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Go on a 'Kita Kita' tour of Sapporo, Japan

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Karen Flores, ABS-CBN News

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-version="7" style="background:#FFF;border:0;border-radius:3px;box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15);margin:1px;max-width:658px;padding:0;width:calc(100% - 2px)"><div style="padding:8px"><div style="background:#F8F8F8;line-height:0;margin-top:40px;padding:50.0% 0;text-align:center;width:100%"><div style="background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC);display:block;height:44px;margin:0 auto -44px;position:relative;top:-22px;width:44px"> </div></div><p style="color:#c9c8cd;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:17px;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:8px;overflow:hidden;padding:8px 0 7px;text-align:center;text-overflow:ellipsis;white-space:nowrap"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BJsjwWCgRml/" style="color:#c9c8cd;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;line-height:17px;text-decoration:none" target="_blank">A post shared by Alessandra De Rossi. EVER. (@msderossi)</a> on <time dateTime="2016-08-29T14:37:49+00:00" style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:17px">Aug 29, 2016 at 7:37am PDT</time></p></div></blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="http://platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js" type="text/javascript"></script><p>MANILA – It’s safe to say that the romantic comedy film “Kita Kita” is the surprise hit of the year.</p><p>The movie, which features the unlikely pairing of Alessandra de Rossi and Empoy, has earned a whopping P240 million in just over two weeks. Its <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/07/20/17/movie-review-kita-kita-is-not-your-typical-rom-com">critical</a> and commercial success has led to <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/07/27/17/alessandra-de-rossi-reveals-plans-for-new-film-with-empoy">talks</a> to have De Rossi and Empoy star in a new flick. </p><p>Sapporo, Japan’s fifth largest city and the setting of “Kita Kita,” is also expected to benefit from the movie’s popularity, the same way Sagada in Mountain Province <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/v2/02/24/15/cant-get-over-tadhana-then-take-trip">attracted more visitors</a> after the release of “That Thing Called Tadhana.”</p><p>Located in the northern island of Hokkaido, Sapporo can be reached by a 90-minute flight from Tokyo’s Haneda or Narita Airport. Trains and long-distance ferries are also available, but these trips will take longer. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/life/11/23/16/going-to-japan-10-ways-to-save-money">READ: Going to Japan? 10 ways to save money</a></li></ul><p>To those who want to retrace the steps of Lea (De Rossi) and Tonyo (Empoy), here’s a tour of Sapporo and nearby areas featured in “Kita Kita.”</p><div><strong>ODORI PARK, BEER MUSEUM</strong></div><p>Just like in other Japanese cities, it’s easy to get around Sapporo by public transport. Book a hotel near the train stations of Sapporo, Odori, or Susukino as the top city attractions are within walking distance from these areas.</p><p>Odori Park, for instance, is just beside Odori subway station (or a 10-minute walk from JR Sapporo station). This park turns into a winter wonderland every February, when it serves as the main site of the Sapporo Snow Festival.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/entertainment/08/04/odoripark.png"/><figcaption>Odori Park is one of the Sapporo attractions featured in “Kita Kita.”<em> Karen Flores, ABS-CBN News</em></figcaption></figure></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/entertainment/08/04/odoripark2.png"/><figcaption>One of the snow sculptures at Odori Park during the 2017 Sapporo Snow Festival.<em> Karen Flores, ABS-CBN News</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>At the eastern end of Odori Park stands the Sapporo TV Tower, which has an observation deck. In the film, Lea is seen getting engaged to her Japanese boyfriend here.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/entertainment/08/04/tvtower.png"/><figcaption>The Sapporo TV Tower.<em> Karen Flores, ABS-CBN News</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Walk for a block from Odori Park and you’ll reach the Clock Tower, which is considered one of Sapporo’s symbols. </p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/entertainment/08/04/clocktower.png"/><figcaption>Lea (left) shows the Clock Tower to a Japanese couple in “Kita Kita.”<em> Screengrab from “Kita Kita” trailer</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Remember when Lea said, “Hindi ako kinikilig, hindi” after drinking several mugs of beer? That took place at the Sapporo Beer Museum, which introduces the history of beer in Japan. It also has restaurants serving all-you-can-eat jingisukan (a mutton barbecue dish that originated in Sapporo) and all-you-can-drink beer. </p><p>The Sapporo Beer Museum can be accessed by the Loop 88 Factory Line bus that stops at Odori station. </p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/entertainment/08/04/beermuseum.png"/><figcaption>Lea talks on the phone after having beer at the Sapporo Beer Museum.<em> Screengrab from “Kita Kita” trailer</em></figcaption></figure></div><div><strong>SUSUKINO, MOUNT MOIWA</strong></div><p>Dubbed as Japan’s biggest entertainment district north of Tokyo, Susukino is just one stop from Odori station, and two stops from Sapporo station. </p><p>This part of Sapporo is packed with bars, shops, and restaurants, and is also featured a number of times in “Kita Kita.” A memorable scene here is when Lea, wearing a heart costume, drinks her worries away in a bar.</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-version="7" style="background:#FFF;border:0;border-radius:3px;box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15);margin:1px;max-width:658px;padding:0;width:calc(100% - 2px)"><div style="padding:8px"><div style="background:#F8F8F8;line-height:0;margin-top:40px;padding:50.0% 0;text-align:center;width:100%"><div style="background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC);display:block;height:44px;margin:0 auto -44px;position:relative;top:-22px;width:44px"> </div></div><p style="color:#c9c8cd;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:17px;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:8px;overflow:hidden;padding:8px 0 7px;text-align:center;text-overflow:ellipsis;white-space:nowrap"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BQe758vlTdv/" style="color:#c9c8cd;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;line-height:17px;text-decoration:none" target="_blank">A post shared by Alessandra De Rossi. EVER. (@msderossi)</a> on <time dateTime="2017-02-14T07:19:14+00:00" style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:17px">Feb 13, 2017 at 11:19pm PST</time></p></div></blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="http://platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js" type="text/javascript"></script><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/entertainment/08/04/susukino.png"/><figcaption>At Susukino.<em> Karen Flores, ABS-CBN News</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>From Susukino, take Sapporo’s only streetcar line to Ropeway Iriguchi station and go to Mount Moiwa, a popular sightseeing spot. The observation deck at the summit was also shown in the “Kita Kita” trailer, where Lea happily rings the bell with a banana mascot.</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-version="7" style="background:#FFF;border:0;border-radius:3px;box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15);margin:1px;max-width:658px;padding:0;width:calc(100% - 2px)"><div style="padding:8px"><div style="background:#F8F8F8;line-height:0;margin-top:40px;padding:33.33333333333333% 0;text-align:center;width:100%"><div style="background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC);display:block;height:44px;margin:0 auto -44px;position:relative;top:-22px;width:44px"> </div></div><p style="color:#c9c8cd;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:17px;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:8px;overflow:hidden;padding:8px 0 7px;text-align:center;text-overflow:ellipsis;white-space:nowrap"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BWz7nxqA7-7/" style="color:#c9c8cd;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;line-height:17px;text-decoration:none" target="_blank">A post shared by Justin Teo (@justinfoodprints)</a> on <time dateTime="2017-07-21T14:09:10+00:00" style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:17px">Jul 21, 2017 at 7:09am PDT</time></p></div></blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="http://platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js" type="text/javascript"></script><p>Just a bus ride away from Mount Moiwa is Fushimi Inari Jinja, a “branch” of the bigger and more famous Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto. In the trailer of “Kita Kita,” Lea and Tonyo are seen dancing together, with the shrine’s vermillion torii gates in the background.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/entertainment/08/04/fushimi.png"/><figcaption>Lea and Tonyo at Fushimi Inari Jinja.<em> Screengrab from “Kita Kita” trailer</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Just a bit far off from the city is Moerenuma Park, where Lea and Tonyo went on a bike date. The unique public space is filled with impressive structures, including a pyramid building made of glass.</p><p>To get to Moerenuma Park, take a train to Kanjodori-higashi station and then hop on a bus to the park’s entrance. You can also ride a taxi from Odori or Sapporo.</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-version="7" style="background:#FFF;border:0;border-radius:3px;box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15);margin:1px;max-width:658px;padding:0;width:calc(100% - 2px)"><div style="padding:8px"><div style="background:#F8F8F8;line-height:0;margin-top:40px;padding:50.0% 0;text-align:center;width:100%"><div style="background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC);display:block;height:44px;margin:0 auto -44px;position:relative;top:-22px;width:44px"> </div></div><p style="color:#c9c8cd;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:17px;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:8px;overflow:hidden;padding:8px 0 7px;text-align:center;text-overflow:ellipsis;white-space:nowrap"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BJzIqThg2rm/" style="color:#c9c8cd;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;line-height:17px;text-decoration:none" target="_blank">A post shared by Alessandra De Rossi. EVER. (@msderossi)</a> on <time dateTime="2016-09-01T03:55:44+00:00" style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:17px">Aug 31, 2016 at 8:55pm PDT</time></p></div></blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="http://platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js" type="text/javascript"></script><div><strong>DAY TRIPS</strong></div><p>“Kita Kita” not only showcased the beauty of Sapporo, but also the city’s neighboring areas – Otaru, Biei, and Asahidake.</p><p>Of the three, the most prominently featured in the trailer and the film is Otaru, a small port city that is about half an hour from Sapporo by train. A festival called Otaru Snow Light Path is held here every February, around the same time as the Sapporo Snow Festival.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/entertainment/08/04/otaru.png"/><figcaption>Lea and Tonyo dance beside the Otaru Canal.<em> Screengrab from “Kita Kita” trailer</em></figcaption></figure></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/entertainment/08/04/otaru2.png"/><figcaption>Otaru in winter..<em> Karen Flores, ABS-CBN News</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Biei, on the other hand, is surrounded by vast flower farms. One of these is Zerubu Hill, which was shown in “Kita Kita.” </p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/entertainment/08/04/zerubuhill.png"/><figcaption>Lea and Tonyo at Zerubu Hill.<em> Screengrab from “Kita Kita” trailer</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Getting to Biei from Sapporo can take some time (a little over two hours by train), so it’s best to make the most out of your visit. Go on a day trip and also check out Shikisai no Oka, a seven-hectare hill carpeted with flowers in different colors. </p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/entertainment/08/04/shikisainooka.png"/><figcaption>Shikisai no Oka in Biei.<em> Karen Flores, ABS-CBN News</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Asahidake (or Mount Asahi), meanwhile, is the highest mountain in Hokkaido and forms part of the Daisetsuzan National Park. It is also one of the dating spots of Lea and Tonyo in the film.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/entertainment/08/04/asahidake.png"/><figcaption>Lea hugs Tonyo against the backdrop of Asahidake.<em> Screengrab from “Kita Kita” trailer</em></figcaption></figure></div><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-version="7" style="background:#FFF;border:0;border-radius:3px;box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15);margin:1px;max-width:658px;padding:0;width:calc(100% - 2px)"><div style="padding:8px"><div style="background:#F8F8F8;line-height:0;margin-top:40px;padding:37.77777777777778% 0;text-align:center;width:100%"><div style="background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC);display:block;height:44px;margin:0 auto -44px;position:relative;top:-22px;width:44px"> </div></div><p style="color:#c9c8cd;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:17px;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:8px;overflow:hidden;padding:8px 0 7px;text-align:center;text-overflow:ellipsis;white-space:nowrap"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BKUdoZSD1vo/" style="color:#c9c8cd;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;line-height:17px;text-decoration:none" target="_blank">A post shared by Ok 9 (@empoy)</a> on <time dateTime="2016-09-14T02:33:55+00:00" style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:17px">Sep 13, 2016 at 7:33pm PDT</time></p></div></blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="http://platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js" type="text/javascript"></script><p>A rental car is recommended to go to Daisetsuzan National Park. These are available in Sapporo and other major cities in Hokkaido.</p>

<p>To those who want to retrace the steps of Lea and Tonyo, here’s a tour of Sapporo and nearby areas featured in “Kita Kita.” </p>

To those who want to retrace the steps of Lea and Tonyo, here’s a tour of Sapporo and nearby areas featured in “Kita Kita.”

Go on a 'Kita Kita' tour of Sapporo, Japan

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Go on a 'Kita Kita' tour of Sapporo, Japan

Karen Flores,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 04, 2017 06:19 AM PHT

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Updated August 04, 2017 06:22 AM PHT

Read More:

travel

Japan

Sapporo

Kita Kita

Alessandra de Rossi

Empoy

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