Beer museum and many more in Naebo

Visit Beer museum to understand the history and have a taste of beer. It is an interesting experience.  The pictures will say it all.

 

Please note that there is Ario Mall which is a family shopping mall just next to it. You can visit Akachanhonpo the one stop baby items supermart.

From JR Naebo 苗穂 station, you can also visit JR train depot museum
Website: http://www.jrh-zaidan.or.jp/business/page01.html
In Japanese.

It is free but it is not always open. It is only open every second and fourth Saturday every month. From May to August, it is opened every first , second and fourth Saturday.

Another factory that you might be keen will be Snow brand milk factory and history museum. This has needed to make reservation before hand. You can ask your hotel to make reservation for you as only telecommunication reservation is allowed.
Website: http://www.meg-snow.com/fun/factory/sapporo.html
Map to the factory : http://www.meg-snow.com/fun/factory/p-sapporo.html

Tanukikoji Shopping Arcade

Tanukikoji Shopping Arcade is a very long stretch of traditional shopping lane with very long history from Meiji era. It is approximately 1 km and so long that each section is divided by roads that connect the city. 

Though you will find many tourism shops around, there are interesting shops in every section. 

Daiso Sapporo Central : 北海道札幌市中央区南二条西２丁目富樫ビル１Ｆ

If you are looking for Daiso, walk towards Tanukikoji 2 or Tanuki covered shopping street 2. You will pass by a pet shop on the right, an owl pancake shop with real living owls just next to the Pachinko and ABC mart that sells shoes. At the traffic light towards Tanuki street 1, before crossing the road, turn left, you will see Daiso logo at the next junction. 

Susukino

Susukino is the never sleeping town where you can find good food, ramen museum, 24 hours shopping mall and hotels.

This is one of the important area in Sapporo City can be either be reached by walking from Sapporo station or subway.

In Winter, it will be filled with Singaporeans that you will feel at home!! Wahahahahaha!!
Especially for us who stay in apartment surrounded by Japanese, it is quite warm to feel in the midst of Singlish.

If you are looking for the snow crab, there is a moving 3D snow crab signboard which you will not miss in Susukino. Please note that there is another new branch near Sapporo station.

Furano Lavender

Furano famous for lavender in end July and also the expensive melon!

If you travelling period does not meet the full bloom of lavender, they have a greenhouse for you to visit.

During end of July every year, they have will different decoration to attract vistors again and again. There will also be food fair while you are walking in the area.

There is a few farms that you can visit if you have time. We spent the whole day just in one farm area!
Website: http://www.farm-tomita.co.jp/
English available.
The English map : http://www.farm-tomita.co.jp/en/farm/

Direction: http://www.farm-tomita.co.jp/en/access/
In English and map is available.
Please take note that there is a special train " Norokko" from Furano station and early reservation is highly recommended, alight at the second stop : Lavender Farm Station.

Recommendation: Furano is also famous for factory visits, during July, you can board their day tour bus to visit the factories. A trip to Biel is also in one of the day tour if you are not driving.

If you are driving, you can actually even travel to see Blue pond, patchwork road and paroname road in Biel.

Please also take note that in January to April, Furano is a ski area too. You can also visit the hot spring resorts in Furano.

Asahiyama Zoo

Asahiyama Zoo

I came to know this zoo from a movie with the same title. It showed about how Asahiyama zoo was about to end operation due to finance in red and how the staff actually sat down and discussed, rebuilt  and redeveloped the whole zoo with interesting 360 degree view concept as what they are now. It was later awarded as Japan Number One zoo with such concept and after that many zoos and aquariums started to use the same display concept too.

I love the penguin enclosure as the penguins can stand just next to you just separated by an transparent acrylic wall. They also have a step up platform for the kids to view without the obstraction of the wall. This is also a very huge range of different types of penguins. The staff are around if you need to ask questions too. Simple English is still ok for most.

Every animal enclosure, there will bond to have surprises. With 800 animals and more ( due to new borns) , 150 specimens.  The hippo was also swimming just next to us on ground floor and when we went to basement, you can see how hippo moved around and had fun!

Website : http://www.city.asahikawa.hokkaido.jp/asahiyamazoo/
English site available.

3 things you must know of Asahiyama Zoo 

1.  Asahiyama Zoo has its own train called " Asahiyama Zoo Go - 旭山動物園号" which only operates during a certain time and month.  Book the reserved seats the first thing you reach Japan or Hokkaido as this is in high demand for both locals and tourists.
   
   Website and pictures of the train :http://www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/travel/asahiyamazoo/
   In Japanese
   Operation day and time : http://www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/travel/asahiyamazoo/access.html
   In Japanese
   
2. Penguin Parade also known as Penguin March which usually start from mid Dec till end of March when there is constant heavy snow. Standing in the midst of snowing or thick snow, it can be challenging for kids but an amazing life experience.  This is very well known in Japan. If your travelling period does not fall within this period, you might want to consider Noboribetsu Marine Park Nixe ( Information can be found in a post titled the same).
   
3. Different season to Asahiyama Zoo will encounter different experience and it is worth going more than just once. 

Direction: Take JR to Asahigawa station - 旭川駅. Just outside of the train station, the bus stop to Asahiyama Zoo is right near the entrance.  ( Do not note the Train station is ASAHIKAWA and the zoo is ASAHIYAMA)

Bus lane 6 with bus number: 旭山動物園線41・42・47番

This is the map where you can find the bus lane and other attractions that you can visit on bus. 

http://www.asahikawa-denkikidou.jp/h27%20bus%20information.pdf

This is taken from the zoo website on how to reach destination:  http://www.city.asahikawa.hokkaido.jp/asahiyamazoo/generalinformation/d053767.html

Tickets : Adults' ticket is 820yen each, while kids below 16 are free ( secondary school students and below are free). It is worth buying the annual pass if you intended to return for at least a second time. 

Recommendation: I would suggest a 3 days 2 night trip to Asahiyama Zoo during winter. Plan the arrival day to go Asahikawa Ramen village and then zoo on the second day morning. It can be a whole day event or half a day after penguin march, then follow by other attractions. 3rd day can be either Asahikawa's attractions or a step over Takikawa Science centre on the way back to Sapporo. 

Below are photos taken in end July. 

Sapporo Science Center

Sapporo Science Center

Just when we were planning to go, there was an emergency closure due to suspect of leakage. By the time, they reopened, we were due to return home. 

This is just next to Sunpizza Aquarium and Shin Sapporo station. 
It is a worth going place for the children. 

There is a package for both Sunpizza Aquarium and Sapporo Science center. Kids below secondary school students are free. 

Website : http://www.ssc.slp.or.jp/museum
In Japanese only.

This is website by Sapporo City 
http://www.welcome.city.sapporo.jp/find/recreational/sapporo-science-center/?lang=en
In English 

Hobetsu Museum

Hobetsu Museum
We cancelled one of the trips to Asahiyama Zoo for this as we saw a pamphlet in the tourism center. We travelled to Mukawa station to find out that there is only 2 buses per day,  9.25am and 5.45pm. We walked a long distant to a small hotel( 四季の館 道の駅、温泉ほか) and after making enquiries how to go about , we found out 1 way cab fare is 20,000yen ( about SGD $270). That would mean spending SGD$540 to and fro.

It would be an interesting museum to visit as from what we saw, it was the exact location where they found dinosaur bones.  There is an indoor museum with an outdoor park where dinosaur displays are showed. The sad part is not much information could be found.

We even checked if there was any day tour or coach, to our dismay, none. This museum can only be accessed via driving.

Website :  http://www.town.mukawa.lg.jp/2410.htm
English available.

How the dinosaur is being found : http://www.town.mukawa.lg.jp/2411.htm

Places we planned but didn't go.

Hokkaido University Museum

It is temporarily closed for quakeproofing from April 2015 to July 2016. Its renewal open is scheduled in July 2016 with renewed exhibitions.
Website: http://www.museum.hokudai.ac.jp/english/index.html
In English 

 Asahiyama Zoo

We planned for 2 trips to Asahiyama Zoo but cancelled one to go to another place, while the other trip was cancelled due to heavy snow. A day trip is recommended in Summer or Autumn but it is recommended to stay over during winter. 

I will add a post on this based on my previous trips. 

Website : http://www.city.asahikawa.hokkaido.jp/asahiyamazoo/
English available. 


Hobetsu Museum

It would be an interesting museum to visit as from what we saw, it was the exact location where they found dinosaur bones.  There is an indoor museum with an outdoor park where dinosaur displays are showed. The sad part is not much information could be found.


Website :  http://www.town.mukawa.lg.jp/2410.htm
English available.

I will post more about this museum. 


Sapporo Science Center

Just when we were planning to go, there was an emergency closure due to suspect of leakage. By the time, they reopened, we were due to return home. 

Website : http://www.ssc.slp.or.jp/museum

I will post more about this museum. 


Others 

We cancelled all our ski day trips that we could visit in Sapporo city as children preferred playing snow than skiing or tubing. 

I have planned a trip for winter event in Tomamu but decided to cancel it as the snow amount was not that huge to be able to see the winter effect and also for the long 6 hours 2 way trip back and fro. I think I rather stay in Sapporo city for better winter experience. 

Nijo Fish Market & Curb market

Nijo Fish Market is an easier place to go compared to Curb Market. It is in Odori , just exit of Bus center mae ( Subway Tozai line).

Check out the snow crab, sashimi, sashimi topped rice! You can also buy fruits , fresh abalone too.
As we walked pass, the young lady even asked the children to stop as she scooped out the cooked snow crab! She was preparing for the guests who chose their snow crab and sitting behind the store, in their own resturant.

Webiste:  http://www.welcome.city.sapporo.jp/find/shops/nijo_fish_market/?lang=en
In English

Curb Market also known as Crab market ;

札幌市中央卸売 札幌場外市場

Website: 

札幌市中央卸売 札幌場外市場

In English

When you reach JR SOEN ( 桑園） station, ask the train staff for a map for easier reference. 

Turn left then turn right where you see taxi stand. Walk till you see a petrol kiosk, cross over to it then turn right. You will pass a vegetable fruit store. It has cheap deals, grab if you are cooking or going home soon! Just walk straight and you will reach Curb market.  This is less crowded due to location. 

Please note that once you exit JR Soen station, you will see a sushi shop, it is cheap and very good! You can eat till you are very full yet the amount to be paid is really amazing! The lunch set deal is not to be  missed too. Just behind this sushi store is Can-do, the 100 yen; not a big one but good for grabs on the move. 

Sapporo TV Tower

When you visit Odori or even Nijo Market, walk over to Sapporo TV Tower. It is a place to visit all year round. In summer, you can just sit in front of the Tower and see pigeons fly. They have Beer festival in July, White illumination in December.

It is always magnificent to see a city from a high bird eye view especially after sunset!
You will also see so many Singaporeans here in winter that you wondered if Singapore had moved....

Takikawa Children science center

Takikawa Children Science Center (滝川博物館 こども科学館)  is a local science center meant for the children in the city of Takikawa. It is actually more than just for children. We saw a large collection of dinosaur skeletons!! This is by far the only one we managed to visit.

There is another area to take note! They would have animated presentation with a physical globe to explain how the plates moved and how country like Hawaii was created,etc.  The only disadvantage is that all in Japanese and the adult needed to be able to recognise the geographical positions to know what are the countries presented.

You can consider buying annual pass as it is really not much difference from a day ticket. The children's annual pass is the same price as a day ticket.

As it was a weekday when we visited, we had the whole science center to ourselves and the staff came specially to inform us when they have shows or experiments. They asked if we could speak in Japanese or they would try their best to explain in English and I felt touched by this gesture and attitude. They even slow down in speaking for me to translate to my children.

Website : http://www.city.takikawa.hokkaido.jp/260kyouiku/05bijyutsu/k-museum.html
Only in Japanese

Direction :
From JR Takikawa station, facing the road turn right to  Central bus terminal  ( 中央バスターミナル)
There are a few buses that passes thru.

・【歌志内線】（赤平昭和・宮下町行き） 

　・【滝川美唄線】【滝川奈井江線】（奈井江高校・美唄駅前行き）

　　　→＜開発局前＞Kaihatsukyokumae alight, walk for 5 mins. 


　・【滝芦線】【砂芦線】（芦別行き）

　　　→＜文化センタ ー入口＞ Buka Centa Iriguchi ( Cultural Center entrance) alight , walk for 10 mins. 

Please remember to check the bus timetable to and fro to ensure that you are able to travel back. Frequency was every 45 mins.
We took the bus to Cultural Center Entrance and really walked in the snow to the science center.

The bus stop that you will alight in a metal shelter with wild grass around. Cross the road, you will see Softbank ( Telco shop , the return bus stop is right in front of Softbank), Petrol kiosk right in front. Bikkuri Donkey Takigawa びっくりドンキー 滝川店 ( family restaurant in brown ) will just be on the right of the kiosk.

Cross the road towards Bikkuri Donkey Takigawa びっくりドンキー 滝川店 , follow the pavement. You will walk pass Tsutaya Movie Rental , Tsuruha Drug store and also (公)滝川市立高等看護学院 further down. After about 5 mins, you will see signboard to turn right. First thing that would catch your eye is 滝川市こども科学館分館 which is standing at the corner before turning right.  Walk to the next traffic light, turn left. It is the second building which is behind a small park.


Something to note. When you stepped out of train station, this seemed to be a deserted town, the first mall you will see with a bowling pin is very run down. This mall has its glorious period long ago. Now Daiso is in it! So if you have time to spare while waiting for bus or train, you can cross over the road.

This is the mall : http://nationalmaclord.web.fc2.com/annex/shop/seiyu/takikawa.html


If you are travelling between Sapporo and Asahikawa, this can be a stop over for the children.  Or you can stay over in Asahikawa and plan a day for it too.

　 

Otaru Canal and Otaru aquarium

Otaru is famous for the scenic port city and Otaru canal just 10 minutes away from the Otaru station.
Otaru can be a day trip with morning market, aquarium and trip to canal too.

Start the day early and give yourself a treat to fresh seafood and then visit Otaru Aquarium before visiting Otaru Canal.

Otaru Aquarium ends early at 4pm during winter and at 5pm for the rest of the year.
Website: http://otaru-aq.jp/page-2236/

If you are going during Winter, 2-4pm will be a good time to see sunset. After sunset, it will be difficult to take nice photos. It can be a slow walk from Otaru station to Minami Otaru station. There are museums, cafes and interesting shops along the stretch of old houses.

The walking map for Otaru can be found here:
http://otaru.gr.jp/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/280319_en.pdf
https://www.city.otaru.lg.jp/sisei_tokei/otaru/foreigner/otaru-map.html

Walking down from Otaru station, there is an interesting bread shop with long history along the way. A small bread shop near North Pacific Bank, just at the traffic light towards Miyakodori shopping street. If you are looking for chinese food, there is an authentic chinese restaurant HAO restaurant.

Without kids or night off, looking for pubs, there is one just next to Otaru Furukawa. It has band performance during the weekend. An interesting cafe/pub/shop to explore. There is a ice cream lamp in front of the shop and half of the shop is a concept retail store. We love the toilet.... for this, you have to check it out yourself to know why!! Kekekeke!

There are a few hotels to consider if you are planning to stay in Otaru.

• Ginrinso 
• Hotel Sonia which is facing the canal
• Otaru Furukawa , Japanese style hotel facing canal

Old railway track 

Otaru Canal

Noboribetsu Marine Park NIXE

Noboribetsu is famous for Bear Park, Marine Park and Onsen resort. I chose Marine Park NIXE as it is one of the only two themed parks that have Penguin march. Asahiyama Zoo only has during mid winter while Noboribetsu Marine Park NIXE is able to see all year round except days when it is too hot.

The first thing you will notice of this park when you are near Noboribetsu station, is the castle! It is a walking distant from the JR station.

Though it is not a big park, just by following the show schedules, you will spend a whole full day there. I will go again as it is very fun and interesting!! Just note that the crowds in the park are mostly from Taiwan and therefore, in their brief explanations, you will hear some simple chinese.  During penguin march in the morning at 11am, they even have staff with English information standing near the trainer who is explaining in Japanese.

Website: http://www.nixe.co.jp/
English language available

Direction, At JR Noboribetsu station, turn right till you see the signboard to turn left or walk towards the castle. Just follow the wall till there are signboards to turn right and to the main entrance. Walking will take 5-10mins.

Kids below 5 are free.

We had a special gift from the dolphin show as the staff actually came running to me and asked if I was keen to watch the dolphin rehearsal! Please note, there are two groups of dolphins performing : Hourglass dolphins and Bottlenose dolphins. Bottlenose dolphins only perform at 1.30pm show, the rest of the shows are by hourglass dolphins.We missed the 1.30pm as we went lunch and the rehearsal was by bottlenose dolphins! We were so lucky! More information : http://www.nixe.co.jp/iruka-show/

Iconic Castle 

Fur seals and baby seal

 Penguin march 

 

Penguin March 

 Penguin March 

Baby penguin enjoying the parade 

Dolphin show

Sardine illumination show

 Dancing dolphins