Muroran, Japan cruise port guide

Sapporo, Japan: Sapporo is the largest city on the island of Hokkaido and is located about 2 hours north of Muroran. In the heart of the city, Odori Avenue Park is filled with beautiful sculptures, a variety of fountains, 92 species of trees, and lots of flowerbeds. New art can be experienced in many ways throughout Sapporo with old houses, basements, and passageways continually being reinvented as beautiful galleries, shops, and bustling restaurants. Visit Sapporo Beer Museum and find out how the famous export is made, and, perhaps sample a few in the Biergarten. There are many other sights to discover on a Sapporo cruise, including the Sapporo City Clock, which has been marking time for over a century and the old Hokkaido government building, a neo-baroque building known as "Red Brick" that is lit up after dark. For authentic souvenirs and keepsakes, the Museum Store and Clark Gallery & Shift both offer wonderful locally made, handcrafted goods. Or stop in to Saturday Chocolate Factory Café for small-batch chocolates made with single-origin cacao beans.