Tag: sapporo

5D5N in August Hokkaido! Day 3 in Otaru: Sunflowers, Chocolate, and Stunning Views

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Day 3 Summary:

  • 8:00 AM Check out from Y’s Hotel Asahikawa Station and drive
  • 9:30 AM Hokuryu Sunflower Village (Hokuryu Himawari no Sato)
  • 10:30 AM Drive towards Royce’ Cacao&Chocolate Town
  • 12:15 PM Lunch at a teishoku spot Teishoku-ya Toshi and Nori in a nearby town
  • 1:00 PM Visit to Royce’ Cacao&Chocolate Town
  • 3:15 PM Quick stop at MEGA Don Quijote in Shirono
  • 5:15 PM Otaru Shukutsu Panorama Observation Deck for a sea view
  • 8:00 PM Nighttime canal photos and dinner at Gyukaku in Otaru

8:00 AM After a restful night at Y’s Hotel in Asahikawa, we kicked off Day 3 of our Hokkaido adventure. We started the day with a scenic drive. Though Asahikawa is Hokkaido’s second-largest city, we didn’t linger. Instead, we headed straight for Hokuryu Sunflower Village, also known as Hokuryu Himawari no Sato, about an hour away.

9:15 AM There was a bit of a detour before we reached our destination. We accidentally ended up at the Sunflower Park Hokuryu Hot Spring! But with a quick check-in for directions at the hotel, we were soon back on track and spotted our goal: the massive, vibrant sunflower fields at Hokuryu Sunflower Village.

The sight was absolutely breathtaking, with millions of sunflowers in full bloom, all standing tall and facing the same direction. The cheerful atmosphere made it impossible not to smile! Admission to the village is free, it’s open 24/7, and parking is also free—so it’s a must-visit if you’re in the area. If you have time, don’t miss the sunflower maze (maze requires entrance fee though!); it’s a fun way to immerse yourself in the beauty of the fields. We spent about 1 hour here, but you can easily stay longer just soaking it all in.

Hokuryu Sunflower Village (北竜町ひまわりの里)
143-2 Itaya, Hokuryu, Uryu District, Hokkaido 078-2511, Japan
Free Parking
Map Code Used: 179 870 679 (for Sunflower Park Hokuryu Hot Spring)
http://portal.hokuryu.info/himawari

12:15 PM Next on our agenda was a visit to the Royce’ Cacao&Chocolate Town. But first, we stopped for a delightful lunch at a small teishoku (set meal) restaurant. Teishoku-ya Toshi and Nori was in a nearby town. The meal was simple yet delicious, reminding me of comforting school lunches. 

Teishoku-ya Toshi and Nori (定食屋とし&のり 当別店)
1509-222 Futomisutaraito, Tobetsu, Ishikari District, Hokkaido 061-3779, Japan
Free Parking
https://www.toshiandnori-toubetu.com/

1:00 PM Upon arriving at  Royce’ Cacao&Chocolate Town, for 1,200 yen, we took a fascinating tour of the facility. We learned about their cocoa sourcing. We also explored the interactive exhibits. It was a great exhibition with English explanations. I recommend giving it a go if you have time. One highlight was the jukebox museum inside—such a quirky addition! Of course, we couldn’t leave without trying the famous Royce chocolate ice cream, which was as decadent and creamy as expected. And, you cannot leave without buying lots of chocolate home! (Side note: We made a mistake of parking in the staff lot. We wondered why all the cars did not look like they were rented. Make sure you park at the right carpark!)

ROYCE’ CACAO&CHOCOLATE TOWN (ロイズカカオ&チョコレートタウン)
640-15 Bitoe, Tobetsu, Ishikari District, Hokkaido 061-3775, Japan
Free Parking
https://www.royce.com/cct/?fbclid=IwAR3PM9G5PkXuSFiScW-ROz9i0BqNiNONrAi_cysbHnhETmWVKMq0L8t3L-k

We made a quick stop at MEGA Don Quijote in Shirono for some shopping, then drove to the Otaru Shukutsu Panorama Observation Deck. The view of the sea from the deck was absolutely stunning and made for a perfect photo op. 

MEGA Don Quijote, Shinoro (MEGAドン・キホーテ 篠路店)
1 Chome-1-1 Taihei 12 Jo, Kita Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 002-8012, Japan

Otaru Shukutsu Panorama Observation Deck (小樽祝津パノラマ展望台)
3 Chome Shukutsu, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0047, Japan
https://otaru-hokkaido.com/shukutsupanoramatembodai/

Before wrapping up the day, we returned to Otaru for some nighttime canal photography and ended the day with a cozy dinner at Gyukaku. It was a day full of surprises, great food, and unforgettable sights. Stay tuned for Day 4 as we continue exploring Hokkaido! Don’t forget to subscribe for more travel videos and articles!

Hotel – We stayed at Otaru Authent Hotel. There’s parking beside the hotel at 1500 yen.

Otaru Authent Hotel (オーセントホテル小樽)
2 Chome-15-1 Inaho, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0032, Japan
http://www.authent.co.jp/
Parking 1,500 yen beside the hotel

5D5N Hokkaido in Early August! Slightly Late in the Season? Day 1 in Sapporo

ningzheaven

Day 1 Summary:

  • Arrival from New Chitose Airport
  • 10:09 AM Train to Sapporo City
  • 11:30 AM Lunch at Sapporo Ichiryuan (ラーメン札幌一粒庵)
  • Daimaru, JR Sapporo Station area, JR Tower
  • Sapporo Clock Tower
  • Sapporo TV Tower
  • (Limited period) Ice Cream Festival at Marui Imai Sapporo Main Store (丸井今井札幌本店)
  • 4:00 PM Sapporo Beer Museum
  • Dinner at Curry Kitchen Onion (カレーキッチン オニオン)

Where to escape the scorching heat of August? Though August may be considered slightly late for a Hokkaido summer escape, the prospect of cooler weather and delicious food had me eagerly anticipating this trip. While June and July are the popular months to visit, Hokkaido still has much to offer in August for those, like me, who seek a slightly off-season adventure.

After an early morning flight into New Chitose Airport, we hopped on the 10:09 AM Sub Rapid Airport Train (区間快速エアポート) to Sapporo. This train arrives earlier than the next Rapid Airport Train (快速エアポート), which departs at 10:20 AM, shaving precious minutes off the journey. The Sub Rapid Airport Train is a 43-minute ride, while the Rapid Airport Train is a 37-minute ride, both costing 1,150円.

Since we were early, we headed to the hotel to drop off our bags. A quick tip! It’s good to check if the hotel allows bag deposit before checking in. Early check-in costs as much as 1,000 yen per hour, and you should let the hotel know at least a day in advance.

Conveniently located near JR Sapporo Station, our hotel allowed us to quickly venture out for lunch. We stumbled upon a ramen gem specializing in miso ramen:

Sapporo Ichiryuan (ラーメン札幌一粒庵)
〒060-0004 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Chuo Ward, Kita 4 Jonishi, 1 Chome−1番 ホクレンビル 地下１階

Their specialty, the Genki no deru miso ramen (元気のでるみそラーメン), is a must-try, especially for garlic and miso lovers. Instead of the large chashu slices, the pork is finely chopped and blended into the rich, fragrant broth. Loved it! What you see in the picture is a small.

After a satisfying lunch, we strolled through the nearby JR Tower and Daimaru. Here, you can get souvenirs from all across Hokkaido. Make sure to try the creamy and smooth soft serve from Sapporo Agricultural College—it’s the creamiest I’ve ever had!

After this delightful treat, we set off to explore Sapporo’s historic landmarks: the Sapporo Clock Tower (時計台, Tokeidai), constructed in 1878, and the Sapporo TV Tower (さっぽろテレビ塔), built in the 1950s. The Sapporo Clock Tower, a symbol of the city’s Western influences during the Meiji era, stands as a testament to Hokkaido’s rich history. Its simple yet elegant design, coupled with the rhythmic ticking of its century-old mechanism, offers a quiet moment in modern Sapporo.

If you plan to visit both the Clock Tower and TV Tower, consider getting the combined ticket for 1,100 yen, saving you 100 yen. If you only choose one, the Clock Tower (200 yen) is worth it for a glimpse into Sapporo’s past.

We were in luck, as an ice cream festival was happening at Marui Imai Sapporo Main Store (丸井今井札幌本店). Hokkaido is famous for its dairy products, so we decided to join in to see what was offered. And the ice cream was yummy! Note that this is for a limited period only!

Afterwards, we checked into our hotel to freshen up before heading to the Sapporo Beer Museum (サッポロビール博物館) and Beer Garden. A must-visit for beer enthusiasts, the museum offers a fascinating look at the history of Sapporo beer, including how Black Label got its name and the brewing process behind it. While we opted for a more flexible itinerary, the premium tour (1,000 yen for a 50-minute tour and tasting) is worth considering. Post-tour, you can enjoy tastings of their original brew (Kaitakushi), classic, and Black Label beers. There’s also a beer garden and a shopping mall if you’d like to settle dinner here.

Museum Hours:

Dinner was another delightful find:

Curry Kitchen Onion (カレーキッチン オニオン)
4 Chome-28-49 Kita 7 Johigashi, Higashi Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0907, Japan

We tried both the beef curry and dry chicken curry. They were flavorful and aromatic. After dinner, we had an early night to rest for the drive tomorrow!

From the rich miso ramen to the crisp taste of freshly brewed beer, coupled with the city’s blend of old and new, Sapporo is a great first stop in Hokkaido.