Sapporo is located in the central part of Hokkaido, in Ishikari Plain, a rice production area facing the Sea of Japan. New Chitose Airport, Tomakomai Port, Muroran Port are situated in the agricultural plain of Yufutsu, which is the prolongation of Ishikari Plain to the South. In the Ishikari Bay in which ends the Ishikari River, lie the new port of Ishikari Bay, the city of Otaru, which has been prospering since the 19th century, and the ski-resort town of Niseko. All those places are connected to each others by Hokkaido Expressway, by National Highway number 5 and 36, or by Hakodate Hokkaido JR lines. They all can be reached within 2 hours.

　Toya Lake, where the G8 Summit is to be held from July 7th to 9th, 2008, is part of the Shikotsu-Toya National Park (dark green part on the map). A quarter of the park belongs to Sapporo City, whose population is about 2 million people, and where are established service, distribution and information companies and more than 20 universities or technical colleges. The city, where, as the capital of Hokkaido, are located public offices such as prefectural offices, is not only an economic but also an artistic and cultural centre. You will here spend wonderful time, enjoying a delicious cuisine made from the best food produced in the whole Hokkaido.

　It takes two hours and a half from Sapporo to Toya Lake, by the Dooh Express Way (approximatively 160 km). When you come to Sapporo for a job or an event related to the Summit, you will be friendly welcome by its citizens. Please feel free to stay in the city to rest after your long trip.

■ Related articles
Lake Toya, a pleasant two hour drive from Sapporo
A city with a national park

■ Official website
G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit Promotion (City of Sapporo)
Toyakoonsen Tourist Association
Hokkaido Toyako Summit Preparation Council

■ Summit's news and animations provided by television companies
HBC G8
BBC Motion Gallery

(Latest update: September, 2008)