Leaving the outdoor Historical Museum of Hokkaido I took the bus back to Shin-Sapporo station but got off early at Shinrinkoen. I was going to go across a couple of stops to Naebo to reach the Sapporo Beer Museum on a different line from Shin-Sapporo station.

Coming this way from behind and not from the town centre it was hard to navigate my way around the streets to find the museum, whose tall tower was visible thru the buildings. It was behind a shopping mall and eventually I found it.

Sapporo's most famous export is its beer. I remember the commercials with Japanese drummers wearing traditional headbands as some sort of tourism commercial beckoning me to visit.

Entrance to the museum was free but I was too late for todays tasting session. The history tells how the owner went to Germany to study beer then came back and built his own brewery. I dont think they explained who was was in terms of how he came to such prominence.

There was vintage posters, bottles, and advertising.

In the gift shop they had small cans for 100Y ($1.20) but they were 135ml meaning I couldnt bring it on the plane as hand luggage. I decided to get one anyway and just empty or drink the can before I fly.

I then made my way back downtown to Sapporo Station. There was a shopping centre with food court below. I ended up at KFC. I asked for a chicken burger set but it tasted like salmon in some kind of sauce for 690Y ($8.65). It was small but gave me some energy.

For Hokkaido's biggest city Sapporo felt very laidback and more like Daegu in Korea where I lived for three years not like other bustling Japanese megacities.

I got my tickets for tomorrows long train journey before heading to the Prefecture Building. This was a red brick building similar to Ontario's Queen Park in design.

Entrance is also free and you are able to wander the rooms now serving as a museum.

There was some Ainu traditional folk art from the indigenous culture I was to visit tomorrow. I wasnt able to visit the historical museum by the outdoor park today as it was closed Mondays.

There were also exhibits to show the friendship with Russia as well as a petition with regards to disputed northern islands now occupied by Russia.

The northern territories north of Hokkaido have been occupied since WWII.

I was then making my way to Otori Park before running into a tv crew shooting live segments for some show already in progress.

It was about 4pm and the sun was already starting to set. I found the nearby Clock Tower but wanted to get back to my hotel quickly before the sun sets. No time to go up the Sapporo Tower as I needed to be back in my hotel before sunset.

I rushed home on the train before stopping by 7-11 first for some dinner to go. When I got to my room it was already darkening with city lights coming on.

I had paid $143 for a Sky View Room at Hotel Emisia by Shin-Sapporo Station. Despite its price it was still half what the JR Tower commanded by Sapporo Station.

The room was quite vast with separate living area and felt more like an apartment than a hotel room. I managed to get some shots and would have to wait for morning to get daylight shots.

It was nice to finally have a very comfortable room after days in capsule hotels but once again I was rushed for time and had a very early departure.

Like Hakodate I was rushed for time with a 4 hour journey getting here. You have to give yourself a full day in each of Hakodate and Sapporo and be aware sunset is earlier restricting daylight hours.