[Sam]'s 15day winter Japan trip to Hokkaido & Kyushu

[samtcy]

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76) I believe this is to commemorate the arrival of Shinkansen to Hokkaido in a few years' time.

 

[samtcy]

77) Huge bowl of Ice ramen


78) Real ramen on the ice sculpture


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82) Every time we go to Sapporo, we will ALWAYS have our dinners at this chain of King crab restaurants. Yes, the entire building IS the restaurant.
For this evening, we went to the branch at Susukino.
Sapporo KNIHONKE Restaurant area


83) 1 of the things we love about this restaurant is that no matter which branch I go to (we've been to both of their branches at Sapporo, and 1 at Nagoya), is that every group of guests (even if you are just 2 people) you will be given private room of your own.


84) Absolutely love their crab croquette balls...always have to order 2 portions or else we will both fight over it.


85) This is heaven....Kani Zushi (Crab porridge). We tried the Kani-zushi at a different King Crab restaurant and yet we both feel that this brand's Kani-zushi is our fave!


86) Cotton Candy seller...cute packaging.


--End of Day 2----

Coming up, Day 3 (Day trip to Otaru) <---bloody cold day.

 

[samtcy]

Day 3: Daytrip to Otaru

87) Train arrived at Otaru station. It was snowing heavily on that day...


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90) Otaru station's exterior

 

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94) My camera bag...


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96) The Otaru canal area


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98) A layer of frozen ice on the surface of the canal.


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100) Our 1st attempt at making a snowball

 

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106) Saw these the last time I went Otaru in late autumn and didn't understand what those wooden planks of wood sticking out from the hillside are for. Now I know.


107) Love this fried rice so much, I went back for a 2nd bowl a couple of hours later. (taken on phone)


108) Sold by this little family-run shop at Otaru.

 

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110) Look at the amount of accumulated snow on the rooftop


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112) Hello Kitty snowkitty


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116) Semi frozen ducks in the canal


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130) The other snow fest area at Otaru


131) Piano


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[samtcy]

Day 4: Sapporo to Sounkyo onsen (train transit at Asahikawa)
We took the special Asahiyama Zoo train from Sapporo to Asahikawa, and then transferred to another train from Asahikawa to Kamikawa.
We were lucky to be able to get the last 2 tickets for this Zoo train, even though we had to sit separate from each other.

132) Looking out of our window at Sapporo


133) Asahiyama Zoo train (only operates seasonal, and between Sapporo and Asahikawa)


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136) Play area for kids

 

[samtcy]

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138) stamp chops


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141) designs on the floor

 

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146) transfer to a normal Ltd Exp train to Kamikawa.

 

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147) Taking 30mins bus ride from Kamikawa station to Sounkyo onsen


148) Walking from our ryokan to the shops to look for lunch


149) -17 degrees celcius in the daytime!!


150) The building behind us is the Sounkyo bus terminal


151) Very windy, very snowy, very very very cold!

 

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153) Convenience store


154) Had our ramen lunch in this shop


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156) floor mat in the lift at the ryokan


157) our room at Sounkaku Grand Hotel, 18000yen (includes dinner & breakfast)


158) Our "fridge"

 

[samtcy]

159) Ice Festival at Sounkyo


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161) 200yen entrance fee


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