Nagoya & Hokkaido (May-June 2016)

(6-minute read)

I was fortunate enough to be able to visit Japan twice within the span of two years..

Since it’s been quite a while since the trip, this will yet again be another picture-based post, but I will try and cover most of the things I could remember from the top of my head..

Note: caught a train from Hokkaido’s New Chitose Airport to Nagoya

Nagoya

• Nagoya Castle
• Pictured: Nagoya manhole

Ono, Gifu/Takayama

• Shirakawago
• Pictured: Shirakawago manhole

Japan Alps

• Kurobe Alpine Route

• Kurobe Dam —pictured 1) Kuronyon (Kurobe Dam’s mascot), 2) an anime called “Kuromukuru (2016)” that has a scene or two based off of Kurobe Dam

• A wasabi farm nearby

Matsumoto, Nagano

• Pictured: Matsumoto manhole

Hokkaido

Sapporo, Hokkaido

• Shiroi Koibito factory

• Hokkaido Shrine (picture included: ema plates)

• Mount Moiwa Ropeway
• Kirin Beer Garden — where we tried the Hokkaido local grilled mutton dish called Genghis Khan (Jingisukan, ジンギスカン)

• Sapporo Clock Tower (Tokeidai)

• Fushimiinari Shrine
• Chitosetsuru Sake Museum

• Ookurayama Ski Jump Stadium (1972 Winter Olympics)

• Tanukikouji Shopping Street
• Mitsui Outlet Park

Asahikawa, Hokkaido

• Ueno Farm
• Pictured: Asahikawa manhole

Biei/Shirogane, Hokkaido

• Blue Pond

• Farm Yoshida: their A5 steak is the bomb

Furano, Hokkaido

• Farm Tomita
• Furano cheese factory/wine yard

• We stayed at Prince Hotel New Furano

Noboribetsu, Hokkaido

• Shikotsu Lake

• Ainu Museum (Porotokotan)

• Jigokudani (aka Hell Valley)

Makkari, Hokkaido

• Mount Yotei

Touya, Hokkaido

• Toya-ko Lake

• Mount Usu Ropeway

• Lake Hill Farm

Otaru, Hokkaido

• Otaru Canal
• Shops in town included: Glass Gallery & Kaimeiro Music Box Studio

Niseiko, Hokkaido

• Niseiko Milk-kobo (Takanashi Farm)

• Kazuo Mishima-san’s pink moss & mustard fields

Local dishes during the trip