23 December 2017, Saturday.
0730 hrs. We set off from hotel and headed for Sapporo Station Bus Terminal. We were supposed to be at Chuo Bus counter at 0800 hrs, made payment for our day tour which started at 0845 hrs.
We arrived at the correct building at 0800 hrs and could not find the access to level 2. It was hard struggle, we finally managed to locate the counter at 0830 hrs. … barely make it and we were the last two to board the bus.
Our very helpful tour guide.
0910 hrs…. arriving at Sapporo Central Wholesale Market
Street lined with many mid size seafood wholesaler.
A lot of fresh, preserved, packed local seafood.
Again, fresh Crabs are the center of attention.
The boiled crabs are equally expensive.
Another of our liking – Sea Urchin or Uni. These looked delicious….
We had seafood breakfast at one of the outlet. I love the topshell…. so fresh and tinted with a very light sea saltiness. My wife love the uni, sashimi and fresh prawn.
1015 hrs…. we arrived at Shiroi Kobito (白色恋人) Park. In-door Fountain after the ticketing counter.
The next stretch – The Time Tunnel tells the history of the company.
Entered a glass window alley that oversee the production floor
We could see the 5S activities and scheduled maintenance.
Finally, the quality check…
Staircase down to the main hall.
One corner of the main hall is the Candy Labo…………R&D work Demo!
Approaching the cashier with our selection
Very courteous staff…
This robot promoter look away and mumbled when being approached…. “Not Courteous”
Stepping out of the building…. Reindeer and Christmas sleigh.
The central snow garden…. I thought it emulate Yamagata snow Monsters.
This is the real Yamagata snow monster
Our pictures at the theme park
Several kiosks at the park perimeter…
Among the kiosks is this little green house…. we had warm break, while waiting for the 1100 hrs show time.
Christmas musics echoed through the park at 1100 hrs sharp….
a little clip of the show
another show spot that drew less attention…
The show last about 15 minutes. Leisurely we strolled to our bus after the show… admiring the nice set up which injected an aura of happiness.
and this last display is one of the best.
Our next destination : Susukino Ramen Alley. This time, we picked another Ramen shop – Terhikaga.
While waiting for our Ramen, we captured the culinary display by the chef.
Oishii !!!!!!
Complementary dish from our hardworking chef.
Destination after very tasty lunch : Hitsujigaoka Observatory. Approaching the Observatory….. slippery road banked by vast white plain.
Arriving at the car park
We headed to this little White Church beside the Car park.
Lovely Sculpture in front of the Church – probably suggesting its sheep farming history.
One corner of the car park overlook the Ishikari plain…. vast stretch of snowy plain. … pile up with soft fresh snow.
Our pictures by the plain…
Naught expression
snowy enjoyment….
Pathway leading to Dr William Clark Statue…
Statue of Dr Clark….
The message from Dr Clark William to his Japanese students – ” Boys, Be ambitious !!”. I always think the Japanese culture of doing things to perfection – It takes up a lot of time. While engrossing in pursue of perfection – this is an important message serve to remind the hardworking people – to look up once in a while during the course of pursuing of perfection and remind themselves to BE AMBITIOUS.
Picture with the “Ambitious Bell”
The last picture before our bus move on
It was 30 mins drive. Arriving at Mount Moiwa Cable car station. While waiting for our cable car ride… picture with their Xmas Decor.
It was a long cable car ride
A little video clip taken on the cable car ride
Arriving at cable car terminal, we hopped onto funicular which pulled us up to the summit. ….looking back at funicular railing.
Arriving at the summit ….
Looking down from summit building…. The city of Sapporo.
A less populated side of the Sapporo City.
We could see the rolling white hills with forested valleys.
Stepping out of the summit building…. a very neat snowy path
Zoomed in .. snow tinted with orange sunlight…. I simply love sunny snow.
Looked beyond the snow path… snow valley with sparsely spaced houses.
Our pictures
Back into the Summit Observatory building…. this is the most pictured Mt Moiwa Bell.
Notice what the hardworking staff is doing at one corner of the observatory deck – this is how they clear off the snow accumulation from the viewing platform.
We had a longer stop at the cable car terminal…. exploring the thick snow outside the building.
hiking up the snowy forest and chasing the descending sun.
A short walk and we were at this little temple…. making a prayer stop
Back to the cable car terminal building…. just in time for the ride down to the car park. Another 30 mins drive and we were at Mt Okura Ski Stadium.
On the very high (estimate 30m) escalator towards the ski stadium.
Looking down from the top of escalator….could see the car park and the evening lighted up Sapporo.
A snap shot of the ski stadium. Unfortunately there is no one doing any jump.
I have not seen a real life jump (not counting those seen over TV) It would be very interesting to see a real jump.
We had a short ice cream break inside the Olympic Museum.
Our Olympic torches ?
It was dinner time @ Sapporo Beer Garden. Arrival and we were impressed with the site ambience.
and the Restaurant.
The place was crowded with diners.
Our dinner…
After dinner…. we explore the proximity of Sapporo Beer Museum
A short Video clip of the Beer Garden / Museum.
Our pictures
The last destination for our tour – the Sapporo clock Tower.
From one corner, we could see the TV tower.
A short walk and we were at the Christmas Market…. and Girls group was performing. They sang very well.
I love the Christmas Market because they had a lot of fine festive goodies on display.
And this kiosk sold the best sausages. We had one and a second piece.
Christmas Decor – dazzling and we engrossed ourselves in this Christmas wonderland.
We entered the Underpass through the steps beside the TV tower and shopped all the way to Tanukikoji Shopping street…
Our supper, more Japanese Rice Ball…. I called it Oishii Very Tasty.
End of Day 3 : We started the day with very tasty seafood breakfast at Sapporo Central wholesale market. Enjoyable Candy and Christmas session at Shiroi Koibito Theme Park followed by highly recommended Susukino Ramen Alley again – Teshikaga Ramen – Oiishi !!!!.
I love the Ishikari snowy plain and the spirit of being ambitious @ Hitsujigaoka Observatory. Finally we were on top of Sapporo looking down… snowy experience at the summit of Mt Moiwa. BBQ dinner at Sapporo Beer Garden – we were delighted with orange lighting casting an aura of Winter Romance around the beer garden.
Chuo Bus day tour ended at Sapporo Clock Tower… and we were back to Christmas reality – Engrossing ourselves in dazzling Christmas market and Odori Christmas lighting.
Wonderful and enjoyable day trip !
Continue to : Hokkaido Winter Fantasy Day 4
Return to : Hokkaido Winter Fantasy Day 2
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