Sapporo is the largest Japanese city north of Tokyo, and the largest city on Hokkaido island, which is the northernmost main island of Japan. Sapporo was settled by the indigenous Ainu people, as with the most of Hokkaido island, beginning over 15,000 years ago. Japanese migrated into Hokkaido starting in 19th century.
Sapporo was the host for the first Winter Olympics in Asia, in 1972, and is famous for its annual Snow Festival in February, which attracts millions of tourists internationally.
