Nagoya/Sapporo: 9th Feb 2016

As this trip was planned to cover winter illuminations, we thought it would be a waste if we missed the Sapporo Snow Festival, which was ongoing during the period when we were at Japan. Hence, we made the decision to purchase the domestic flight tickets by Vanilla Airlines to New Chitose Airport, Sapporo.

From JR Nagoya station, we made our way to Chubu International Airport via the uSky Limited Express train. It was about a 30min ride. Pretty short as compared to the train ride from Tokyo city centre to Narita Airport. It was our first time to Chubu International Airport and checkin was rapid and smooth that we have plenty of time exploring the airport.

So we had breakfast there and explored the observation deck which was an outdoor facility.. It was cool watching the planes ascend and descend on the runway with close proximity. Something that I do not get to see back at home. There were several photographers there deeply immersed in their passion in shooting the planes.

We took about 1.5h to reach New Chitose Airport. There was an 1h delay before we boarded the plane as our flight was delayed due to snowstorm at Hokkaido. Sounds pretty scary and we were worried this flight would be cancelled due to snow conditions. Fortunately, it went smooth and we landed safely at New Chitose. Initially, I made plans to reach our Sapporo Grand Hotel via limousine bus. However, due to bad weather conditions, all bus trips were cancelled. Train is the only way to reach the city centre. It was already snowing heavily and the temperature was really really cold as compared to Nagoya. We had to put on additional layers of clothes to keep warm.

This hotel was extremely convenient for exploring Sapporo city and Susukino area as it was smacked in the middle between these two places. The last time when I was at Sapporo, I remembered the Tsuchiura Ramen Shop at the Ramen Alley in Susukino was very tasty. So after checkin, we walked to the shop and had a very satisfying meal.

After dinner, we walked around Susukino and there were already many ice sculptures in the vicnity.

This was a different stretch from the ones near Odori Park and Sapporo TV Tower.

It was a very pleasant walk despite the chilly wind from Susukino to Odori Park. The entire city was filled with illuminations and dazzling lights.You could see everyone tucked in their warm winter suits and anti-slip boots while taking photos with the ice sculptures. I must say it was pretty slippery and you could really fall down hard if you are not careful!

Sapporo TV tower with Domokun

The sculptures at Odori Park kept us awed and impressed at their intricate details. There were also many food stalls selling BBQ food, and grilled oysters, king crabs.. mainly seafood. You cannot miss the chance to have seafood when in Sapporo! Topped it up with Sapporo Beer that tasted really good in this winter.

As this was our last night in Japan, we spent the entire time at Odori Park doing people watching and enjoy all parts of this festival. I must say the organization of this festival was really impressive that many locals and tourists flocked to Sapporo during this period. In fact, this is usually the peak period for travel to Sapporo city. So if you wanna visit the winter festival, you gotta book everything in advance including hotel!

A cold, wintry start for our Lunar Chinese New Year 2016!

But, we never regretted coming here. Although there was minimal CNY atmosphere in Japan since the Japanese celebrated new year on 1st Jan, we felt totally relaxed and a fulfilling trip thus far with all important winter illuminations visited!

Till then, more Japan adventures to come in future :D

Sapporo/Kushiro: 21st Feb 2015

Upon checking out of Toyoko Inn, I deposited my luggage at the concierge and took the subway to reach Tanuki Koji shopping street. As it was still early, I wandered around. Shops along this street mostly open at 10am. 

Still very empty and shops were closed at the time I reached.

Spotted the Sapporo TV tower round the corner.

Shops were still closed! I visited this pet shop later in the day.

But I was glad to encounter Don Quijote.This is an amazing place. It is open 24hours and consist of several floors, which sells a genre of items, ranging from toys to winter clothes to food and cosmetics. I was really excited to come across this shop as I read about it in other magazines..and so I started exploring the highest floor to the 1st floor. 

Cosplay anyone?

winter clothes on sale!

Boy, all different designs of winter clothes started appearing in front of my eyes at real cheap prices! Moral of the story: Coming from Singapore where winter is a never-to-occur phenomenon, winter apparel are definitely sold more expensive than in Japan. You could just wear a basic jacket to Sapporo. Hop to the subway station and make your way to Tanukikoji. Get your winter clothes right here in the heart of Sapporo shopping! I bet places like Aurora Town, Pole Town also have loads of winter clothes on sales and these shops are usually tax-free if you spend above a certain amount. So there I was, awed by the choices and the prices. I basically could get everything there without lugging the load from Singapore.

Saw a few Ted merchandise and also the usual jigsaw puzzles which I hearted! Never understood why they were sold at exorbitant prices in Singapore until I bought my first jigsaw puzzle in Japan 2 years back. If I could, I would have purchased the jigsaw puzzle frame as well! But, I didnt haha..

After spending some time exploring this complex, I went out to visit other shops. There are a couple of pharmacies where you can get beauty products, interesting medical aids at real cheap prices. That also includes souvenirs, famed food products like Shiroi koibito cookies, Pocky in melon flavors.

And then, I chanced upon this following pet shop. The puppies and kittens were all so cute! I do notice most people in Sapporo have dogs, but I do not see pet owners with cats..

This was at the front window display!

Just woke up!

Kittens here were so adorable!

I have a train to catch at 220pm. So time is tight. After getting my "loot" from Tanukikoji and grabbing a quick lunch, I made my way to Muji at JR Sapporo station. There is yet another unknown reason why products are sold more expensive in Muji @ Singapore as compared to Japan. In Japan, Muji products have more varieties. So I was happily shopping around before the time was up to get ready for the 4 hour train ride to Kushiro!

So there I was.. dragging..really dragging my big fat luggage to the station from Toyoko Inn. Every effort to move my stuff really took so much energy out from me. In fact, I was perspiring in the cold winter. And I was so relieved it was a reserved seat as I did not have to face the same predicament I did on my first day with my fat luggage!

Train ride from Sapporo to Kushiro...you can see how the landscape changes outside the train window.. There aren't many buildings located at eastern Hokkaido, it is mainly occupied by huge vasts of land, which was then occupied with heavy snow when I was there. So I zzzed on and off until I reached the terminal station Kushiro! It was already pitch dark at 7pm. And it was so much colder than in Sapporo...

Once again, I dragged my luggage out of the station and I'm happy to see Comfort Hotel Kushiro signboard at a short distance away, kinda about 5min walk away. Saw some interesting sights along the way outside the station.

Looks very magical. I am not sure what this is for though? Maybe a mini celebration for snow festival in Kushiro.

 Checkin was smooth and the room was very clean. I was so happy to reach safely as I was initially afraid the train may be cancelled due to heavy snow. After placing my luggage, I went out to search for dinner but could not find any shops open :( So I settled upon some food purchased from 7-11. The only shop I saw still open at 7pm... 

Saw these marimos at Kushiro train station. These are famous at Lake Akan. Unfortunately, there was no time in this trip to visit the Lake Akan area. Should do it in next visit!

A satisfied stomach with some cold beer to send myself to sleep... Awaiting for the exciting wildlife adventure ahead beginning from tomorrow!

Sapporo: 20th Feb 2015

Waking up early is something I have to get used to for this trip. But it is all worth it. I woke up early to have my free breakfast at Toyoko Inn. It was simple but sufficient. It's like a buffet and I love the miso soup in this cold weather.

After breakfast, I moved to find the Chuo Bus counter, located 2nd floor of ESTA where BICcamera shop can be found. This is one of the must-shop for me ever since my last trip to Osaka.

At JR Sapporo Station, about 5min walk from Toyoko Inn Sapporo Eki Kita-guchi

Very busy place day or night.

 Our bus trip began punctually. As this tour is carried out in Japanese, I would imagine participants are all Japanese. However,most of them are non-Japanese haha. I guess, the itinerary attracted us all here?

Our first stop was at the Wholesale seafood market

It is less touristy than Nijo market. There were plenty of seafood shops showcasing their famous King crab and hairy crab. I had a taste as one of the uncles offered me a try. It was so sweet and yummy. There were also other amazing seafood like gigantic squid,scallops,and really fresh looking fish. I also had my first taste of melon,which the taste I will ever forget!

Looks kinda intimidating!

An hour stop allowed us to explore, took pictures, have some fresh seafood before we left for the ShiroiKoibito factory that is famous for the Ishiya chocolate. Now this place is really flooded with tourists. I had their chocolate parfait, which is one of the top desserts at the cafes. You can admire the scenery outside the window while having your hot chocolate or yummy ice cream.Total Relax. 

The production line

Enjoying the view while eating my chocolate parfait!

Their famous Chocolate Parfait. I'm missing this as I type this blogpost!

The factory basically showcases the production of the cookies and you can see the production line real time as the workers are busy. I find this contradictory as it is as if the workers are always being looked upon by tourists outside the glass display.but, you could appreciate their hardwork and precision that resulted in the production of these yummy cookies. Of course, I bagged a box home to give the folks in Singapore as souvenir!

Next up, the bus took us to Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium in Miyanomori. One can enjoy a chairlift return trip (not included in tour fee) to have look from the observatory at Mt. Okurayama. I enjoyed the chairlift and the scenery was spectacular! You can imagine ski jumpers showcasing their stunts down the icy slope. A great place to enjoy the birds eye view of Sapporo city.

Photo taken by Nakano-san

Taking the chairlift!

For lunch, our tour includes a 800yen coupon to eat any ramen located at the Sapporo Ramen Yokocho. 

By chance, I decided to try 第子屈 Teshikaga Ramen. And a fellow participant of the bus tour, Nakanoさん also joined me for this lunch. It was a great time eating this tasty bowl of char Siew miso ramen. In fact, I think this is the best ramen I have tried so far in Japan. It was an enjoyable lunch sharing travel adventures, photography, and culture with Nakano さん. He is a also a photography hobbyist but working at Tokyo. He has visited Hokkaido for 5times and will be visiting Asahikawa for the famous penguin March. How I wish I could join him!

After a hearty lunch, we set off for Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill where you will get to see the sapporo dome and the famous statue of “Dr. William S. Clark”. There were a few beautiful white churches located at that area, ideal for a perfect wedding in this vast snowfield. Dr Clark has a comment to all visitors :" Boys, Be ambitious!!"

Also, along the trip, I had a chat with Ms Ou Nan. She is a Chinese living in Japan to work. She was together with her husband for this tour. Initially I thought she was Japanese as she looked a bit Jap haha. In any case, I was glad to make friends with her and I really envy her opportunity to explore every bit of Japan.

Our last stop was to Mount Moiwa. Mount Moiwa is a famous attraction in Sapporo which boasts spectacular city view from above. I guess it will be more stunning to visit at night.but wintry night, the wind may be too strong to blow you away or freeze you instantly, hence I did not go for the night view of Mt. moiwa. There is a 360degree observatory deck which is pretty cool in my opinion.i enjoyed the cable car ride indeed.

My new found friend at Japan :)

Nakano-san

Us taking in the Mount Moiwa view!

Me with the Mascot of Mount Moiwa

After Mount Moiwa, I left the bus tour as they were heading to Genghis Khan BBQ for some beer and mutton. I do not take mutton, so I only opted for the lunch at Ramen Yokocho and not this dinner at Genghis. Price differs for various meal and tour plans. Overall, I was really glad to have participated in this tour. Making new friends, solo traveling, exploring new sights and enjoying the winter landscape are something I never expect myself doing but the travel spirit in me challenged me to try all these and I'm happy I have done so :)

After saying farewell to my fellow travelers, I headed to BiC camera for some intense shopping. I explored every level and enjoyed getting the various items, be it for myself or for my folks in Singapore. What a eventful day!

For anyone interested in joining the bus tour, you can refer to the link.