10 Days Hokkaido 08.12.2015 to 17.12.2015

2nd Trip to Japan  :  Hokkaido in winter  (08.12.2015 to 17.12.2015).
Our journey : reach New Chitose Aiport straight to Lake Toya, Hakodate, Niseko, Otaru, Sapporo and Chitose.
 It's get dark at 4pm during winter in Hokkaido..emm

Day 1:   08.12.2015  Lay over at Airport
Day 2:   09.12.2015  Lake Toya
Day 3:   10.12.2015  Hakodate
Day 4:   11.12.2015  Hakodate
Day 5:   12.12.2015  Niseko Hirafu Village
Day 6:   13.12.2015  Sapporo
Day 7:   14.12.2015  Sapporo - Chitose day trip

Day 8:   15.12.2015  Sapporo

Day 9:   16.12.2015  Sapporo - Otaru day trip
Day 10: 17.12.2015  Home Sweet Home

Total expenses for 3 persons:-
Thai Airway Ticket :            RM6390.00
Accommodation for 8days : RM3057.16
Pool money for 10days  :     RM3000.00
JR Train 7 days pass :          RM2520.00
1 way to Chitose Airport:    RM  113.00
                                             RM15,080.16 / 3
                                             RM  5026.72
Personal Expenses:              RM  2000.00  (estimated)  
                                             RM  7026.72 per person

Day 1  Travelling in Business Class

            Penang - Kl, Kl - Bangkok

            Complimentary breakfast from Thai airway for delaying from 8am flight to 10.30am flight.

We are entitle to use the Penang Malaysia Airline Lounge

 Foods and drinks provided

Light meal (satay and juice) serve from PG to KL

 

I am just wearing slipper ...lol 

Business Class from Kl to BKK - very spacey

The lunch menu

  Prawn with dry tom yam, steam Thai Hom Mali rice, salted egg

 Champagne

 again and again

 Bread n Butter, Tiramisu Mousse with coffee jelly, Vanilla Anglaise and Carppacio smoked duck with capsicum and Mozzarella Pearls stuffed with Papaya Salad

I am ready for the cold seasons.....Hokkaido i am coming

Day 2:  Reach New Chitose Airport around 8am

             

seem very cold outside, all car cover with snow

           

           

          

         

 Proceed to JR Counter to purchase 7 days JR Railway Pass = 24,000 yen
We also purchased for 1 way to New Chitose Airport on 17.12.15   = 1070.00 yen

First meal (brekkie) at airport while waiting for JR train to Toya Station, not to miss early train to Lake Toya.

                                      
From New Chitose Airport to Minami Chitose, interchange train to Toya Station

Is super cold out there

Train is here...

Reached Toya Station  :

Bus stop just outside on the right of  Toya Station.

Only bus or taxi is accessible to all Hotels in Lake Toya.

We have book at Toyako Manseikaku Hotel  = RM486.20/night for 1 night

Buffet dinner and breakfast is provided.

Donan Bus time table

330 yen to Toyako Manseikaku Hotel, bus stop right in front of our hotel....sweet.

The hotel is facing Lake Toya directly with nice view.

 Entrance capture during night..a bit blur

Not to waste time coz the day get dark at 4pm...we went to Ropeway Usuzan

again only taxi / car is accessible

The hotel receptionist will help you to get a taxi = 1910 yen/ 1 way up only meter reading

We bought round trip ticket = 600yen

The Usuzan Ropeway is Japanese aerial lift line in Sobetsu, Hokkaido operated by Wakasa Resort.

Mount Usu, the active valcano in Shikotsu-Toya National Park.

 Is very cloudy and windy up there

 Waiting for the cable car

is here

up up up we go

Can you see the yellow building....that where we start our walk journey.... long way up..

very cold and windy

Thick snow

Lake Toya is an ice-free lake. It never freezes, even in winter when the temparature falls quite drastically. The beauty of the ice-free lake can therefore be admired anytime during the year.

Showa-shinzan is a volcanic lava dome in the Shikotsu-Toya National Park, Hokkaido, next to Mount Usu. The peak is now 398m (1306 ft) tall, and still actively smoking

 

Is getting dark....need to go down
Took taxi back again = 1990 yen/taxi

Nothing much to do here....walk around, when back to hotel at 7pm for our buffet dinner.

There are many choices of food...here is only a few of them

This is what i ate.....can't eat much...too full

 The miso soup taste very good

Shasimi

Scallop

Shisamo and prawn tempura

Dessert

At 10pm ...when to 8th floor for hot spring. Is total naked...lol....i try the inside and open air hot spring. I like open air more...coz can feel the cool air. If day light Mount Yotei can be view.

Day 3:  Hakodate

            Breakfast provided at the same restaurant. Same this are just some of the food serve

 Very tasty seafood porridge

 Shasimi

  Hot spring egg

 Wedges

This - must try milk...yummy

 Miso soup

This is my breakfast

The rest my friends 

After brekkie...walk around the hotel to get closer view of Lake Toya

Plan to take cruise....unfortunately no idea why....no cruise during that period 

Bus stand - opposite the road not far from hotel. Took Donan bus again back to Toya Station = 330yen

 Reached Hakodate Station.

 No subway in Hakodate - only tram service

The Tram Station just walk straight from Hakodate Station and is on the right side.

Check in to Hakodate Grand Hotel - RM289.94/night for 2nights

After check in, went to Motomachi

One of Hakodate's charm attractive hills and slopes - Motoi-zaka Slope.

Is this Old British Consulate of Hakodate on the left side of the Motoi-zaka Slope?

The Russian Orthodox Church

Roman Catholic Church

Feeling hungry.....after a long walk

Going down to Bay Area for late lunch

Another long way down....

  Here we are Bay Area

It's cold, raining and windy

Had our lunch here at Lucky Pierrot Bay Area.

Lunch is ready

 Superb delicious fries

 I ate the signature chicken burger...yummy 650yen/set

 This is pork..i think Subuta Burger  420yen

 Nice glass

Out from lunch - oppss is getting dark again

 Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse is just opposite the Lucky Pierrot Restaurant

 Christmas feel

Goods sell at this shop and many many more thing and foods are sold inside the warehouse

Everybody's favourite

Music Box.....many more

2015 Hakodate Christmas Fantasy

  

 Firework

Tomato Seafood soup 600 yen

Cod Shrimp squid black pepper soup 600 yen

After finish with our soup, out of a sudden all this cute creature came out from no where to entertain tourist....super cute

  

 Crispy

 Marion Crepes - wanted to try - still full

some cool beer to cool down

Mission done, It's getting late....time to go back

Take away some Yakitori with rice, the shop is next to Lucky Peirrot only.

 Nice tree decoration  at roadside

 Take away Takoyaki beside our hotel

 This our our late dinner - supper maybe  beer  n milk

  And this is for me

Day 4: Hakodate 2nd day  -  Raining and windy

           Went to Asachi Morning Market - Hokkaido is all about seafood.

 Our 1st seafood brekkie is at this tiny stall

 Uni - 1000yen

 Scallop - 1000 yen /each

 2nd round brekkie at here

BBQ sweet corn - 350 yen

 Asparagus fried with prawn and scallop - 1000yen

3rd round breakfast bbq and steam seafood at this restaurant 

 1800yen/ set   bbq set

3200yen/set for 2person portion
We spend about 9350yen only for breakfast.....!!!

Proceed to Goryokaku Tower
The Goryokaku is a western-style fort completed almost 150 years ago. A magnificent view of the entire star-shaped estate. The moat is surrounded by some 1600 cherry trees, making the Goryokaku one of Hokkaido's top cherry blossom viewing spots in springtime.

Entrance fees 850yen

Star shaped park

Stop at 2nd floor to grab ourself a melon gelato.

Goryokaku Park - it's raining so just have a short walk

Cherry Trees

 Back to Motomachi Area - going to Mount Hakodate for night view

 Again Motoi-zaka Slope.

Gokoku Jinja Shrine

The Hakodate Gokoku shrine in Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan, dedicated to the deaths in war for Japan since the Meiji era.

Enjoy high tea at this cafe just opposite Mount Hakodate Ropeway

  Very english style cafe

  Forgotten what soup

Toast set 600 yen (with boiled egg, yogurt and soup)

 

French toast set 1000 yen (with yogurt, soft drink or soup)

 Hot coffee for my friend 250 yen = Total 1640 yen

Mount Hakodate Ropeway

Japan DJ's on air

OMG.........look at the screen

DUE TO STRONG WINDS, TODAY ROPEWAY SERVICES HAVE FINISHED.....ERRRR

  Haiz.....walk around the corner ...took some photo

walk back to the church area ...take some night photo

Episcopal Church of Japan Hakodate Episcopal Church

 Roman Catholic Church - beautiful light

Russian Orthodox Church

 

Walk back to Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse for shopping again...

Milkssimo gelato 2 cup  = 720 yen

This time we had our dinner at the shop beside Lucky Pierrot

Yakitori for my friend again

 I bought Katsudon

On the way to hotel - we do a lot of walking

Day 5:  Niseko Hirafu Village
Our fast breakfast before checking out for Niseko

Time to go......waiting for tram to Hakodate Station

 Bought sandwiches for lunch at train = 1080 yen

Train ticket to Kutchan Station

Bye Bye Hakodate

 Beautiful scene - on the way to Niseko

Kutchan Station...

Bus stop just outside the station

Need to take Donan bus to Hirafu Welcome Centre = 390 yen

Bus time table and fare

 Outside Kutchan Station

Yeah....Hirafu Welcome Cantre, just inform the receptionist, they will help to call the hotel staff to pick us up.

Reach around 3pm...as usual getting dark soon

 Mount Yotei just infront the centre.

Check in at Niseko Pension Grandpapa = RM426.49/ night for 1 night

Entrance

 No shoe allow inside

 Lounge area

Dining area beside

 Our room at the end left side

Our room

 Sharing bathroom and toilet....shoes outside to indicate occupied

 At 4.30pm when for night ski as we only stay for 1 night
Ski Gear cost us about 10260 yen......Phewww...

another 30,000 yen if you need an instructor for 3 hours lesson.

No free hand to take photo - Hirafu Ski Area

 After ski.....stroll around the town...

 Stop here for dinner - Famous Niseko Ramen Kazahana
ramen and beer = 48?? .00 yen forget

After dinner walk around and back to Hotel

 Niseko Pension Grandpapa night time

Day 6: Sapporo for 4 nights

Good Morning - Sunrise from room

 Breakfast included

Before leaving Niseko, when to Milk Kobo Prativo for buffet lunch

 Milk Yogurt drink = 360 yen

 Ice cream = 160 yen

Time up for Buffet lunch  11.30am to 14.30pm

1550 yen / person 

 Main course

 I ate salmon fish for my main course

 the rest is buffet style

Yogurt milk again

 Mount Yotei view from inside restaurant

Going back to hotel

Oppss...took wrong bus  - ended up at Annupuri Ski Village = 360 yen
Enjoy the place while waiting for Niseko Village Bus

Bus fare from Annupuri back = 480 yen

Back here to take bus to Kutchan Station = 390 yen

While waiting - took some photo of  Hirafu Ski Area

 waiting for bus

Reached about 7.30pm very late

check in to Novotel Sapporo Hotel = 391.15/ night for 4 nights

Receptionist

 When to Susukino for dinner

Ramen Valley

Dinner at this stall....all shop very pack with customers

3 bowls ramen = 2800 yen

 The boss

Corn ans butter ramen

Spicy ramen

Day 7: Chitose day trip

When to Nijo Morning Market for breakfast

Here we are.....

Have our breakfast here

Large crab Miso soup - 480 yenx 3 = 1440 yen

Salmon, scallop & crab - 1750 yen

Grilled Salmon - 850 yen

White rice - 200 yen x 2 = 400 yen

Sapporo TV Tower is just opposite the market

walk to Odori Station  - take train to Sapporo Station , and then to New Chitose Airport

At New Chitose Airport

making of chocolate

 Long queue

 All Ramen

 Doraemon

 Entrance - we did not go in

My friends favourite pork

 She ate alone here pork bbq rice 1512 yen - hehe she seems to be very satisfied

Nothing much to do here - took free shuttle bus to Chitose Rera Outlet Mall

When back to Odori for 35th Sapporo White Illumination

As u can see the TV Tower - 7.03pm only look like midnight already

very German feel

When to Susukino for dinner

Very pack - waited for 1 hour

 Only lamb is served - again only for both my friends

Ramen - is like dessert

While waiting for our dinner table - bought this expensive bake potato and sweet corn to eat

1500 plus yen - i think cannot remember

I bought Mcdonald for my late dinner about 700 yen

Day 8: Sapporo
Went to Sapporo Curb Market

 Bought this melon for 500 yen

Breakfast here - ramen ramen ramen

 The menu is all in Japanese

 This BBQ pork rice + 2 ramen = 2800 yen

Continue to Shiroi Koibito Park - Chocolate Factory

 Entrance 600 yen

 Old time chocolate boxes

 The making of the Chocolate

Tea break

Double Chocolate for myself - 432 yen

Shiroikoibito soft ice cream - 308 yen

White roll cake - 486 yen

Espresso - 540 yen

Proceed to Mount Moiwa Ropeway

Mt Moiwa, reaching an attitude of 531 meters, is located in the middle of Sapporo city.

Bought round trip ticket  - 1700 yen

From Susukino, take Sapporo's only streetcar line to "Ropeway Iriguchi" station (25minutes, 170 yen, frequent departures). From there, a free shuttle bus operates to the lower ropeway station (5minutes, depart every 20 minutes). Alternatively, the Mount moiwa Ropeway can be reached in a five minutes walk from the Ropeway Iriguchi streetcar stop.

Going up...

 The Deck - allow you to have a spectacular view of the city of Sapporo

 Going down

Next to Sapporo Beer Musuem

We are too late - closed

  Entrance  - closed

When to Bier Garten for dinner - is cold and raining outside

This is Mongolian style - lamb lamb lamb

Buffet 3900 yen / head

but we order ala carte - coz 2 of us don't like lamb

100 minutes free flow alcohol for 1700 yen

We order chicken, pork, lamb scallop

Seafood fried rice

German sausage

300 yen per scallop

My ice cream

Sake

And today is my friends Birthday 15.12.2015 - she paid for it...tq so much ...

Day 9: Otaru day trip

Fall in love with this German Sausage bun from Seicomart

Bought Sausage bun and this 2 sandwiches for breakfast at train

I day pass to Otaru - 1700 yen

Otaru Station

When to Sankaku Market

Start to explore Otaru

Temiya Line - the old railway, not being use recently, a good idea for a short work and photo snap,

Here we are - Otaru Canal

Old warehouse

Ice cream shop

Some Sorbet

Before walking around, had our lunch here

Many many shop arounds

Red Bean cake - delicious

Bought my crystal cow at this shop

Some snack and seafood at this shop - too many foods to eat

Potato Mochi

I bought this - squid pancake

Continue to walk around - is just too many handcraft and gift shop
is raining the whole day..

At Letao - Cheesecake

Many taster to try

Gift shop again

Chocolate shop again

After long day at Otaru - getting late

walk back to Otaru Canal for night photo

Stop at Sapporo Station - some shopping at Sapporo Esta before went back to Susukino for dinner - ramen again

and went to Tanuki-koji for some shopping before back to hotel.

 I order spicy ramen - i couldn't finish it coz i am having migraine

Day 10: Going home
Nakajima Park - view from hotel room : and the most happening is  **IT"S SNOWING **
We are so lucky to witness the sky snowing....so so so excited and happy....

 snow snow snow - at Nakajimakoen Station

 wow wow wow

 All in a sudden - white white white 

 At airport - very heavy snow

Talking Robot at 1 of the shop at airport

 goodies

 New Chitose Airport to BKK : Back to economy seat

  

BKK to PENANG : light meal

My daily drink - all kind of milk...

Goods bought from Hokkaido
For my sister and family - all from Hakodate Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse

Lighter from Otaru for my brother

 From Otaru for my brother

For myself - music box with photo frame, frog (my Christmas gift) and cow crystal from Otaru, Doraemon from Sapporo and Snoopy from New Chitose Airport

Fridge magnet from Hakodate and Otaru

From Hakodate and Sapporo many more....lost my photo

Medicated plaster and facial mask from Sapporo and Chocolate from Otaru Letao

Ramen from New Chitose Airport