Sapporo Botanic Garden
Botanical gardens is a popular place to visit whenever there is nothing else to see and in Sapporo, the Botanic Garden owned by the Hokkaido University is one such place. Although it’s not like the other gardens/parks around Japan, it’s still filled with greeneries and is pleasant. You can take a picnic in the area but because it’s privately owned you’d need to pay a small admissions fee. They have a cool green house that is open during the winter times when the rest of the garden is close.

Susukino
Nightlife in Japan is always something to shout about. And in Sapporo, the place you want to get to for a nice time with your buds would be at Susukino. It’s known to be the largest night district in the North of Tokyo. The place is literally packed with bars, clubs, shops, restaurants and karaoke joints. Oh and around the corner of Susukino, there is a little lane callen Ramen Yochoko where there is noting but sleets of ramen stalls selling the famous Sapporo Ramen.

Shiroi Koibito Cookies
You’ll also need to visit Shiroi Koibito Park; a kind of theme park owned by the Ishiya Chocolate company. This place reminds me of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. Do remember to get their well known souvenir which a type of cookie that is sandwich with a slice of thin white chocolate filling. I heard they are out of this world. I heard.

Within Sapporo there are some pretty interesting spots to check out when you’re there. The Sapporo Beer Museum is one of them as I have posted about it previously. But there are also other places hidden in nooks and corners for Sapporo like the Odori Park, Clock Tower (which incidentally is the symbol of Sapporo), and Nijo Market.

Let’s check out these three places around Sapporo.

Odori Park
Odori park lies in the center of Sapporo. It kinda reminds me of Central Park in US, a nice big patch of greenery in the midst of a bustling city. The park stretches 12 block and is the venue for the Sapporo Snow Festival during February, where you can see lots of ice carvings and frosty displays.

Tokeidai
The clock tower, or Tokeidai, is the symbol of Sapporo. It building was erected in 1878 and in 1881, a US made clock was added to the architecture. The clock tower is today a museum and is an important cultural property in Japan.

Nijo Market

Now, Nijo Market is definitely a spot for the gastronomically interested. You can find the freshest salmon roes, sea urchins and whatever seafood you want at Nijo Market. This hotspot if a place for both tourist and locals to shop. One of the attractions of Nijo market is having a seafood breakfast to start your day. And by golly, you WILL have the FRESHEST seafood served up to you, with all the choices for you to pick from.

The market opens from 7am to 6pm all week. :)

Shiretoko National Park are one of the few remaining unspoiled natural reserves in the world. It is under UNESCO World Heritage Site and it is definitely a must see. It’s not for those who are not into nature stuff though because you cannot drive through the park for most part of it. Lot’s of trekking will have to be done to be able to take in the beauty of the park.

The peninsula is home to a variety of wildlife such as bears, foxes and deers. And because Shiretoko is in Hokkaido, the northern most part of Japan, Shiretoko is the only place where you can see drift ice. Which is a sea of ice drifting. It’s is not the usual sight you get to see around normally.

One of the major attractions of Shiretoko park aside from it being a world heritage is the Kamuiwakka Fall – a hot spring waterfall. n order to reach the waterfall, bathers first have to hike up a warm mountain stream for about 20-30 minutes, wading through the water and climbing minor waterfalls. Once you reach the top, you can take a hot spring bath in the natural basin at the base of the waterfall. Unlike in most other Japanese hot springs, people use swimming suits.

How to get to Shiretoko?
Read this link.

Source: Japan Guide

Click Hokkaido to learn more about it.

Rishiri’s view from Rebun

Rishiri and Rebun are islands situated at the northern most tip of Japan. Just off the tip of northern Hokkaido.

Rishiri Island
Rishiri Island a remote island about 20 kilometres off the island of Japan and has a circumference of 60kilometres. What it lacks in size is made up for a spectacular view of its scenery. In the middle of the island is Mount Rishiri, a dormant volcano. Together with its neighbouring island Rebun, Rishiri belongs to the Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park. Many of the island’s 6000 inhabitants are making a living from tourism and fishing.

Rebun Island
Visiting these islands is a sure way of interacting with nature. Visitors who come here hike, camp, fish and mountain climb. These islands are popular during the summer months when the weather is not too hot and nature basically takes your for a walk. It is absolutely beautiful.

How do you get to Reshiri and Rebun Island?
Takes an airplane to Sapporo and then drive your way to the port to take the ferry to either of these islands.

Higashi Nihonkai Ferry operates the following ferry routes:

* Wakkanai – Rishiri (Oshidomari Port)
100 minutes, 1980 Yen, 2-4 round trips per day
* Wakkanai – Rebun (Kafuka Port)
115 minutes, 2200 Yen, 2-4 round trips per day
* Rishiri (Oshidomari Port) – Rebun (Kafuka Port)
40 minutes, 780 Yen, 1-2 round trips per day
* Rishiri (Kutsugata Port) – Rebun (Kafuka Port)
40 minutes, 780 Yen, 2 round trips per day in summer only

Bringing a car from Wakkanai to Rishiri or Rebun by ferry costs around 17,000 to 18,000 Yen one way. Between Rishiri and Rebun the cost is about 6000 Yen. Reservations for cars should be made at least one day in advance.

Wakkanai can be reached from Sapporo by train (5.5 hours, 10,000 Yen), airplane (1 hour, 10,000 to 20,000 Yen) or highway bus (6 hours, 5500 Yen) and from Tokyo by airplane (2 hours, 15,000 to 40,000 Yen).

To read more about how to get there click HERE.

Source: Japan Guide

Click on Hokkaido for more about its travelling info. :)

Noboribetsu is Hokkaido’s most famous hot spring resort. It is a city located in Iburi, Hokkaidō, Japan. Part of Shikotsu-Toya National Park, it is located SW of Sapporo, W of Tomakomai and NNE of Hakodate.

The mountains dominate the west and north while the plains dominate around five km within the coastline. There are three towns along the Pacific Ocean: from northeast to southwest, Noboribetsu, Horobetsu and Washibetsu. These betsu are derived from river in the Ainu language. Noboribetsu is on the Noboribetsu River. Horobetsu and Washibetsu are on the Iburi-horobetsu River and the Washibetsu River respectively.

The city office is located in Horobetsu. The town of Noboribetsu is located at the mouth of the Noboribetsu river and is therefore a much narrower area.

Six km inland from this is the smaller town of Noboribetsu-onsen (Noboribetsu hot-spring). Enjoying many hot springs of varying ingredients, Noboribetsu-onsen is one of many well-known resorts in Japan and the largest “hot spring town” in Hokkaidō.

Other attractions – bear park

Noboribetsu Town as a municipality was born in 1961 by renaming the former Horobetsu Town. It was given city status on August 1, 1970.

So, what can you expect to find in Noboribetsu? Well, hot springs is it’s major attraction. There are two types of hot springs – one is the volcanic activity called Jigokudani or Hell Valley in English. You will find hot steam vents, sulfurous streams and other volcanic activities there. The name is very aptly named for the valley. I don’t think I want to be there during summer..it must be really hot up there.

Another hot spring place in Noborrbetsu that is most suitable for public use is the one at the resort. The resort’s oldest hotel is the Daiichi Takimotokan, standing next to the Jigokudani. Established in 1858, it now consists of more than half a dozen modern buildings and includes Noboribetsu’s finest baths.

Accessible to hotel guests around the clock (for free) and to everybody else between 9:00 and 17:00 (for 2000 Yen), the Takimotokan’s bathing facilities feature seven kinds of hot spring waters in numerous baths, pools, rotenburo (”outdoor baths”), waterfalls and jacuzzis.

How to get to Noboribetsu?
You can check out this SITE. And it will tell you how you can get to and around Noboribetsu.

Source: wikipedia; Japan Guide

Other traveling Hokkaido posts on 3Yen.

View from on top of Mount Hakodate

Hakodate (函館市; -shi) is a city and port located in Oshima, Hokkaidō, Japan. It is the capital city of Oshima Subprefecture.

As of 2004, the city has an estimated population of 299,737 and the density of 442.24 persons per km². The total area is 677.77 km². Hakodate’s size nearly doubled on December 1, 2004 when the neighboring municipalities of Toi, Esan, Todohokke and Minamikayabe were merged into it.

What’s there to Hakodate? Well, it’s a city so expect the usual city fares – buildings, streets, cars, traffic lights. However, Hakodate has a magnificent mountain called Mouth Hakodate that gives a spectacular view of the city. And of course, since Hakodate city is by the sea, you can expect the freshes of the freshes of seafoods incorporated as part of their daily cuisine.

Hakodate is one of the first Japanese harbor cities to be opened to international trade after the country’s era of isolation, Hakodate has experienced notable influence from overseas, and the foreign population’s former residential district called Motomachi and a Western style fort are among its main tourist attractions.

Onumo park is a quasi national park in Hakodate. It’s situated between Hakodate and Sapporo so it’s really a nice stopover if you’re going in between cities. The park is known for its picturesque sceneries with a lake dotted with islands. There’s even a majestic dormant volcano there too called Mount Komagatake.

Check out this link to find out about how you can get to Hakodate, Hokkaido.

Source: Japan Guide

Sapporo Beer

Dropping by to Sapporo and not going to the Sapporo Beer Museum is like going to Disneyland without entering the Sleeping Beauty Cinderella Castle. It’s one of the main attractions in Sapporo. The Museum was set up in 1987 on a Meiji Period red factory building, so it’s hard to miss it when you get there. The Sapporo Beer brewery is the oldest in Japan. Production started in 1877 and is still going strong till today. Ask any fella in the bar what Sapporo Beer is and s/he’ll say *burp*. They all know it.

The museum introduces the history of beer in Japan and the process of beer making. Tasting of various types of beer is possible at a small fee.

Sapporo Beer Museum

How to get there?
You can get to the beer musuem by the “Loop 88 Factory Line” bus that stops among other places at Odori Station and in front of Seibu department store near Sapporo Station. Alternatively, it is a 20-30 minute walk from Sapporo Station.

Here are some trivias on Sapporo Beer and its brewery:

- In 2006, Sapporo announced they would be acquiring No. 3 Canadian brewer Sleeman in a $400-million all-cash deal.

- On July 1, 2003, Sapporo Breweries renamed Sapporo Holdings, Ltd. and became a pure holding company. Its brewing business operations were transferred to a newly established wholly-owned operating subsidiary “Sapporo Breweries Limited.” Sapporo Holdings’ major business units are Sapporo Breweries, Ltd. (beer, happoshu, wine, spirits, foods, etc.), Sapporo Beverage Co., Ltd. (soft drinks), Sapporo Lion, Ltd. (restaurants) and Yebisu Garden Place Co., Ltd. (real estate).

Source: Japan Guide

Ino’s Place

If you’re visiting Sapporo, Hokkaido and are at loss with where to stay, I’d recommend Ino’s Place.It’s backpacker’s haven as the place is clean, friendly and warm. Oh and not to mention the price is pretty good too from $31 per night. On Yahoo! Travel, Ino’s place was rated 5 stars out of 5 too.

The location of this guesthouse makes it a great place as well as it is about 12 minutes away from the city center (7 Minutes by subway and 5 minutes of walk). Hey, if you’re backpacking, that’s like the walking to your neighbour’s house in Australia, Zone D.

Reception Area

Accommodation at Ino’s Place includes:
- Good Location for sightseeing
- Helpful & English speaking Staff
- No Curfew
- Private Shower Rooms (24hrs Free)
- Fully Equipped Self-Catering Kitchen
- Laundry Facilities
- Central Heating
- TV Lounge
- Internet service
- Wired and Wireless(11b/g) LAN available
- Tourist Information
- Free coffee & tea
- Clean & Cozy Lounge Room
- Western style facilities
- VISA & Master Cards accepted

Lounge Area

And we musn’t forget the type of rooms and rates:

- Dormitory bed 3,400 Yen
(co-ed room is available)

- Private room from 4,300 Yen/Person
Family/Group room 3,800 Yen/Person

- Special Rate for long-term stay.
(from 2,800 Yen/night)

- Supplemental heating charge
200 yen per night (nov.-Apr.)

Dorm Rooms

So if you’re every visiting Sapporo and is looking for a place with great value and warmth (as well as meeting folks for all over the world), drop in to Ino’s Place.

Furano

Furano and Biei are two towns in central Hokkaido that is known for its picturesque rural landscape. In fact, it looks like some european country especially during June and April when the lilacs bloom. You get a sea of purple and pastel colors across vast fields – it’s breathtakingly beautiful. It reminds me of the time when my family and I took a took down the South Island of New Zealand during early summer. We passed by a river and across the river was a splash of purple …upon closer inspection, it was actually lilacs…seas and seas of them blooming on the side of the river banks. I will remember that scene till this day and I am sure if you ever visit Furano and Biei during that period, you would have that picturesque moment stuck in your head for the rest of your life. Never have you seen anything quite like it…it’s almost too dreamlike to be true :)

Besides watching flowers, you can also savor their wine, grape juice and cheeses as well as they have factories there that manufacture these things. What did I say abou this place about being almost european?

Check this site’s link out to learn more about Furano and Biei.

Otaro City

Otaru (小樽市; Otaru-shi) is a city by the sea about half an hour northwest of Sapporo, Hokkaido. Basically, Otaro a fishing village where the herring industry was the predominant industy before its fall starting of 1950’s. It has a beautiful canal area that reminds you of Venice and a Herring Mansion, which makes Otaro a very pleasant detour destination from the main city of Sapporo for those who wants to take a little trip into history off their other plans.

How to get there?
You can take the train from Sapporo using the JR Hakodate Main Line. The journey takes 30 minutes by rapid train (kaisoku) and 45 minutes by local train (futsu). The one way fare is 620 Yen.

OR

You can take the ferry at Niigata, Honshu which connects to the Otaru Port (18 hours, 6000 Yen in the 2nd class) and Maizuru, Kyoto Prefecture (20 hours, 9000 Yen in the 2nd class). The ferry terminal is a 10 minute bus ride from Otaru-Chikko Station or a 30 minute bus ride or 10 minute taxi ride from Otaru Station.

The main attractions to look out for when you’re at Otaro is the Herring Mansion, Otaru City Museum, Otaru Canal, and Otaru Glass.

Otaro Canal at Night

Apparently, one of Otaru’s sister city is Dunedin, New Zealand. That’s where my alma maters is….:) If Otaro is like Dunedin, then you should expect a quaint little town with a character of its own.

Source: Japan Guide, Wikipedia