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Biei is a favorite among artists and nature-lovers. The open fields, often covered by lavender and poppies are so different from the mainland that you'd often wonder if you have left Japan? Some famous sites include the Ken and Mary Trees, the Seven Stars Tree, the Family Tree and some of the famous arts and galleries like Takushinkan. Visit it anytime of the year and stay a day or two and you won't be sorry.
Nijo Fish Market is one of Sapporo's best. Buy a bowl of rice and select your own sashimi toppings, gawk at fresh delicacies or sit down at a shop. Prices are reasonable and seafood are fresh. Fresh Salmon and Salmon Roe over rice is our favorite. Snow crabs are very popular, too! It's open from 7am to 6 pm although individual shops will have different opening and closing times.
Odori Park is is a major city feature. Dividing the city north to south, it is the site of many events throughout the year. But what is nice about it is the greens and flowers that dot the entire park and the benches around it. It's just nice to have a stroll or sit on the benches and do people-watching. If the sun is out, the feeling of sitting here doing nothing is a bliss ;-)
In the Hokkaido's second largest city, sample one of Japan's historic brands of sake at the Otokoyama Sake Brewery & Museum. Inside the building, you can find out more about the history of the company, how sake is made and also view a large woodblock print (ukiyo-e) collection.With the compound, is a lovely garden to stroll in and have some pictures taken.Opening hours are 9am to 5pm daily. Entry is free.
This is the original site of the Sapporo Brewery, which was the first brewery established in Japan back in 1876. Visitos can find out how the beer is brewed and also the history of the company. At the end of the tour, visitors can of course sample the variety of beer on the tap, accompanied by cheese and crackers.Some quirky souvenirs available at the souvenir store include caramel beer candy, postcards featuring geisha ads from way back when, notebooks and all sorts of other nicknacks.Free tours of the museum are conducted between 9am to 3.40pm.
Otaru is a small town in central Hokkaido, a couple of hours away from Chitose. The main attraction here is the Otaru Canal, where most tourists gather for a picture. Lining the canal are small stalls selling all sorts of souvenirs and you can even have your picture taken on the trishaws parked at the nearby junction.Away from the canal, there are many little shops along its quaint cobbled streets, from eateries, shops selling fresh seafood and flowers to the Otaru Music Box Museum, where visitors can observe how some of the glassware is made. There, you can also have some a piece of cake with tea or coffee in a little souvenir mug and get to keep the mug afterwards! It's a really enchanting town to spend a day or a few hours! But if you do not like crowds, visit early. If you are there in the afternoon, you may run into groups of teens from the nearby school, and also groups of visitors...
Odori Park is located in the middle of the City. In spring and summer, the flowerbeds are covered with flowers of every colour! It is a very popular place for the workers in the city to rest here, stroll here or come here during lunchtime with their bento boxes.In winter, the park is also the place where the ice sculptures for the Snow Festival are displayed. If you don't like to jostle with other visitors during the Snow Festival, come see the sculptures sligtly before the festival starts - most of the sculptures will already be in place and you'll have the place to yourself.The park is situated next to the TV tower, one of Sapporo's landmarks, where there is an observation deck and large digital clock.
If you visit Hokkaido in spring or summer, you'll not get to experience the very cold Hokkaido winter, during which the area is buried in snow and ice. But you can feel what it'll be like at the Ice Pavilion, where the temperature is kept under 0 degrees celcius and the walls and ceiling are caked in ice.Don't worry if you have not brought winter wear, as you can rent a coat of your size to keep warm before entering. Inside, there are little nooks and crannies of ice and in one of these, there is a machine that lets you experience what it is like sometimes in remote Hokkaido when there are strong biting winds and the temperature drops to -40!Of course, visitors from similarly cold countries may not be impressed, but visitors from tropical areas may be interested to experience this. After you exit the icy place, you can enjoy a hot drink around a fireplace in a cozy little cafe that also...
The Nijo Fresh Seafood Market is typical of a market in Southeast Asia, with 50 small shops under one roof. The difference here is that the shops sell mainly seafood - fish of all kinds, Hokkaido's ubitquitous hairy crabs, unagi (eel), sea urchins, and so on. In one of the nooks and crannies, you may find a little eatery. When I say 'little', I mean it can only seat 3 diners at one time. Try eating lunch there if you feel like some local food!There are also fruit stalls - look at the prices and you might be shocked at how much a rock melon costs!
The Ainu people are one of Hokkaido's well-known native tribes. The village serves as a centre showcasing the Ainu tribe's culture and history. Here, visitors can learn about how the tribe survived by hunting and then later by bartering, their weapons and other hunting tools, and the clothes they fashioned to keep warm.Visitors will also be treated to a performance inside one of the huts by some of the members of the tribe, who will sing and dance and also play traditional instruments. Look up at the roof and you'll see hundreds of fishes, which are being smoked to store in preparation for winter.Wintin the village grounds, there're even a few bears and Alaskan huskies in captivity.
JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo Sapporo
1 Review and 369 Opinions
Hakodate Kokusai Hotel Hakodate
1 Review and 93 Opinions Big, modern-ish hotel close to the railway station with friendly, efficient staff. The rooms are a...
Otaru Asari Classe Hotel Otaru
2 Reviews and 37 Opinions This hotel is located about 30 min. by car from Otaru Station, though there is regular free shuttle...
Reviews and photos of Hokkaido attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Hokkaido sightseeing.
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Q: Hi, I'm a beginner very new to skiing and will be going hokkaido from Feb 8 to 13. Me and my boyfriend plan to go skiing but not...
A: While I haven't been skiing in Hokkaido before, I know there is a small ski hill near Sapporo city. Unfortunately, I forgot the name. Niseko isn't too far. Some people...
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