Chasing Cherry Blossoms, Old Friends & Uncle Jack

[Jacques Vert]

Certainly seems that the bankruptcy improved the J domestic product.

That's the first class seat in the photo. 1st included a meal and alcohol where J only includes soft drinks, tea, coffee; no meal, no lounge, no alcohol.

Meal was a tasting dish of 4 Japanese thingies + cake & rice crakers . I thought it was quite nice, the GEM wasn't quite as impressed.

The flight posted overnight: much as I suspected: 650 points and only 20 SCs. Was nice to try it once but wouldn't bother again.

At least now we can say we have flown first!

 

[Gem56]

I would like to clarify that it wasn't the size that I "wasn't so impressed" about. Given that it was only a 2 hour flight I don't feel that a huge meal is necessary. It's just taking me a little time to come to terms with the raw fish etc., however I have since had many types. It's more the mind over matter stuff!

 

[Jacques Vert]

Our plan was to head south and we have accommodation booked in Niseko and Hakodate. As our flight arrived into CTS at 1700, we had the first night in Sapporo. We picked up a hire car and headed to the ANA Hotel Sapporo, part of the IHG program.

 

[Gem56]

View from the Sky room at the top of the hotel. It was very pleasant atmosphere especially with some piano entertainment.

 

[Gem56]

The next morning we were greeted by this little lady in the lobby on our way to breakfast. I have absolutely no idea what she was saying however it was amusing just the same. Unfortunately I'm not able to post my video on here, but she was having a conversation with a Japanese lady and then put her hand out for the Japanese lady to hold it. She promptly had a look around, spotted me, bowed and then started to dance and finished with a bow. Her movements were so fluid. I feel that there was probably someone managing all this from a distance, however in this modern day of technology who knows.

 

[Gem56]

We then headed out into the streets of Sapporo to chase cherry blossoms. Absolutely freezing with the wind blowing off the snow. The blossoms were just starting and I would say that we were probably a day or 2 too early. Still pretty though.

 

[Gem56]

We try to keep the cost down in things that don't matter so much to us so as to enjoy more of the things that do matter. However, this time we may have taken it just a little too far. We hired a Nissan Dayz. The positive things I can say about it is that there is little chance of getting a speeding ticket in it and it is extremely economical. The roar of power when you take off from the lights is absolutely deafening, unfortunately you don't seem to get very far. Feels like we are driving with the handbrake on all the time, but going downhill it goes really well!! A bit like the old "rolls can 'ardly" for those of you old enough to remember that.
We are the little black model. Oh, and just look at that cherry tree.

 

[Gem56]

Gathering under the Cherry Trees. The start of Spring brings everyone together, regardless of the weather. This is Maruyama Park where lots of food stalls were set up for this very reason. All sorts of foods were being cooked, full squids, without their legs, noodles, pork balls, many varieties of yakitori etc. And of course there are those that just cook their own things. Much too cold for me to be thinking that this is a good idea, however I do admire their dedication.

 

[Gem56]

More cherry blossoms in Maruyama Park. Still a little early, however it was whetting our appetite for much better to come as we head south - we hope! And of course when in Hokkaido, do as the people from Hokkaido do; +1 (JV) supporting the Sapporo Beer company.

 

[Jacques Vert]

After a few fairly full days it was time to head south chasing more cherry blossoms.

As we were heading to Hakodate and there is a Hilton on the way (sort of), we couldn't resist the opportunity to try out my new diamond status a second time. So into the mountains to the Hilton Niseko Village for a night to refresh and recuperate.

A very nice hotel with lovely staff and nice rooms. No executive lounge but complimentary breakfast of course and a voucher for a couple of drinks. All very nice.

As the weather was still cold and damp/wet, we decided to eat in at the Hilton. A couple of shots of the hotel and restaurant "Melt" to follow:

 

[Gem56]

The view from the restaurant

 

[Gem56]

Next stop was Hakodate and the staff at the Hilton recommended that we take the Panorama Line and down the West Coast. Beautiful views they said and the weather was pretty good. "Tomorrow it will be snowing so today would be a good day to go that way". It wasn't long before we were really up in the snow country, then we encountered a short stretch of snow on the road and we weren't too sure how our little power machine was going to handle that. We're not unfamiliar with driving in the snow however it has been either in a 4WD or with chains, neither of which we had on this trip. The big question was 'do we continue and find it will be all OK or will it get much worse than this'? As it turned out that was as bad as it got. The trip according to our 'Miss Garmin' was supposed to take approx. 3 1/2 hours, it took 5, partly because we stopped to take photos and we needed to take it slowly due to the weather conditions. Worth it though.

As we approached the coast it became very windy, which we suspect is the norm judging by the signs.

 

[Gem56]

We were pleasantly surprised to be seeing cherry blossoms once we hit the coast. This was really starting to happen we thought.

 

[Buzzard]

Enjoying the TR JV and Gem56.
Both Japan and Korea are on my/our bucket list for the blossoms.

 

[Gem56]

Our accommodation was at the Spa and Casa Resort Hotel. Our Miss Garmin wasn’t able to locate it so we needed to stop and ask at another hotel for directions, which was fine. Mostly streets in Japan don't have names which makes navigation difficult.

Checking in was a little challenging as the staff spoke very little English. After removing our luggage from the car, JV parked the car which was around the back in another street. While he was doing that I asked a staff member for a trolley to load our luggage onto to take up to our room. They gave me a Dolly Trolley which was OK (just). Upon checking in each guest is presented with a bag containing a towel, onsen clothes, razor, toothbrush etc. These bags were really more than I could manage so I asked if I could come and collect the bags later but was told to take them to my room!

Due to the weather conditions - wet with a freezing cold wind, we decided to head to the sky lounge and look for cherry blossoms from there.

The room was quite spacious and we were pleasantly surprised to see that we had our own washing machine. The only problem was that it was all in Japanese. After spending considerable time trying to make the machine kick start with no success I decided that I needed to go to the reception desk and ask for instructions in English. I found myself doing the washine machine dance in the lobby to get my message across. Finally a staff member understood what I was asking and presented me with 3 pages which included a page on the machine parts – just incase I needed to replace something I guess.

 

[Gem56]

Next morning (Saturday 30 April) the sun was finally out but the chilly wind was still around. 1 out of 2 aint bad. So we headed off to Goryokaku Park and Fort in Hakodate. OMG… we found them!!! The chilly wind and long drive was so worth it.

 

[Gem56]

 

[Gem56]

 

[Gem56]

 

[Jacques Vert]

Possibly might be a little early for some parts of Hokkaido.

Yes we were a little early for the blossoms in Sapporo and surrounds. But we had always intended to head south to Hakodate and as you can see from +1's photos, we were very fortunate to find them so beautifully in full bloom. Where nature is concerned anything can be the case.