Sapporo

Or, for that matter, his latest marathon masterpiece in Sapporo.

In Sapporo, he dispatched all of his challengers in one fell swoop, as though he’d decided that, this time, he didn’t want any company over the final miles.

In March, a court in the northern city of Sapporo ruled it “unconstitutional” to ban same-sex couples from marrying, but the case is still working its way through the courts, and there have not yet been concrete changes.

The Sapporo court sided with the plaintiffs and found the government’s failure to recognize the marriages of same-sex couples is “unconstitutional” and a violation of their equal right to marry.

Back in Japan, the Sapporo ruling paves the way for similar legislation, but it is just the first step in what is still a long process of change.

Try the miso ramen at Sapporo (152 W. 49th St.; 212-869-8972; entrées from $9).

We flew into Tokyo, and then on to Sapporo on the island of Hokkaido.

He does not require an apology, but a Kobe steak and cold Sapporo would be much appreciated.

Four or five times as many students as can be admitted offer themselves at Sapporo.

Thirty years ago wolves and bear were shot two miles from Sapporo and bear may still be found within ten miles.

In one district, only fifteen miles from the capital, they are so bad that rice is at half the price it makes in Sapporo.

Up in Sapporo, on the island of Hokkaido, we were entertained by a beautiful Japanese woman.