27 September 2008

From prison to Olympia town

My last two stops in Hokkaido were Abashiri in the West and the prefecture's capital Sapporo.
Abashiri to Japanese is above all known for its prison. The area can get really cold in winter and it used to be sort of Japan's version of sending people to Siberia. The most hardened criminals would be sent there to endure very cold winters in grim and cold prison cells. The prison is still there, but has gotten a bit more accomodating. I visited the prison museum which shows artifacts from the former prison and tells some inhabitants' stories. Unfortunately only some information was given in very poor English. I also visited the very attractive "Museum of Northern people" which tells the story of Hokkaido's indigenous people, the Ainu and compares it to the culture of other Northern people.
Sapporo is Japan's fifth biggest city and was hosting the Olympic winter games in 1972. So
I went to see the ski jump area and the nearby Olympics museum. The view over Sapporo from the ski jump's top is just amazing. Scary to look down and imagine you had to ski down there... The museum is really fun and interactive, you can try out your winter sports skills in all sorts of simulators from ski jumping to figure skating to ice hockey. I found out that I'd make a decent speed skater or ice hockey goalie, but a lousy ski jumper. Alright then, I'll adapt my career plans accordingly! :-)

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