Sapporo Hokkaido Day 1 (30/4/2016)

On the first day upon arriving in the morning, we went to the Tourist Information Counter at BF1 in the New Chitose Airport to get our train passes to Otaru (Next day plan) and the free Wi-Fi access. After that, we took JR Rapid Rail to Sapporo Station and reach our hotel (Dormy Inn Premium) at around 12.00noon. The check in time is a 2.00PM so we dropped our luggage at the hotel lobby and walked around Tanukikoji street.

Tanukikoji Street

Lunch at HUG: Ramen
Just a few steps away from the hotel, we found this place called HUG. They sell a lots of organic vegetables and another side of the shop are some food stalls. A very classic stalls in a modern shop. However, most of the menu are in Japanese and we had some difficulty to communicate there - maybe we just touched down and still not fully awake... Well, first day experience is always like that - blur!

Anyway, there was a young gentlemen at a stall who can speak English helped us with the menu. Our first meal in Hokkaido: Ramen!

We didn't walk far because we were tired after the night flight and walked all the way from Sapporo Station to Tanukikoji Street through the underground walkway. The temperature was very low at 5 Degree Celsius that day and snowing at some places in Sapporo.

Exploring the neighborhood 

This is the 'Street Car' in Sapporo City

Many Pachinko arcade centre along the Tanukikoji Street. People queuing in the morning to wait for the opening of the centre. 

 

The tourist information center is just a few steps from the hotel. Can get all tour information here too!

At 2.30PM, we went back to the hotel for check-in. Finally got to straighten my back after a long journey. We rest for awhile in the hotel and went for the onzen. It was a cultural shock for me because to go for the hot tub, we have to be completely naked. Sorry, no picture allowed so nothing to share here :)

Going for Dinner: Ekimae Street - ESTA JR Tower (Ramen Republic)
Enough of resting, we then walked to Sapporo Ekimae Underground Shopping Street. It is a long underground walkway that connects to many places from Sapporo Station. We actually took this route in the morning to the hotel.

We headed to ESTA JR Tower for dinner. This is a must go place because there are a lot of shops including one of the largest Uniqlo and GU stores.

ESTA JR Tower - connected to Sapporo Station

You can customize your own design here.

If you are a sport shoe fan, you can shop at this ABC-Mart too.

At the 10th Floor, there is the famous Sapporo Ramen Republic where you can try out all different brands and style of Ramen!

So many choices but we have chosen this, the King of Ramen (looking at all the different ramen stalls, I think they are all king!)

Yumillicious!!! I love the taste and how the pork melt in my mouth!!!

Evening Walk to Odori Park

After dinner, we decided to take a walk to Odori Park and have a night view of the Sapporo TV Tower. The park is so relaxing. We saw some locals doing exercise and skateboarding too.

Calm and quiet Odori Park in the city center of Sapporo

Some teenagers having some great time at the park - skateboarding

The first night was 5 Degree Celsius, the only coldest night we had

Wanted to take some shots of car speeding...but there were so few cars on the road and we got to wait for so long for two to three cars passing... my fingers were frozen!

 We then walked back to hotel while enjoying the fresh chilling air in the city. That's the end of Day One - 100% satisfied!

Next Post: Otaru Hokkaido Day 2 (1/5/2016) 

Related Post:

1. Dormy Inn Premium Hotel Experience 

2. MUST DO! when Landed at New Chitose Airport

3. Maruyama Park for Sakura Blossom