Sapporo, capital of the mountainous northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, is famous for its beer, skiing and annual Sapporo Snow Festival featuring enormous ice sculptures. Ski hills and jumps from the 1972 Winter Olympics are scattered within the city limits, and Niseko, a renowned ski resort, is nearby.
Venue: Hokkaido Prefectural Sports Center
Hokkaido Prefectural Sports Center is an indoor sporting arena located in Toyohira-ku, Sapporo, Japan. Sometimes called "Kitayell", the capacity of the main arena is 8,000. In 2006, it has hosted both Men’s and Women’s FIVB World Championships as well as several World League and World Grand Prix games.