Blogs from Hokkaido, Japan, Asia
April 2nd 2012
I am actually partway though writing a proper, chronological blog entry, but I felt the need to interrupt my regular (if sporadic) musings to share one of my New Favourite Things. If you have lived with me, or known me in certain contexts, you will probably know that I like baths. Imagine my joy at learning that there was a traditional Japanese bath in the hostel I was staying! Imagine my disappointment and disgust when I learned that it was for MEN ONLY. I could shower if I wanted, but would have to pay. That was my third worst accomodation experience since leaving New Zealand, fourth if you count the plane trip over. Osaka redeemed itself by providing me with a bath at my next hostel. It was a bit scary the first time; there are ... read more
May 16th 2011
So the journey continues northwards towards Hokkaido and to temperatures 10 degrees lower than the main island via a rather long train journey which takes us through the Japanese equivalent of the channel tunnel. First stop on the itinerary is Sapporo, the prefectural capital and japan's fifth largest city. We were both pleasantly surprised at how cosmopolitan and lively the city was as I think we were expecting something a lot smaller given its location and pleased that it was easy to navigate around as it used a more western grid system. We had plenty of time to explore around the sights around Shapiro centre ,take a pleasant but bracing stroll through Odori Koen and sample some of Sapporo's famed beer. Given my slight obsession with visiting zoos in other countries (yes it happens every ... read more
February 16th 2011
In Tokushima, warmer days are signalling spring's return. But in Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan, walls of snow coat the rural landscapes as well as the skyscrapers of its capital city. Two weeks ago, a group of JETs plus Francesca, my sorority sister-turned-fellow-Asia-explorer, braved this frigid frontier to see Sapporo's annual snow festival: Yuki Matsuri. Alight with ice and snow sculptures, festival food and activities like ice skating, tubing and a giant ski-jump slope, the wintery city seemed to smile. In between festival exploits, I'd like to think I also experienced some of the distinct culture of Hokkaido and its native Ainu people. Before it became part of Japan, the island was a separate country with a history reminiscent of that of Native Americans in North America. In one Ainu shop, I learned to say ... read more
July 26th 2010
From Sapporo, we took the local train for Iwamizawa, and got off at Shinrin Koen. It was raining heavily with strong winds when we arrived at the station. We found the bus stop which the bus for Kaitaku no mura would stop at, but we decided to wait for the bus inside of the station building. The bus arrived a little late because of the heavy rain. The bus ran through Nobori Shinrin Koen and bought us to Kaitaku no mura in ten minutes. Mark recognised the entrance building of the replica of the former Sapporo Station building, which was shown on the website. As soon as we paid for the admissions, there was a lady coming to me who asked if we would like to have a guide. She wasn't an English speaking guide, but ... read more
July 26th 2010
My mother was particularly keen on Asahiyama Zoo. She begged me to include the zoo and go there on a sunny day. The sunny weather came back on Friday, 21 May. We caught the limited express, Super Kamui at 8:34. The express train ran through the rural area where the farmers had planted rice plants. I had printed the bus timetable for Asahiyama zoo from the Internet. After arriving at Asahikawa station, we walked to the bus terminal 5. There was a long queue for the line for Asahiyama zoo, which has become one of the most popular zoos in Japan. We got on one of the local buses and it brought us to the zoo at 11 o'clock. Mark picked up the English map. We left my parents at the entrance. We started exploring the ... read more
July 26th 2010
We took the 8:34 Hakodate bound train. The express train, Super Hokuto was running southwards for Higashi-Muroran, then it turned westwards and ran along the Uchiura Bay, known as Funka Wan. I explained to Mark that the coast line of Uchiura Bay was formed by the volcanic activities and Funka translates as eruption and Wan means bay. We got off at Toya and got on the Donan bus for Lake Toya. The bus drove through the zig-zag road along the mountain and went past the diorama site, which was made on the actual place where buildings and roads were destroyed by the Usu mountain's eruption in 2000, and it has been deliberately kept and displayed as a part of the exhibition of the Science Museum. As the bus approached the lake, we could see a fabulous ... read more
July 19th 2010
Nakajima Park We got up at 8 o'clock on 18 May and started doing sightseeing at 9:30. We begin strolling through Nakajima Park. Typical Japanese cherry blossoms, i.e. someiyoshino seemed to have been out and we enjoyed looking at them. Nakajima Park was recently awarded as one of the 100 famous city parks in Japan, and the park possessed the tranquil ponds, winding streams, stylish sculptures, and various types of shrubs and trees, and it was home to many species of birds and wildlife. My parents planned strolling through Nakajima Park at first like us. We saw them in the park and my mother sketching. There were several fine buildings in Nakajima Park, i.e. Kitara Concert Hall, Planetarium, Literature Museum. While rambling along the brook, we found a very striking ultramarine blue mansion, i.e. Hoheikan. We ... read more
July 19th 2010
We bought one day sightseeing bus pass which would allow us to travel to sightseeing places, as well as viewing them from the bus. We had missed the No 3 bus departing at 12:05, and needed to wait for another 20 minutes. However, I realised that the canal plaza was a walking distance from the station and we decided to walk. Whilst heading for the Canal Plaza, we found the remains of the Temiya Railway, which was Hokkaido’s first steam railway. We didn’t only see the monument and rails but also saw platforms, signal boxes, and signposts and the rails were laid towards the Otaru Museum, former Railway Museum, which we had planned visiting in the afternoon. Having arranged to meet up with my parents at 12:30, we decided to walk along the canal. As anticipated, ... read more
July 19th 2010
Trip to Hakodate Having known that it would take over three hours by train between Sapporo and Hakodate, we had planned taking the 7:00 train for 23 May. We had a little snack with coffee at the hotel and took a couple of packets of bread and rice balls for us to eat on the way to Hakodate. The express train, Super Hokuto was running past the Uchiura Bay and Onuma Koen National Park, and brought us to the destination at 10:11. My parents had decided to join the bus tour departing from Hakodate station. We planned doing sightseeing independently using the tram and on foot. We bought one day tram passes at the tourist information centre and took the tram near the station. Goryokaku Koen We firstly headed for Goryokaku Koen. In contrast to the ... read more
March 30th 2010
We managed to find a snowboarding deal at the travel agent in Noichi, where some of them even speak English! We got return flights from Kochi to Chitose, return bus transfer to hotel, 6 nights in a business hotel (with breakfast), 2 lunches, equipment rental, and a 6 day lift pass for all mountains (including night ski) - all for JPY88,000 each, which is about £600. So all that leaves is 4 lunches, 6 dinners, and the ever compulsory omiyage. Monday We left home at 06:35, 5 minutes later than planned. But my landlady’s husband (who incidentally is the spitting image of Mr. Miyagi from The Karate Kid) drove us to the airport, and he seemed to enjoy speed, so we got there in good time. At the check-in counter, we were told to go to ... read more
