Hokkaido, Japan's 2nd largest and northern most island, lures people around the world with its untamed nature, powdery snow, volcanos, caldera lakes, natural hot spring (Onsens), and food and diary product.
We went there from April 23-28 for a late season skiing at Niseko, and sightseeing around Sapporo.
During the trip planning, we were pleasantly surprised to know that the days we would be there were the peak blooming time for the Cheery blossom!
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| Blooming Cheery Blossom at Odori Park, Sapporo |
Day 1 Flight to New Chitose Airport
Arrived at Sapporo in the evening (1 hour JR train ride from the airport), stayed at a hotel in walking distance to bus/train stations. We did not rent a car. We ate dinner at a tinny Japanese curry restaurant 2 minute walk away from the hotel.
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| The hotel we stayed in Sapporo |
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| A Japanese Curry Restaurant |
Day 2 Cherry Blossom watching in the morning, Go to Niseko after lunch
We visited, on foot, Hokkaido University campus, Odori Park, the Red Brick Building and garden for Cherry Blossom. Cherry trees in these locations are scattered, but beautiful and charming in their surroundings.
We had lunch at a popular Ramen restaurant - Yi Chir Yuan - a 30 minute wait for a bowl of Ramen!
Since it was late season for skiing there was no more direct ski shuttle to the ski resorts at Niseko. We had to take Chuo bus to get there - 3 hour ride for many stops, 110km. The ride was long, the views were good, especially when the bus entered the mountain area. Also the round trip bus ride was Yen5600 per person, aka $36, very cheap!
We arrived at ski resort Niseko Northern Resort in the afternoon - it was cool, and the mountain was beautiful under setting Sun. Of course, it was clear that it was late season for skiing - the snow was slush, and many bare spots/patches on the slop.
We strolled on the slope before dinner at the resort.
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| Blooming Cheery Blossom on Hokkaido University Campus |
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| Blooming Cherry Blossom over a patch of snow remanent |
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| A ramen restaurant |
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| inside the restaurant |
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| Niseko Annupuri Ski area |
Day 3 Skiing Niseko Annupuri - lift ticket was cheap but equipment rental was expensive
It was a beautiful Sunny day, we could not wait to start skiing - but the ski rental shop opened at 9am, we had to wait. When the shop was open, we were on the slop in about 10 minutes - no line, no wait!
It was exciting - last time we skied was two years ago at Vancouver. The view of Mt Yotei is definitely a plus. We skied, almost non-top, for the whole day! (6+ hours, with a break for lunch snack)
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| on the slope |
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| view of Mt Yotei - a volcano |
Day 4 Relax in the morning, Return to Sapporo, and more Cherry Blossom watching in the afternoon
It was great fun and excitement for skiing the whole day on Day 3, but we decided not to ski on day 4 - the wet snow made us tired, and was not ideal for skiing.
We strolled around the resort area, observed the budding trees, watched colorful bugs and birds. We then took a 10:20am bus back to Sapporo.
In the afternoon, we visited Maruyama Park and Hokkaido Jingu for more Cherry Blossom - a lot more Cheery trees and Cherry Blossoms, but a lot more people as well.
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| statue of the ski area founder |
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| Budding bush |
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| Indian Milkweed Bug |
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| Cherry Blossom Tunnel |
Day 5 - Excursion to National Parks
Without a rental car, we had to rely on a travel agency for a tour to sites outside the Sapporo. With the tour, we went to Norribestu Jigokudani Valley (geothermal area), Cape Chikyu, Lake Toya, Mt Usu, Showa-shinzan Bear Ranch, and Lake Shikotsu. It was a 10-hour bus tour, tiring but worth it.
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| Norribestu Jigokudani Valley |
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| Lake Toya in a hazy day |
Day 6 Moerenuma Park
It is about 1 hour bus ride from city center. It is not crowded at all.
I enjoyed the quiet expansive landscapes in "solitude", appreciated the simple, elegant large sculptures. I believe that it was exactly intention of the park designer, Isamu Noguchi.
Further more, the park has 3000 cherry trees - we enjoyed the Cherry Blossom, almost, all by ourselves!
A must go if you like large open space, simplicity and elegancy.
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| Tera Mound with Mt More in the back |
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| A children's slide is a sculpture |
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