Day 4: Sept 9 : Sapporo & Otaru

First thing first.... a visit to Takeya's ancestral grave in Hiragishi, 15min train ride from City.



Notice the GUINESS BEER Matt offered. A taste of Irish beer to the Japanese Spirits.


Then a day trip to Otaru!!



In 1869 when Sapporo opened its trading from foreign countries, Otaru became the Japan's gate of the north.
Many big banks like Bank of Japan, Mitsubishi, Mitsui built their offices inspired by European architecture, and it was called the Wall Street of the North.

The whole city is reminiscent of those good old days and is charming with classic Art Noveau and Japonesque retro chic influence everywhere. (except for a tacky Medieval themed brewery restaurant that's up to suck in the tourists - like us).















100 yen a pop Scallops BBQ










Then back to...
Sapporo TV tower in the middle of Oodori Park which belts the city central. In July, this is where the Beer Garden is held and in the Winters, the famous annual Snow Festival is held.






Using the just acquired Tripod from Big Camera.












Here's me eating Gingiskhan - Lamb BBQ. I usually don't like lamb but this is really good. Really really good.






And the best way to burn those calorie is.... Karaoke!!

Day 5 : Sept 10 : Sapporo - Jyozankei

The Mt. Okura Ski Jump Stadium
(大倉山ジャンプ競技場,) is a ski jumping venue which hosted a number of winter sports events including 1972 Winter Olympics and FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2007.












We go up by rope way... It's 120m long, and it's really high and scarryy!





This green thing is supposed to represent a round algea living under the lakes in Hokkaido called "Marimo".
Someone decided to put "Mokkori" meaning erection, after Marimo, and the committee agreed and a green creature with an erection became their Mascot Marimokkori, selling everything from pencils to cookies...
I don't understand it either..




Met Masako-san, an ex Goldman employee in Tokyo whom i only know from a phone. Again, we head to Ramen Yokocho and joined the longest queue to see how good this popular place. Of course, it was nice, though a bit oily.

And I thought Ajisen in Singapore was oily.




Then off to JYOZANKEI (定山渓)




A monk named "MIIZUMI JYOZAN" discovered a spa in the JYOZANKEI area in 1866.
After settling down, he went on to develop the area and spa turning it into a "health resort" with special attention made on preserving its natural beauty and splendour.(What a business minded monk!). Due to the wondrous healing effects of the water,the area became famous and today attracts visitors from all parts of Japan.







Outside the hotel, there are few public spots to enjoy the hot springs.












We bought 2 eggs to test if they'll boil, making 'Onsen Tamago' but they didn't... but the water was sooooo hot!!








Went into a cave where 30 statues are kept. All of them represent a protector of something, like natural disaster or good luck thing - it was build in 1930s by a good man who prayed for the lives sacrificed when the roads to Jyozankei were being built. - kind of creepy. Totally recommended for those Claustrophobias. ha ha









Rest of the night we stayed at the ryokan (Japanese inn) where dinner and break fast is provided.








This ryokan allowed us a private bath entry...(m, m, m ;) and an outdoor hot spring entry all day long which was as good as a private bath. Lovely!




Tanoshikatta!!

Day 6 : Sept 11 : Jyozankei

We walked in and around quiet mountains of Jyozankei.



Ainu boat display at Ainu Culture Exchange Center.














Hookeikyo Dam (豊平峡ダム) 102m high Arch shaped concrete dam.

Snoooooze....

Matt admiring the construction of Geta.








Dined in at the Inn
Food was so nice, as you can see.

Day 7 : Sept 12 : Noboribetsu

Went to another hot spring city, Noboribetsu (登別市, Noboribetsu-shi) , part of Shikotsu-Toya National Park, and it's located southwest of Sapporo - about 1 hour by train.

The hotel we (I) chose, based on TripAdvisor, "Mahoroba" was disappointing (tacky 70s style, catered for large group and it was more expensive than the one in Jyozankei and quality much lower....)

Not to be deterred, we went for sight seeing.

Went to the Bear Park where they keep 100s of bears in only 3 closures....

Paid 2500yen each (takai!) and took the rope way for 7min, on top of a mountain, our hopes were high... we were hoping to see bears in their most natural form - in the mountains.... but disturbed to find they were put in a concrete ground hole.

Not only that, they were clapping their hands, begging for cookies... Sad.







There were 4 Ainu houses with real Ainu people for exhibition... somehow I didn't feel they were happy...







A questionable duck race thing, lifted the mood a bit, though...




Hell Valley (地獄谷 Jigokudani). Sulphurous volcanic pits and geysers.

I wish I could post the smell...







After the bear hell hole, could not resist this...

Day 8 : Sept 13 : Noboribetsu

A proud day.

We hiked for 7kg to see
Lake Kuttara (倶多楽湖, Kuttara-ko) - with our sandals - and it was worth it.














The Lake is part of Shikotsu-Toya National Park.
The lake is recognized as having the best water quality in all of Japan, with a transparency of 19 metres (62 ft), the lake ranks second only to Lake Masu according to the Ministry of the Environment.













Tired, we called for a cab to the lake house which took us to a ramen-ya. Matt scores again with unforgettable butter ramen, but that's not the point.



He coincidentally saw a poster advertising a local firework Sumer Festival (Omatsuri) which was held that very day! Had he not seen it, we would have had to go back to the less than impressive hotel... And we were hoping to go to an omatsuri!! So off we went and wow!
it's happening.

Lucky draw and win a Salmon or two! Throw a can of beer why not!






Crab miso soup in giant pot!

























16 year old chatting up to Matt and doing a very bad break-dancing.

Day 9-10 : Sept 14-15 : Back to Tokyo

Back to Tokyo, where Matt knows the whereabouts - so I felt a sense of relief.

Left with only 2 days, we went to his favorite MONJAYAKI (もんじゃ焼き)restaurant in Tsukishima - known for its Monja street, a single street with many restaurants selling the same thing - Monjayaki.

Monjyayaki, according to Yayoi-san, was actually kids' food in olden days - lighter, more diluted version of Okonomiyaki. That is why the spatula used is tiny! (not the one shown in this picture, though)
What's impressive is, how kids in the old days were already playing with food and eating in such social manner!

Everyone and every family has their own rules.
Here's Matt making a wall before pouring the liquid dough.


Full stomach, we walked to Shinbashi (新橋) to a Oyaji (middle to old age men) bar. But it was filled with young people.
I guess the Oyajis created a culture that's quite endearing in its own way...

Matt had his Hoppi Sour ( Beer + Shochu drink - so Salaryman)

And here we are doing our best but wrongly crossed our eyes, trying to be chyoro-chan of choco ball.













A quick Karaoke exercise before going to bed...


------------------------------------zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...............




Last day....

Had go to Tsukiji fish market Tsukiji shijō (Japanese: 築地市場), the biggest whole sale fish and seafood market in the world and also one of the largest wholesale food markets of any kind.

Monday was a holiday in Japan [Keirou-no-hi : Respect for the aged day] so unfortunately the market was closed. But even at 10am, there was enough hungry people walking around and Sushi shop people greeting and calling out for customers outside, it makes you even more hungrier!


Matt's tribute to the Kuruma Ebi
- which was swimming just seconds ago - body is eaten raw first and head is served after, flattened and grilled.






At night we went to Shin Marunouchi Building where Citibank's trading side is. A very posh building with nice shops in.
On the top floors are also nice restaurants, perfect for the last 'date' in Japan.
Matt chose this place called "Salt" a modern Australian cuisine.




Went back to the hotel where we met Deepak and Laura who lives just few minutes from Okura hotel (how nice).

Deepak is from Citigroup (actually Matt's boss before) and Laura is from Lehmans.... and yes, it was that very dooms day for Lehmans so the topic was hot over that - we end up having 4 bottles of wine....