JAPAN TRAVEL: HOKKAIDO GUIDE

From the land of the rising sun, ancient cultures, austere traditions, the home of groundbreaking technology, and breathtaking views. From the excitement of lively and bustling Tokyo, to the wintery beauty of Hokkaido, delve further into geisha culture and explore magnificent and majestic Kyoto temples – discover ancient castles, lush countryside and fascinating feudal history on this authentic travel adventure. The wonders and beauty of Japan were revealed in this travel guide. Hopefully, this will help you guys in your future travel escapade in Japan. So, let’s start!

Travelling to Japan maybe expensive, but with the proper preparation, you’ll enjoy more of this mind-blowing country. I’ve been to Japan twice already. Now, I will share my #diy highlight Itinerary and some tips on how to explore & enjoy their culture. 

First, you must decide on which season do you want to experience. For this trip, I decided to go to Sapporo, Hokkaido for the winter and fall in Tokyo. Since my trip was in early November of 2016, I got to experience both winter and autumn season.

FLIGHT to MANILA - TOKYO - HOKKAIDO

As early as July, I booked our flight from Manila to Tokyo (Narita Airport), then a domestic flight from Tokyo to Sapporo (New Chitose Airport Terminal) – since there’s no direct flights from Manila to Sapporo.

Domestic flights in Narita Airport is located at Terminal 3 and is connected to Terminal 2 via walkway. It’s around 10-15 minute walk. You don’t need to ride a shuttle bus unless you’re in Terminal 1.

Pocket Wifi

This one is a must! There’s a lot of cellphone networks in the terminal that offers pocket wifi. The rates will depend on how long will you stay in Japan. It works everywhere, fast, and hassle free – perfect for your daily social media updates. We’ve chosen Soft Bank pocket wifi. It’s around 800 yen a day. Not bad!

Travel time from Narita to New Chitose Airport Terminal (Sapporo) is around 1hr and 40 minutes.

New Chitose Airport Terminal

We arrived at New Chitose Airport Terminal around 6pm. The airport is easy to navigate compared to Narita. There’s only one JR (Japan Rail) line going to Sapporo, you won’t get lost. Travel time is around 45-50 minutes. There’s an escalator at the arrival area, go down and walk for few minutes until you see the ticketing area. 

Having the proper clothing and being aware of winter hazards are both important parts of being prepared. Since the current temperature at that time was 0ºC, layering is the key to success guys! ;)

We arrived at night. Hotel was three blocks away from Sapporo station, so we just walked out there. Decided to rest and hibernate in preparation for the activities tomorrow.

Daniel and I at New Chitose Airport Terminal heading to Sapporo Station. 

SAPPORO CITY

Before the fun starts, we had our buffet breakfast in the hotel, and good lord it’s delicioso!  We ate as many as we can since it’s going to be a long, chilly fun day for us.

SAPPORO CLOCK TOWER

We first visited this famous tower since it’s just few blocks away from our hotel. Very chilly that day, temperature ranges from 0 to -3ºC. Also, it’s our first snowfall too! So, it’s kinda challenging because we are shivering despite the layers, but, of course we did not complain!  

This wooden, western-style building is considered as one of Japan’s important cultural property. First built in 1878, the clock tower has been standing almost as old as Sapporo itself. It still operates and chimes every hour.

• Get a Sapporo map guide in your hotel and off you go! Going to Sapporo Clock tower is four blocks or a ten minute walk south of JR Sapporo Station, and one block north of Odori Park.
• If you’re planning a trip to Hokkaido during winter, make sure you’re prepared for the weather. 
• Mobile phones tend to shut down more often for cold winter temperatures. As it gets cold, the chemical reaction slows down, so it can’t produce a lot of energy. So, better bring your power bank.

FORMER HOKKAIDO GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING (Red Brick Office)

Few blocks away from Sapporo Clock tower is the Former Hokkaido Government Office Building – one of the most famous buildings at the heart of Sapporo. You can go inside to see some historical display that are both permanent and temporary exhibition. Also, you can go around to the beautiful garden that surrounds the building. 

• It’s just 2 blocks away from Sapporo JR Station, 8-minute walk.
• 10-minute walk from Odori Station on the Subway Namboku and Tozai Lines
• Free Admission

After this we went back to our hotel which is just 10-minute walk to take our quick lunch.

ODORI PARK

Odori park (“Large Street”) is in the heart of Sapporo that divides the city into north and south. The park stretches for about 1.5 kilometer. Odori Park, is also a place where people happen to come for quiet/me time, enjoy the calm and relax under some trees or watch the people pass. It is used for many of Hokkaido’s best-known seasonal events, such as the Snow Festival in the winter, Lilac Festival in the spring, YOSAKOI Soran Festival, beer garden in the summer, and Autumn Festival, which brings together various Hokkaido cuisines, in the fall.

Here, you can find some attractions like at the east end, the Sapporo Tower (See above photo), and at the west end of the park is the Sapporo City Archive Museum. In between, various sculptures, fountains, playgrounds, and other features dot the landscape.

HOKKAIDO SHRINE

After strolling around Odori park, we went straight to the famous Hokkaido Shrine. It is the largest Shinto Shrine ("Place of the God(s)") in Hokkaido. It's surrounded by primary forests and known for Cherry blossoms. Roughly around 1,500 to 1,600 of Cherry trees beautifully bloom here during Spring. Thousands of people come here during the Festival of New Year on 1st of January to offer New Year’s prayers and the festival of Hokkaido shrine from June 14th – 16th to pray for peace and prosperity. This is by far the most beautiful shrine I’ve ever seen in Japan. 

During our visit, we also witnessed an ongoing traditional Shinto wedding. It was great to experience the shrine and the peaceful surrounding grounds even though it’s really cold at that time. We will definitely go back here during spring!

• From Odori park, take Tozai line and go down to Maruyama Koen station then walk to around 15 minutes.
• During your walk, you’ll pass by Maruyama park that full of Cherry trees.
• Free entrance
• Observe proper etiquette. 

JONZANKEI ONSEN VILLAGE

This is one of our main purpose why we wanted to visit Sapporo, aside from encountering our first snow fall, is to experience the famous Onsen during winter, and we did! 

After we had our buffet breakfast, we headed straight to Jozankei Nature Village, a small town at the outskirts of Sapporo – one of the most famous onsen (hot spring) village in Hokkaido. Also, famous for it’s scenic beauty. Visitors will be treated to picturesque views. There are 50+ hot springs in the Jozankei district, from which 8,600 liters of hot water at temperatures of 60 to 80°C surface each minute. The history of the Jozankei Onsen dates back to 1866, when Miizumi Jozan, an ascetic monk, discovered the hot springs and opened a healing spa.

Too bad gadgets are not allowed inside. Well, it’s obvious since we are all naked!

After our onsen experience, we decided to stroll around Jozankei before heading back to downtown Sapporo and good lord, this place is the definition of winter beauty!

• There's a bus terminal in front of Sapporo JR station.
• 770 Yen. Travel time: 60mins
• You need a whole day for this trip.
• Make sure to get a copy of bus schedule, so that you're aware of the time. Usually hotels can provide you one. Trust me you don't want to be stranded in a chilly winter weather. lol

Found this map of Jozankei village on my travel bag, so that you have an idea and hopefully it helps. Sorry if it's a bit crumpled. ;)

SAPPORO RAMEN REPUBLIC ( SAPPORO RAMEN KYOWAKOKU)

Right after our activity, we went straight to this famous ramen village, located at the 10th floor of Sapporo ESTA shopping center called Ramen Republic. It offers a wide selection of top Hokkaido ramen shops in one place. Meaning, you can enjoy these delicious ramen specialties from Hokkaido like Misono of Sapporo, Shoyu of Asahikawa, and Shio of Hakodate. 

Map guide to all 8 restaurants with their ramen specialties.

Of course before you enjoy your ramen, you have to wait for your turn. patience is the key!

Best way to end our day is to have this juicy grilled pork misono ramen. To die for!

• Ramen Republic is at the 10th floor of Sapporo ESTA shopping center, which is part of Sapporo JR Station, so basically you won't get lost.
• There's a tourist center on the ground floor or you can just go straight to 10th floor. 

MOUNT MOIWA

Located at the southwest of Central Sapporo; a small forested mountain that offers spectacular view of Sapporo City. At the top, there's a mini cafe that offers snacks or if you want to dine in, they have a formal restaurant that offers a full meal while enjoying this amazing view. The view is incredibly beautiful after sunset as seen above photo. It's really romantic, so If you're planning for a special dinner with someone, make an early reservation, because spots fill up quickly.

• From Sapporo station, take Nanbuku line and go down to Susukino station. 
• Take Sapporo's only streetcar line to Ropeway Iriguchi station. Travel time: 25mins, 170 yen.
• From there, the Mount Moiwa Ropeway can be reach in a five minute walk. Then, get on a cable car that takes you to the summit in 5-10mintues.

Ski area

For ski lovers, the area is located on the other side of the slopes of Mt. Moiwa. Around 20 minutes by car from central Sapporo or from Makomanai Station on the Subway Namboku Line, take the Jotetsu Bus (Minami 98) and get off at "Doro kanri jimusho" bus stop *Free shuttle bus operated during the ski season only.

OTARU

If you have time, try to visit this small harbor city situated in the wester part of Hokkaido, facing Ishikari Bay. The town has a nostalgic, old-fashioned mood that is enhanced by it's architectural layout, with its beautifully preserved canal flows through it, makes Otaru a pleasant day trip from Sapporo. There's a festival during winter called Otaru Snow Light Path (as seen above photo) – during which the city becomes decorated in lights for ten days. The festival usually runs at the same time with Sapporo Snow Festival.

• There are multiple trains per hour between Sapporo and Otaru, Along the JR Hakadate Main Line.
• One way trip costs 640 yen and takes 30 minutes.

Travelling to Hokkaido may take you half to a day, since it's in the northern most part of Japan. But with the beauty of Hokkaido, it will give you the experience you'll never forget. Surely, our five day stay there is not enough, because there's too many beautiful places to explore. But, we're fortunate enough to experience the culture and wander around Hokkaido. I'll definitely go back in the near future.

This is the 1st part of my Japan Travel. The 2nd will focus on the city of Tokyo. 

Thank you and hopefully this will help you on your future travel in Hokkaido!