It’s a well-known fact that it snows a lot in Sapporo. If you are not used to walking on icy and slippery roads, it can be a nightmare to try and get around in winter. But it would be a shame not to enjoy winter in Sapporo! I know it’s incredibly cold but look! Everything’s pure white… To tell the truth, residents of Sapporo are also adverse to walking in heavy snow and on frozen pavement.
In summer it’s only a 10 minute walk from Sapporo Station to Odori, the big shopping area in central Sapporo, but residents often used to use the subway or walk very very carefully in winter, which could take much longer! In March of 2011, when Sapporo Underground Walkway (Chi-Ka-Ho) was opened to the public, residents and visitors alike no longer had to care about slippery pavement or heavy weather when walking between Sapporo Station and Odori subway station. This Chi-Ka-Ho is basically just a walkway and not a shopping mall like Aurora Town or Pole Town, which are big underground shopping arcades in the Odori area. But there are a lot of spaces for exhibitions, markets, events, etc. so you will find something interesting every time you walk through Sapporo Underground Walkway. It also is linked to buildings above ground so it’s very accessible.
You will find some cafes, fast food restaurants, convenience stores and places to rest in Chi-Ka-Ho as well. If you’re tired and want to have a break, it can be a nice place for a short rest.
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