Sapporo, Hokkaido – home of AFA14 I Love Anisong artiste Eir Aoi, the beautiful annual Sapporo Snow Festival, and not forgetting, Sapporo Beer. In addition to all these names, the city is also the home of yet another famous Japanese cultural icon. Can you guess what it is? Hint: look above.
Yes, Hatsune Miku is a proud resident of Sapporo too! The popular virtual idol from the Vocaloid series, and the same idol who will be making an appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman on 8 Oct. Crypton Future Media, the company that gave birth to her, is based in the snowy Northern city. And guess who is leading the charge in the new publicity campaign for the city’s tourism industry? You don’t really need a hint, do you?
If you haven’t heard of Snow Miku, fret not for you would be able to see her soon enough. The Japanese National Tourism Organization has teamed up with SBS Transit to decorate 10 buses to be rotated among various bus routes plying Orchard Road and the Central Business District from today (3 Oct 2014)! These buses will be running on Singapore roads all the way till Christmas. Keep your eyes peeled and share with us if you’ve spotted them!
If the thought of a snow-covered cityscape is not enough to entice you to visit Sapporo this coming holidays, perhaps the angelic smile of the virtual idol in her snow white dress would. Or perhaps you have a taste for the finer things in life and would prefer a visit to the Sapporo Beer Brewery; or perhaps you have the stomach of a gourmet and would like to go for some fresh Hokkaido Sushi even Gordon Ramsey would approve of?
According to the press release (and the text lining the Miku-wrapped buses), Singapore Airlines will be operating 17 direct flights from Changi Airport to the New Chitose Airport in Sapporo between 1 Dec 2014 to 16 Jan 2015. However, since the Sapporo Snow Festival will be running from 5 Feb to 11 Feb 2015, visitors hoping to catch the festival will unfortunately be missing out on the convenience and comfort of a direct flight on SIA. Fret not, as there are still many things to experience in this winter wonderland in December, and, if you haven’t already made travel plans, Sapporo is definitely a great place to visit this holiday season.
Sapporo is pulling out all the stops in promoting its tourism and Snow Miku. Japanese car company Daihatsu, recently rolled out a Snow Miku model. You read that right – the virtual idol is getting her own official car! Miku gets her own baby blue Daihatsu Cocoa, complete with emblems of her silhouette adorning the petrol door and white leather chairs. She might not be able to drive it (or can she?), but she is closer to getting a car than some of us in Singapore.
Source: Press Release | Kotaku
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