Japan Trip - Part 10

Today, we started off with an hour train ride to Otaru, a small harbour town.

We followed the Recommended Sightseeing Map.

























We found a nice cosy local shop selling biscuit and crackers. Bought quite a few for friends & colleagues to try.














Of course, how can we miss the canal!


















Redeveloped canal warehouses along the canal, consisting of mainly expensive restaurants.







We eat at a ramen store nearby. First time trying a black miso ramen. Nothing special though.











We next make our way to the music box museum, passing by some interesting spots along the way.






















The music box museum is pretty impressive. The top level is also very interesting, where we can make our own music box. Though SG is quite tempted to do it, Karen say he won't appreciate it for long =(


The Mickey Mouse statues opposite the music box museum, also selling music boxes.


View from the 2nd floor of the museum.







Next stop is the famous Ishiya Chocolate Factory!


The outside of the factory, which is more like a theme park.


A model of the factory.















The production line. Notice the nice paintings on the wall.



On 2nd floor, there's a place where you can make your own cookies or chocolates.






The clock tower show at 4pm!


Tea break with in-house cakes. Not great though.










SG's new friend.



Karen's new house.

Japan Trip - Part 9

This morning, we had a long bus ride from Hell Valley to Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido.


Mountain range along the way.






After checking in, we decide to drop by the Ski Jump Resort. Note that the ski jump is different from skiing.














On the chair lift. It's more scary on the way down!














The view the athlete will get before he jumps.









A bird eye's view of Sapporo.











We experienced quite heavy snowfall when we were there. Karen was so thrilled!



Japan is the first country that Karen ever experienced snowfall. She will remember this for life.






After the ski jump, we went back to the city center for some shopping, visited a short street full of ramen stores (a bit disappointing), and then back to hotel. Look at the huge crabs at the department store!


Outside the well known lane of ramen stores, called Ramen Yokocho


Night scene at Susukino, main night lift in Sapporo.








Famous crabs in department store near JR station!

Japan Trip - Part 8

This morning is boring - domestic flight from Tokyo to Hokkaido.

After landing, we transferred to Hell Valley in one of the national parks.


























We stayed in a Ryokan, a Japanese Inn Style resort. The name is Daiichi Takimotokan (第一滝本館). Except for the smell of smoke when you walk in the corridor (the Japanese smoke a lot), the place is fantastic.










The food is great, and the Onsen (hot spring bath) is much bigger than the one we have in Mt Fuji. In fact, there are 7 Onesen pools which Karen enjoyed alot. During dinner, we ate non-stop for 2 hours. So much crab that SG ate. Unfortunately, it's not the famous Hokkaido hairy crab.


Main dishes



Remains of crab that we consume








Desserts!!







After dinner & a short break, we pamper ourselves in the bubble bath and the 7 different hot springs. Some are quite hot, so we only try about half of them.

Check out this website when you're visiting Hokkaido -> visit-hokkaido.jp

Japan Trip - Part 7

First mission is to hunt down Cherry Blossom. Since Shinjuku Gyoen is near our hotel, we decided to go there to try our luck. And we are blessed!


The first type that we saw - pink with deep red center.

















Another variety of Cherry Blossom.




Look, who's posing under the Cherry Blossom Tree again?










A huge group of Japanese school boys sitting under the spring sun & enjoying themselves.





Amazing Cherry Blossom Tree, with both white & red flowers!

















Yet another variety. Very pinkish.














A quick stop for lunch, at a Ramen shop where we ordered by inserting money into a vending machine in the store.


A typical shop with ordering-cum-vending machine at the entrance.













We dropped by the Imperial Palace to take some photos and see if we can catch a glimpse of the royal family. No luck.

Famous Meganebashi (Eyeglass Bridge) in the background.



Entrance to the palace.






Since Shibuya (渋谷) is nearby, we popped by to check out Shibuya 109, a landmark shopping center. Tons of teenage fashion wear. Didn't buy anything though.




Look at the crowd!










A very nice deco at a shop downtown, made up purely of fresh rose petals!







Dinner was at a 75Yen standing Sushi bar. Very interesting. Food is very, very raw. We don't know all the fish we have 'cos some of the names are all in Japanese. It is a good experience!


In front of a standing 75Yen sushi bar.





Notice that they place the sushi on a leave in front of you? There's no washabi, 'cos the Sushi chef will put it on the rice for you.