Just got back from my lengthy but fun and exciting trip to the Land of the Rising Sun. First week was mostly with the tour agent,
Apple Vacation to the north side. After much calculation, it is still worth it to take on a tour as the long journey require travelling and much time to cover so many beautiful places. I strongly recommend this company for the Lavender tour.
My general schedule for my two-week excursion is as follows:
15 July - arrived at Narita International Airport and put a night in
Narita Garden Hotel awaiting for the next connecting flight to Nagashibetsu, Hokkaido.
16 July - arrived at Nagashietsu around noon. After lunch, visited
Lake Mashu, a lake is obscured by swirling mists and thick clouds and the most transparent water in the world. There is an Ainu myth, whereby a grandmother lost her grandson around Lake Mashu and her tears turned into the mist, which surrounded the lake. Another pit stop was
Ryuosan Boiling Volcano, where the sulfourous fumes raise from the rocksand. At night, we put up at Utoro's Shiretoko National Park main onsen resort,
Shiretoko Hotel to enjoy hotspring while overlooking at the Sea of Okhotsk.
17 July - In the morning, we left the shore of Utoro to see the rocky cape and waterfalls over steep cliffs into the sea on a cruise ship, which in the winter time used for the ice-breaking tour. On the cruise, I met a couple from Osaka and took photo with them. Along the highway, we visited the
Oshinkoshin Falls droped from a 50m height signifies two beautiful women. The magnitute of the fall is magnificent. We then visited Abashiri town, which is famous for its
Okhotsk Drift Ice Museum, with a taste of Okhotsk's harsh winter. That night, we stayed in
Mombetsu Price Hotel, which we also managed to experience Mochi-making in the lobby hallway. Great experience and excitement. Not forgetting the good hotspring experience.
18 July - Visiting the Sea of Okhotsk, one of the busiest fishing port in Hokkaido. We went for
Cherry and strawberries plucking and also enjoyed the wonderful meal of Shabu-shabu with delicious local poultry, such as pork and beef. We went to visit the
Asahigawa zoo to see the rare polar bears, seals and penguins. After a brief journey there, we went along to
Otokoyama Sake Museum to learn about Japan sake making, and sake-tasting too. The night, we stayed in
Tomamu Hotel, another hotspring hotel which has tall modern architectures, which features a famous Church, which faces out to a pond and natural greens, and luxurious Spa and hotspring.
19 July - Leaving for Biei is the main event of this tour, as we are expected to see magnificent view of the hill and also the highlight of our tour -
Lavendar Temptation at Tomita Lavendar Farm, Flower Land, Cheese Kobo and Wine House. All the natural temptations are the most interesting part of the event, as everyone was captivated by the beauty of the Biei hills and mountains. We stayed in
Rusutsu Ski Resort, which hosted the G8 summit recently. That night, we had a chance to enjoy the hotspring,the outdoor fireworks and ride on the century-old carousal from Germany. What a splendid treat!
20 July - early morning leaving for Otaru via Sapporo. We visited the famous
Otaru Canal and
glass handicraft and music box house. The famous landmark is the
steam-engined clock, which whistled every 15 minutes. We tried delicious bitter sweet chocolates and lovely cakes. After Otaru, Sapporo is the next stop. At Sapporo, we passed the clock house and
Sapporo TV tower and the
Odori Park, which is part of the city's cityscape., and also the see Sapporo's landmark of the
former Government Building which had an English touch to it.
Tanukikoji underground shopping street allows us to enjoy shopping in Sapporo. Stay for the night was at
Sapporo Novotel Hotel.
21 July - the last day before departing from this tour. Early morning, the park faces Novotel allowed us to enjoy the beautiful park and its flea market. There's a natural treasure house in the park, where the emperor used to live in as a holiday home. Inside the building, there is an old grandfather clock, which is worthwhile to see. We visited the
Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium, which is hosted the Winter Olympic Games in 1972. After a brief stop at the observation deck, we headed to buy cameras and also branded Burberry's goodies. Lunch time was to head to Sapporo's biggest morning market, where we had big
Trabagani Live Crab and abalone for lunch. A special arrangement was made to visit
Rera Factory Outlet Mall for bargain branded items. Hotel for the night was at
Hotel Com's Chitose.
Though the journey was short, it was an exciting adventure to Hokkaido. Lush greens and beautiful landscape. Great place to feel relax and recharged.