I wouldn't call Sapporo a pretty city... in fact, it's quite nondescript. If it weren't for the snow, it'd be similar to any other secondary city in the world: sufficiently busy, moderately congested, predictably packed with branded boutiques and fast food chains.
Yet, thanks indeed to heavy snowfall, Sapporo distinguishes itself enough to stand out.
Thanks to heavy snowfall, Sapporo is able to sustain a once-yearly snow festival.
And thanks to heavy snowfall, I found myself in Sapporo, once in my lifetime, amazed, appreciative, responsive.
Sapporo wreaks a different sort of stimulation altogether.
