A Longer Trip to Hokkaido

[drron]

The last of the walk back to the hotel.






T hat evening we went back to the station to eat at Nemuro Hanamaru. According to Trip advisor it is the best sushi restaurant in sapporo and number 12 restaurant in Sapporo. Well it certainly was popular. We got there at 5.45pm and waited an hour and a half to be seated.






We didn't really like it. Unusual dishes,different cuts and sizes to most other sushi places and the rice disintegrated on a couple of dishes. Some of our dishes.






But it was cheap so likely why it gets it TA ranking.

 

[drron]

Started off our last day in Sapporo with my usual breakfast.




Then I set out for the botanic gardens.






And then then the old Hokkaido Government Building sadly hidden away for renovations.

 

[drron]

And the Gardens. A lovely oasis.








The last of the rhododendrons.

 

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Then past the old building to buildings that were the University at one time and there was a display of some of the artefacts found around Hokkaido. but first old rose species in the garden.

 

[drron]

Then through those buildings and you come to the Botanic Gardens run by the University.


An intersting looking Ryokan opposite the gardens.


It was an interesting entrance. There was an older fellow sitting at a window and I went over and proferred my 420 yen to enter and he kept saying no,no,no.Machine. So I walked over to the machine which I had presumed was to change your notes to coins but in fact was the ticket machine. Then you had to go back and put the ticket in a box the fellow had. then you could enter.

The first thing you see is this notice that bird flu has been confirmed as the cause of death in crows in the gardens.


The first place I visited there was the Northern peoples Museum. An unusual sign at the door.

 

[drron]

Only a small museum but interesting. Starting off with an Ainu guitar.


Then clothing and footwear.








then things for hunting.

 

[drron]

More hunting equipment.




Though they were rather cruel. A film showing a bear being tormented.




It tries to escape.


Then they all rush in with these sticks and annoy it.


There was also this suggesting the bear was sacrificed.


Ending up like this I presume.


Some more elaborate clothing.

 

[drron]

Housing.




And a storehouse.


Various implements.

 

[drron]

And out into the Botanic garden. A lovely place for a stroll.








And a memorial building for the first curator of the gardens.


Looks nice but inside absolutely full of stuffed animals and birds.






Naturally they are extinct. Exterminated during the Meiji restoration. An American rancher was in charge of the project. The last one was reported in 1889. They were related to the American wolf whereas the Japanese grey wolf was from Asia.
Some other stuffed animals.

 

[drron]

A Blakiston's fish owl.






And this one is called a glutton which is a wolverine.


Even the Husky taken on Japan's first antarctic trip.


And an egg of the red necked crane which nearly went extinct.






And these 3 buildings have been relocated and were the Agricultural college's office buildings.

 

[drron]

There were also aviaries.


But back to nature.




and in the woods.




Then the rose garden which was meant to be in full flower. Not really looked after well.








And the last peony.

 

[drron]

bear berries.




The Canadian rock garden.






Thimbleberries.

 

[drron]

And the glasshouse closed for renovations due to old age.


But they had 3 species of terrestial orchids on display outside.






And the exit gate so off to the hotel.

 

[drron]

sights on the way back.








At one intersection I heard loud music. It was coming from this truck.


I heard the same music at the next intersection and there was a different truck also with vanilla on the side going the other way.








When I got back to the Crowne Plaza I noticed a plague.


this house belonged to one of the Professors of the Agricultural College and the family lived here until 2000.

 

[drron]

That night we went back to the Izakaya around the corner from the hotel. It didn't disappoint food wise but there were 2 smokers this time. But back to the food. The fried octopus was excellent.


the corn fritters certainly had enough of the sweet Hokkaido corn.


Then lamb skewers and salmon sashimi.




Then pork skewers and the chicken wings again.




Finally asparagus wrapped in bacon that was delicious and salmon and tuna sashimi.




Mrsdrron again had a half litre of wine and I had 2 beers. It came to just under 9000 yen -$90.

The next morning we left Hokkaido. I really like this place. We visited in August 2012 and had a great time with their summer festival. So I am linking to that TR as we did some different things. Now unfortunately the videos no longer work. Some entitled person said they had the copyright to the music so You Tube closed my account and I lost access to all my videos. Hence why I no longer take videos.

Another long mini trip report-Sapporo.

Forgot to thank Markis10 for fixing some of the videos at the beginning of this thread. On the Sunday we were exhausted after our long day in Sapporo itself so after breakfast we had another snooze so got up late for our trip to the Historical village.This is not far from the Sheraton.There is a...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[drron]

My last sapporo breakfast.


Note they have marinated herring. Not just a scandinavian thing. Hokkaido had a big herring industry at one time.
Then a leisurely stroll up to the station. Whilst waiting on the platform a rapid express from Hakodate arrived on the other side of the platform.




Then our Kamui express arrived. Seats were pretty comfortable.




The woman in front turned around to ask if she could recline but didn't wait for an answer. Initially it was OK.


But then went back more so Mrsdrron's bag went up on the rack.


Soon into rural scenery.

 

[drron]

 

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As we got closer to Asahikawa more houses were closer to the rail line most had good veggie gardens,


Passed a row of Tori gates.







We pulled into Asahikawa station right on time after a 1.25 hour trip. We were staying at the JR Inn which is in the Aeon Mall right at the station. Of course we were early for the 3pm checkin which is generally strictly enforced. So we had a latte at Starbucks in the mall. Then walked to the hotel lift. It begins on the 5th floor. Noted this sign.


Probably the only way to get your steps up in winter. Checkin simple and we are on the top floor in one of their biggest rooms.








Pretty squeezy.

 

[drron]

The view from our room.










The plan was Mrsdrron and I would go for a walk down the shopping street which began across the road from the Aeon Mall. Unfortunately the rain became heavy and basically stayed for the next 36 hours so we didn't get to do our walking. All that was left was mall walking.We are often amused by shops names.