HirafuHeartAttack
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- May 10, 2022
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Day 8:
Woke up yet again to more snow! Don't you love it when the forecast is wrong.
Had to semi pack the ski bag this morning while leaving out enough gear for 1 last hurrah.
We left Hirafu around 8am and made our way towards Jozankei Onsen then on to Sapporo Kokusai for 1 last morning on snow! Made a quick pit stop at Lawson Kyogoku which is almost mandatory on any trip from Niseko towards Sapporo for me at this stage! The drive was spectacular with heavy snow passing in and out allowing for some last views of Mt Yotei and Shiribetsu before passing through the mountain pass of Nakayama Toge (a place so snowy the ski resort here only opens in Autumn and Spring) and going through Jozankei and past Sapporo Lake to arrive at Kokusai around 10am.
![IMG_8890.JPEG IMG_8890.JPEG](https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/data/attachments/363/363006-7d13ae2010983bf9c95e1d11cf258d23.jpg)
We paid about $50 each for a 4 hour pass and did 5 or 6 gondola laps. It's quite a small resort but fairly well known in Hokkaido for massive snow and some substantial off piste areas. Didn't explore too much of these but did have a blast enjoying our last hours of Hokkaido powder.
Also past this sign every lap which felt like it was mocking me...
![thumbnail_IMG_3437.jpg thumbnail_IMG_3437.jpg](https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/data/attachments/363/363007-23cd66d145755a434a1cba1e411da9b6.jpg)
I have never stopped in Jozankei Onsen before, only passed through, so decided a post ride onsen there was well deserved. It is one of the more famous onsen resorts in Hokkaido particularly given its proximity to Sapporo. We chose the Jozankei Manseikaku Hotel Milione as we knew it would have a public onsen available at the time we'd finish skiing. This is something to be aware of particularly when trying to use Hotel onsens as many have dedicated times for in-house guests and a daily cleaning schedule.
![1710812689582.png 1710812689582.png](https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/data/attachments/363/363008-33ca42d0dc591b38f71881cab4c2f8a7.jpg)
Obviously it's near impossible to take photos inside however the above is pretty spot on. It was reasonably quiet in the middle of the day amongst a very large hotel and was probably the best onsen we have been to. Multiple baths of varying temperatures and mineral quality as well as a spectaular outdoor bath with a view over the valley. The amenities were also incredible including a shampoo 'bar' with about 13 different types of shampoo to try.
We left Jozankei and headed into Sapporo in the early afternoon to catch a Niseko friend who was there for the day. Ate yet another delicious bowl of ramen before saying farewell and checking into the ANA Holiday Inn Sapporo Susukino.
![IMG_8913.JPEG IMG_8913.JPEG](https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/data/attachments/363/363012-5d2124c3bfa0bcc11333efe891b3d995.jpg)
For those of you who recall my last trip report in Miyazaki (and a night in Fukuoka) that trip was very IHG heavy so we used those points plus another $50 or so to redeem 2 nights here. Neglected to take photos but honestly nothing exciting about the hotel. Very standard mid range Japanese hotel, which can range from $75 a night to $250+ during the snow festival and summer.
What was exciting though was parking and unloading. The hotel has no dedicated drop off zone so we double parked in front of the hotels car stacker entrance (which we werent able to use) and had a very lovely japanese staff member attempt to help us in snow and ice unloading the vehicle while wearing high heels. This was honestly a bit of a nightmare with the amount of sutff we had, and considering the days ski wear wasn't neatly packed into the boardbag. After about 10 minutes of back and forth everything was out and I was instructed to park in the open air car park across the road from the hotel.
We showered and changed and headed out into the brisk Sapporo evening to check out the snow festival. We had a brief pit stop for a few drinks at a bar in Susukino before joining the crowds enjoying the last few days of the Snow Festival for 2024.
![IMG_8971.JPEG IMG_8971.JPEG](https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/data/attachments/363/363014-438ce3bca71fe716d1d69ac6fe9cbe07.jpg)
![IMG_3450.JPEG IMG_3450.JPEG](https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/data/attachments/363/363080-cf86d9e1af8276b6826b2927575784cf.jpg)
While the level of crafstmanship is still fantastic the vibe of the festival wasn't as exciting as I remember from 2016/2017 when there were far more bars/food stalls and more live events like moguls skiing and skiing and snowboard big air comps. Even my partner who had been seriously looking forward to this agreed it was likely a 1 and done thing for us.
After freezing our way up and down Odori Koen we wandered back towards Susukino to find an izakaya and stumbled upon Tokuchan. This was a delicious accident. There was a limited english menu but we also ordered things off the japanese menu. It specialises in KushiKatsu (literally deep fried sticks) which isn't really my jam. What is right up our alley though is fantastic Karaage and we both agreed this was the best we ever had!
![IMG_8987.JPEG IMG_8987.JPEG](https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/data/attachments/363/363015-19fd0c22aa9f978477e9c858075c3072.jpg)
It was fresh, tender and moist and doused in a delicious garlic sauce. Honestly we still reminisce about it!
![IMG_8986.JPEG IMG_8986.JPEG](https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/data/attachments/363/363016-af7e4d98f1e0a0ed098711dec87b4e97.jpg)
They also had fantastically crisp gyoza...
![IMG_8982.JPEG IMG_8982.JPEG](https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/data/attachments/363/363017-040abf8045fb3bc0ef3c360407fb3f46.jpg)
A fresh and simple cucumber with sesame seeds and sesame soy dipping sauce
![IMG_8984.JPEG IMG_8984.JPEG](https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/data/attachments/363/363018-984b39276e35b337d5a6669418e394f6.jpg)
And as to be expected in Hokkaido fresh seafood.
It was also refreshing to be out of Niseko and paying 'normal prices' again. I believe a beer here was sub 600yen and i think we got out of dinner with 2 drinks each for well under $90... (They also have a dangerously cheap 2 hour all you can drink package for 1500yen).
We headed back to the hotel after a huge day to rest up.
Woke up yet again to more snow! Don't you love it when the forecast is wrong.
Had to semi pack the ski bag this morning while leaving out enough gear for 1 last hurrah.
We left Hirafu around 8am and made our way towards Jozankei Onsen then on to Sapporo Kokusai for 1 last morning on snow! Made a quick pit stop at Lawson Kyogoku which is almost mandatory on any trip from Niseko towards Sapporo for me at this stage! The drive was spectacular with heavy snow passing in and out allowing for some last views of Mt Yotei and Shiribetsu before passing through the mountain pass of Nakayama Toge (a place so snowy the ski resort here only opens in Autumn and Spring) and going through Jozankei and past Sapporo Lake to arrive at Kokusai around 10am.
![IMG_8890.JPEG IMG_8890.JPEG](https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/data/attachments/363/363006-7d13ae2010983bf9c95e1d11cf258d23.jpg)
We paid about $50 each for a 4 hour pass and did 5 or 6 gondola laps. It's quite a small resort but fairly well known in Hokkaido for massive snow and some substantial off piste areas. Didn't explore too much of these but did have a blast enjoying our last hours of Hokkaido powder.
Also past this sign every lap which felt like it was mocking me...
![thumbnail_IMG_3437.jpg thumbnail_IMG_3437.jpg](https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/data/attachments/363/363007-23cd66d145755a434a1cba1e411da9b6.jpg)
I have never stopped in Jozankei Onsen before, only passed through, so decided a post ride onsen there was well deserved. It is one of the more famous onsen resorts in Hokkaido particularly given its proximity to Sapporo. We chose the Jozankei Manseikaku Hotel Milione as we knew it would have a public onsen available at the time we'd finish skiing. This is something to be aware of particularly when trying to use Hotel onsens as many have dedicated times for in-house guests and a daily cleaning schedule.
![1710812689582.png 1710812689582.png](https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/data/attachments/363/363008-33ca42d0dc591b38f71881cab4c2f8a7.jpg)
Obviously it's near impossible to take photos inside however the above is pretty spot on. It was reasonably quiet in the middle of the day amongst a very large hotel and was probably the best onsen we have been to. Multiple baths of varying temperatures and mineral quality as well as a spectaular outdoor bath with a view over the valley. The amenities were also incredible including a shampoo 'bar' with about 13 different types of shampoo to try.
We left Jozankei and headed into Sapporo in the early afternoon to catch a Niseko friend who was there for the day. Ate yet another delicious bowl of ramen before saying farewell and checking into the ANA Holiday Inn Sapporo Susukino.
![IMG_8913.JPEG IMG_8913.JPEG](https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/data/attachments/363/363012-5d2124c3bfa0bcc11333efe891b3d995.jpg)
For those of you who recall my last trip report in Miyazaki (and a night in Fukuoka) that trip was very IHG heavy so we used those points plus another $50 or so to redeem 2 nights here. Neglected to take photos but honestly nothing exciting about the hotel. Very standard mid range Japanese hotel, which can range from $75 a night to $250+ during the snow festival and summer.
What was exciting though was parking and unloading. The hotel has no dedicated drop off zone so we double parked in front of the hotels car stacker entrance (which we werent able to use) and had a very lovely japanese staff member attempt to help us in snow and ice unloading the vehicle while wearing high heels. This was honestly a bit of a nightmare with the amount of sutff we had, and considering the days ski wear wasn't neatly packed into the boardbag. After about 10 minutes of back and forth everything was out and I was instructed to park in the open air car park across the road from the hotel.
We showered and changed and headed out into the brisk Sapporo evening to check out the snow festival. We had a brief pit stop for a few drinks at a bar in Susukino before joining the crowds enjoying the last few days of the Snow Festival for 2024.
![IMG_8971.JPEG IMG_8971.JPEG](https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/data/attachments/363/363014-438ce3bca71fe716d1d69ac6fe9cbe07.jpg)
![IMG_3450.JPEG IMG_3450.JPEG](https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/data/attachments/363/363080-cf86d9e1af8276b6826b2927575784cf.jpg)
While the level of crafstmanship is still fantastic the vibe of the festival wasn't as exciting as I remember from 2016/2017 when there were far more bars/food stalls and more live events like moguls skiing and skiing and snowboard big air comps. Even my partner who had been seriously looking forward to this agreed it was likely a 1 and done thing for us.
After freezing our way up and down Odori Koen we wandered back towards Susukino to find an izakaya and stumbled upon Tokuchan. This was a delicious accident. There was a limited english menu but we also ordered things off the japanese menu. It specialises in KushiKatsu (literally deep fried sticks) which isn't really my jam. What is right up our alley though is fantastic Karaage and we both agreed this was the best we ever had!
![IMG_8987.JPEG IMG_8987.JPEG](https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/data/attachments/363/363015-19fd0c22aa9f978477e9c858075c3072.jpg)
It was fresh, tender and moist and doused in a delicious garlic sauce. Honestly we still reminisce about it!
![IMG_8986.JPEG IMG_8986.JPEG](https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/data/attachments/363/363016-af7e4d98f1e0a0ed098711dec87b4e97.jpg)
They also had fantastically crisp gyoza...
![IMG_8982.JPEG IMG_8982.JPEG](https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/data/attachments/363/363017-040abf8045fb3bc0ef3c360407fb3f46.jpg)
A fresh and simple cucumber with sesame seeds and sesame soy dipping sauce
![IMG_8984.JPEG IMG_8984.JPEG](https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/data/attachments/363/363018-984b39276e35b337d5a6669418e394f6.jpg)
And as to be expected in Hokkaido fresh seafood.
It was also refreshing to be out of Niseko and paying 'normal prices' again. I believe a beer here was sub 600yen and i think we got out of dinner with 2 drinks each for well under $90... (They also have a dangerously cheap 2 hour all you can drink package for 1500yen).
We headed back to the hotel after a huge day to rest up.
Last edited: