HOKKAIDO, Japan
Here I am...Hokkaido, Japan, a dreamed destination by many.
Have been hearing too many compliments about Hokkaido. No doubt that it's a beautiful place to visit.
Went there during the winter. The view from the plane whilst landing was a content!
The land was fully covered with snow....can't wait to touch down. I believe it's an excitement to see snow for those whom are born in a tropical country like me =)
View from our hotel....breathtaking! Imagine you are living in this serenity.. and this is what you see every morning? I think this is why the statistics shows Japanese's longevity is higher?
Visited the Kirin, Chitose Beer Factory..then to Tomakoma blessed with rich natural surroundings including Lake Utonai, which was Japan's first bird sanctuary, swans, ans many other migratory birds. Also drop by the town of octopus/squid for hot&fresh glutinous rice squid and ice-cream! This is where i met Doraemon! Haha...
Proceed to Noboribetsu, is one of many well-known resorts in Japan and the largest "Hot Spring town" in Hokkaido. Jigoku Tani "Hell Valley" is a spectacular, appropriately named valley just above the town of Noboribetsu Onsen, which displays hot steam vents, sulfur streams and other volcanic activities. The hot springs in the resort was perfect! If you have not tried, then you should! It's a rule/culture where you have to be fully naked (for hygiene purpose I suppose). We tried both indoor and outdoor onsen. It was fun to brace the cold to walk out and soak yourself into the outdoor onsen LOL. It was a wonderful experience as you are surrounded by the white snow... it's difficult to find a word to describe that experience.
We continued our journey to Hakodate, a city and port located in Oshima Sub prefecture. It is also the capital city of Oshima Sub Prefecture. Seafood market is a must go place! Loads to buy and eat!! Absolutely FRESH! In the evening, we took the cable car to Mount Hakodate for a panoramic night view of Hakodate city. Next day continued to Mt.Usuzan, visited the Bear ranch, whisky outlet.
Hokkaido is also famous for their seafood! Salmon & Crabs (long legs + hairy). This is a must eat food in Hokkaido! Really delicious!!! We had a pleasant stroll at the Otaru Romantic Town Otaru Canal where many artist present their works to the passing tourists and it is very romantic in the evening when the gas lamps are lit. Here you get to taste the famous Melon ice-cream and the White couple chocolate. Visited next is the Kitaichi Glass complex and Otaru Music Box Museum. The artworks are beautiful and of course beauty comes with a cost lol...
Overngiht at Sapporo. Next morning, we visited the Odori Park with mafnificient view of Sapporo Tower, best known as NHK Tower. By-pass Tokeidai Clock Tower, a Russian style monument built in 1878. Also visited Hokkaido government building. Not to miss out shopping at Sapporo Underground Shopping Mall and their Sapporo beer! Nice! Also, for the party goers, a must place to visit is the Susukino Street, Hokkaido largest entertainment district, also know as the Red Light District. Here you can see many pretty chicks and guys too!! LOL
We had whole day skiing in Kitahoroshima leaving loads of memory before heading home the next day...
This is how we ended our wonderful 8 days in Hokkaido and never a minute was wasted...it was a great holiday! Hokkaido...we'll be back!!!
