Hokkaido 2019 | Otaru

Otaru town is famous for its abundance of fresh seafood.  The 1st thing we did when we reach the town was to look for a seafood place or to be exact, a sashimi place, or even better, a fish market that served fish seafood.  Luckily we found this Sankaku-fish-market.  Because it was already quite late in the afternoon, most of the stalls were already closed for the day.  Thank goodness there are some that were still open, saving the day for us.

We quickly grab our seats and placed our orders.  This is where I develop my love for Kaisendon.

The Kaisendon portion was huge and the seafood and the freshness was beyond compare, ohh soo good.

Snow crab kaisendon

Mixed salmon, salmon roe and sweet shrimps.

If I ever come back, I will have Salmon roe, snow crab, and uni, hopefully soon.

After the satisfying meals, we went around the town for more photos opt.  We visited the must-see Otaru Canal and captured as many photos as we can there before we rush back to Sapporo town.

We left Otaru town slightly before 7pm, I can still clearly remember the beautiful sunset while driving along the highway by the seaside.

Hokkaido 2019 | Jozankei Dam and Asari Dam

From Jozankei we continue our drive toward Otaru town.  We took the scenic countryside road that passes through tunnels and 2 hydro dams.

1st one is the Jozankei Dam. Completed in 1989 and there also a museum that is free for entry.

And the 2nd is the Asari Dam in Otaru area.  Completed in 1993, and the man-made lake which resulted from the construction of the dam is called Otarunai Lake.

Hokkaido 2019 | Jozankei

Jozankei is an onsen town about 1 hour drive from Sapporo city.Jozankei Onsen (定山渓温泉, Jōzankei Onsen) is located inside Shikotsu-Toya National Park.  There are many footbaths station can be found around the town, and of coz there is plenty of onsen ryokan there too.

Kappa legend is the mascot of the town.  You will find many Kappa statues around the town.  And the souvenir shops also selling items like keychains out of Kappa image. Cute but mystical.

Kappa

My cute Kappa keychain

1st thing we do when we reach there was to look for a lunch place.  We found this small home base cafe not far from a foot bath station.  We ordered the common menu like ramen, fried rice, and pork skewers.  There’s one thing special that we ate there is the chicken skin dumplings.  It was so yummy, juicy pork meat wrap in crispy chicken skin, such a sinful dish, one plate was not enough we had to re-order. Haha.

Ramen

Skewers

The yummylicious chicken skin dumpling

After our meal, we walked over to the footbath for our 1st onsen experience.  It was nice to soak our feet in the hot water on the cold windy day.

Beautiful scenery at the corner of the town.

After the footbath,  we went looking for the red Futami suspension bridge.  We took the longer route, did a bit of trekking before reaching the bridge.  It is a beautiful place, but I am sure it is more beautiful during Autumn and Winter.

Me and my cameraman.

Hokkaido 2019 | Moai Statue and Pink Moss

From Takino Park, we continue our drive to Jozankei onsen town.

But we make a few pit stops along the way.  1st stop was at Makomanai Takino Cementery.  There are this row of huge Moai replica near the entrance. The area was still under construction when we were there.  Apparently there are many other famous replicas in there, we just drive slowly 1 round in the area.  You can read more about the place here: https://hokkaidoguide.com/makomanai-takino-cemetery/

Cold wind blowing on a sunny day.

2nd stop is the Pink Moss garden.  We saw this area with lots of Pink Moss, Shibazakura flower, just by the road side.  Apa lagi, wajib la singgah sekejap tangkap gambar kan. The perks of self-driving.

Hokkaido 2019 | Takino Suzuran Hillside Park

On Day 2 of our trip in Hokkaido, we rent a car to go outside of the city.  Our 1st destination for the day is Takino Suzuran Hillside Park. 

Takino Suzuran Hillside National Government Park is the only national government park in Hokkaido. Within the 400-hectare grounds, there’s a colorful flower garden, large playground equipment, three waterfalls, and a forest that’s perfect for a stroll. 

We only visited the flower garden.

Opening hour: 

April 20 - May 31, September 1 - November 10: 9:00 - 17:00
June 1 - August 31: 9:00 - 18:00
December 23 - March 31: 9:00 - 16:00 

Fee:
Adults (15 years old and over) ¥410, Under 15 years old are free, Senior (65 and over) ¥210 

Nothing much to say, we just enjoy the view and the fresh air there, very relaxing and refreshing.

The entrance and ticketing booth, buy your tickets from the 4 machines on the right side.

Hokkaido 2019 | Susukino

 After resting in the room for a few hours, we went out for dinner and sightseeing.

Our destination is to Susukino area.  Susukino is a red-light district in Sapporo.  There were so many restaurants around the area and many people too.  Not sure what and where to eat, we just walked around. Then suddenly we saw this one familiar restaurant, Gyoza No Osho.  We used to dine at their branches in Kyoto and Osaka.  So we went inside, there was a short queue, we waited for a while for our table.

Sadly we could not find our favourite mushroom and pork dish on the menu.  Maybe the mushroom dish only available during Autumn.  Nonetheless, we had a good meal of ramen, egg rice, fried chicken and gyoza.

After dinner, we continued browsing around the area before we call it a day.

The Sapporo Streetcar (札幌市電, Sapporo shiden) 

Sapporo city tram, mesti mok tangkap gambar ni.

That’s how we spent our Day 1 in Sapporo. Sweet memories indeed.

Hokkaido 2019 | Odori Park

Odori Park, Sapporo’s central park. 

From The Former Hokkaido Government Office, we continued our walk to Odori Park. The weather was so good, at 15 degrees, cool breeze blowing to your face. We just seat there for about an hour enjoying the views and fantastic weather. ohh I really miss those moments. 

There are many benches provided around the park. I imagine sitting there with a book in my hand, and maybe a cup of good hot white coffee, I am sure I can stay there for hours. For now, let just paint that image in my head.

Japanese school uniform

Flowers every way.

After Odori Park, we walked to the Clock Tower, took some photos, and went back to the hotel for checkin.

Hokkaido 2019 | The Former Hokkaido Government Office

The having our 1st lunch, we continue our walk to The Former Hokkaido Government Office. 

The Former Hokkaido Government Office, also known as the “Red Brick Office Building”, is Hokkaido’s best-known symbol.

I am sure this is a must-visit landmark for 1st timer in Sapporo.

Tulips

Can see some late-bloomers sakura

Dandelion

Next, we continue our walk to Odori Park.

Hokkaido 2019 | Our 1st meal in Sapporo

We reach Sapporo early in the morning on 29th May 2019.

After leaving our luggage at the Nest Hotel Sapporo Ekimae's lobby, we immediately start off our seeing around the city on foot.

1st destination to The Former Hokkaido Government Office.  On the way, we stop by for our early lunch at the  House mall, it is a small size mall cum office building.  Most of the people having lunch there are office workers.  The restaurant, Teishuko Style, is located on the lower ground floor of the Mall.

We had a Grilled Salted Mackerel rice set, Fried Pork Loin rice set, and 2 Fried Chicken sets.

Lunch was good, and we continue our journey to our next stop.

Here's our walking map: