Wednesday 30 September 2015

1 month budget travel with kids in Hokkaido (18) :What to wear

30th Sept 2015

Hokkaido compared to Singapore which is a all-year-round summer country, is cooling even during summer.

Summer 
For kids
Short sleeves with cardigan or long sleeves for children will be comfortable. Usually it is the strong wind that I would add additional long sleeve jacket or cardigan while walking to destination.

For adults
Short sleeve will be enough. For those who are worry, can bring cardigan along. The wind is cooling like aircon.

End spring and early autumn
For kids  choose a thicker coat or winter jacket. Sometimes a thicker long sleeve top will be enough for kids as they run around and have higher temperature.

For adutls, same as kids

Early spring, early and end winter , late autumn
For kids
  • waterproof winter jacket
  • kniited or wool sweater
  • long sleeve top
  • legging or tight pant
  • jeans/pants with fleece lining or snow pants
  • hat, scraft, gloves, socks, leg warmer ( to be placed in bag for sudden cold wind)
  • sport shoes / boots
 For adults, same as kids' attire.

Winter 
For kids
  • waterproof winter jacket/ ski jacket
  • fleece jacket
  • kniited or wool sweater
  • turtle neck long seeve top
  • long sleeve top
  • legging or tight pant
  • jeans/pants with fleece lining or snow pants
  • hat, scraft, gloves, socks, leg warmer
  • waterproof boots
Standby fleece/wool vest in bag in case kids will feel cold. However, do note that when indoor , heater is switch on and it can be very warm that kids will want to remove most, let them do so as they know what they want. Overdress will result in sweating and end up catching cold which is a taboo in winter.

Adult can reduce accordingly to each needs.


Where to buy?
 From USA
Old Navy , Gap, KOHL's, Gymboree

From Singapore
Coldwear, Wings,Robinson, Metro, Factory outlets, Song & Song

From China 
Taobao
( Cut tag, local brand, factory outlets )

From Japan
Nissen, Nishimatsuya, Akachan Honpo, Uniqlo



Sunday 27 September 2015

1 month budget travel with kids in Hokkaido (17): Shoes

27th Sept 2015

The right pair of shoes is important not just for comfortable, it is for safety too. Walking on melt snow that had turn ice, it is very very slippery and any wrong footstep would end up in hospital.

From the news, it was reported that in 2014, the highest slip and fall cases were in Dec when longer interval between each snow fall. When snow melt due to heat from surrounding, the cold nights below zero degree celsius frozen all the water left in the day. Cars skid easily too and we had an experience when our host from Kushiro nearly lost control due to the ice on the road. Later he explained that once night fall, water from melt snow froze as ice and there is no longer any friction on the road unless the wheels are chained.

Therefore it is very important to find a pair of good waterproof shoes with non slip sole.


You could buy in Japan in shops like ABC mart which is economy comparing the price from departmental stores. For kids, you could buy from ABC marts which only outlets sell, the one in Sapporo station, above bus terminal has. Akanchan Honpo has a wide range. Do remember to check out the waterproof spray for fabric, it can be a saver during high snow!

 In Singapore, I hardly see a good range with affordable price for holiday purpose. Unless you would be using this pair of shoes for months or years which is not possible. The other alternative will be from taobao, cheaper, more designs but not every sellers has good quality or pictures showed are exactly the items sold, yet it is worth exploring.

When choosing shoes, look out for these features:
  •  Waterproof material : very good waterproof pvc/ umbrella material or partial rainboot base and front area
  • Knee protection: knee or high boots to prevent snow from getting in. Keeping warm and reduce injuries
  • Non slip soles : there are non-slip soles to add on in the cobble in streets, look normal soles but it really prevent slipping. 
  • Warm inner : With warm cushioning, it gives warm and also comfort, even wearing normal socks.
  • Price: according to each individual's preference. Can be as cheap as S$10 - S$400. Any cheaper, you expect surprises along the way. 

For kids, allow them to try and choose, in situation like buying from online, let them choose from the pictures too . It would add excitement for the trip.

Wednesday 2 September 2015

1 month budget travel with kids in Hokkaido (13) : Where to go - Fruit Farms

2nd Sept 2015


It is too cold and harsh to play and wander in farm during winter!! But I managed to find some strawberry picking farms open during end of winter!! Wahahahahahaha!!
This is actually an experience too!

Strawberry picking - early Jul - mid July , some farms can pick as early as early June
Cherry picking - mid Jul- mid Aug
Grape picking - mid Sept - early Oct
Prune picking - mid Sept - early Oct


Fruit Farm 
  1. Subaruberry Strawberry Farm
    http://www.suparuberry.com/index.html

    Closed:  29th Dec - 5th Jan , every Monday
    6th Jan - end March : adult: 1700yen, age 3-6: 1000yen, below 3 : free
    April - end May : adult 1400yen, age3-6: 700 yen, below 3 : free
  2. Ohashi Cherry Farm
    English site : http://www.oh-cherry.com/foreign/english/english_old.html
    Directions :40 minutes. by car from the Hokkaido Expressway Takikawa Interchange, or 30 minutes. by car from downtown Furano. Able to take cab from nearby JR station
  3. Yokotsuta Fruit Farm
    http://www.yokosuta.com/fruit/
    Strawberry and cherry picking.
    Farm opens from June 
  4. Yamamoto Tourism Fruit Farm in Yoichi
    山本観光果樹園
    Grows grape, apple, strawberry, cherry and pear
  5. Fujimori Fruit Farm
    http://ff-fujimori.com/
    Grows grape, strawberry, cherry and apple
  6. Hamada Fruit Farm
    http://www11.ocn.ne.jp/~hamadaen/
    Grows apple, grapes, strawberry and cherry, With 100 years of history
    Directions : From JR Date Monbetu transfer bus, alight at SouSakae Teramae ( 壮栄寺前) then 3 mins walk
  7. Kondo Fruit Farm
    http://www10.plala.or.jp/kondoh/
  8. Kacha Ice cream factory
    http://www.kacha-ice.com/index.html
    Closed every Tuesday, 24th Dec- 5th Feb
    Operating hours :
    Summer 10:00 - 19:00
    Winter 10:00-17:00
    Strawberry picking fees: Adult : 600yen , child: 300 yen
    Directions : http://www.kacha-ice.com/1-guide/map.html
  9. Tani Sightseeing Farm
    http://www.tani-farm.com/index.html
    12 types of fruits & vegetables to be found.
    Operating hours : 10:00-16:00
    Strawberry - mid June - early Jul
    Cherry early Jul - end Jul
    Tomato end Jul - end Sept
    Plum early Aug- end Aug
    Melon/watermelon early Aug-  mid Sept
    Edamame, corn, paprika early Aug- mid Oct
    Pumpkin mid Aug - mid Oct
    Prune ed Aug - end Sept
    Potato end Aug- mid Oct
    Grape end Sept - mid Oct
    Directions : http://www.tani-farm.com/images/map_images.gif
  10. Hokkaido Hopeland Makubetsu
    http://www.hopeland.jp/02tenpo/ichigoen.html
    Organic vegetable farm ,  strawberry farming
    Operating hours mid May - end Oct
    10:00-16:00
    Directions : http://www.hopeland.jp/01gaiyou/access.html
    From JR Makubetsu, by car 10 mins
  11. Yokoyama Farm
    http://www8.ocn.ne.jp/~yokonoen/
    Operating hours : mid June - mid Jul from 9am
  12. Sasaki Fruit Farm
    http://www.sasaki-kajuen.jp/
    Cherry early Jul- end Aug
    strawberry end May - end Oct
    Plum early Aug - mid Sept
    Apple early Sept - end Oct
    Prune mid Sept - end Oct
    Grape early Sept - end Oct
    Pear mid Sept - early Nov
    Fishing available
    Directions : http://www.sasaki-kajuen.jp/access.html
    Jyodetsu bus Jyozaikei line (定山渓線) Alight at last stop 『定山渓車庫』, transfer to Toyohashi kanjou line(豊橋環状線) Alight at Toyohashi mae 『豊橋前』, walk 15mins 
  13. Saeki Farm
    http://www3.ocn.ne.jp/~saeki/
    Directions:From JR Touya transfer to Touya city, 30mins journey, alight at Touya no mizu (とうや水の), walk 10mins
  14. Toyama fureai Farm
    http://www.toyamafureai.com/
    Directions : http://www.toyamafureai.com/?page_id=5
    By car, travel 40 mins
  15. Hakenzan Farm
    http://www.hakkenzan.jp/
    Strawberry end June - ealry Jul
    Cherry early Jul - mid Jul"
    Plum early Aug - early Sept
    Potato mid Aug- end Aug
    Fishing and camping available
    Directions: http://www.hakkenzan.jp/access/access.html