6 Luxury Zone Sports 7

Renaissance Hotel Located on the banks of the Toyohira River with expansive views of the mountains to the south, Renaissance Sapporo Hotel’s natural surroundings belie the fact that it is located just a few minutes’ walk from the neon lights of the Susukino entertainment district and downtown Sapporo. Any remains of the previous night out on the town can be sweated out in the hotel’s fitness club or on a leisurely jog along the riverside cycling road - that is, The versatility of this state-of-the-art if you actually feel like leaving the comfort of your room! multipurpose surely makes it the world’s most unique indoor sports and concert venue! Where else could you host FIFA World Cup football matches on natural turf, professional games on artificial turf, a special section of the World Rally Championships, the first-ever indoor section of the World Nordic Ski Championships and a Rolling Stones Concert all under the same dome-shaped roof? With a seating capacity of just over 40,000, the stadium’s concrete floor makes way for a full-size football pitch, which is transported inside the dome using © SapporoSapporo DomeDome a special hydraulic “hovering stage” pleasure of watching sport and concerts. Sapporo Dome is currently the home system. An observatory with a unique view of the stadium of Sapporo’s professional 2 The Royal Suite (120 m ) includes a The Presidential Suite (160 m2) Unobstructed views from all seating city of Sapporo, and tours of the facilities football and baseball teams: drawing room complete with a sofa and includes all of the features of the Royal areas and an extensive range of catering are also available on days when there are dining table, as well as a kitchen unit and Suite, with an added luxury of a king-size Sapporo Dome facilities within the stadium add to the no events taking place in the dome. http://www.sapporo-dome.co.jp/ a separate twin bedroom. An en-suite jet bed and a connecting room that can be Renaissance Suites (80 m2) sleep bath, double washbasin and independent used by security personnel. Past guests four, with a drawing room complete with shower room make up the luxurious include the president of . baseball After moving their base here from in 2004, the Fighters two beds, a television and a PC desk, as bathroom facilities in the suite, which Continental breakfast in the Club Lounge have enjoyed tremendous success in ’s , well as a separate bedroom with twin also commands views of downtown on the 10th floor or a Western- and Nippon-Ham Fighters winning the league pennant, and in beds and a flat-screen TV (six suites in Sapporo, Toyohira River and the Japanese-style buffet on the second floor Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters http://www.fighters.co.jp/ 2006 and the Pacific League pennant in ’07 and ’09. Two of total). Premier Suite rooms offer the mountains in the background. Used by is included in the rates, which range from Japanese baseball’s most idolized pitchers and Yuki same facilities with superior views (six G.W. Bush (senior) and the Chinese 120,000 to 350,000 yen per night Saitoh ensure a loyal local following, especially among female suites). president-elect during visits to Sapporo. depending on the type of suite. fans, with a lively atmosphere at home games in the Dome. Tickets (ranging from 1,500 yen [800 yen for min by taxi from JR Sapporo Station Toyohira 4-jo 1-chome 1-1, Toyohira-ku, Sapporo Toll-free number: +81-120-415-989 http://www.rnsph.com/ children] to 4,500 yen) can often be-10ڦ Underground parking for 200 carsڦ purchased on the day of the game at the Dome ticket office or the Fighters Station at Relaxing Hot Spots (Hokkaido, Kamikawa) Sounkyo Hot Spring the North exit of the JR Sapporo Station (prices and availability may differ depending on the day of the week or the opponents). Nestled between the steep slopes of the Taisetsu mountain range, Sounkyo Games schedule at Sapporo Dome in June 1 (Wed) 18:00 vs. Hot Spring is one of Hokkaido’s most 8 (Wed) 18:00 vs. famous spa resorts. The surrounding 9 (Thurs) 18:00 vs. Chunichi Dragons 11 (Sat) 18:00 vs. Yokohama Bay Stars cliffs provide the background for 12 (Sun) 15:00 vs. Yokohama Bay Stars Mother Nature to decorate with 28 (Tues) 18:00 vs. Lotte Marines ever-changing colors as the seasons 29 (Wed) 18:00 vs. 30 (Thurs) 18:00 vs. Chiba Lotte Marines come and go. As one of the gateways © Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters to the Daisetsu National Park, the hot football springs in the hotels and inns are Sounkyo Kurodake Ropeway © 1996 H.F.C. popular among tourists from A 7-min cable-car (Ropeway) ride takes Consadole Sapporo throughout Japan and beyond, who you to the 5th Stage (1,300 m), from Currently competing in J2, the second division of Japan’s use the spa as a base to access Mt. where you can either hike to the summit professional football league, Consadole attracts some of the Kurodake via the cable car (Ropeway) (1,984 m) or take a chair lift to the 7th division’s highest attendances, with the team’s enthusiastic base station located there. Stage at 1,560 m and hike the rest of the supporters creating a lively, enjoyable atmosphere. A popular way. If you plan on hiking to the Access Ryusei no Taki and Ginga no Taki day out for families, with pre-match and half-time By JR: summit, make sure you are wearing good waterfalls entertainment provided by Dole-kun, the club’s owl mascot Sapporo – Asahikawa (limited express, 1 hr. walking shoes and have warm clothing, Two waterfalls that drop like white and the Consadolls cheerleaders. 20 min.), Asahikawa – Kamikawa (limited as the weather can change quickly and threads from the shear cliffs along the Tickets (ranging from 500 yen to 4,200 yen) are available on express, 45 min.) become very cold even in summer. The upper reaches of the Ishikari River a the day of the match, at the North gate of the Dome, and By Dohoku Bus: dynamic mountain scenery is well worth short distance up the valley from the spa. various discounts are available for senior citizens and students. Kamikawa – Sounkyo (approx. 35 min.) the trip, and remaining patches of snow Marvel at the power and beauty of nature Games schedule at Sapporo Dome in June http://www.sounkyo.net/english/index.html make it all the more breathtaking. here in the heart of Hokkaido. 26 (Sun) 14:00 vs. Kataller Toyama © 2011 H.F.C. Consadole Sapporo http://www.consadole-sapporo.jp/