Sapporo, the fifth-largest city in Japan by population and the third-largest by geographic area, is best known outside Japan for hosting the 1972 Winter Olympics. In addition, every year it hosts the Sapporo Snow Festival, which draws more than 2 million tourists from around the world; for seven days in February hundreds of beautiful snow statues and ice sculptures line the streets and parks. The city is also home to the famous Sapporo Breweries, and is but a 30 minute train ride from New Chitose Airport.