It’s back to Hokkaido again, but in the winter season this time round. This was the first real winter that I ever encountered. I have seen and touched snow in Beijing, Seoul and Tokyo. However, that was just a light snowfall in the day time. In Hokkaido, I got to see the real thing. And there was so much snowfall that the airport was closed on one of the days that I was there.
This was a year-end vacation trip for the extended family. Not a full free and easy trip but more of a private group tour. It’s also the first time that I did not do a self drive trip to Hokkaido. Probably a good choice with the heavy snow conditions. The roads are iced over, and one would be driving on iced over roads within the city. The highways need to be cleared of the snow and ice regularly. And under extreme conditions, the highways could be closed.
Even as a pedestrian roaming the city streets, you would also be crossing very slippery iced roads. Life goes on as normal for the folks here. However, there are many accidents occurring as many do slip and fall on the icy road crossings and walkways.
These were the 4 areas in Central Hokkaido that we visited.
A. Sapporo
Within Sapporo, we visited these 4 places.
1. Nijo Market
Nijo Market (二条市場, Tel: 011-222-5308) is located in the central Sapporo area, roughly 10 to 15 minutes’ walk from Oodori Station.
This market is over 100 years old, having started in the Meiji era by fishermen selling their catch. It has evolved through the times, to its present location and mix of shops and restaurants. Generally, the shops open daily from 7am till 6pm.
This is where you can find great Hokkaido seafood such as salmon, crab, sea urchin, scallop and other shellfish.
This isn’t that big a market to walk around, but do give yourself some time to browse the shops and sample the delicious seafood served here. That fresh seafood in front of you can be cut up into delicious sashimi and served right on the spot.
2. Sapporo Beer Museum
Even if you are not a beer drinker, you would probably have heard of Sapporo Bear as it is one of the oldest and well-known brand in the country. The Sapporo Beer Museum (サッポロビール博物館, tel: 011-748-1876) is located in Sapporo Garden Park. It is the only beer museum in Japan providing visitors with knowledge of beer and the brewing process.
The museum, a brick red building, is part of the legacy from the Meiji era and has been designated as a Hokkaido Heritage site. Within the museum, the exhibition halls tell the history of Sapporo beer and also gives an overview of the beer brewing process.
At the end of the exhibition area, you would be in the beer hall, where you can get some beer and food. There are beer samplers available for order too.
3. Shiroi Koibito Park
Most of you would probably have seen, heard or eaten the famous chocolate biscuits from Hokkaido, widely available throughout Hokkaido, with most visitors picking up a few boxes from the airport before going home. This would be the Shiroi Koibito (白い恋人) famous chocolate biscuits, with specially blended chocolate sandwiched between baked langue de chat biscuits, individually wrapped.
The Shiroi Koibito Park (白い恋人パーク, 2 Chome-13-30 Miyanosawa 2 Jō, Nishi-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaidō 063-0052) houses the Shiroi Koibito Factory, the Cookiecraft Studio, a cafe, a toy exhibition room and the Rose Garden. This is where the famous chocolate biscuits are being produced.
You can take a tour to get some history of this famous biscuit and peer from above, the biscuit manufacturing line.
4. Oodori Park
As this is the Christmas season, there was a light-up in Oodori Park. Along with the lightup, there were stalls setup as well, and some photographic spots too.
When I was there, it was snowing. But the area was quite busy with many visitors.
B. Jozankei
This is the hot spring and ski resort area. While we were here, at the Kiroro Ski Resort. The kids had plenty of fun in the snow as well as playing in the snow park here.
C. Noboribetsu
This is another popular area within Central Hokkaido. We went to a few places here.
1. Shikotsu Toya National Park
The first place was Shikotsu Toya National Park (支笏洞爺国立公園). It’s just a short walk around the boardwalk to look at the hot spring.
2. Noboribetsu Date Jidaimura
The second place was Noboribetsu Date Jidaimura (登別伊達時代村, Tel: 0143-83-3311). This is a theme park featuring life in the Edo period. There are different attractions here. You could catch the different shows/performances, play some of the ancient games, take part in dojo throwing or enjoy a photo session in the period costume.
3. Noboribetsu Bear Park
The third place was Noboribetsu Bear Park (のぼりべつクマ牧場, Tel: 0143-84-2225). To get to the actual premises, one would need to take the cable car up to the top of the hill where the bear park is located. Yes, you are allowed to feed the bears.
D. Otaru
Our last stop was in the Otaru area, where we made a trip to both the Otaru Aquarium and the Otaru Glass Museum. It was snowing heavily today. It was kind of uncomfortable walking on the streets with the snow blowing into your eyes.
1. Otaru Aquarium
The first place we visited was the Otaru Aquarium (おたる水族館, Tel: 0134-33-1400). We went to look at the feeding session before proceeding for the live performance.
2. Otaru Glass Museum
Next, we went to the Otaru Glass Museum. It was rather crowded with many people shopping for souvenirs.
Just as I was getting used to the snowy conditions. It was time to depart and take our flight home. I would definitely like to visit again in the winter season and would be better dressed and prepared for the snowy weather.
Ja
KL