Tag: onsen

5D5N in August Hokkaido! Day 4: Exploring Otaru and Relaxing in Niseko

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Otaru’s history as a prosperous port city during the Meiji period is evident in its old warehouses and European-inspired architecture. Otaru was once a hub for the herring fishing industry. It also served as a gateway for trade with Russia. Now, Otaru has transformed into a nostalgic tourist destination. It offers good food and beautiful crafts. Let’s dive into where to eat and shop during our visit!

Day 4 Summary:

  • 8:00 AM: Breakfast at Sankaku Shijo Otaru (三角市場 小樽)
  • Checkout from hotel and drove to Sakaimachi
  • 11:00 AM: Shopping in Otaru – Otaru Music Box Museum (小樽オルゴール堂 本館), Sakaimachi Street (小樽堺町通り商店街)
  • 3:15 PM: Leave for Niseko
  • 5:00 PM: Reach Hilton Niseko Village Resort
  • Onsen and dinner

8:00 AM: We began our day with a delicious breakfast. It was at Sankaku Shijo Otaru (三角市場 小樽) a small but lively morning market near the train station. If you love seafood, this place is heaven. (Note! It opens only at 8am.) Compared to other fish markets I have been to in Japan, Sankaku Shijo is not large. That said, in this small market, there are several places offering delicious and reasonably priced kaisen dons (sashimi over rice bowls).

Yes, people eat raw fish for breakfast in Japan! We picked the largest restaurant there as we were really hungry and did not want to wait. The place is called Ajidokoro Takeda 味処たけだ. It’s right in the center of the market so you will not miss it.

Ajidokoro Takeda (味処たけだ)
〒047-0032 Hokkaido, Otaru, Inaho, 3 Chome−10−16 三角市場内
otaru-takeda.com

There were uni dons (bowls with only sea urchin), and what’s amazing is that there were two different types of uni. You can choose to have either one or both. Besides uni, crab is one of their popular dishes. As such, I indulged in a Three-toppings rice bowl or 三色丼, with crab, salmon roe and uni. Every bite was heavenly. For those who prefer something else, there are plenty of options including cooked items too!

11:00 AM: After breakfast, we explored the charming streets of Otaru. Our first stop was the Otaru Music Box Museum 小樽オルゴール堂 本館, which was at one end of the Sakaimachi 小樽堺町通り商店街.

Trivia: オルゴール comes from the word orgel which means organ in Dutch.

Stepping inside felt like entering a dream. The museum is filled with beautifully crafted music boxes, each one unique. There are three floors. The first floor is mainly items on sale, the second floor is for crafts and museum, and on the third floor, I found a shop dedicated to Studio Ghibli-themed music boxes! Hearing the delicate tunes from My Neighbor Totoro was enchanting. The soft melodies floating through the museum made it a magical start to our day. We couldn’t resist and bought a music box from here.

Otaru Music Box Museum 小樽オルゴール堂 本館
4-1 Sumiyoshicho, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0015, Japan
otaru-orgel.co.jp

Next, we wandered down Sakaimachi Street (小樽堺町通り商店街), famous for its glassware shops. It’s the perfect place to pick up one-of-a-kind souvenirs. I picked up a beautiful hand-blown glass wind chime and a sake bottle set to bring home. The street also has tempting snacks—I highly recommend trying the green tea, cantaloupes, and dried squid.

3:15 PM: After shopping, we left Otaru and hit the road towards Hilton Niseko Village. This continues our journey in Hokkaido. The drive through the lush landscape was scenic, and by the time we arrived, we were ready for some relaxation.

5:00 PM: The outdoor onsen was exactly what I needed. The hot spring’s warmth eased away the day’s fatigue, and the stunning backdrop made it all the more special. For dinner, I decided to try something iconic—Hokkaido soup curry. This rich, flavorful dish was the perfect balance of hearty and spicy, filled with local vegetables and tender meat. A satisfying end to the day after soaking in the onsen.

Day 4 was a perfect mix of exploring Otaru’s historic charm and unwinding in Niseko’s natural beauty. Tomorrow promises more adventures!

Hilton Niseko Village
Niseko, Abuta District, Hokkaido 048-1592, Japan
hilton.com

Niigata: A Hidden Gem in Japan – 5D4N – Day 4/5

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Day 4/5: Minami-Uonuma 南魚沼: A Serene Escape

Itinerary

  • Travel to Ogi and back
  • 9:30AM Depart Ryotsu Port 両津 to Niigata Port 新潟 on Sado Kisen Jetfoil 佐渡汽船 ジェットフォイル
  • 10:37AM Arrive at Niigata Port 新潟
  • Lunch at Niigata
  • 1:03PM Depart Niigata Station 新潟駅 to Echigo Yuzawa Station 越後湯沢駅 on Jōetsu Shinkansen Toki 62
  • 1:46PM Arrive at Echigo Yuzawa Station 越後湯沢駅
  • Ponshukan Sake Museum
  • 3:15PM Bus to Ryugon 龍言
  • 5:00PM Dinner at Ryugon
  • 8:30PM Shamizen Performance at Ryugon

Next Day

  • 8:00AM Breakfast at Ryugon
  • 10:30AM Travel to Hakkaisan Yukimuro
  • 12NN Lunch at Echigo Winery

The last part of our Niigata trip was spent in Minami-Uonuma. Two key destination points are Hakkaisan and Ryugon.

Morning – Sado Island

Before we headed to Minami-Uonuma, we took a quick ride around Sado to the beautiful coastal view of Shukunegi and then to the port.

Sado Island has two ports, Ryotsu Port, which connects to Niigata city (Niigata Port) and Ogi Port, which connects to Joetsu (Naoetsu Port). Do note that the ferry route to Naoetsu does not run throughout the year. Remember to check the Sado Kisen site on ferry timings and availability. This trip, we decided to take the ferry (Jetfoil) back to Niigata Port.

There are many options before heading to Minami-Uonuma. The option we took is to have lunch at Niigata City, travel to Echigo Yuzawa then the Ponshukan at Yuzawa Station to grab the free ride to Ryugon. You could also consider lunch at Niigata, Ponshukan at Niigata and walk around Niigata before taking train to Muikamachi Station, or spend more time on Sado.

You can choose between sushi or soba in Niigata City, though many sushi restaurants do not open on Sunday in Niigata.

Lunch – Suzakaya Soba Niigata Station 須坂屋そば 新潟駅前店

〒950-0901 Niigata, Chuo Ward, Benten, 1 Chome−4−29 1F～3F ＩＭＡビル

Yum yum, hegi soba.

Ponshukan Echigo Yuzawa Sake Museum ぽんしゅ館

〒949-6101 2427-3 Yuzawa, Yuzawamachi, Minamiuonuma, Niigata

Here you get to try all sorts of Nihon-shu or sake! You get 5 coins for 500 yen. Sake are charged between 1 to 3 coins each. Just place your cup, insert coins and press the button to dispense. There are rankings and staff recommendations if you cannot decide.

Stay – Ryugon 龍言

The stay at Ryugon Ryokan was nothing short of enchanting. This traditional Japanese inn provided a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The serene atmosphere, combined with the impeccable service and attention to detail, made for an unforgettable experience. The ryokan’s exquisite gardens and soothing hot springs allows for a good relaxation.

Ryugon, located in Minami Uonuma, Niigata, is a historic building situated at the foot of Mount Sakado. It has a rich history. It is named Ryugon as it was built on the ruins of Ryugon temple which was a branch temple of the ancestral temple Unto-an of Nagao Masagake, brother-in-law to Uesugi Kenshin, former lord of Sakado Castle. Originally a branch temple, it now showcases unique folk architecture from the region.

After withstanding harsh winters of Niigata, Ryugon underwent renovations into an onsen ryokan with a focus on the “Snow Country Culture”. The rejuvenated Ryugon offers a blend of tradition and modernity, providing a serene escape for guests seeking a unique experience in the snowiest region of Japan.

After settling in, have a nice stroll around the ryokan. Be treated to a free flow of snacks as well as sake before dinner. Speaking of dinner, we were treated to a delectable dinner at Ryugon. The traditional kaiseki meal showcased the finest local ingredients and flavors. Each dish featured the essence of Niigata and I loved everything we had! I love rice, but Niigata’s rice is on a different level – it was so good and unforgettable! Look at how the rice glistens! We passed by the lands where the rice was from on our way to the hotel.

Ryugon is well-known for its hospitality. We were there on a Sunday, and were lucky to catch a Shamizen performance! Be sure to catch the performance, enjoy the onsen at night and in the morning as well before breakfast.

Breakfast was also a joy! Again, I loved the rice and all the accompanying dishes.

Next Day – Exploring Hakkaisan

On the second day of my Minami-Uonuma adventure, we went to Hakkaisan Sake Brewery. The views were breathtaking and if you have time, can consider going on a hike at Hakkaisan. We were there for the nihonshu so we headed straight to the Yukimuro 雪室. After the tour through the Yukimuro, we enjoyed the free flow of free sake tastings. Junmaidaijinjyo is still the one of my favourites, and I discovered the 3 Year brew!

Nigirimeshi Teppen　にぎりめしてっぺん

〒949-7112 415-23 Nagamori, Minamiuonuma, Niigata

Minami-Uonuma offers a captivating itinerary filled with cultural discoveries, scenic landscapes, and unforgettable experiences. One night was too short, definitely worth a second visit. My stay at Ryugon Ryokan was nothing short of enchanting and given the activities available, 2 nights stay will definitely be worthwhile.

This ends the 5 day 4 night trip to Niigata. All in all, if you love food, nature and history, Niigata is a hidden gem in Japan not to be missed.