| [Volume 9 Issue 9, #1945] | ||||||||||||||||
| Hokkaidō Trip Summer 2014 - DAY 7B of 8 One Final Evening in 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.. | ||||||||||||||||
| we left Sapporo (札幌) since day 3 of the trip to set foot on different cities in Hokkaido, with most of the places being rather laid-back and peaceful.. on the afternoon of day 7, after our half-day excursion to Otaru (小樽) [Day 7A], we were finally back to Sapporo (札幌) again, back to the hustle and bustle of a city again which has been absent from our trip for many days.. :p | ||||||||||||||||
 Back in Sapporo (札幌) the bustling city after being away for many days.. :p  Last minute sight-seeing in Sapporo (札幌): the Former Hokkaido Government Office Building, Sapporo Clock Tower, Odori Park and Sapporo Tower, Tanukikoji Shopping Street  Heaty but delicious grilled and fried food for dinner: grilled ham, sausages, dumplings (gyoza) and stuffed chicken wings (wings gyoza).. nom nom!! | ||||||||||||||||
Click the numbered buttons to the right of the photo to browse between photos.
we reached Sapporo (札幌) at 4:10pm and the first thing we did was to check-in at our hotel since we left our luggage with the concierge in the morning before leaving.. yes, we moved to another hotel because the previous night stay was an impromptu change of plan while the stay this night was booked much earlier.. our final night was at Nest Hotel Sapporo Ekimae (ネストホテル札幌駅前 Nesuto Hoteru Sapporo Ekimae) [website] just few minutes walk from Sapporo Station (札幌駅 Sapporo Eki), at ¥8900 per double room.. along the walk to our hotel, finally we were back to feel the hustle and bustle of a busy city, after missing (no pun intended) this for many days while we were away at other smaller cities.. i mentioned an impromptu change huh?? okay, here is the story.. initially, Hakodate (函館) wasn't in our itinerary until we slot it in two weeks before the trip.. at that time, we planned to travel to and from Hakodate (函館) by night train, so we could sleep in the train, arrive at the next city the next morning and save on accommodation.. few days to the trip, we reviewed the itinerary and thought it would be tiring for us to travel such way.. the major issue was, we knew we are no more young people, worrying not able to take the hassle and fell sick and cannot enjoy the trip, we finally decided to ditch the idea.. hence extra night in both Asahikawa (旭川) and Sapporo (札幌), rather save less than be sorry, right?? but if you think you are strong enough, this idea can be an alternative :)
hoping to see more of the city, me and another friend ditched the other two who opted to rest in the hotel before we met up again for dinner later.. our first stop, the Former Hokkaido Government Office Building (北海道庁旧本庁舎 Hokkaidōchō kyūhonchōsha) which is also known as the "Red Brick Office Building" (赤れんが庁舎 Aka renga chōsha).. it now houses a tourist information office as well as a few historical exhibition rooms and libraries, all for free admission.. we didn't get in as it closes at 6:00pm, but just lingering outside looking at the red building as well as the flowers in the compound landscaping was not a loss too.. dated back to its first built in 1873, the design of this building was influenced by the American neo-baroque architecture style back then.. legendarily, the building has gone through two times fire destroys and rebuilt, finally in 1968 which is the 100th anniversary of the Government of Hokkaido Prefecture (北海道庁 Hokkaidōchō), the building was listed as one of the historical properties to be preserved permanently..
as we stayed near the Sapporo Station (札幌駅 Sapporo Eki), attractions are all within walking distance.. about 10-minutes from the Former Hokkaido Government Office Building, we were there at the Sapporo Clock Tower (札幌市時計台 Sapporo-shi Tokeidai).. on the first floor is an exhibition room of its history, admission at ¥200 but we were there way past its closing time at 5:00pm.. BTW, remember the "Free Wifi" we got when we landed in New Chitose Airport (新千歲空港 Shin Chitose Kūkō) days earlier [refresh memory]?? free wifi was available here, so besides busy taking photos, we were also busy getting connected online, haha!! :D built in 1878 as one of the theatrical halls of the then Sapporo Agricultural School (札幌農学校 Sapporo Nō Gakkō), now Hokkaido University (北海道大学 Hokkaidō Daigaku), it is currently the oldest building in Sapporo.. this building is another one influenced by American design and was the idea of the school's first vice president.. the clock however, was only installed 3 years later in July 1881 and in 1970, listed under one of the important cultural properties of Japan..
our next stop was Odori Park (大通公園 Ōdōri Kōen), just across the street, but what you are seeing here is just a part of this huge park.. the park runs for 1.5km from east to west, dividing the city of Sapporo (札幌) into the north and south.. we were at the 3rd block (西3丁目 Nishi 3 chōme) which is directly south of Sapporo Station (札幌駅 Sapporo Eki), of course it wasn't possible for us to cover the whole park, because after some walking we were a bit tired.. so tired that we had to sit down on a bench in the park to enjoy some very juicy grilled sweet corn (¥150) [#7B.4.3], muahaha!! Odori means "large street" and it was originally a street in Sapporo that split the public servants and offices to the north, and residential areas to the south.. besides, this street also acted as a firebreak (火防線 Kabō-sen) to prevent the spread of fire back then.. streets of the north-south direction intersect with Odori and formed 13 "blocks" from east to west, each with a standard area of 65m by 110m.. in 1876, flower gardens were built in the 3rd and 4th blocks (西3丁目 Nishi 3 chōme and 西4丁目 Nishi 4 chōme), and in 1909 the street was made a walking area, which started the origin of the entire Odori Park.. since then Odori Park was slowly developed across all the 13 blocks, built with facilities for the public and became an oasis of the city as well as a popular venue for many kinds of festivals.. [reference]
there seems to be one tower in every major city in Japan, do you think the same?? of course Sapporo isn't excluded.. so here you are, the Sapporo TV Tower (札幌テレビ塔 Sapporo Terebi-tō) built in 1957 and standing 147.2m tall, with digital clocks installed at 65m on four sides of the tower in 1961.. if you are at where i were, go nowhere but just turn back facing east and you can see the tower clearly, because it was built on the 1st block of Odori Park (西1丁目 Nishi 1 chōme), haha!! i believe the view from the 3rd block (西3丁目 Nishi 3 chōme) is good enough, as you can see the whole structure together with flowers, sculptures and fountains.. too near and i actually think it's tougher to get a view, unless you wish to pay ¥720 to go up to the observatory deck at 90.38m..
both of us just did a brief explore, probably 2 hours the maximum, and return back to hotel to meet up with the other two friends for dinner.. guess everyone was hungry and we just settled our dinner at a small eatery a block away from our hotel.. a very long name again, Naniwa hitokuchi gyōza Chaochao Sapporo Tokeidai-ten (浪花ひとくち餃子チャオチャオ札幌時計台店 Naniwa Dumplings Chaochao Sapporo Clock Tower Shop) where we had fried and grilled food [#7B.6.2], heaty i know but very delicious woh, could not resist to eat less!! i especially love the grilled ham (昔ながらの明宝ハム ¥500 for 4 pcs) and stuffed chicken wings which they called it "wings gyoza" (手羽先餃子 ¥850 for 4 pcs), of course the gyoza (dumplings) and sausages were nice too.. an ALL MEAT meal surely makes me happy!! haha~~ :p
after a satisfying dinner, we went to the famous Tanukikoji Shopping Arcade (狸小路商店街 Tanukikoji Shōtengai).. literally "Raccoon Alley", this shopping arcade is more than 140 years old today, where one can find food and knick-knacks ideal for souvenirs.. too bad, most of the shops were closed or were closing by the time we were there.. anyway, it was actually more interesting to look up at the decorations on the roof, each section comes with decorations of different themes, very beautiful indeed.. we strolled along the entire 900m of this shopping arcade, it was indeed an evening with good food for both our stomachs as well as our eyes~~ :p why "raccoon"?? some said there are real raccoons appearing in the place.. some said that refers to women who gather at the place at night to lure men for "business" (you know what i mean), behaving discreetly just like raccoons..
as we walked back to our hotel from Tanukikoji (狸小路), i was able to see the Sapporo Clock Tower (札幌市時計台 Sapporo-shi Tokeidai), Odori Park (大通公園 Ōdōri Kōen) and Sapporo TV Tower (札幌テレビ塔 Sapporo Terebi-tō) once again, but this time very different view at night.. all i can say is, the day and night has each got their own beauty.. back to hotel, we had a little supper, a supper to "clear stock" the snacks [#7B.8.2] we bought along the trip and not able to packed into our luggage.. sweets to call it a day, did i have a sweet dream that night too?? hehe~~ :p | ||||||||||||||||
| so, that was how the final evening of this trip to Hokkaido has been spent.. and seemed like our time spent in Sapporo (札幌) added to just one day, not seeing much but at least seen some of the must see.. the next day would be the last day of the trip which we spent most of the time in the plane, yet still a bit to blog about in order to complete this series.. stay tuned!! :) travelogue posts in this series: |
2014.09.24 | 北海道夏(7B)
| [Volume 9 Issue 9, #1945] |
| Hokkaidō Trip Summer 2014 - DAY 7B of 8 One Final Evening in 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.. |
| we left Sapporo (札幌) since day 3 of the trip to set foot on different cities in Hokkaido, with most of the places being rather laid-back and peaceful.. on the afternoon of day 7, after our half-day excursion to Otaru (小樽) [Day 7A], we were finally back to Sapporo (札幌) again, back to the hustle and bustle of a city again which has been absent from our trip for many days.. :p |
Back in Sapporo (札幌) the bustling city after being away for many days.. :p Last minute sight-seeing in Sapporo (札幌): the Former Hokkaido Government Office Building, Sapporo Clock Tower, Odori Park and Sapporo Tower, Tanukikoji Shopping Street Heaty but delicious grilled and fried food for dinner: grilled ham, sausages, dumplings (gyoza) and stuffed chicken wings (wings gyoza).. nom nom!! |
| so, that was how the final evening of this trip to Hokkaido has been spent.. and seemed like our time spent in Sapporo (札幌) added to just one day, not seeing much but at least seen some of the must see.. the next day would be the last day of the trip which we spent most of the time in the plane, yet still a bit to blog about in order to complete this series.. stay tuned!! :) travelogue posts in this series: |
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Good.morning bloggers ! I'm first !!
ReplyDeleteGood Morning Bento King! Anything Japanese is your favourite from sights to food in your tummy. How many times have you visited Japan?
DeleteHello ChrisAu, Congrats! Congrats! :)
Deleteand i remember Chris said he will wallop three sets of Japanese bento once he recovered.. :D
DeleteGood morning ladies & gentlemen, boys & girls.. As usual, before I start my work, I come in here to comment first.. Ok, today day 7B liao, come, I’m ready!
ReplyDeleteOh, so today you are back in Sapporo
Delete*wait, I realize I can’t copy your post already wor, coz sometimes need to use certain Japanses characters ma*
Ok, continue.. What? *Eyes popped out* *Scrolls up again*
DeleteHabis jor la? Yau mou ahh? Siew kin wor.. (seldom see wor)..
Oohh, sorry, my eyes too small I think, I can’t see that “full version”..
DeleteOk, now I click on “full version”..
Ok, now I’m reading your full version.
Confession: I clicked on your “Little Gossip” button, but the story doesn’t sound like a gossip/scandal, so I just skipped reading it..
The Government office looks like Disneyland.. Phew, lucky I see your picture as I keep scrolling down, coz I’m scared I don’t know what else to type.. Hehe.. Oohh, ok, so now I can type a bit about you.. Wah, I like your shirt, so canggih one, got two-toned colours.. Very “yau ying” wor.. I realize you like to pose sideways too, huh..
DeleteOohh, so after you guys were tired after walking, you guys sat down and enjoyed some grilled sweet corns? For me ahh, if tired and panting, wah, sure think of ice cream la.. That melon sundae you guys had still fresh in my mind..
DeleteAs I keep scrolling, I see the word – all meat and more meat..
DeleteI was wondering where are the food and meat pictures.. Then I realize there are buttons #1 #2 at the side of the picture.. Ooohh, now I see those meat, yummmzzz.. I just had chicken porridge and two sugar doughnuts for breakfast, but after I see those sausages and meat patties, I’m hungry again..
I skipped all your tiny buttons after each paragraph, - the history and interesting facts, BUT I clicked on your Tiny Trivia.. Coz that word attracted me.. Oh, so they are called “the raccoons”? Such a cute name, today I know.. Raccoon Alley, haha..
DeleteMorning princess....have a good day !
DeleteMorning prince.. Today feeling normal.. When I'm at work, I'm normal.. Haha..
DeleteGood Morning Prince and Princess of Sapporo. Nice to hear birds singing here.
DeleteHope you will have a nice day and feel normal. I wonder what you become when abnormal? Lol
Which photo is the best in today's post here? There are only 8 photos and I pick the shopping street!! I love to see all the creative shops with cute and funny displays in Japan.
The best (to me) would be that Disneyland thingy.. Oops I mean that Government office.. Sekali pandang very nice that view.. Click on full version and you shall see more I guess..
DeleteGood evening Princess Ribbon,
DeleteWah, you come here to comment so early. Now I cannot comment in the office already so can only comment at night.
this Princess Ribbon made herself sounds like such an obvious hypocrite.. while she was surprised why the post is so short, i think she must be very happy in heart.. but when she found out there's a full version, she only scroll quickly and then comment for the sake of commenting, haha!! aiyah, why so like me when i'm reading your long-winded post also geh?? really "bou ying" (retribution) lor, muahahahaha!!
Deletebecause i knew everyone is also sicked of this series already, so better finish it quickly and also show everyone the short version only lah.. only those who appreciate and are really interested and to know more will go and read the full version, and click on the buttons to read in details lor.. anyway, thank you so much for holding on with my shyiok sendiri posts, everyone!! hahahahaha~~
I am sure you do have some peaceful moments in otaru and other small towns before back to the bustling sapporo. That's a good stress reliever. Wah ...so fast on the 7th day. Trip.is ending.
ReplyDeleteyes, indeed Sapporo was just rather a brief stay, and most of the time we were travelling between other cities in Hokkaido..
DeleteSapporo is so beautiful from pix no. 1. It's not as bustling as other cities. There's some peacefulness in that city. It looks quiet and clean. The place was beautiful with the lights coming out in the evening.
ReplyDeleteerrr, other cities mean?? actually probably because of the photos i took, and also probably we were not at the most bustling area?? haha~~
DeleteAh ...still on pix 1. There are some beautiful and colourful flowers over there. That really 'decorate' the city with the summer flowers.
ReplyDeleteoh yes.. that place is always very nicely decorated.. i think Hokkaido has got long winter, so when they don't see snow, they take every opportunity for all other colors~~ :D
DeleteWow ...u did two.versions here ....One for the hardworking folks where the other one for lazy bloggers like me....hahha ...I shall come back later for the full version.
ReplyDeleteyalah.. because i've received lots of complaints already (though many indirectly but i am smart to know lah).. so now better show everyone the short version first.. only those who appreciate and interested to read more will click the link for full version lor..
DeleteThe buildings in the second pix of the shorter version are so beautiful. I guess you really miss the place judging from your ending remarks. Anyway that's normal if you had a good trip.
ReplyDeleteyes, Sapporo being the capital city of Hokkaido and probably our stay there was a little to short.. more like a place for transit only, haha!!
DeleteI would have imagined Sapporo's buildings (or Hokkaido in general) would have a heavy Russian influence, since they are the closest. It feels strange to see heavy American influence instead.
ReplyDeleteHhhmmm, RealGunners, you do seem to like geography because I wouldnot have linked Japan and Russia because my geography is bad.
DeleteHahaha, I used to be fascinated by the maps. I had a few atlas books as a kid and memorized most of the maps :P
Deletehaha.. i think the Japanese are more pro-America.. and if you look at the map, Hokkaido is actually nearer to America than other places in Japan also, hahaha!! and yes, give me five, i also like to gaze at maps learning the names of different countries and cities and places :)
DeleteGood to go on your own as can visit places u want to go and dont have to rush...
ReplyDeleteThis is the pro of DIY trips.
Deleteyes, agree.. that's why i like DIY trips :)
DeleteYes, time passes by so fast when one is having a great time, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteSK, I haven't said this before but I marvel at all the details you are able to take note off or remember to share with us. That's highly commendable, I must say. Btw, I could have missed this info, were you travelling with someone who knows Japan well? I remember you have a friend who is there or am I mistaken? Anyway, your information will be helpful for those who intend to visit the place.
Good morning, bright sunny morning today!
It is very true that time really passes fast when one is enjoying oneself to the max.
DeleteArghh! Spotted an error. It should have read 'take note of' in the first line. Oops! Btw, love the shot of the clocktower. There's something about clocktowers, don't you think?
DeleteHello Mun!
errr, that's because i planned the trip so of course i knew all the whereabouts i have been, haha!! there was a lot of research done before the trip, and also post-trip research done for the sake of writing the posts..
Deletehmmm, something about clock towers?? what could that be?? :)
I like the sound of Tanukikoji! Wonder what it stands for... Sounds and looks interesting cos it is a SHOPPING street! I tell you, SK... after sightseeing, I think we ladies (most ladies) would like to end up in a shopping street... don't buy also never mind.. but like to look see look see, to wind up the day... this is the time to enjoy snacking (if there are food stalls) and buying tiny souvenirs for our love ones and friends..
ReplyDeleteI like to window shop all the time and never buy anything.
DeleteTanukikoji means "Raccoon Alley", and i guess the ladies, or maybe i shall say most ladies, would enjoy that place very much.. many shops to buy stuffs and knick-knacks, for yourself as well as souvenirs for others.. and when tired, can just find a place to eat and drink..
DeleteI'm amazed at how well you remember your trip. Do you like take down notes each minute you were there?
ReplyDeleteI am amazed at SK's details too and would like to know whether or not he took notes too. Maybe the photos he took remind him of how the day went.
Deletenotes already taken down BEFORE the trip lah.. i planned the itinerary so there were already a lot of research done beforehand, haha.. and of course, like Mun said, the photos also remind me of the things if i ever slip things out of my mind.. :)
DeleteGood evening SK and everyone,
ReplyDeleteThe short version is short and sweet so I read the long version as well. Back to Sapporo at 4.10pm and luckily still have a few hours of daylight to go sightseeing.
I was wondering why the change of plans regarding hotel and true enough, SK can read our mind beforehand so he prepared the little gossip section. I agree that getting enough rest and comfortable sleep is important for a trip so saving money like that is indeed penny wise but pound foolish as so much money have been spent on the flights and hotels and if saving one or two days of hotel stay caused one to become ill and cannot enjoy the rest of the trip, then the total money spent will not be wisely spent. So I agree that sleeping in the hotel and not the train is really a good move.
because of feedback and complaints, i have decided to put the short version as default for everyone.. only those who appreciate and want to know more will be clicking the full version and read on..
Deletehaha, sometimes i'll read what i wrote from the readers perspective.. and probably thought it may be good to explain a little on some "grey" areas.. and you definitely understand where i was coming from huh?? not young anymore lah, so better not take the risk, later fell sick lagi worse kan??
Yes, yes, now that I am old already, it is more of quality than rush here and there to see the max at the lowest price so no more goat-herding whirlwind travel by coaches tours for me anymore. And also stay in hotel rather than sleep in trains or airports because if fell sick really cannot tahan d.
Deletehaha, very true indeed.. if fell sick then really can't do anything, suffer and cannot enjoy the trip.. better not take the risk huh?? :)
DeleteI would also ditched the others who want to rest in the room to go out for more sight seeing while there is still daylight. Good decision!
ReplyDeleteSheta would love to obseve the Red Brick Office Building architecture. SK, Good choice of selecting this building as the backdrop for your running man pose.
The architecture of the Clock Tower is also interesting. To think that its namesake, the Clock was only installed 3 years later.
The flowers in the Odori Park are so pretty. Interesting to know that the park came later and that it was originally just a fire breaker street. The corn is a healthy snack. Did both of you carry your own water bottle with you all the time? Because I notice you did not buy any drinks to drink after eating the corn.
Good photo shot of the TV tower from afar. Any closer I don't think you will get such a nice shot.
yeah, we didn't actually spend much time in Sapporo, if you remember it's more like a place for transit to other cities in Hokkaido in this trip.. when we got back to Sapporo from Otaru, it was already late afternoon close to evening, so i would really not want to waste time but to have more time to at least explore the place.. at least now that those in my list i've seen them..
Deleteand while writing this post, i also did post-trip research of the place, only to find how interesting the stories were behind them..
That dinner was sure a meaty one! Good to fill up the stomachs and after a full dinner, sure must walk about a bit to help with digestion. Raccoon Alley, Interesting trivia about it. Hehehe, I use a tanuki photo in my profile so I can recognize the word tanuki in the word Tanukikoji. The shopping arcade sounds and looks a bit like the one in Osaka.
ReplyDeleteAfter eating sweet snacks as supper, I am sure all of you had very sweet dreams! :)
very true.. we went into the restaurant very hungrily and came out quite bloated.. and surely not going to waste time on our final night in Japan, so we just walked about the place.. Tanukikoji is very nice especially the decorations on the roof, each section has got their own theme..
Deletei'm going to include Sapparo into my place to go list...
ReplyDeleteread more places in this series and i guess you may have other priorities then~~ :p
DeleteSightseeing is indeed very important when we travel. Otherwise it's not worthwhile. Other that that, indulging in food is also a must. You have covered practically all about your trip. Well done, SK!
ReplyDeleteerrr, i think it would be a mixture lah.. sight-seeing of those must-go, and then not forgetting to try some authentic food, and if possible, i would also love to do some activities which i can learn about the local culture.. travel is more about experiencing to me :)
DeleteTambee see Sapp;),ro think of sapuru hehe. Dreaming of going Sapporo in winter one fine day.
ReplyDeleteyeah, it would be nice to go Hokkaido during winter.. :)
DeleteBananaz no need to dream. Bananaz wants to go Hokkaido with Mango, anytime also can go. No worries.
DeleteYannie has to dream for it actually.
Japan oh Japan! When can I go visiting you? I am so envy at SK and those who visited Japan.
Yannie no need to dream.. go and bodek your JJ and ask him to bring YAM to Hokkaido.. :)
DeleteGood afternoon Sk....ahahaha ...am late today...
ReplyDeletefinal post for Hokkaido trip ya. in a blink of an eye liao.
Cant talk much today...gotta run now. Will be back tomorrow to see all the lovely photos
uiks...I noticed left hand side got new thing...hands on for newcomers hahaha ...good one
Deletewah, afternoon already, faster go back home to cook lunch for Small Kucing, haha!! yalah.. i read my comments and when readers give suggestion i will listen dei~~ :)
Deleteadoi...my 'juling' eyes...today baru read the bottom line...not final post...lol...
Deletetarak cook lunch lo..tapau only
hahaha i see the red arrow i baru perasan :p
not the final post but "almost" the final post lah, because the last day traveling only so nothing much to write about :)
DeleteI like the shotengai photos! :)
ReplyDeleteThe tanuki is so cute! :)
this shotengai is really a very fascinating one.. love all those deco on the roof lah, that huge tanuki for sure.. :)
Deletesedap-nyer....all the grilled food and fried stuff so tempting...summore u bought so much snacks till cannot fit into luggage! sure gained few kgs!
ReplyDeleteyalor, thought not very authentic Japanese but then still Japanese lah.. and those snacks, that's why we need to "clear stock" at night so as to off load our luggage :p
Delete其實札幌對我嚟講就好似路過嘅驛站，如果再有機會好想停留耐啲，好好咁去深入探究。
ReplyDelete其實我呢個trip都係一樣, 感覺上似係南上北下嘅驛站多啲..
DeleteOh initially no plans to overnight ya. That is the good thing about DIY trip . Can change plan when feel not feasible.
ReplyDeleteI know, travelling can be very tiring. many have fall ill during trip or after trip. good that you all reconsider it else habis rugi if fall sick during the trip. Not only cannot enjoy the trip fully but if serious illness have to go see doctor....not sure pulak the country medical policy.
yalor, initially thought to and from Hakodate just take night train and sleep in the train lor.. but then later rethink, scared sekali fall sick then manyak susah, cannot enjoy the trip and then later seek medical assistance also manyak expensive oh.. better no play play..
Delete7B14. Uiks really have many festival there wor. Hmm...just nice time to go and wander around. Looking forward to scrolling down and see if you visited the festival/show/exhibition of not.
ReplyDeleteOf the 4 pic i thin i like 7B13 &14 better coz the 11 and 12 looks pretty normal.
errr, too bad lah, didn't actually joined any festivals there.. the trip also quite rush lah because we went to so many places.. and this one?? errr, already late in the evening, so closed already.. but summer sure got lots of festivals one..
Delete7B21- LOL....guess your other friends are worn out leh from the trip. You still have so much energy. Must be due to all the gym session you have been attending leh. got stamina.
ReplyDeleteCan understand why it's called Red Brick Office Building. Now being a tourist information office very apt leh. Not only can get information there but tourist can go see exhibitions.
Can also lepak outside there...i see so many lovely flowers and plants leh. Can sit and look at map and plan where to go to next.
because i kiasu want to see more of the place.. because Sapporo was like transit for us, so the very last night there, at least go and see some major attractions lor.. die die also last minute do all the things, haha!!
Delete7B22...eh dont piak my CB mouth ah but the photo at that angle looks a bit like the building in the beginning of the horror movie The Omen.
ReplyDeletehahaha, i won't piak you lah, somemore not CB at all also mah~~ :D
Delete7B24...kurang satu aje...the cap with the helicopter blade....then can pretend flying jor....some more more have the bench there
ReplyDeletewei,,,what you hiding behind your back ah.....looks like a packet of keropok or a map geh...which is that?
Deletetwice destroyed and rebuilt...wow...this building have really "long life" leh.
DeleteMust appreciate the architect that rebuilt the building for preserving its looks leh.
i was holding the map lah, haha!! where got keropok?? if keropok already cannot wait to finish it before taking photos, haha.. yeah, i think Japan is very good in preserving their cultural heritage and history, that is what i like about Japan, i always say that..
Delete7B31. walking and waliing and walking for 7 days...wei..here you look like you loss many kg leh. so kurus already
ReplyDeletewas going to ask where is the clock tower....then click second photo baru nampak...too bad the first photo kena cut off the clock leh
here also got free wifi ah. laju or niot? Bet laju la. Our side here now many places also have free wifi but not fast. very hard to connect.
DeleteThe place does have a "school look" like in the old days movies.
haha, mana ada kurus?? just that i chose nicer photos to show you all only mah, takkan i chose the one i look fugly right?? haha.. aiyoh, the internet speed there super duper fast lah.. some times so fast that i cannot believe also.. if you go there, can spam comments in half of the time you spend here lor..
Delete7B43 You ah ...tak habis habis with the sweet corn. really that sedap ka over there? even sweeter than our pearl sweet corns? Yes...i do fancy a bite! Grrrrr!
ReplyDeleteI see those nicely arranged flowers...so so so jealous...so cantik the do the landscaping. my "garden" looks like jungle.
Oh Odori means Large Street ya...then Bon Odori festival is....? Large street festival?
Deletethe town(then) admin really have good planing wor....to have this wide space in case of fire so that it wont spread easily. Maybe the learn from the great San Francisco fire..
eih no leh.. the one in Hakodate was eaten raw, then this one in Sapporo is grilled one, and the one in Asahikawa in friend's house is "saap" one, where got tak habis habis?? hahahaha.. actually not very very special lah, here also can taste the same..
Deleteoh, the Odori here and as in Bon Odori are not the same.. pronounced similar but not exactly the same, the words also different.. the one here should be Ōdōri (大通) means large street, the Bon Odori (盆踊り) means the "bon" dance to honor the spirits of ancestors..
7B51 hahaha hey...our side here also have tower in every city leh but then most are not glamourise leh....tarak park or anything around it. here telecomminucation tower everywhere leh. :p
ReplyDeleteme kedekut. dont think i will pay to go up the observation deck la.
looks like not only you relaxing there leh. so many people sitting around the fountain. hahaha...bet nobody squat and do their "business" there ya :p
Deletehahaha, just my thought lah, because been to many cities in Japan, all also has at least one tower lor.. in Malaysia, maybe only KL got if not mistaken?? yalah, they sitting on by the fountain, we sat by the sweet corn stalls~~ :D
Delete7B61 Betul ke tidak oh...2 hours the two of you go so many place...the clock tower ...the information office...Odori Park and some more have time to spare to wallop sweet corn while enjoying the view of the tower....you sure you tarak Doremon punya time machine ah?
ReplyDeleteyalah, about two hours if i remember correctly.. actually nearby places only within walking distances, and we also like "walk horse see flower" only, didn't really explore deeper.. :p
Delete7B62 - manyak syok makan...makes me drool also la. Not sure about dumplings coz the ones i ate here not to my taste coz i dont like thick skin dumpllings. Maybe over there will be different kot.
ReplyDeleteThe rest of the food look super yummy especially the chickn wings. Ylu mentioned it's stuffed.Inside is stuffed with what...ahem you know me la....maybe can "copy" and make...i guess got minced chicken meat, sengkuang and what else ya?
the dumplings same like those we have here, either in Japanese or Chinese restaurant, those pan fried ones.. but i must say, these we had were prawns one, very fresh and juicy and not oily.. and the stuffed chicken wings, aiyoh, so so so nice!! inside was the same stuffing of the dumplings lor, they call it "Chicken Wing Dumplings" mah..
Deletehaha, Mamarazzi can try lah.. just take out the bones (meat still inside the skin) and then stuff some minced meat (pork nicer lah) inside, then take to deep fry, nice dei~~
7B71-Funny name....raccoon alley.
ReplyDelete140 years old? Hmm...looks like you guys very pandai look for those historical buildings to visit or the place memang fill with historical buildings?
when i look at photo 1...i was wondering what you mean by different theme on roof...now seeing photo 2,3,4 i baru understand. Too bad the shops mostly closed but still looking at the decoration also nice leh. Looks like having a festival leh there.
yikes....ahem ..means might be used to be red light area la....now modern liao no more la
eih, not pandai lah, but this Tanukikoji is very famous and is one of the tourist attractions lah.. maybe i shall say the Japanese is very good in preserving things, that's why everywhere we go also macam like 100+ years old lor.. nice right?? the decoration on the roof, i so enjoyed myself looking at them.. yalah, nowadays no more those "raccoons" luring for business i guess~~ :p
Delete7B82. hahahaha....clear stock ya....banyak syok. sure fing fing enjoyed himself very much "clearing" stock.
ReplyDeletehaha, because go supermarket or convenience stores, saw those interesting snacks, sure will want to buy and try mah.. then bought bought bought, the last day gotta finish them lah.. offload the luggage and some must be consumed mah~~ :D
Deleteyou say not seeing much but look back the day & post...so many things you guys saw already leh. certainly worth it la. a day well spent
ReplyDeleteactually not a lot, but we covered most of the places, briefly lor, like "dragonfly touching the water" only.. :)
DeleteA nice change of scenery back at Sapporo. I still can't over the flowers that I see in any of your photos hah..hah...(photo 7B.2.1). Oh, food! I am on an eating frenzy after my stay in the hospital muahahaha... So looking at the grilled sweet corn and those heaty, grilled and fried foods really making me go crazy! But I have to stay away from heaty food until I recover completely.
ReplyDeletehaha, sure wherever you see flower, you will say that's a nice place and you won't mind spending a few hours there?? and yes, it was a change back to the bustling city, perhaps getting us prepared before flying home, haha.. oh yeah, you gotta eat more healthily until you are completely recovered.. :)
DeleteSo you guys had an impromptu change of plan? Well it's good that you all reviewed the itinerary together before boarding the plane. I guess all of you din't regret making such changes huh?
ReplyDeleteThe government office building looks nice leh, macam a castle!
Got destroyed by fire before? Hmm actually macam a lot of those government buildings kena fire one, I remember the tour guide mentioned to me, during my trips oversea, but I cant recall which country already la! :p
But then I am always amazed at those works of rebuilding, I mean come to think of it, technology and material were limited many many years ago but people can still rebuild the whole building and maintain until present days, really amazing leh!
The clock tower looks beautiful, is the clock still functioning? There's a clock tower at Taiping too, I think 2, but I am not sure if they're still working, last time said it works on solar energy wo, but I doubt so la! :p And got free wifi here ar? Cool! So your friends and you must be busy checking in FB!
The Odori Park looks clean and well preserved! Such a nice place for picnic, paktor, and even some events ya?
Grilled sweet corn, looks yummy la!
What you guys had for dinner is indeed heaty, but who cares la, since you are on holiday, must eat and enjoy to the max!! Just remember to drink more water after that lo, hor? :p The chicken wings and sausages caught my attention the most!
I always love those shopping streets at Japan one, always so many interesting things to see, and always that crowded one!
Hmm, interesting fact about the raccoon!
You guys walked a lot, so deserve some supper la! Hehe! Ya I know what you mean, clear stock, sometimes just don't want to carry those food here and there, plus some food cannot be kept too many days also, so better clear them, and hunt for new food the next day :p
yalor, old already sure not as 精力十足 like the youngsters lah, sekali 舟車勞頓 and fell sick lagi worse right?? so better not take the risk lor, and paying just two more nights of stay in hotel, we can still afford lah..
Deleteyeah, the Japanese has done so well in preserving their traditions and culture and heritage, this is what i like about them.. and the clock tower, yes, still functioning one, and also chimes every hour de.. and Odori Park, cannot believe it's already so many years old right, but still like new, and impressed is that they already have such good city planning back in those years!!! salute~~
oh, the food was nice lah, haha!! a little change from all things raw mah, haha.. the chicken wings are stuffed with those 餃子餡料, very nice lor.. but we only had one each, like not enough, but then 少食多滋味 mah.. furthermore went back to hotel, still need to "clear stock", because cannot bring back that much and also some must be consumed, hahaha~~ :D
Pic 1 I know this place, hehe!!! Last time when I was there it was all covered with snow and then they’ve different types of Christmas LED light trees decorations, so pretty!! Guess the time you went was around summer so they’ve flower decorations for it!
ReplyDeletePic 2 The shopping street is it inside a shopping mall or something? Coz for the picture looks like it’s somewhere indoor duh!
Pic 3 Heaty food always very delicious to me, but the ham, sausages and chicken wings looks like western food more to me, hahaha!!! Don’t know Japanese got serve this kind of food also!! Xp
Even though I like to take plane but no doubt it if stay whole day a plane might felt quite tired and wasting time also, plus the AA plane sitting gap between seat and seat is slight tight than the rest of the airline so if can I always pick the midnight one or the earliest one in the morning, so can sleep but again AA also very hard to sleep the seat is very tegak…ops (out of topic!! =p)
actually just very brief stay there because the place already closed and we were rushing to go to another attractions.. haha, consider like 走馬看花 only..
Deletehmmm, you didn't go to the shopping street?? 貍小路 Tanukikoji when you were there?? it should be a famous place that your tour guide should have brought you all to woh, or you just forgotten already?? Japan has got many this type of shopping street, but they are all covered, so you want to say outdoor or indoor, depends how you look at it lah, haha..
Maybe I've forgot, it was so long time ago or also that time was around winter, everyone got so cold don't feel like walk outside, hahaha!! And now I remember during winter the road will be frozen as like ice on the road, have to walk very very slow, if walk too will slipped, that's why la maybe, don't know, hehe!! =]
Deleteyeah, too cold and too much snow also not fun at all.. but then it's a different kind of experience, Hokkaido is surely looking different in different seasons.. :)
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ReplyDeletePhoto #7B.1.1&2&3 I really like your idea leh, like that very nice, can gain another experience of have a overnight in the train, like those Europe train, people always take the long way trip train so then can sleep in the train!! But of coz have to check the traveler himself can take it or not la, if cannot don’t really tired yourself, I know the experience if not later will have no mood to walk and see things anymore, hehe!!
Photo #7B.1.4 I spotted something, did you go the the Sapporo International Art Festival?? It looks very interesting leh, I’m not a very artistic person but I like to see art, see the pretty pretty stuffs, if have a chance I’ll go see it!! This reminds the art expo last weekend at Matrade, previously I was thinking won’t be so many people got interested in art, the moment I got there was pretty early so not so much people then who knows it’s getting more and more crowded, and the very surprise thing most of them are like teenage, 20s or 30s visitors, really don’t play play duh!!
errr, sorry, we ditched the idea of taking overnight train.. because old already, scared like this 頻撲 ah later easily fell sick and then will be very troublesome lor.. so we stayed in hotels and then took early trains instead..
Deleteno time to go to all those festivals, because it was just rather a brief stay in Sapporo, almost like just transiting in this city.. maybe if got chance, can plan to stay in this city for longer time then can see more lor.. :)
Yah, next time plan stay in a place longer a bit so can explore more, like those backpacker, hahaha!!! Book flight only they feel like to, if not just stay at the same place to explore slowly and enjoy!! =]
Deleteerr I am not that kind of people who will spend too long just in one place lah.. I'm still kiasu type wanna see more things in shortest time.. time also an issue la, no need to work meh?? haha~~ :p
Deletenice this will be useful as i will be going to sappora coming february.!
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