[e and s love nickj]

does anyone know what city or place in japan this stands for?

http://www.learner.org/jnorth/images/graphics/mclass/08_01c.jpg

here are some clues about the place...

"Our city is located near a gulf. This is our flag and symbol."

Click image to enlarge"Our city receives so much snow that visitors come every winter to see the snow sculptures by international contestants in the large park in our city center, and to ski."