Sapporo travel 
The temperature here in Sapporo varies from that of Tokyo by about 10 degrees C. The Sapporo weather sees temperatures plummeting below zero during winter in Hokkaido and is especially cold in January and February. It would be advisable to always check the temperature in advance and be prepared for the great variations that can occur from day to day in order to enjoy the Japan attractions and your Sapporo travel as fully as possible.
Keio Plaza Hotel Sapporo. At JPY9,000 nett/night, you can get a superior semi double room excluding breakfast. At JYP16,000 nett/night, you can get a superior double room excluding breakfast. The latter is more spacious and you get a bigger bed.Lobby entrance of Keio Plaza
This hotel is more like a 4-star hotel in terms of facilities. A pool and gym are available to keep you in top shape although a fee is charged for the use of the facilities. Internet access is also chargeable.
We took a short walk to the Former Hokkaido Government Building which is affectionately called “Red Brick” by the locals. Built in 1888, this American neo-Baroque architecture is open to the public for viewing during the day and the exterior of the building is lit up at night.
In the gardens of the "Red Brick" 
Cute little tree...
We went back to the hotel to wait for an old friend to pick us up at 1000 hrs instead of joining any Sapporo tours as we felt that we could see more of the area and be immersed in the culture as well. She brought us to a public bath house in Yoichi, passing Otaru City. This place gets quite crowded especially during winter when the hot bath is very inviting.
Yoichi public bath house resting placeAt the private beach...
Enjoying the wavesAnd the scenery...
So too this little bird
After resting for awhile, we proceeded to pay our respects to the late boss of our head office.
Typical Japanese Cemetery 
After paying our respects, we proceeded to Posful Shopping Centre in Otaru City for ramen lunch in a traditional Japanese ramen shop.
At the traditional ramen shop
At the traditional ramen shop
Scene from the back... 
Miso ramen with char siew (pork slices)
Following the ramen lunch, we had crepe with ice cream ranging in cost from JPY350 – JPY650.
Yummy crepes... filled with your choice of ice cream, cake or fruits...
View of the yachts from Posful Shopping Centre
Otaru Japan is known as a romantic and nostalgic city. It used to be the financial hub of Hokkaido. The stone and brick-built Western-style buildings and old Japanese-style buildings, once the premises of banks and trading companies, still remain around the town.
Iwanaga Clock Store constructed in 1896, another designated historic landmark of Otaru City
The former Kubo House built in 1907, now one of the Designated Historic Landmarks of Otaru City
The former Otaru Branch of the Dai Hyakujusan National Bank, constructed in 1893, yet another designated historic landmark of Otaru City
Otaru is famous for its sushi, and shops that specialize in the local delicacy are abundant. However, not just sushi, but all kinds of dishes containing fresh seafood are popular amongst locals and visitors alike and can be found at a variety of delicious restaurants in and around Otaru.
Dried scallops
Souvenir shop with Ainu (aborigine) style store
Native Hokkaido Pawpads
Miso ramen with char siew (pork slices) Following the ramen lunch, we had crepe with ice cream ranging in cost from JPY350 – JPY650.
Yummy crepes... filled with your choice of ice cream, cake or fruits...
View of the yachts from Posful Shopping Centre
Otaru Japan is known as a romantic and nostalgic city. It used to be the financial hub of Hokkaido. The stone and brick-built Western-style buildings and old Japanese-style buildings, once the premises of banks and trading companies, still remain around the town.
Iwanaga Clock Store constructed in 1896, another designated historic landmark of Otaru City
The former Kubo House built in 1907, now one of the Designated Historic Landmarks of Otaru CityThe former Otaru Branch of the Dai Hyakujusan National Bank, constructed in 1893, yet another designated historic landmark of Otaru City
Otaru is famous for its sushi, and shops that specialize in the local delicacy are abundant. However, not just sushi, but all kinds of dishes containing fresh seafood are popular amongst locals and visitors alike and can be found at a variety of delicious restaurants in and around Otaru.
Dried scallops
How much fresher can the seafood be? 
If you are looking for gifts, Otaru is famous for music boxes and glass products. We not only saw shops with glass craft but wood craft as well as natural craft.
If you are looking for gifts, Otaru is famous for music boxes and glass products. We not only saw shops with glass craft but wood craft as well as natural craft.
Souvenir shop with Ainu (aborigine) style store
Native Hokkaido Pawpads
Wood craft ... 
Glass craft
Other places of interest in Otaru Japan include Otaru Museum, Otaru Aquarium, Mt Tengu Ropeway where the view from the cable car is quite spectacular, Asarigawa Spa Asari Dam Lakeside Park and various historical architectures.
More historical architecture
Japanese White Chocolate Cookie - Hokkaido Specialty
If you would like to go on a tour course of the facilities, an admission fee of JYP600 and JYP200 is charged per adult and child respectively. Here you can observe them making white chocolate cookies, learn about the history of chocolate, gain hands-on experience in cookie-making and enjoy an antique collection. Do look out for the chocolate carnival performance involving karakuri mechanical dolls, which is shown approximately ten minutes every hour.
Dinner found us at the Sapporo Beer Garden to enjoy the freshest Sapporo draft beer and Mongolian bbq grill of fresh barbecued lamb at Garden Grill, a Genghis Khan style restaurant.
Glass craftOther places of interest in Otaru Japan include Otaru Museum, Otaru Aquarium, Mt Tengu Ropeway where the view from the cable car is quite spectacular, Asarigawa Spa Asari Dam Lakeside Park and various historical architectures.
More historical architecture
On the way back to Sapporo, we stopped by Shiroi Koibito (White Beloved Ones), the chocolate factory. Considered as a Hokkaido specialty, the combination of Langue De Chat and white chocolate made using milk produced in Hokkaido is the key to Shiroi Koibito’s deliciousness. The product won a gold medal at Switzerland’s Monde Selection in 1986 making it a world famous white chocolate cookie.
If you would like to go on a tour course of the facilities, an admission fee of JYP600 and JYP200 is charged per adult and child respectively. Here you can observe them making white chocolate cookies, learn about the history of chocolate, gain hands-on experience in cookie-making and enjoy an antique collection. Do look out for the chocolate carnival performance involving karakuri mechanical dolls, which is shown approximately ten minutes every hour.
Dinner found us at the Sapporo Beer Garden to enjoy the freshest Sapporo draft beer and Mongolian bbq grill of fresh barbecued lamb at Garden Grill, a Genghis Khan style restaurant.
Sapporo Beer Garden & Museum
The Genghis Khan restaurant is located next to Sapporo Beer Museum, a “Hokkaido Heritage” site, the only beer-related museum in Japan and one of the precious cultural legacies of the Meiji era. If you are interested in knowing more on the history of Sapporo Beer which was established 133 years ago as well as the history of Japan’s beer industry, this is something you will want to include in your Sapporo travel. The museum also has a tasting lounge.
Although Hokkaido seafood buffet seems to be popular in the USA, we did not manage to find a restaurant here by that name, although Hokkaido’s seafood produce and agricultural products are the best in Japan. Being the largest consumer market in Hokkaido, Sapporo has a wide variety of fresh seasonal foods from around the prefecture. We did see many stalls selling Hokkaido seafood, especially huge crabs and oysters.
Popular dishes among those travelling in Sapporo include ramen (Chinese noodles), Genghis Khan and soup curry.
The Genghis Khan restaurant is located next to Sapporo Beer Museum, a “Hokkaido Heritage” site, the only beer-related museum in Japan and one of the precious cultural legacies of the Meiji era. If you are interested in knowing more on the history of Sapporo Beer which was established 133 years ago as well as the history of Japan’s beer industry, this is something you will want to include in your Sapporo travel. The museum also has a tasting lounge.
Although Hokkaido seafood buffet seems to be popular in the USA, we did not manage to find a restaurant here by that name, although Hokkaido’s seafood produce and agricultural products are the best in Japan. Being the largest consumer market in Hokkaido, Sapporo has a wide variety of fresh seasonal foods from around the prefecture. We did see many stalls selling Hokkaido seafood, especially huge crabs and oysters.
Popular dishes among those travelling in Sapporo include ramen (Chinese noodles), Genghis Khan and soup curry.
No comments:
Post a Comment