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edithedot · 3 years

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First Timer Hokkaido!

30 minutes drive from Shin Chitose Airport, we arrived at Lake Shikotsu as our first destination. Most of the Lake Shikotsu area is still undeveloped but you still can enjoy many water activities. By paying 1680 yen, we took sightseeing cruises which have a glass-bottomed boat to enjoy its crystal water. Unfortunately, the guide only explained in Japanese. This facility only available from mid-April to early November, because Hokkaido will be very cold in the wintertime.

As part of Shikotsu-Toya National Park, the Lake Shikotsu area offers plenty of opportunities to watch birds. We passed the red bridge and did a little hike to Mount Kimunmorappu.

Lunch break at a popular Inkarushi Cafe that offers beautiful panoramic views from its big window. Good food, good atmosphere, and of course good accompanied!

Do you know the meaning of “betsu-bara”? It’s an idiom in Japanese that means we always have space in our stomach for sweets. Soft ice cream from Aichurando definitely a must-try.

The rest of the afternoon we spent at Hokkaido Shrine. One of the manners when you visiting a shrine, avoid walking in the center when you pass a torii. It said that the center of torii is the way of the gods.

On the second day, we explored the Otaru area, a small harbor city famous for its Otaru Canal as one of the tourist attractions. Old warehouses and former office buildings that remake to be restaurants, museums, and souvenir shops give a special character reminiscent of the past.

Note: We arrived very late at night and fortunately Shin Chitose Airport has an onsen facility where we can stay overnight. I have no pictures but I copy the link to their website. Check it out!