Hokkaido - Sapporo Day 6: Shiroi Koibeto Park and Ishiya Chocolates

     Today was wet and extremely cold. It also happened to be the day that we planned to visit the Shiroi Koibeto Park. Japan-lovers would be very familiar with the sweet confectionery that this chocolate manufactures. The wifey and I visited here in winter almost ten years ago. Unfortunately the cruel weather and freezing temperature made it feel more like winter than late spring. On the bright side, the most of the distance from the subway to the factory is now indoors. One only needs to cross a road and walk a short distance in the open air.

     The production line was not available for viewing as it was undergoing renovation. Nevertheless, it was not a fruitless trip, all thanks to the wifey's last minute inspiration. She signed all of us up for a cookie-making class a few days before we departed for Japan. Here are the pics...

The Lil One was so proud of her cookies that she keep a constant hold of it for the rest of the trip.
She didn't want the rest of our cookies; only her own. She single-handedly finished her bag of cookies.

Hokkaido - Sapporo: Day 5 Otaru

     Today is Otaru day. The wifey and I visited Otaru about ten years ago in winter. This time it's late spring. How different the place can be. Perhaps it's the season. Perhaps times have changed. But the Otaru of today felt much more commercialized and touristy. It no longer held the quaint rustic charm of times past. Huge chains of modern shops (e.g. Le Tao), coupled with numerous carparks; add more than a dash of tourists (PRC tourists at that), and you have the modern Otaru of today. All looks and no heart.

     Nevertheless, we sought out shops that we enjoyed ten years ago. Prices have gone up inevitably but there are bargains still to be found. The shopkeeper originally charged us 38,000 yen for the crab. When we expressed a drop in interest,  he indicated with his calculator for us to name a price. The wifey, gamely typed out 25,000 yen. He came back with 30,000 yen. I told the wifey to go for 28,000 yen. He did some mental calculations and it was a deal - that's SGD125 saved! We'll never know whether he tried to recoup some from the uni and rice we ordered, but it was a satisfying meal to say the least. I'll let the pictures do the talking...

The aftermath

Otaru Canal

Hokkaido - Sapporo: Day 4

     Today we leave our Asahikawa base and head to Sapporo on the JR train. This is the Lil Muchkin's first train ride. Originally excited, she soon settled down and slept through the one and a half hours to Sapporo.

      As our hotel rooms were not ready, we headed out to the underground shopping mall, Apia. Here, we located the Sanrio shop and bought enough to have points to redeem free gifts.

     The main highlight of today is dinner at Nemuro Hanamaru. Situated on the sixth floor of JR Tower Stella Place, this restaurant serves the best sushi in Sapporo, according to Trip Advisor. Take a number and you'll be lucky if it's your turn after waiting an hour. In the meantime, we explored Diamaru departmental store just next to Stella Dining.

The restaurant queue took up both sides of the space.

     The wifey was quite disappointed when we learnt from one of the shops in Diamaru that Burberry Blue Label had seemingly exited Japan. A quick check with Uncle Google explained that Burberry London had cancelled the licensing for Blue Label. However, since the products were developed locally, the brand could now exist under its own name, hence the "new" entity Blue/ Black Label Ctestbridge. Needless to say, we'll find time to check it out tomorrow.

      Back to the restaurant; it was finally our turn after almost an hour and a half. The food arrived on thw dot and soon it was clear why this is considered to best sushi restaurant in Sapporo.

Oh so good miso swordfish sushi

     The ikura was unlike those found in back home. Instead of being overly salty, it was almost sweet. The Lil Munchkin had a field day, consuming more than four on her own. Another note-worthy sushi was the miso swordfish. It was unlike any swordfish I had tasted. Unlike the expected white chunky meat, the translucent flesh coupled with bits of Japanese lime turned out very refreshing.

     We also had four servings of chawanmushi, two bowls of asari soup, the cousin had grape juice and plum jelly; all this for around eighty sing bucks! A fitting end to our first day in Sapporo.

Hokkaido - Asahikawa: Day 3 Biei

    Day three saw more driving. This time we're headed to Biei. First stop, Shikisai No Oka. In this agricultural part of Japan, it's little wonder that this tourist attraction was once again a farm... all fifteen hectres of it. Today was also the coldest day of our stay in Asakikawa region, with temperatures dipping below eight degrees. Coupled with the wind, it felt more like winter than summer.

      Here we got to taste the famed Hokkaido sweet white corn. The wonder of it's sweetness amazes, especially when it's simply just boiled. Needless to say, the Lil Corn-lover was in love, her tastebuds being romanced so.

Fried asparagus and sweet corn

     There was still some time after the little feast and we weren't hungry, so we decided to head to a location off our original plan. The Blue Pond was constructed unintentionally when aluminium seeped into the water during excavation, turning it a murky azure blue. I wonder whether it is the holiday mood, that even such a location can become an attraction. Perhaps it's the natural charm of this region that turns the simplest of sights into something soothing for the soul.

     We originally intended to just have lunch at our next stop, Farm Chiyoda. Unlike the former flower farms, this was an animal one. The Lil Munchkin had her school lessons reinforced by the up-close-and-personal experience of Baba black sheep, goats, cows and even a llama. She even told me she wanted to eat the white hen! What a city kid! Her animal-loving aunt went gaga.

Shiloh's expression says it all, how much she loves animals.

     Not wanting to risk driving in the dark again, we headed back to Asahikawa city and morphed back into our Singaporean form. Next up, shopping at Aeon Mall right next to Asahikawa JR station. Nothing to shout about here, no big brands or high fashion labels. We then dropped the family off at the hotel, Hoshono Resort Asahikawa OMO7 and returned the car. We ended our day once again at Kiyomoto Izakaya and our second Michelin starred meal.

Hokkaido - Asahikawa: Day 2 Furano

    Day 2 saw us up bright and early. This was the first time I'll be driving on my own overseas, without other fellow drivers. Our first stop was an hour long drive to Farm Tomita, in Furano. Unfortunately it started drizzling on our way there.

    It was only by the grace of God that we managed to take such beautiful pictures of the flowers before it started pour cats and dogs.

Melon ice-cream

    Our next stop was the Furano Cheese Factory. There isn't much to do here, unless you're into making your own diary products such as ice-cream. 

Cheese-cutting demonstration 

   Having quite some time on our hands, we decided to head to the jam factory and the nearby shop, owned by the creator of Anpanman, Takashi Yanase. Fans of the cartoon character would go wild here, and that would be an understatement; even the Lil Munchkin went away knowing what Anpanman was.

Three generations shopping for Anpanman memorabilia 

    The final stop was for dinner at Restaurant Kumagera. This place is known for its local Furano food, especially beef. Check out the pics!

Raw wagyu sashimi. The wasabi is mixed
into the soyasauce and poured over the meat.

Bear meat anyone? It tastes just like tough beef.

     The ride back was an adventure in itself. With no street lights, pouring rain, and the occasional blinding lights and reflection from on-coming cars; thank God we made back to the hotel in one piece. Despite the unforgiving weather, we are grateful for journey mercy and a truely fulfilling day.