My Hokkaido Journey: A Moment Like This

Apart from the thrilling winter activities, incredible sights and exciting onsen experience, i felt that Hokkaido has a lovely charm that it inspired me to title this part as such. No kiss exactly but sometimes i can't believe it's (journey) happening; the journey made its way to capture the heart, of food and travel. As i mentioned in the earlier post, we should cherish moments in our lifetime.

Gentleman road-crossing.

Sapporo, the capital and the largest city of Hokkaido, means 'important river flowing through a plain' in Ainu (indigenous people of Hokkaido) language. The city is properly organized- buildings are developed in blocks (in a grid-like arrangement), and at any junction looking out at the road, you will see a clear path ahead (or the mountains). Places are addressed with the four Cardinal directions: north, south, east and west.

Otaru is a port city, northwest of Sapporo. I noticed some of the signboards had Russian writings on them. Fishery is one of the leading industries here, so expect lots of seafood too. This post is dedicated to several sites in Otaru and Sapporo.

Otaru

Otaru Canal
Adorned with gas lamps and walkway lights, one of the reasons this site became famous is because there was a commercial well received by the locals, that people began to mimic the loving, memorable hug between the characters here. Frankly, i wasn't overly excited. Nonetheless, this site reminds me of Melaka.

Charming brick-houses by the canal.

 

With one of the romantic gas lamps.

I don't know why but i liked the view of this road, walkway and tree.

After the canal, we detoured out and along the way, i saw a shop selling ice creams. I cannot resist the temptation- i bought this Otaru wine ice cream. Interestingly enough, it is liquor-free. Make sense?

We had lunch nearby after the Canal visit.

Hot pot with various ingredients. The highlight here is actually the fish on the top left, which is unique to Otaru. Fresh and sweet; just be careful of the fine, tiny bones.

Large pumpkins!

Sakaimachi Street
One of my favourite places in this journey, mostly due to food. Here was where i ticked most of my bullets on the food list too. Our guide was good to point out the stalls to us, much like a walking food guide.

Endearing street walk.

Super sweet steamed white corn.

  

Hokkaido cheese cake at its finest. Truly delectable!

Double fromage; Le Tao.

Gold medalist croquette stall. Yum!

Stop by Kitakaro Cafe for cream puffs too.

On the end of the Street is this Otaru Music Box Museum definitely worth the visit, if not to go in the museum but the souvenir shop. As soon as i was done window shopping, i told myself to leave- they were so pretty i had to remind myself they are music boxes, before i spend money.

Aerial view of the cabin style shop selling delicate music boxes.

A ball for the princesses?

I recognized some of the tunes. One that hit nostalgia was 'It's a small world (after all)'.

Music angels perhaps.

Music boxes with the symbolic maneki-neko. This common Japanese figurine is believed to bring good luck to the owner.

Sapporo

Hokkaido Shrine
Located near an affluent neighbourhood and Maruyama Park (most popular hanani/sakura watching in Sapporo) is a Shinto shrine. Shinto is the local religion of the Japanese that devotes to invisible spiritual beings and powers, shrines and other rituals. Here enshrines the soul of the Emperor Meiji.

A wedding ritual underway.

Ritual before entering. To cleanse.

The Shrine.

Just a thought to take a shot of this Japanese style hanging lamp.

Posing at one of the corners inside.

Kitanogurume
Crabby feast. Seafood especially crabs are highly popular in this region of Japan. I have to diet and lower my cholesterol now. Guilty pleasure.

Cooking scallops.

Flavourful abalone.

Crab attack!

Another seafood on my list was this: sea urchin. The texture felt like coconut flesh, cold and the taste was not what i expected. Will i order again? May be i'll try other thing exotic.

Hail the crab of Hokkaido!

Former Hokkaido Government Office
Another worthy sightseeing site is this red brick building, with displays inside. A good half-hour was spent here.

Western looking, Japanese vibe.

Odori Park and Sapporo White Illumination

A narrow park stretched across several blocks in the city, we visited in the evening when the lights were lit- to see the Illumination. The TV Tower, an Eiffel Tower-like tower at the end of the Park, makes for easy land-marking. Like the actual one in Paris, we didn't go up but enjoyed the surrounding lights.

Bokeh photography.

Sapporo White Illumination.

Colourful lights.

Amongst the crowd at the Christmas festival. Despite the crowd, i enjoyed making my way through the sea of people and looked at the decor.

Snowman's family on a roof.

Ishiya Chocolate Factory
Honestly, i was more amazed by the night lights outside this Factory. One of the prettiest factories i have ever visited. I became a kid once again.

Pretty lights.

Downsize me.

A facet of the building factory exuded cottage charm.

Now where is this bear going?

This Factory makes the famed White Lovers biscuits, available almost in every souvenir shop here. Some may claim it to be overrated but i truly enjoyed it.

Kobe Beef
At dinner one night, we shared a Kobe beef steak. It brought succulent to a whole new level.

Chef in action. I had my doubts but as i sank my teeth, they were gone.

Tanukikoji Shopping Street
Time for shopping! This sheltered shopping street (more like a district actually) is separated into numbered sections and comprised of food stalls, souvenir shops, pachinko parlour and a few fashion wear. Food souvenirs are less pricey compared to non-food souvenirs. In general, food prices can be rather high when converted back to our local currency.

Dizzying crowd, section after section.

Sapporo Station

I enjoyed shopping here more and would like to have spent a longer time. Besides being a bustling train station, it has shops inside. The cheese tarts from Kinotoya Cafe was mouth-watering. A regret was not buying more since i'd queued long in line. The neighbouring Sapporo Esta boasts floors of electronic goods and a huge Uniqlo.

Kinotoya Cafe chefs arranging cheese tarts.

Love at first bite.

Chitose Outlet Mall Rera
Near the New Chitose Airport and before our flight back to KL, we did a final round of shopping, particularly on brand shopping. I spent most of my time at Coach, Toypark and Lego. There were many sports shops with good discounts but i wasn't looking for any sports wear or equipment. I don't fancy this place, unfortunately.

***

From my brief encounters with the locals, mostly cashiers, i noticed their politeness and helpfulness. In one incident, i asked an attendant not-for-the-product-i-was-interested-in a question regarding the product. It was in Japanese writing and no one else was there. She wasn't sure and i told her it's okay. I thought she returned to man her station; i continued looking at the product and figured it out myself after, when she returned with another man who knew the product and they tried explaining it to me. Kudos to customer service.

The bowing custom; respect.

When making payment, i learned that we needed to be patient. The cashier will read out the cost, confirm my payment and cash received, and count the change in front of me to my approval. Then he/she will thank you for patronage. Sometimes i wanted it quick but i had to adapt to the culture. It is good, in a way; you will never be shortchanged.

Arigato Hokkaido, for giving me a pleasant taste of Japan that i'm now hungry for more!

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My Hokkaido Journey: Naked.
My Hokkaido Journey: A Moment Like This