This is my favourite day in Hokkaido!
Breakfast Buffet; Emisia Hotel
Rise and shine. We had the buffet breakfast provided by the hotel. The place looked more like a function room than an eating place. Nevertheless, it was a good first experience of a Japanese breakfast. Rice is a very important part of the meal, so is miso soup. Throughout all the buffet breakfast of various hotels, their western section always includes scrambled eggs, sausages, bacon and toast. The taste of their scrambled eggs is often more Japanese then Western, and will not be to the liking of those who prefers milky and buttery moist eggs.
At 9am, we left the hotel with all our luggage in the bus compartment. One of the most tiring thing about tours is that you have to pack your luggage with you every single day. We change our hotel every day but that makes sense since we were traveling across different parts of Hokkaido. It was a good opportunity to stay in different good quality hotels, but at the same time, you won't have much recollection of each specific room.
Otaru Canal
We reached our very first destination, the Otaru Canal, at 10am (evidence shown in the picture below :p). There is a standing post which states the temperature at that time. That was my first "long period" outside the tour bus and it was so cold!
We reached our very first destination, the Otaru Canal, at 10am (evidence shown in the picture below :p). There is a standing post which states the temperature at that time. That was my first "long period" outside the tour bus and it was so cold!
It was snowing too! YES.
There was nothing much to do at this canal except walking along it and taking some photos. Snow was not that romantic anymore because the reality is that it was freezing cold. I took of my gloves, played with the snow and threw it in the air.
Snow feels so fluffy and soft, and what a beautiful sight this is.
And then the cold hard truth hit me, my right hand turned cold immediately. It was numbed and the coldness felt was painful. Wooohooo, I got to experience this finally!
With only 30 minutes at this destination, we quickly visited the toilet at a Laox Home Electronics Store nearby. Bf bought a pack of 10pcs heat packs (¥439) as he thought my Qoo10 heat packs were not hot enough. Turns out, the heat packs he bought were lousy. We still finished the whole pack by utilizing them with the hotter heat packs. Apparently, borrowing the heat from other packs made them hotter.
Otaru Music Box Museum;
At 11am, we alighted the bus to walk to Otaru Music Box Museum. It was a nice romantic walk under the falling snow. And we had to make attempts at "blowing smoke" out from our mouth again, because how many chances do you get to do this?
Before we enter any buildings, we had to dust away the snow that landed on our hair, our hoodies and our bags. There are 3 levels in the music box museum. The second level displays the more expensive and artistic wood crafted music boxes. Despite the plethora of music box designs, I couldn't seem to find something I really like. Eventually, I chose the tune "A small small world" and a simple wooden box as its cover (¥3456). A small small world is my favourite ride in Disneyland Hong Kong :D.
Around the area, there is LeTAO, popular for their cheesecake. But noooo, I didn't try or buy any. We went into 六花亭 for a cream puff (¥90), which comes with a free hot coffee. Just right outside, an uncle was selling grilled hot sweet potato at ¥140 per 100gm. At first I thought he was selling by piece until he asked me to choose the piece I wanted. We took a smaller one (¥490) and he halved it for both of us. It was hot at first but cooled down quickly as we stood in the cold and munch away. The wind was blowing and I was eating my hair as well.
Lunch; Miyanomori BBQ
It was only the first day of the real adventure but we were already eating premium beef! At Miyanomori, we had the option to pay additional for premium beef, abalone and black pork. Of course, we prepared our money for this! My bf's favourite kobe beef. We went for the grade AAA beef (¥12000) and abalone (¥8000) add on. It was my first experience with premium Japan beef and it is so delicious and tender, it does not even taste like beef. The secret lies in how the cows are reared and fed in Japan. On the other hand, the abalone was not worth paying the extra for. My bf said that they taste raw, so I grilled it a little, and it became rubbery.
Even without the add on, the meal was satisfying. The restaurant provides one round of fresh seafood, which you have to cook just right for it to taste good. The unlimited amount of vegetable meant that you can have more teppanyaki style beansprouts and greens. And their crab soup is so flavourful you would want many rounds of serving.
Ishiya Chocolate Factory;
Some desserts would be good after lunch. We drove pass the Ishiya Chocolate Factory twice during the day, and we were finally there. The admission ticket includes a chocolate factory passport and a piece of biscuit. 白色恋人 is one of the treasures in Hokkaido and personally, I like the chocolate flavour one better. A tour around the factory would show you the collection of tea cups, labels and the process of how the tasty white chocolate biscuit is made. It looks like every piece of product have to go through strict quality check before it gets packaged.
Of course, one has to try their ice cream waffle because the waffle cone is one of the most crispy I have eaten. We chose the mixed flavoured one (¥300), and the white chocolate taste is really one unique flavour. Within the same level, they were also selling those handmade hard candy. I was more attracted by the colourful ferries wheel. With ¥100 and some turning, a beautiful tune will be played. When the music stopped, we were rewarded with a 10cm long candy. We got a broken orange flavoured candy :/.
The place I enjoyed the most here is the beautiful garden filled with snow. The first thing my bf noticed was the heated non slip high quality floor because no snow was covering it!
We went to a jump ski place before the sky turned dark at 5pm. The night comes early during winter! Unfortunately, I did not pay attention to the exact name of this ski spot.
Dinner; Hotel Milione;
We arrived at Hotel Milione, our first onsen hotel, and had our buffet dinner there. Most dinner and breakfast were provided by the hotels and they all require meal tickets. We could wear our yukata and slippers around the whole hotel. We slept in traditional tatami only twice throughout the 7 nights, and this is one of them. The hotel staff will go up to the room in the evening to set up the tatami for their guests.
This was my first experience with Hokkaido corn soup and I was so in love with it. I never liked corn soup but Hokkaido ones are extraordinary. I believe that the superior taste comes from the milk and Hokkaido milk is just so creamy. In almost all the hotel buffet places, they provide trays and plates with compartments which makes it much easier to bring back your food. All the desserts taste great but there's one really special jelly - Black Coffee jelly! The coffee flavor is strong and bitter but when it is eaten with the milk sauce, the taste is perfect.
After dinner, we walked around the stores and bought this grape sweet (¥162). I was quite surprised that it is even shaped exactly like grapes. The texture of the gummy is also similar to that of the real fruit.
After dinner; Onsen
Going for a soak in the onsen before bedtime helps us all to sleep better! On the way to the hotel, our tour guide, Shallen, has shared with us on the basic etiquette at the onsen.
That night, we opened the window slightly because the room was too warm. However, the air within the room was so dry I was awoken in the middle of the night.
With only 30 minutes at this destination, we quickly visited the toilet at a Laox Home Electronics Store nearby. Bf bought a pack of 10pcs heat packs (¥439) as he thought my Qoo10 heat packs were not hot enough. Turns out, the heat packs he bought were lousy. We still finished the whole pack by utilizing them with the hotter heat packs. Apparently, borrowing the heat from other packs made them hotter.
Otaru Music Box Museum;
At 11am, we alighted the bus to walk to Otaru Music Box Museum. It was a nice romantic walk under the falling snow. And we had to make attempts at "blowing smoke" out from our mouth again, because how many chances do you get to do this?
Before we enter any buildings, we had to dust away the snow that landed on our hair, our hoodies and our bags. There are 3 levels in the music box museum. The second level displays the more expensive and artistic wood crafted music boxes. Despite the plethora of music box designs, I couldn't seem to find something I really like. Eventually, I chose the tune "A small small world" and a simple wooden box as its cover (¥3456). A small small world is my favourite ride in Disneyland Hong Kong :D.
Around the area, there is LeTAO, popular for their cheesecake. But noooo, I didn't try or buy any. We went into 六花亭 for a cream puff (¥90), which comes with a free hot coffee. Just right outside, an uncle was selling grilled hot sweet potato at ¥140 per 100gm. At first I thought he was selling by piece until he asked me to choose the piece I wanted. We took a smaller one (¥490) and he halved it for both of us. It was hot at first but cooled down quickly as we stood in the cold and munch away. The wind was blowing and I was eating my hair as well.
Lunch; Miyanomori BBQ
It was only the first day of the real adventure but we were already eating premium beef! At Miyanomori, we had the option to pay additional for premium beef, abalone and black pork. Of course, we prepared our money for this! My bf's favourite kobe beef. We went for the grade AAA beef (¥12000) and abalone (¥8000) add on. It was my first experience with premium Japan beef and it is so delicious and tender, it does not even taste like beef. The secret lies in how the cows are reared and fed in Japan. On the other hand, the abalone was not worth paying the extra for. My bf said that they taste raw, so I grilled it a little, and it became rubbery.
Even without the add on, the meal was satisfying. The restaurant provides one round of fresh seafood, which you have to cook just right for it to taste good. The unlimited amount of vegetable meant that you can have more teppanyaki style beansprouts and greens. And their crab soup is so flavourful you would want many rounds of serving.
Ishiya Chocolate Factory;
Some desserts would be good after lunch. We drove pass the Ishiya Chocolate Factory twice during the day, and we were finally there. The admission ticket includes a chocolate factory passport and a piece of biscuit. 白色恋人 is one of the treasures in Hokkaido and personally, I like the chocolate flavour one better. A tour around the factory would show you the collection of tea cups, labels and the process of how the tasty white chocolate biscuit is made. It looks like every piece of product have to go through strict quality check before it gets packaged.
Of course, one has to try their ice cream waffle because the waffle cone is one of the most crispy I have eaten. We chose the mixed flavoured one (¥300), and the white chocolate taste is really one unique flavour. Within the same level, they were also selling those handmade hard candy. I was more attracted by the colourful ferries wheel. With ¥100 and some turning, a beautiful tune will be played. When the music stopped, we were rewarded with a 10cm long candy. We got a broken orange flavoured candy :/.
The place I enjoyed the most here is the beautiful garden filled with snow. The first thing my bf noticed was the heated non slip high quality floor because no snow was covering it!
We went to a jump ski place before the sky turned dark at 5pm. The night comes early during winter! Unfortunately, I did not pay attention to the exact name of this ski spot.
Dinner; Hotel Milione;
We arrived at Hotel Milione, our first onsen hotel, and had our buffet dinner there. Most dinner and breakfast were provided by the hotels and they all require meal tickets. We could wear our yukata and slippers around the whole hotel. We slept in traditional tatami only twice throughout the 7 nights, and this is one of them. The hotel staff will go up to the room in the evening to set up the tatami for their guests.
This was my first experience with Hokkaido corn soup and I was so in love with it. I never liked corn soup but Hokkaido ones are extraordinary. I believe that the superior taste comes from the milk and Hokkaido milk is just so creamy. In almost all the hotel buffet places, they provide trays and plates with compartments which makes it much easier to bring back your food. All the desserts taste great but there's one really special jelly - Black Coffee jelly! The coffee flavor is strong and bitter but when it is eaten with the milk sauce, the taste is perfect.
After dinner, we walked around the stores and bought this grape sweet (¥162). I was quite surprised that it is even shaped exactly like grapes. The texture of the gummy is also similar to that of the real fruit.
After dinner; Onsen
Going for a soak in the onsen before bedtime helps us all to sleep better! On the way to the hotel, our tour guide, Shallen, has shared with us on the basic etiquette at the onsen.
- A big and small towel are provided in the room, and we were to bring with us to the onsen.
- Male and female onsen are separated. Identify them by the colour of the curtain. Generally, blue is for men, and red is for women.
- There will be an area for you to put your slippers. Some of them come with number clips so you can identify yours but some don't.
- You would then enter a room where you can take off all your clothes. Place your clothes and towel in the basket or cabinet with lock.
- Bring the small towel along to cover your privates, but nobody really covers.
- Enter the onsen and start of by bathing and making sure you are clean. Shampoo, conditioner, and shower gels are provided.
- Once done, place the small towel on your head and start! Ensure the small towel do not touch the onsen water as it might contaminate the natural components in it.
- After everything, there is an area where you can rinse yourself. Do not bathe again, if not all the benefits would be washed off.
- Dry yourself as best as you can with that small towel before you step out.
- Dry yourself with your big towel and get dressed. Hairdryers, facial creams, combs are provided.
- Drink the water from the dispenser to hydrate yourself.
- Bring back both towels with you.
Shallen also told us how past tour members tried to avoid each other because it was socially awkward to see each other naked. They thought that going to the onsen at a late hour was a good idea. But everyone had the same opinion and so everyone went at the same time.
On that day itself, I saw almost every female from the tour group in the onsen. I had no fear due to the prior naked experience in Korea's jimjibbang haha. There were 39/40/42 degrees indoor baths and one outdoor bath. There is a sauna and cold bath as well. When you go into the hot bath right after the cold one, you get that tingling feeling throughout the body, like static. With the opposite sequence, you would feel super cold initially but a surge of warmth will then spread through the body. It is an awesome feeling!
That night, we opened the window slightly because the room was too warm. However, the air within the room was so dry I was awoken in the middle of the night.
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