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2014.08.15 | 北海道夏(2B)

[Volume 9 Issue 8, #1930]
Hokkaidō Trip Summer 2014 - DAY 2B of 8
Half A Night in Bustling Sapporo (札幌)
中文讀者請注意: 因為篇幅問題, 這一系列日本遊記只有英語版本, 敬請見諒..
this post is a continuation from the previous post on the same day, after we left Nagoya (名古屋) and landed in Sapporo (札幌).. we took a late afternoon domestic flight and by the time we get to the city, it was already all dark.. looks like we were quite "nocturnal" huh?? :p
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Sapporo Japan
#2B-1 ■ ■
we took the Jetstar flight GK183 at 1700 from Chubu Centrair International Airport (中部国際空港 Chūbu Kokusai Kūkō) and arrived at New Chitose Airport (新千歲空港 Shin Chitose Kūkō) at 1845 (return flight at ¥21060).. the first thing we needed to do once touched down, was to get free Wifi access for our stay in Hokkaidō, you know lah, Malaysians can't live without free Wifi, haha!!

Sapporo Japan - Susukino
#2B-2 ■ ■
we opted to take a coach (¥1030 per trip, at Bus Stop #14 or #22 at the domestic terminal) to downtown Sapporo (札幌) since we were carrying our luggage and changing trains may be a little troublesome.. if we were to go by train (¥1040 per trip), it stops at Sapporo Station (札幌駅 Sapporo eki) and we needed to take another subway ride to Susukino Station (すすきの駅 Susukino eki) where our hotel is located, and that's another ¥200 to spend.. the ride took us more than an hour, about twice the time needed for the train to get to the city.. time, cost or convenience?? your choice, but if you are staying around Sapporo Station (札幌駅 Sapporo eki), train would of course be the best option..
Sapporo Japan - Susukino
#2B-3 ■ ■
and so after that hour-plus coach ride, we alighted at the Susukino (すすきの) district in downtown Sapporo (札幌), welcomed by the colorful neon lights and bustling city life.. Sapporo (札幌) is relatively a new city in Japan and therefore developed under a modern city planning, where you find straight roads intersecting each other to form areas in squares named after directions and running numbers (for instance, south 3 west 2 road).. the Susukino (すすきの) district, or sometimes noted as "zebra grass field" (薄野 susuki-no) is a red-light district in Sapporo (札幌) and is congested with many restaurants, bars, hotels and adult-entertainment establishments [Reference].. do photos #2 and #3 give you that impression?? :p
Sapporo Japan - Susukino
#2B-4 ■ ■
anyway, we were just staying (in a hotel) there for a few hours before we headed to another place again the next morning.. i was rather fascinated by the beautiful neon lights of the place, and here i spotted another "statue of liberty" like what i had seen in some other Japanese cities.. so we have the statue of liberty, and Marilyn Monroe beside her, and also a very traditional looking street lamp all at one place, interesting huh?? that is exactly what i love about Japan, though a very advanced country, they also preserve their very own history, culture, heritage and tradition so well.. Bolehland is so unlike, anything old will surely be scrapped off and replaced..
Sapporo Japan - Capsules @ Spa Hotel Sole Susukino
#2B-5 ■ ■
so we were putting up a night at this Spa Hotel Sole Susukino (スパホテルソーレすすきの Supa Hoteru Sōre Susukino).. this is our "room" and you wonder why it looks very weird?? well, this is a capsule hotel and what you are seeing are the individual bunks.. if you suddenly recall our luggage, they were kept in designated lockers in another section.. generally, only your bunk and locker are private, while all other facilities are shared, which include one public bath where everyone strips naked to shower or bathe.. and you gulped as you read public bath?? haha.. i had no issue with that at all, and indeed it was comfortable and relaxing, and please don't ask me to show photo as cameras are not allowed in there!! at ¥3000 per person, this hotel accepts only male guests and seems to be popular among the locals for a short freshen-up rest..
Sapporo Japan - Ramen Yokocho
#2B-6 ■ ■
reading too much and start to feel hungry?? haha, i bet not as hungry as us as we touched down at 1845 but dilly-dally until past 2100 before we could go find something to eat.. something simple for the famished while saving more time for rest, ramen seems to be a good choice.. and here we were after check-in, the first Sapporo Ramen Alley (元祖さっぽろラーメン横丁 Ganzo sapporo rāmen yokochō) in Susukino (すすきの) housing 17 ramen shops which are still operating in the traditional way.. of course, you may opt to go to the more modern style Ramen Republic (ラーメン共和国 Ramen Kyowakoku) inside ESTA next to the JR Sapporo Station (札幌駅 Sapporo eki), but i would definitely prefer the Ramen Alley (ラーメン横丁 rāmen yokochō) which is way more nostalgic and organic.. probably that is why it has become more of a tourist attraction already?? :p
Sapporo Japan - Ramen Yokocho
#2B-7 ■ ■
expecting to see a bowl of ramen now?? haha, hold on, let me show you another photo taken in the Ramen Alley (ラーメン横丁 rāmen yokochō) first.. this billboard shows the history of the first Sapporo Ramen Alley (元祖さっぽろラーメン横丁 Ganzo sapporo rāmen yokochō), if you could even see, hahaha!! briefly, it all started in the year of Taishō 10 (大正十) which is 1921 at a canteen (食堂 shokudō) in front of the Hokkaidō University (北海道大学 Hokkaidō Daigaku), and all the way to the year of Shōwa 26 (昭和二六) which is 1951 in which this current Ramen Alley (ラーメン横丁 rāmen yokochō), with its initial 8 shops, was finally established at the present location at South 5 West 3-8 (南5条西3丁目-8 minami 5 jōnishi 3 chome-8)..
Sapporo Japan - Miso Ramen
#2B-8 ■ ■
okay, i know i'm boring you with too much factual info but forgot what you're waiting for.. so, here comes the ramen we had, bloggers!! basically we did not know which shop among the 17 to choose (like some other Japanese tourists from other places we bumped into), but in the end one that had empty seats for us as majority of the shops are small and can only house less than 10 people at once, very stall (屋台 yatai) style that is.. we went into toraya eatery of the fourth generation (四代目とらや食堂 yondaime toraya shokudō) and ordered the popular (人気 ninki) "burnt miso ramen" (こがし味噌ラーメ kogashi miso ramen) at ¥800.. flavorfully tasty!! a totally different kind of taste from the pork marrow base soup (豚骨 tonkotsu) we had yesterday, and look at how "luxurious" those stuffs that topped the bowl..

TIPS: The Ramen Conundrum when you are in Sapporo (札幌), you can of course choose to order any type of ramen, but why must you not miss miso ramen (味噌ラーメ)?? because Sapporo is where miso ramen was originated!! :)
Sapporo Japan - Capsules @ Spa Hotel Sole Susukino
#2B-9 ■ ■
okay, had dinner and it's time to get back to the hotel for a bath and then call it a night.. sorry for the quality of photo on the left, as we had to quietly snap photos without using flash, else we would be disturbing the other guys who were already snoring in there.. so, some of you may be curious how it feels like sleeping inside a capsule?? this was my first experience staying in a capsule hotel, but this hotel in Sapporo (札幌) looks just like a dormitory to me, except each bunk has their own "private cubicle"..

so, day 2 that's it.. a brief half day in Nogoya (名古屋) and a brief half night in Sapporo (札幌).. it was less than 12 hours in Sapporo (札幌) for we were heading to Asahikawa (旭川) early next morning after a few hours of sleep.. no worries, we were getting back to Sapporo (札幌) again to catch a flight days later.. stay tuned for the next post on day 3 in Asahikawa (旭川) where we paid visit to our friend.. :)

travelogue posts in this series:

241 comments:

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  1. Replies
    1. Heh heh! I am the 4th karate chop?

      Where is the Sibu Food Mayor? Maybe still in the toilet pangsai cos too much noodles la.... Kikikiki

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    2. why you said that ah? You put lausai med in sibu food mayor's ramen noodle that you posted to him ah?

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    3. Hahaha, Phong Hong wins this time!

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    4. Somehow it doesn't feel the same if the Chop is not from STP.

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    5. I was busy replying Mun's comments in my blog! Muahahahahahaha!!!!!

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    6. Sorry, sorry, STP, so that means I sabo you today lah! Hehehehehe! Not intentional. :)

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    7. chop what?? i don't sell chop here~~

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    8. Got plenty of chops in Japan! Use as souvenir! Hahaha

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    9. Wah PH got first sip today! Eh SK said today's post published at unusual time? Anyway, how 'unusual' also I won't get first sip, I normally come at late afternoon or late at night one, hehe!

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    10. so those "chops" they mean here?? muahaha, i have collected a few chops from some tourists attractions in Hokkaido, maybe i shall scan them and distribute to the choppers above?? kekeke~~

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  2. Wah, lucky I come here to check.. Suddenly publish a post 15 minutes ago, "siew kin" wor.. Normally you publish at 8.38am..

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    1. Morning morning everyone.. Ok, after salam liao, after click my vote liao, now I can read your day3.. Wait, I just saw day2A, today day2B? Ewah….. macam-macam…

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    2. By the way, I was hogging the pc last Friday and berazam wana jadi first commenter, but you did not publish any post wor.. I kept hogging the pc, clicking refresh, aiiiks, no new post wor.. So sad la me..

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    3. Anyway, I think I can still be able to recall from day1 & day2.. Today ok lagi.. I remembered day1 you have ramen photos, Doraemon, and you mentioned something about that Godzilla Tower.. Then day2 I remembered you have that Castle thingy, digressed a little and mentioned some sumo thingy, the water-above-the tower, the wooden plaques , then you had cold flat noodles..

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    4. Wah, I a bit pening reading your journey, until you reached your bunk bed.. Actually you just travelled by train to your capsule hotel after you touched down right.. I read 2-3x only I can get it.. Hou cheong hei ahh you, but it’s good to be detailed.. Oohh only for males? If got females how?

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    5. Yummzz, ramen can never go wrong in Japan eh.. That signature half cooked egg yolk, oh my, I can have 2 or 3 or 4.. haha.. But most ramen only serve half.. I thought you wana say if you are in Sapporo, must order “Sapporo Ramen” which consist of corn? I don’t know, but there’s one Japanese eatery here that I like, there’s something called “Sapporo Ramen” and it has corn in it..

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    6. I like that capsule bed.. But I’m worried if I ter-fart then how? Everyone can smell lor? Since it’s a bit tight and connected to each other quite close.. Not yet mention snoring somemore..

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    7. Wokay, day2 done.. 6 more days to go..

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    8. I think SK should post on Saturdays and Sundays next time so that others will be busy to spam. I will have all the time to clinch the throne back!

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    9. Woi, don't la.. Please don't post on Saturday or Sunday, I won't have time to spam.. One or two lines ok la.. Weekends I cannot one wor, no time and all.. Working days I ok pulak, can spam when boss is not looking, can minimise maximise screen ma..

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    10. Like now, relax babe! Boss is in front of me, I'm in my cubicle, so I can see him from my place, he's in the room, but with doors opened..

      I use my hair to cover my one side of my ear la, I'm listening to my earphone now.. Watching YouTube, MTV la.. Listening to songs, kakakaka.. And typing this comment now..

      Ada aku kisah?

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    11. Those bloggers that post daily, ok la, I can comment few lines and not so many bloggers ma, ok lagi.. But please SK, don't post on Saturday or Sunday or public holiday ok? Beg you ahh, please..

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    12. Ooops, run away from topic liao.. Getting further and further jor.. Faster come back to the topic first..

      Eh, suddenly I think about the kids and all.. If got babies and kids ahh, how to travel like SK ahh.. have to take luggages and all walk here there, change trains here there, transit, reach hotel at 10pm wor, then baru makan.. Haiz, if got kids and babies, how?

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    13. Me ahh, weekends bring the kids go J**co or T**co or any supermarket also enuff liao.. Upon arrival, ok lagi.. Kz will insist to sit on the trolley, while G will sit quietly in his stroller, observing things.. Then ahh, halfway buying groceries in the supermarket, drama starts.. Kz will sit on the floor, make whining sound, show tantrums, pickup rubbish from the floor and eat.. Then G sees his brother doing all that, he also wana follow.. Keep trying to climb out from the stroller, make crying sound, vomit sound.. Oh my my my !!!! Surrender.. How to take them go travelling?

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    14. I can eat 10 bowls of SK's ramen, slurp all the soup somemore, and lagi add 10 eggs..

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    15. Faster come, day3, I wait you!

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    16. Saturday and SUnday let SK rest la Anay. You can still come and spam on weekend when you have the time leh

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    17. Wah, Princess Ribbon,

      You are challenging SK to faster come day 3? Hold on first. I need to slowly read his day 2b post first and digest. Cannot post so fast lah, readers also must take time to read and digest.

      Princess Ribbon,

      Are you in the IT line of work? Sounds like you are. I am just curious (or just kepoh only), please don't mind me.

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    18. I also sokong PR, please don't publish on Saturday and Sunday. I also very busy lah. No time to on PC sometimes.

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    19. Travelling like SK is for those who are still single or without young kids. If got kids, take them when they are older and schedule must not be so rush. If not very stress and you can't enjoy the holiday at all.

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    20. mun, no, not in IT line.. In manufacturing line, kekekeke.. But over here, is just the sales & marketing office.. So I'm here in the Shah Alam office..

      Twin Phong Hong, yay give me 5!

      For bloggers who posts daily, still ok, can comment a few lines la, after baby sleeps or when I wakeup early in the morning.. Lagipun, not many bloggers post daily, I think only 2 or 3 in my blog list.. So when they post on weekends, I kinda expected already, coz daily ma..

      You busy baking or clean house? Hahahaha..

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    21. Twin, yes I busy with baking, cooking, cleaning house, laundry, ironing, gardening, and all sorts of things.

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    22. Wah, Princess Ribbon and Phong Hong are twins now. TGIF today! Yay!

      Thanks Princess. So you are in the sales and marketing line in the manufacturing industry. Have a good weekend!

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    23. oh, i am very long-winded ke?? okay lah, maybe next time i just post photos will do, make my life senang, hehe~~ but this post is not just about touch down and go to sleep only woh.. i went to get my wifi, then check-in, then see a bit of the downtown Sapporo, then explore the Ramen Yokocho, had one very nice ramen, then go back to hotel for a nice public hot bath, then crawled in to my bunk and then took photos, then hug hug fing-fing for a while.. so many activities leh, i concentrate into just one post.. if given other bloggers, they can write 10 posts each with 20 photos leh~~ hahahaha!!

      ter-fart or purposely fart?? err, i think only yourself can smell that lah, it's like a covered partition, as i said ventilation is not good, so you will be the only one smelling your own fart.. if you faint, then blame no one else, muahahaha!!

      no worries, i don't post on weekends and public holidays lah.. i know those days "tarak business" so better just post on working days to gain more readership and comments :p

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    24. Not very long winded la cos you don't write here, here, here and lost here!! Muahahahaha
      You also don't write Part 1 to Part 5 for one Bangkok Visit like Panda. I salute his patience but he lost his mood to blog now. Who asked him to whine so much? Wakakakaka

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    25. Eh, you are not long winded la, SK. Just that I need time to slowly read and savour your trip there like I have been there also.

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    26. Princess Ribbon said ".. Actually you just travelled by train to your capsule hotel after you touched down right.. Hou cheong hei (she mean long-winded) ahh you, but it’s good to be detailed.."

      i want to go to one corner and sulk already, sobs sobs!!!

      Princess Ribbon, i've disabled the "Delete" for this comment, so that you can't destroy the evidence, muahahahaha!! :D

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  3. uiks...not 8 am wor...what happen ah SK? Why today post up 10am plus geh?

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    1. Hahahaha, SK wants to throw you all off the track. I did not know that he usually posts at 8am. So now this even out the game of chop chop chop as the usual people check at 8.10am, no post from SK and did not check for the rest of the day until their blogroll has been updated.

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    2. Like that can't predict the update. I just tried my luck today and faster chop.

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    3. sorry ah, for publishing today's post at a rather unusual time.. i actually scheduled it at 8:38 but forgot to change "PM" to "AM", only to realize way too late later!! maybe i was too long-winded telling nenek kebayan story in this post until i also "pening" myself~~ muahahaha!! :p

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    4. You should never fix the same exact time for your posts until mundane routine. Make it exciting and drive us nuts!!! Wakakaka

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    5. i actually did that before remember, random timing but later kena complained that i created too much adrenaline boosts among the readers.. better go on the "auspicious" timing practice dei~~

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    6. Haha I agree with TM, no need to fix the publish time on purpose, like that everyone also will get the chance to become first commentor ma! But I know la, it's not about being first commentor, not important :p

      SK, huh, really? Created too much adrenaline boosts? That's kinda 'kua cheong', haha! I wonder who made those complaints? :p

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    7. Yeah , I agreed too. Just post at any time you like and let the 'choppers' wait .... Muahahaha ....

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    8. hmmm, really?? everyone likes me to post at random time instead of those "auspicious" timing?? but i am afraid later no people come to read if i am too random, haha!!

      last time really very "chi gik" one, i still remember a few who fought over the FC, but now they are not doing this anymore..

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  4. #1 Jetstar flight GK183 from Chubu Centrair International Airport (中部国際空港 Chūbu Kokusai Kūkō) to New Chitose Airport (新千歲空港 Shin Chitose Kūkō) is so near ah. Like KLIA to KK wor. one hour plus only

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    1. Soiled your threads!

      Yeah within Japan is all fast and near by trains & planes but SK Gaya need to naik aeroplanes!

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    2. LMAO. I disrupted the above 3 ladies punya comments. @@@evil laughs@@@

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    3. darn you...you so pandai ah...when i read the "get free Wifi access for our stay in Hokkaido" i was thinking how? read twice before i see the blue HOW. LOL....

      Oh they have free wifi access for tourist ya? Like the Selangor or Penang Free wifi? how'is the speed? I went penang tried and access ...cannot load at all...too slow

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    4. u wanna soil or what i dont mind la...LOL...

      but if bus maybe it will take twice the amount of time to reach kot?

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    5. woi...TM...only 3 comments ah...tak macam your gaya wor...thought will be more leh...sk so penat put so many photos and write so detailed...how la.....

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    6. errr, if the air-ticket is about the same price as the bullet train, i think okay also to take flight lah, i supposed it's faster right?? so this trip, we tried all the transport available, except boat only, haha!!

      eih, meow thought it's further, i would expect some to wonder why it took like 2 hours so long, haha!! and the Wifi ah, if got connected hor, memang very fast lah, download one movie few minutes kao tim leh.. Japan has one of the fastest internet speed in the world lah, i think Bolehland not even half..

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    7. Sometimes air tickets also same as trains lah... depends on preference.

      Of course for me, I use train if travelling in Japan because like Anay, I use their train passes. ;)

      I looked at tickets to Hokkaido - cheap and save time. SK plans well. After this, mau learn from SK tips :)

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  5. #2

    my thinking will be convenience. Very troublesome to take luggage here and there and have to worry about then. Plus with kid. hard to handle. One hour trip kira okay la. in KL traffic jam already one hour gone lo

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    1. yalor.. actually like half an hour more but still inside the coach is okay, no need to drag the luggage and change train here and there, then gotta take stairs somemore lots of people in the train mah.. but if rush, then better take train lah..

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  6. I see the first photo is of a very colourful drawing. Was that snapped at the airport? Got picture of buildings, trees and animals. Like children's drawing.

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    1. it was actually a piece of cloth painted with landmarks, food and nature of Hokkaido, hang at the entrance of the hotel we stayed that night.. "pinjam" that to tell a story in the beginning only :p

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  7. #3

    like that the street is easy to find la. Not here jalan 1 then suddenly become jalan 10.

    "zebra grass field"...interesting name for a redlight district

    No leh...it doesnt give me that impression leh. More of like bukit bintang area leh. Not the Tun Haji Taib area leh

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    1. So, is it a red district area with lots of kawaii girls or not ?

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    2. hahaha, Lorong Haji Taib you mean?? aiyoh, definitely not lah.. actually just look normal like a very bustling area only..

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  8. #4

    so while you were going to your hotel ....observed any ahem....taut or something like that? Anyone accosted you all?

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    1. errr, didn't notice or maybe still early as we were on the way to hotel?? but then memang saw some ladies who put on make up, set their hair and wearing unusually sexy lah~~

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    2. Sk - got take their photos ? Heheh...

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    3. photo tells nothing lah, if you want, go to Japan to see yourself, or at least go to Geylang lor~~ :D

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  9. #5

    silly me...when i read edlight district...i was thinking how ah if your capsule hotel...ahem ...got both sexes...then baru read it's all male hotel. Good. Not extra noises from the capsule :p

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    1. Kucing - what extra noise ah ?

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    2. hahaha, aiyoh, like that means a "sex motel" and not a capsule hotel already.. of course 4 guys won't choose to stay in a sex hotel mah~~

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  10. I think most people especially you young folks cannot survive without wifi. If no wifi means kena withdrawal symptoms. Very convenient that free wifi given for 14 days. They are very thoughtful towards visitors.

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    1. sure young folks only...some older generation are more high tech leh have laptop to send email..ipad to watch video..iphone to play games leh,...muhahaha.....yea agree...now if no internet access for one day I also feel like body itchy...LOL. withdrawal syndrome liao. Wish our government will one day have free wifi for all.....errr....maybe before the end of my days la...now uban a lot liao :p

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    2. Once I tried so hard to survive without 3 days of Internet connection in the cruise.

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    3. hahaha, i am in the middle lah.. can survive without wifi for a couple of days but then not for long lah.. it feels like losing contact with the world without internet!! kekekeke..

      but cannot generalize the statement on "young" people only, some elderly also very tech savvy one, even better than the youngsters~~ :D

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    4. Now better lah since SK gets Wi-Fi access.

      Last time I went, hard to find Wi-Fi other than hotels.

      Not like here, masuk any café can get Wi-Fi access.

      I guess because their internet is so cheap and fast for the residents, not many really need free Wi-Fi. Now cater for tourists, good lah.

      If I go, still can spam people from Japan! LOL

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    5. Sometimes it's good to fast a day or two from the Internet as well as newspapers. And that means 'locking' yourself in an island or cruise where all you do there is eat , rest , play and relax.

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  11. #6

    ulat makan ni...can find Ramen made traditionally. what a good thing. Cham la...me hungry la...looking a KFC burger only now....sigh.

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    1. KFC burger also nice mah.. oh BTW, you want to try kishimen mentioned in the previous post?? i saw Daiso got lah, comes in packet macam spaghetti one.. you find those that looks fatter one lah, then buy one bottle of shoyu (to be mixed with water as the soup) then can already.. total damage, RM10 for two items.. :)

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    2. Go there must try their food la... still kfc for what?

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    3. not true.. it could be nice also to go to KFC or McD all over the whole and then see or taste or feel the difference.. especially the localized menu, worth trying also lah..

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    4. Agree with SK.

      Even McD and KFC there has different menu to offer to cater for local taste.

      p.s. I like KFC punya biscuit. Apa panggil ah? Sweet biscuit? Makan with the accompanying syrup... nyummmmmssssssss...

      and ebi burger at McD also very nice. :)

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  12. #7

    the signboard dont have the translation ka? lucky you can read Japanese

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    1. no translation la.. and i don't read Japanese lah, i can just guess roughly the meaning from the Chinese words used.. :)

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    2. Chinese and Japanese quite similar.

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    3. but some Kanji (the Chinese word) carries different meaning in Japanese compared to Chinese..

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  13. Convenience would be the choice for me even if have to pay slightly more. Can't imagine having to change trains while carrying luggage.I don't want stress when I travel.

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    1. that was why we chose to take the coach to downtown rather than taking the train.. if our hotel is just nearby the train station and we do not need to take another subway ride, probably train would be the better choice..

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  14. #8

    wish i can say not interesting...not nice...but not leh.....adui....look so yummy making my tummy growling

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    1. okay...noted...miso ramen it is :)

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    2. you can always say that, i am very open with comments, feedback or critics, i won't merajuk and defend one~~ :D

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    3. It's supporo tonkatsu miso ramen.

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  15. Photos 2 and 3 sure gives the impression that the Susukino district is full of night life! It is so colourful and you can see the energy. Ohh...red light district? hmmm....

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    1. Phong - what is red light district ah ?

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    2. ah yes, you got it!! so colorful and so "sexy" at night with all the neon lights huh??

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  16. #9

    Cute photo of you

    Fing Fing seems to be enjoying it. what is that? TV?

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    1. enough enough space for you to roll? terrer man..... at lest luggaes safely locked away then not so worried la. TV i guess they give you headphone too gua...else will be disturbing people. Yea wor. the bunk is kinda high. how to climb up if not stepping lower bed. But if step then the people inside might be offended...

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    2. the wood panel sticking out of the bed is the steps?

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    3. All those lubang like standard size hor? What if for big sized people? Then tak boleh stay in capsule hotel. Especially the top bunk lah. The steps look small and I think if I try to climb and masuk the capsule, sure terpelanting and wake up everybody.

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    4. yeah, standard size capsules and it's basically like your own world inside lah.. yeah, headphones given and you must use that if you wanna watch TV.. i didn't bother to watch lah, don't understand their language also..

      and yes, climbing up and down the bunk was super troublesome.. see those small little steps by the partition, aiyoh, so small that i really gotta hold on tight to the handle so scared i'll fall~~

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  17. Seeing your post makes me miss Japan...

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    1. You have been to Japan? Gopt post up in your post? same like the places that SK isited ka? Got visit Sapporo? soli ah ...auntie lots of questions :p

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    2. yalah, seems like Sharon always put the same comments in my Japan trip posts.. she should blog about her trip and share with us~~ :)

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  18. I wonder why the like having the Statue of Liberty? I like that traditional street lamp too. Preservation is a big thing in Japan. They do not allow modernization to over shadow their rich history, culture, heritage and tradition and they are obviously very wise in doing so. All these if lost, will be gone forever.

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    1. i have no idea but they seem to like the statue of liberty, seen that in a few cities already.. and you are right, they really preserve their tradition and culture very well, this is one thing i like about Japan..

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  19. Hahaha... I was wondering how you guy knew about the free wifi ? It seems the hotspots are nationwide or 'Hokkaido wide' ! I guess probably you all did research before coming over. So, how was the speed of the wifi ? For sure it's much faster than any hotspots in bolehland!

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    1. of course, i mentioned before this is a DIY trip so we did lots of research before the trip.. else how we came out with such fabulous itinerary?? muahahaha.. and yes, their internet speed is unbelievably fast!! maybe to SG just okay, but to MY aiyoh, no need to say already~~

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  20. The first thing I see (or rather everybody saw) was that art pix. I believe it's a depiction of Hokkaido, to show tourists the 'face' or overview of Hokkaido. Somehow, it looks nice and unique which tells what the place gotta offer or how is the life over there.

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    1. I suggest that comment that gets **LIKES** from SK get to have more points. Oh, actually SK may have implemented this already but I am too lazy to read the FAQ on how to get points carefully so I don't know about it. So ChrisAu, you hit the jackpot this time. Seven early Eight early SK says he likes your post already, hehehe! Congrats!

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    2. hahaha.... I was delighted too that SK likes my comment. Thanks mun.

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    3. spot on ChrisAu, what you said is so true about the first photo.. haha!! good idea from mun to give bonus points to comments i marked as like huh?? i shall seriously consider that!! thank you for your suggestion :)

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    4. When I saw your Art photo, it reminded me of the giant one that hung at the hotel lobby I stayed in Fukuoka. The colours and styles are so similar...making me to wonder whether they were same artists?

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    5. You are welcome, SK. :)

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    6. could be the same artists.. ah, i enlarged the original photo with me and can see the artist signed off as Toshio Tsuda (something like that)..

      mun, i have put in your suggestions into the calculation.. but since it's mid of the month and to be fair, it will only take effect next month.. :)

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  21. i wish to try the capsule hotel :) look small like but that is what actually we need when travelling ...

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    1. yeah, hotels in Japan are all very well facilitated, you can just walk in and they provide everything you would need.. actually not too small, i can accept that "lubang" leh~~

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  22. The rooms in the capsule hotel look like mini caves hah..hah...So this hotel only accepts male guests. Are there any capsule hotels for the ladies? Maybe this type of accommodation not suitable for the ladies. I for one wouldn't want to stay like this.

    So you took the top bunk. I look at those steps at the side of the bunk and I try to imagine how one climbs up and then goes into the capsule. Then coming out lagi satu hal. I don't think I can manage, quite tricky I think. Hmm...the inside looks quite normal. I see Fing Fing is quite happy in there. Too bad he is not into taking photos like Aden boy or else you can pose in your capsule. I guess once inside, it does not really feel any different from a regular bed except that you mentioned it was warm and stuffy.

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    1. surely there are capsule hotels for ladies.. after trying once, i think it's pretty okay to stay in a capsule hotel, i don't mind going back to stay also, hehehe..

      you are right, i have to rely on those small little steps to climb up to my bunk and it was rather challenging.. hahaha, not really a nice place to take photos in there lah, it's not small but certainly not a big space to move around :p

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  23. So, it seems Sapporo is not near to the airport and you guys have to travel a fair bit. Just like Sepang to KL , eh? Did you guy asked around on the most convenient way of transport to your hotel ? I am sure the service there was good but then, they may have problems with English. It seems you guys reached Sapporo in the evening, based on your night scenery pix.

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    1. ah yes, you can say so.. the airport is actually in another place called Chitose (千歲).. errr, ask?? why ask?? we already made up our mind to take the coach rather than the train.. again it's about pre-trip research lah, seems like you don't do that?? hahaha~~

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  24. Seriously, a public bath? You were OK with that and I guess most guys don't mind. We ladies are shy lah. But from what I read, the Japanese are very comfortable with this sort of thing. Even the ladies.

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    1. No photo of you in the public bath? Haizzzz...what a let down! Muahahahahaha!!!!

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    2. haha, i think this is one thing that we may try in our lifetime.. i did that once in Kyoto, a bit nervous for my first time but after that, no problem at all.. it's quite relaxing and comfortable actually, just don't think about being seen, you also see the others, right??

      STP, if i am going to show my photo, that would be a turn off instead~~ :D

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    3. Oh....got hamsap people wanna see public baths again ka? I didn't post mine yet taken in Hakata Hotel.... hmmm.... should I or should I not?

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    4. The public baths are real openers to tell their culture! At midnight, it's always packed with drunkards who just finished work & entertainment until you see red lobsters and sausages! Muahahahaha

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    5. errr, i have no idea why so curious about the public bath and wanna see photos?? just google for the images, if you aren't going to any, may i suggest?? :D

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  25. Ah, almost forgot about the ramen! Too distracted by the capsule hotel :) Even this ramen alley has a history. I would definitely prefer to experience dining in a traditional ramen shop rather than at a modern eatery. With 17 ramen shops still operating in the traditional way, it can sure cater the many diners of this popular noodle.

    Hmm..Burnt Miso Ramen. Why burnt? Maybe for extra flavour as some things taste better when burnt? It sure look delicious that bowl of ramen. The broth looks quite concentrated. Really makes me curious how ramen tastes like. But surely the ones served over here would pale in comparison, so I won't bother to try unless if I am at a good Japanese restaurant.

    Ahahaha....I see a mound of fresh raw spring onions! But even spring onions taste nicer in Japan, hor? And you can eat them with no complaints :)

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    1. oh yeah, a ramen alley with a history, and they still operate in the traditional way.. burnt miso, i guess it's for an extra flavour and texture to the soup, not really that burnt like really "chao tah" but just a hint.. you are so clever, i really had no problem eating the spring onions there, i wonder why?? haha.. maybe fresher and milder they are than those here~~

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  26. Susukino district seems very happening at night. There is also a Ferris wheel there! With so many restaurants and clubs,I guess the people's lifestyle there is very modern. It's so different from Nagoya where the buildings are quite old. So, did you guys check out the clubs or even have a hot spring bath ?

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    1. yeah it certainly is very happening.. and not right also to say Nagoya is old, just that i didn't show you the bustling side only, haha, or rather say, i did not have time to see the bustling side of Nagoya.. hot spring bath?? our hotel is already a spa hotel, and there is only one open public hot bath for us to use there, so what say you??

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  27. Hey!!! That's a lovely piece of art. Love it! Where was that? At the airport? Ramen looks really yummy too!

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    1. Ok, apologies accepted. I did drop by earlier, the usual time...and I thought there was not going to be any update today. Ya...it happens to the best of us. I even had had the dates wrong at times, last month instead of the current one. LOL!!!

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    2. Hello STP,

      Where are the apologies? Let me go and look for it. Hahaha, just as I thought, SK gave us the slip today.

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    3. Ah, just saw the apologies pop-up. No need to apologise lah, SK. Posting at different time will keep us readers on our toes! :D

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    4. that piece of art was found at the entrance of the hotel we stayed for the night, looks nice so i took a photo of it.. the ramen was very yummy!! :)

      that pop-up is my broadcast message.. instead of everyone come and ask and i reply individually, i think better i tell everyone first~~ :D

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  28. Bolehland will crush whatever buildings they deem blocking their development in order to earn $$$ , whether it's a heritage or not. The Japanese mindset are different , at least they are culturally better. Nice that they preserved their old monuments while development is on-going. I like that lantern, it's so japanese and tells you that you are in Japan. LOL

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    1. that is what i like about Japan, they really spend effort to preserve history, heritage, tradition and culture.. Bolehland?? aiyoh, old already then demolish and replace with a new one lor..

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  29. Was there any nice shopping malls around ? I guess you guys can check out the night shopping over there and experience it. The service sure must be very good and nice to be served by kawaii girls.

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    1. we just had so little time there that night, so didn't really check out the place.. after makan, went back to sleep and it was almost midnight already..

      BTW, if you keep thinking of kawaii girls all over Japan.. you will mostly be disappointed because there are also a lot of obasang in Japan!! :D

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  30. hahaha... I wonder how to sleep in that small and narrow bunker ? Was it hot and stuffy? I wonder if you can toss and turned around inside that capsule. hahha ....Anyway, a great experience for you!

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    1. how to sleep?? just lie down and sleep lor, haha!! up to you how you want to toss and turn, but as i have stated in the post itself, enough space for me to roll :)

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  31. I think it's not unusual for them to share the public toilets and open bathrooms. Well, not a bad thing, somebody can scratch your back while you can scratch other backs. hahaha... Even in public swimming pools in SG, it's also open.

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    1. Chris you should see how the public baths are like in China!! Crazeee peeps inside!

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    2. TM - if it's China , I don't think I want to join in ....hahha...

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  32. wah... the ramen alley!!! So many ramen shops over there offering so many variety of ramens! And, they got a history too! Cham ... luckily I had a Sapporo Tonkatsu Ramen yesterday night. It was really good which I dunno how to describe it. The miso soup was so yummy!!! It looks so much alike as your ramen. I simply love the egg and the cha shu!! Did you finish the bowl of soup ? I am sure it's comforting having a hot bowl of ramen in a cool weather!

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    1. yeah, so many little shops there that we did not know which one to go for.. so in the end decided whichever that had seats for us.. and the ramen we had, tasted so good!!

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    2. Maybe google to see which ramen shop is voted the best there?

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    3. Hakata's Ramen! Hakata's Ramen! Hakata's Ramen! Hakata's Ramen!
      Haik! Haik! Haik! ichiban! ichiban! ichiban!

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    4. haha, would be nice to google but then reviews and critics may also be very subjective.. still the best is to try all ourselves, but that's not possible.. haha!!

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  33. oh..now I know miso ramen originated from Sapporo .. no wonder it was so good! Wah , the shop already 4th generation ah ? Wow.... that's so impressive. They just pass on the recipe from generations to generations!

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    1. yeah, the 4th generation and i think should be at least 50 years old.. yes, miso ramen originated from Sapporo, must try!! :)

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    2. I have tried miso ramen in Kyoto but I think best eat it in Sapporo. Many restaurants in Japan are at least 100 years old but to eat at 100 years old restaurants we must have the patience to queue for a very long time.

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    3. Hakata's Ramen! Hakata's Ramen! Hakata's Ramen! Hakata's Ramen!
      Haik! Haik! Haik! ichiban! ichiban! ichiban!

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    4. different places will have their own style and taste, especially the northern region's one would have stronger taste (said to be able to keep them warm), while the southern ones would be lighter in flavor.. that's what a friend told me :)

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  34. OK, finally you tell us how was it like in the bunker. Well, I guess with all men around, you can't help it with the snoring. At least they provided some entertainment for you with earphone in order not to disturb others. I can imagine the ventilation definitely is not so good. Anyway, Im sure it's a good experience for you, right ?

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    1. haha, you mean ladies don't snore at all?? i don't believe that, hehehe.. and yes, everyone needs to be very considerate, even if you want to talk int he phone, please go to the common area.. aside from the ventilation, i find it overall a nice experience..

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    2. From ChrisAu's comments, how did SK manage to come to the conclusion that Chris means that ladies don't snore? ???

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    3. You made think over and mince the words.

      He said - Well, I guess with all men around, you can't help it with the snoring..... it sure sounds like men definitely snores!!!!
      He might say - Well, I guess with all women around, you can't help it with the less or muted snoring.
      I might say - Well, I guess with all women around, you can't help it with their chatting non stop on their shopping loots!

      Muahahahaha...

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    4. Both male and female also snored la....

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    5. okay, now ChrisAu came and make an explanation, no need to speculate, haha!!

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  35. err.... that monkey had his own bed all by himself? Looks very comfy leh!! hahha...

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    1. hahaha.. Fing-Fing needs me to sleep with him lah~~ :D

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  36. Apa ni? You mention red light district, then bring us to see miso ramen. What happens in Susukino stays in Susukino? :/

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    1. must eat only can have energy lah~~ :D

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    2. After eat? Got energy already then?

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    3. Is the red light district like the scenes from the latest Total Recall movie or a scene from Bladerunner?

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    4. after eat sure got energy!! haha.. errr, i cannot remember what's in Total Recall already~~ :p

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  37. I have yet experience the capsule hotel.

    Lonely lah sleep alone! Muahahah!!!

    If got Fing Fing, OK la. ;P

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    1. From what SK described, it is spacious enough. So if two small sized persons, maybe can fit?

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    2. err, spacious for one but too cramp for two lah.. i wonder if they have a family capsule, or at least a couple capsule so two can sleep together?? :p

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    3. Do they allow the couples to sleep together? I read one capsule ryokan's rules in osaka website that it was meant for Men Only...(?) I thought they have mixed genders at least but on separate floors. I don't think I can sleep inside no matter how spacious! I have terrible phobia even after sleeping inside the window-less hotel room in Singapore. I just want to overcome my phobia and try this experience which would greatly save money especially when we arrive the Nihon city at the midnight and pay for full day's rates!!! Kanasai.

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    4. Thought this an all men hotel ?

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    5. Yes, SK did mention in this post that this is a male only hotel.

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    6. I guess TM means are there any other capsule hotels allowing for both males and females.

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    7. yes, this one i bunked is an all male hotel.. but we were discussing above, whether there is all female capsules, as well as unisex capsules.. and if they allow anyone to sleep in the same dorm regardless of gender..

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    8. If more, better sleep in a room lah! More comfy and can do a lot of things in there! Muahaa

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  38. As for the capsule hotel there are many versions? Saw some really look liked capsules and with air con.

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    1. err, mine doesn't come in built-in air-cond woh, probably those would be the deluxe ones that has to pay more for..

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    2. No built-in air-cond, then very stuffy inside lor?

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    3. Yeah Bananaz! I saw some actual photos that looked like morgue freezers with fibre glass doors and the height was lower than SK's one! Would be more realistics if they let you wear name tags on your legs! Muahahaha Wooooooooo

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    4. Hahaha, TM, you took the words out of my mouth. I wanted to say but scared to say because takut SK pantang, whether it feels like sleeping in a coffin or not since the space is just enough for one person.

      Actually if there is a female only capsule hotel I also want to experience this.

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    5. SK is my Thambee whom I know well from the same slumdog village in Chennai India. He is a very modern and too open minded guy, so no pantang & no worries!

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  39. Good afternoon SK,

    I did not take Hayley's advice so I just lost an essay of comment because after I clicked publish, it says there is a conflict because someone else is editing this post and please press the back button and when I pressed the back button my long comment is gone. *sob* *sob* *sob*

    Let me try to write it here again. Although I knew it all along now only it hit me that Hokkaido has many interesting places to visit and the whole island is large so we need to select which places to visit on our limited time and limited budget.

    Currently I am reading another travel post to Hokkaido here:
    http://travelerswife.blogspot.com/2014/08/day-4-hakodate.html

    It would be fun to see which places both of you went to. I am sure there will be some places that will overlap. But if there is none, then that would means that Hokkaido has too many places for tourists or your taste is totally different.

    I wonder which will it be. Hehehehe

    Have a good weekend and don't work too hard to schedule all your Hokkaido posts over the weekend. Have some time to go jalan jalan exercise exercise makan makan too,

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  40. Did you buy the jetstar flight tickets from their website online at the same time that you bought the AAX ticket from KL to Nagoya?

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    1. Common sense, I would say they did a lot of quick homework and secured all the online bookings on the same day. Our past experiences have taught us not to dilly dally as their silly pricing could escalate like share market.

      Take a look at AA website now, they started adding 20% discounts today beside the prices to slash many fares after raising the prices suddenly since last weekend. Their boss really loves roti chanai and spin the prices like making a roti chanai. Yenggah Poreng Ngeh Tony!!!!

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    2. my friend actually source for the airticket, after we all agreed on the dates and fares, we just confirm and he went to book the ticket.. if not at the same time, one or two days apart the most..

      i think our tickets for AAX remains quite the same until the day we depart, so we didn't enjoy the early bird perks..

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  41. #1 - I think the air fare is damn cheap after Anay did some maths.
    The costs of 21,060 Yen which is equivalent to RM648 for a 1 hour 45 mins return ticket is like KL-Bangkok-KL. Murah! Murah!
    Dei, I am shocked to hear got free wi-fi itu macam. I went to Fukuoka and anyone could get free wi-fi for 15 mins duration all day in Hakata City whenever we logged in to activate. Yours was superbly easy like peanuts. Thanks for sharing Thambee!

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    1. #2 - I would always plan the fastest way to reach the destinations as my annual leave are too precious to waste my hours on the road. I would love to take trains around Japan like you did sometimes. Wise traveler you are!

      An idiot couple friend from Perth went to Nepal to hike, climb and ride on bumpy roads for over thousands of kilometres to reach Tibet!!! They screamed and @#$%*# to get so exhausted when the whole trip could finish in 5 days by air instead of 2 weeks. Well, morons are born every day la.

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    2. #3 - You have posted a nice city view at night but minus the crowd! You purposely avoided them unlike me, who prefer to show how vibrant and happening it could be. Anyway, too many mad people often spoilt my photos too.

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    3. #4 - Yeah our Bolehland loves to rebuild and rebuild white elephants to waste tax payers' money. We have so different culture and mentality with them. Nothing will last here as our folks love to cart away ATM machines, plants and even the orange plastic road side buoys!

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    4. #5 - So you guys stayed in a spa hotel that came with free spa! So cleber planning to save time and money again! Kudos to your trip leader! Next time I join your packaged tour okei?
      The capsules looked more homely like the bunk beds of the overnight trains. If you all sleep-posed inside and stuck all the legs out.....we might laugh!

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    5. #6 - Oh My BANZAI Goodness! You actually typed 3 languages to explain all the Ramen. Anay is impressed and faints!...

      There are so many types and names that ended up looking similar but with different tastes for sure. I cannot remember all the tastes except the one at Damansara Uptown seems to beat all that I have eaten in Japan...!!! (Shocking yeah!!) You should go there sometime. Sorry that it was my oversight to hear that you disliked Ramen last time otherwise I would have given my Thambee 1/2 dozen boxes of express ramen from Hakata. Once I checked the history of Ramen and it seems to have originated from China which probably kicked off from Sendai before spreading to whole country. Somehow the folks there voted Hakata's Ramen as #1 which attract hordes of repeat arrivals from HKG and Korea to yum yum. Ask me??? I say so-so la.

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    6. #7 - Thambee always tipu Anay and I still didn't see Ramen photos here yet. They are so clever to make alley placards and displays to explain everything in Japan like a propaganda! Will I ever get to visit Sapporo to taste their delicious ramen?? Pray for my trip to come true!

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    7. #8 - What a unique name as Burnt Miso Ramen and it smells nice from its name! I wonder if they have this in KL now? I always love the colour of their orange yolk as if the chickens drank coloured orange juice before laying eggs! Wakakakaka
      I noticed that they seem to have standard pricing for minimum 800Y per bowl everywhere!

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    8. #9 - Good that you could slept well that night and did Fing Fing snore like a monkey or pig? Why you had to quietly snap photos? You mean your phone makes clicking sound? My Samsung phone must be a mute & dumb model! Wakakaka
      The way you posed hanging out in erotic manner calling for service reminds me of some Japanese porns I saw many moons ago! Wakakaka

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  42. Haha, nothing wrong being 'nocturnal', especially when go travelling! Don't know about you but for me, whenever I go travel, I'll be super energetic one, regardless of time, but I know, I must get some sleep at night, else cannot wake up on time the next day :p
    But I don't mind if I sleep late, just a short 4-5 hours sleep at night is also tolerable for me already. Cause what I think is, since I am at oversea, I must grab the chance and fully utilise the time I have to go sight seeing/eat whatever they offer, come back Msia only 'replace' the rest la! xD

    Oh, free Wifi is important! Even getting their SIM card is also important, especially for people who have kids back home (like me), cause have to keep in touch with them all the time.
    Thank you for the information on how to get the free wifi! I wonder why I din't do that when I went Japan last time, perhaps that time Wifi isn't so 'important' yet. Now, everywhere we go must go online. So Wifi is certainly important!
    The procedure sounds something like what I experienced in Bangkok, they also gave a piece of paper with random username and password, and we just need to show them our passport and sign on their record book.
    But coverage is not so good la, many places also fail to connect one, even at the airport itself. But don't know la, may be Japan one more canggih?
    So did you check-in on FB all the time during your trip? :p

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    1. If not , buy a prepaid sim card with data only. That was what my SG friends did when in Malaysia.

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  43. Coming back to the ramen , I wonder if you can asked for more noodles or cha shu ? I usually did that in SG. In other words, top up !

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