Japan in winter…yes, again

[OZDUCK]

Thanks for a fascinating report of your intrepid trip.

 

[Justinf]

BEST PLACE
i was surprised by Hiroshima.
Not only was it very walkable and had a great vibe as well as excellent dining and drinking options, the peace park and memorial blew my mind.
I’d imagine there is not much more to see and you would only need a few days, but I could have stayed longer and just soaked up the atmosphere. The people were also genuinely friendly.

BEST WOW MOMENT
Seeing Mt Fuji as many have tried but failed.
the vantage point from the Shinkansen was unexpected, but the view from SQ633 and picking a seat on the right-side of the aircraft was the bonus of all bonuses.

 

[Justinf]

WORST MOMENT
when being told your flight is delayed is your worst moment, then you’re doing pretty well.
but being told there was a six hour delay until the next flight from Aomori to Sapporo was pretty deflating.
however, full credit for the proactive JAL staff member who got me on an ANA flight with a minimum of fuss and with a delay of only two hours in the end.
it meant I was able to get to Sapporo at a decent time.
Other than that, things ran so smoothly, except for a dodgy knee, but I battled through it.

BEST FLIGHT
Hands down the JAL hop from Haneda to Aomori where a young passenger kept me entertained and the cabin crew looked after me and gave me gifts. The fact that this 738 was almost empty made it a fun experience.

 

[Justinf]

MOST OVERRATED
I’m not even sure if this classifies and I’m not sure it‘s even rated.
but the Hakkoda-Maru memorial ship in Aomori could easily be missed out on altogether.
If you find yourself in town in winter and it’s snowing, and by hell there is a high chance it will be, it may worth 45 minutes of your time, but I wouldn’t rush to see it.
at only ¥510, you could do worse with that money so by all means take a look.

 

[Justinf]

BEST HOTEL
contrary to mine and @rbjhan opinion I found all the small rooms I stayed at to be perfectly fine for my needs.
however the JR Sapporo Station wins the prize purely for having a bathroom I could swing a cat in. I’m not into swinging cats, but you get my drift.
I didn’t have to bend down to stop my head hitting the ceiling.
oh, and bidets everywhere. I’m going to buy a couple online and insert them into our house.

 

[Justinf]

BEST LOUNGE
The Sakura Lounges won’t win any prizes, but I quite like the one in Sapporo. The no name lounge in Aomori was a pleasant surprise.
so with only three to choose from KrisFlyer Melbourne, KrisFlyer Singapore and ANA Haneda there was a clear winner.
The ANA Lounge at Haneda ticked all the boxes.
good shower rooms, food looked very decent, spacious and an OK-ish drink choices.
i found the Melbourne lounge to be small and pokey and dark and the Singapore lounge horribly busy both times.

 

[Justinf]

I think that might just about be it.
thanks heaps for the likes and comments and if anyone has any questions, please ask away.
I’m planning my next trip and although I have been to Japan three times now, I really haven’t explored Tokyo nearly enough. I did four days in Shinjuku, but would like another four or five days to explore other areas.
i’d also like to shoot over to Seoul and Busan and while I’m at it, pop over to Beijing and Shanghai.

 

[NoName]

Thanks for another fantastic trip report @Justinf ! Hope we don’t have to wait as long for the next one this time!

 

[Quickstatus]

@Justinf
Did you try any Sake?.

 

[VPS]

Thanks again - I added a bidet seat to my toilet - great idea.

 

[Justinf]

@Justinf
Did you try any Sake?.

Yep.
not a huge fan. Don’t mind it warmed up, but to me it tastes like white wine and vodka mixed together.
i have had it where i have really liked it, but it was top shelf stuff so maybe i have been drinking the cheap stuff.
i do like the plum liqueur mixed with soda water, though.