Sapporo, as the fifth largest city of Japan, and the largest city on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, is situated in the southwestern part of Hokkaido, and lies within the alluvial fan of the Toyohira River, a tributary stream of the Ishikari River. The population of Sapporo is about 2 million people, and the city covers a total area of 1,121 square kilometers (433 square miles). Sapporo is characterized by four distinct seasons, including a cool summer and cold, snowy winter. It became world famous in 1972 when the Olympic Winter Games were held there, and that was the first Winter Olympics held in Asia. Sapporo plays a role as a major cultural destination and is home to some of Japan’s best-known culinary dishes, theatrical and musical events, as well as points of interest and attractions such as museums and lovely parks that are well worth including on foreign visitor's itinerary in Japan.