has countless bars, nightclubs and hostess bars. During daytime tourists should visit the Botanical Garden in the Batchelor Memorial Museum, the Clocktower -the major landmark of Sapporo- and the Beer Brewery, the first in Japan. The Geijitsu no mori(Art Park) located just outside of Makomanai is a great place to spend a sunny day wandering the outdoor sculpture garden(approx.600yen).Tourists can take a bus from Bus-Centre Mae bus terminal. During winter the Sapporo snow festival attracts visitors from all over the country to see the huge (15 to 20 meters high) snow sculptures that are on display all over Odori Park. tourists can rent cross country skis for free in Nakajima park.