3 Nov (Fri)
Arrive Narita Friday Morning. Took a train first to Tokyo, then change to local train to Ueno, then took the Shinkansen to Sendai. There was a queue at Narita to exchange our Rail Pass voucher for our Rail Pass.
We had planned to maybe get lunch and spend some time in Ueno, but it was crowded, we were tired, and after the long queue, we just wanted to get on our way.
Arrived at our hotel: Richmond Hotel Sendai - 3 nights. The room is cramped because of the extra bed they shoved in. I didn't asked for that. I later realised they change the room I booked for a smaller room. But I did not remember the details of my booking.
[Lesson learned: Don't follow up a 7-hour flight, with a long train journey (about 3 hours). Without lunch. And with a 3 year old.]
[Lesson learned: Don't follow up a 7-hour flight, with a long train journey (about 3 hours). Without lunch. And with a 3 year old.]
4th Nov.
Travelled to Omoshiroyamakoen. Cold. decided against hiking the trail. It looked intimidating. Now. Wife asked if it was the same trail. She didn't remember it as being so... intimidating. We must be getting old. I assured her it was the same trail. We're just older. And now we have a kid. We are more risk adverse.
Travelled to Omoshiroyamakoen. Cold. decided against hiking the trail. It looked intimidating. Now. Wife asked if it was the same trail. She didn't remember it as being so... intimidating. We must be getting old. I assured her it was the same trail. We're just older. And now we have a kid. We are more risk adverse.
Discovered that there WERE vending machines a little further up from the train station (so I can no longer say the Omoshiroyama is so secluded that it doesn't even have vending machines). And a restaurant of sorts. With a heated rest area. And a limited menu of mainly ramen. We ordered a bowl (shoyu) to feed our kid.
Caught the train back to Sendai and wandered into the Sendai Gospel Festival.
Who knew?
Who knew?
5th Nov.
Visited Sendai Zoo. Rented a stroller for kid for 150 yen. Best 150 yen investment. Kid was thrilled to see Rhinoceros spray his poop and pee against the wall of his pen.
Visited Sendai Zoo. Rented a stroller for kid for 150 yen. Best 150 yen investment. Kid was thrilled to see Rhinoceros spray his poop and pee against the wall of his pen.
6th Nov (Mon)
Check out. Ta-Q-bin luggage to Hotel Monterey Sapporo. Took train to Sendai Airport. 410 yen each cos our rail pass did not cover the Sendai Airport express train.
Check out. Ta-Q-bin luggage to Hotel Monterey Sapporo. Took train to Sendai Airport. 410 yen each cos our rail pass did not cover the Sendai Airport express train.
ANA flight to New Chitose Airport. It was a Turbo-prop plane. Cool!
Train to Sapporo, and then Asahikawa. Shopped at Sapporo before taking the Shinkansen to Asahikawa. Sales rep at Daimaru offered sample of Calbee's onion and potato chips. They were GOOD! Bought a box or two.
Found Aeon Mall at Asahikawa Station and spent some time there before heading to hotel.
Dormy Inn Asahikawa Hot Springs was the BEST hotel we stayed in for this trip! Unfortunately we only booked for 3 nights.
7th Nov.
Decided to keep things simple. Wandered around Tokiwa park and the Heiwa Dori. Daughter discovers the Cat and her Saxophone-playing Master (scultpture) along the Heiwa Dori. She loves the Cat.
Decided to keep things simple. Wandered around Tokiwa park and the Heiwa Dori. Daughter discovers the Cat and her Saxophone-playing Master (scultpture) along the Heiwa Dori. She loves the Cat.
8th Nov.
We planned to visit the Asahiyama Zoo and took the bus. To the end of the line (where it was to have stopped at the zoo. It stopped before that and the bus driver told us it was the end of the line. I asked where the Zoo was. The driver told us the zoo was closed.
We planned to visit the Asahiyama Zoo and took the bus. To the end of the line (where it was to have stopped at the zoo. It stopped before that and the bus driver told us it was the end of the line. I asked where the Zoo was. The driver told us the zoo was closed.
Huh.
So we took the bus back to Asahikawa. And wandered around Aeon Mall (again) and the train station. Then returned to the hotel.
The hotel offers FREE Ramen every night from 9:30 to 11:00 pm. I decided to try it that night. To make up for my disappointment in not being about to go to the zoo. On the way there I saw a Victoria Station. We did not eat there either. Disappointing. (Foreshadowing).
Sigh.
9 Nov.
Checked out of the BEST hotel to take the train from Asahikawa to Sapporo.
Checked out of the BEST hotel to take the train from Asahikawa to Sapporo.
We stayed at the Hotel Monterey Sapporo for 6 nights. We were early, so we left our luggage and went to look for lunch. And do some shopping. Daughter discovers the toy section on the 6th floor of Daimaru.
The hotel is quite conveniently located. It's very elegant and stately. But no coin laundry (laundromat for those who don't speak Japlish).
And after a week we needed to refesh our clothes. We googled for a laundromat and found one less than a km away.
Shoving all the clothes we wanted to launder into a bag, we walked out into the cold.
And it WAS cold. IIRC, there was a gale advisory that evening. But guided by Google maps, we made our way there.
There was another customer there who could speak a little English and she explained what to do (there was a "clean machine" button" which you pressed before using so you know some other customer's smelly socks won't infect your delicate underwear. The Japanese are so thoughtful. Or OCD.
Anyway, the wife was so impressed by the warm crisp clothes out of the washer-dryer (it's all in one) she got one to replace our 2 year old machine at home when we got back.
It was my birthday present.
10 Nov.
Daughter decided that she wanted ChocoCro for breakfast. That's Chocolate Croissant for those who have not discovered the signature product of St Marc's Cafe in Japan or Singapore (and possibly elsewhere). So we went hunting for a St Marc's. And finally settled for another cafe with croissant and other pastries.
Daughter was satisfied.
We then made our way to the Maruyama Zoo. After the debacle that was Asahiyama zoo being closed, Wife had checked that the zoo was open all-year round. So we took the train to Maruyama Station, and walked through Maruyama park (about 15 minutes, 30 if you have a toddler who wants to be carried most of the way), to get to the entrance of the zoo. Where we found that it had been closed for the past week for a zoo holiday.
Brilliant. I guess the animals needed a break from all the pesky humans. And they didn't bother to update their website. In English. (Maybe they did in Japanese?)
We are having such luck with zoos.
So we went walking in Maruyama Park instead.
Then headed back to the Hotel.
11 Nov.
The next day was rainy, and we figured we couldn't really enjoy the zoo in the rain, so we wandered around the malls and the underground.
In the evening we headed to the Sapporo Factory, which is a mall.
And a scary monster mascot scared my daughter and made her cry.
I don't know what character it is, but when people asked to take photos with him (or her), he would suddenly chomp on the person's head - playfully and harmlessly, and the adults would laugh. But more than a few kids were reduced to tears.
It was also a wet evening, and there was not much we could do, except head back to the hotel after dinner.
12 Nov.
We had breakfast again at St Marc's then we spent the day at Shiroi Koibito Park. We took the subway to Miyanosawa, then followed the signs.
This was just fun for kids. My daughter loved the little playhouses (there were about 12 of them). She would go into every one of them and probably imagine what it would be like to have more time to play in them. There was also a train ride, and then watching the candy making demonstration. Getting free samples after that was also fun.
There was also some animatronics show where the animatronic bakers would play music (simulated), but I couldn't catch the storyline if there was one.
Yes, this is the Shiroi Koibito chocolate wafers that are popular souvenirs from Hokkaido. Their factory is in Sapporo. And they have created a park for their fans. And would-be customers.
A tour of the factory (Y600) was probably not going to be of interest to my 3-year-old, so we skipped that (and saved the admission fee). The rest of the park is free!
Though we did pay for the little train ride. My daughter was excited about that. It went around the compound circling sculptures of candy, treehouse, fantasy characters, and then into a tunnel then out again. Great fun for a 3-Y.O.!
13 Nov.
We Ta-Q-Bin our luggage to the next hotel (Hotel Coco Grand Ueno) before we started our day. We would only be departing Monterey for Coco Grand on the 15th, but Ta-Q-Bin takes a day or two. The agent asked about our travel plans and assured us that the luggage would arrive by the 15th, or maybe the next day if there were delays. Charge was Y2400.
Then we tried our luck with the Zoo again.
The weather had turned for the better, and we were hopeful.
And yes, the zoo was open.
The stroller rental this time was 200 yen.
It started to drizzle after lunch and we sought shelter in the wolf's den. Well, the wolf exhibit. We did not know about the wolf exhibit's rest area with heating, and even baby cots for changing diapers. We spent about an hour in another more basic rest area. It was sheltered. There were vending machines (drinks only) and seats and benches. My daughter was having her afternoon nap and we had put her on the bench to sleep.
Then we found the wolf and deer exhibit rest area, which had a heated rest area in the upper level that was really really comfortable. Well, it was warm.
The rain (drizzle) did not seem to be stopping any time soon, so leaving my wife and daughter in the warm rest area, I made my way to the souvenir shop near the west (?) entrance (it was nearer). I bought two umbrellas (for about 1500 yen) and now we made our way to the polar bear exhibits (we were heading there earlier when the rain started). Then called it a day.
14 Nov.
After breakfast, we took the train and then the tram to Moiwa Ropeway. We got off at the Ropeway Iriguchi tram stop, then took the free shuttle bus to the Sanroku Ropeway station. We decided to take the ropeway all the way to the top. It was cold, windy, and it was raining (drizzling) after a while, but we had a few sunny moments.
There were some melting snow at the top and we were excited for our daughter to see and experience that. But it did not actually snow while we were there.
Getting back was simply back tracking, but we stopped at the previous tram stop ("Densha Jigyosho Mae") because on the way to the Ropeway station I saw something that I had been looking for, for some time now - a "Victoria Station" restaurant.
"Victoria Station" is a salad and steakhouse that is, as far as I can tell, "indigenous" only to Hokkaido. I encountered "Victoria Station" first at Abashiri all that many years ago when my now-wife/then... girlfriend (?) went to Abashiri to look for wild flowers, tulips, and pink phlox.
The unique thing that excited me (when you find out what, it will be an anti-climax) about Victoria Station was the steak or hamburgers came with a mini hot stone. In a little metal circle, was a round black object about the size of a golf ball. At first I thought it was dessert - like a jelly or something. Fortunately, I did not try to put it in my mouth.
That would have been tragic. Funny, on hindsight. But tragic.
I poked at it with my cutlery and it sounded hard. Then I realised it was hot. Then I realised, I could cut a bite-size piece of meat, and sear it on the stone.
Then I was thrilled!
And hooked.
Yes. I need to get out more.
And I haven't eaten at a Victoria Station since then. Though I've driven past a few, or seen them from afar.
So this was a "coming home" of sorts. (Yes, I REALLY need to get out more!)
The hotel is quite conveniently located. It's very elegant and stately. But no coin laundry (laundromat for those who don't speak Japlish).
And after a week we needed to refesh our clothes. We googled for a laundromat and found one less than a km away.
Shoving all the clothes we wanted to launder into a bag, we walked out into the cold.
And it WAS cold. IIRC, there was a gale advisory that evening. But guided by Google maps, we made our way there.
There was another customer there who could speak a little English and she explained what to do (there was a "clean machine" button" which you pressed before using so you know some other customer's smelly socks won't infect your delicate underwear. The Japanese are so thoughtful. Or OCD.
Anyway, the wife was so impressed by the warm crisp clothes out of the washer-dryer (it's all in one) she got one to replace our 2 year old machine at home when we got back.
It was my birthday present.
10 Nov.
Daughter decided that she wanted ChocoCro for breakfast. That's Chocolate Croissant for those who have not discovered the signature product of St Marc's Cafe in Japan or Singapore (and possibly elsewhere). So we went hunting for a St Marc's. And finally settled for another cafe with croissant and other pastries.
Daughter was satisfied.
We then made our way to the Maruyama Zoo. After the debacle that was Asahiyama zoo being closed, Wife had checked that the zoo was open all-year round. So we took the train to Maruyama Station, and walked through Maruyama park (about 15 minutes, 30 if you have a toddler who wants to be carried most of the way), to get to the entrance of the zoo. Where we found that it had been closed for the past week for a zoo holiday.
Brilliant. I guess the animals needed a break from all the pesky humans. And they didn't bother to update their website. In English. (Maybe they did in Japanese?)
We are having such luck with zoos.
So we went walking in Maruyama Park instead.
Then headed back to the Hotel.
11 Nov.
The next day was rainy, and we figured we couldn't really enjoy the zoo in the rain, so we wandered around the malls and the underground.
In the evening we headed to the Sapporo Factory, which is a mall.
 |
| Scary Monster Mascot (rightmost) at mall that scared my daughter. |
I don't know what character it is, but when people asked to take photos with him (or her), he would suddenly chomp on the person's head - playfully and harmlessly, and the adults would laugh. But more than a few kids were reduced to tears.
It was also a wet evening, and there was not much we could do, except head back to the hotel after dinner.
12 Nov.
We had breakfast again at St Marc's then we spent the day at Shiroi Koibito Park. We took the subway to Miyanosawa, then followed the signs.
This was just fun for kids. My daughter loved the little playhouses (there were about 12 of them). She would go into every one of them and probably imagine what it would be like to have more time to play in them. There was also a train ride, and then watching the candy making demonstration. Getting free samples after that was also fun.
There was also some animatronics show where the animatronic bakers would play music (simulated), but I couldn't catch the storyline if there was one.
Yes, this is the Shiroi Koibito chocolate wafers that are popular souvenirs from Hokkaido. Their factory is in Sapporo. And they have created a park for their fans. And would-be customers.
A tour of the factory (Y600) was probably not going to be of interest to my 3-year-old, so we skipped that (and saved the admission fee). The rest of the park is free!
Though we did pay for the little train ride. My daughter was excited about that. It went around the compound circling sculptures of candy, treehouse, fantasy characters, and then into a tunnel then out again. Great fun for a 3-Y.O.!
13 Nov.
We Ta-Q-Bin our luggage to the next hotel (Hotel Coco Grand Ueno) before we started our day. We would only be departing Monterey for Coco Grand on the 15th, but Ta-Q-Bin takes a day or two. The agent asked about our travel plans and assured us that the luggage would arrive by the 15th, or maybe the next day if there were delays. Charge was Y2400.
Then we tried our luck with the Zoo again.
The weather had turned for the better, and we were hopeful.
And yes, the zoo was open.
The stroller rental this time was 200 yen.
It started to drizzle after lunch and we sought shelter in the wolf's den. Well, the wolf exhibit. We did not know about the wolf exhibit's rest area with heating, and even baby cots for changing diapers. We spent about an hour in another more basic rest area. It was sheltered. There were vending machines (drinks only) and seats and benches. My daughter was having her afternoon nap and we had put her on the bench to sleep.
Then we found the wolf and deer exhibit rest area, which had a heated rest area in the upper level that was really really comfortable. Well, it was warm.
The rain (drizzle) did not seem to be stopping any time soon, so leaving my wife and daughter in the warm rest area, I made my way to the souvenir shop near the west (?) entrance (it was nearer). I bought two umbrellas (for about 1500 yen) and now we made our way to the polar bear exhibits (we were heading there earlier when the rain started). Then called it a day.
14 Nov.
After breakfast, we took the train and then the tram to Moiwa Ropeway. We got off at the Ropeway Iriguchi tram stop, then took the free shuttle bus to the Sanroku Ropeway station. We decided to take the ropeway all the way to the top. It was cold, windy, and it was raining (drizzling) after a while, but we had a few sunny moments.
There were some melting snow at the top and we were excited for our daughter to see and experience that. But it did not actually snow while we were there.
Getting back was simply back tracking, but we stopped at the previous tram stop ("Densha Jigyosho Mae") because on the way to the Ropeway station I saw something that I had been looking for, for some time now - a "Victoria Station" restaurant.
"Victoria Station" is a salad and steakhouse that is, as far as I can tell, "indigenous" only to Hokkaido. I encountered "Victoria Station" first at Abashiri all that many years ago when my now-wife/then... girlfriend (?) went to Abashiri to look for wild flowers, tulips, and pink phlox.
The unique thing that excited me (when you find out what, it will be an anti-climax) about Victoria Station was the steak or hamburgers came with a mini hot stone. In a little metal circle, was a round black object about the size of a golf ball. At first I thought it was dessert - like a jelly or something. Fortunately, I did not try to put it in my mouth.
That would have been tragic. Funny, on hindsight. But tragic.
I poked at it with my cutlery and it sounded hard. Then I realised it was hot. Then I realised, I could cut a bite-size piece of meat, and sear it on the stone.
Then I was thrilled!
And hooked.
Yes. I need to get out more.
And I haven't eaten at a Victoria Station since then. Though I've driven past a few, or seen them from afar.
So this was a "coming home" of sorts. (Yes, I REALLY need to get out more!)
15 Nov (Wed)
It snowed on our last day in Sapporo!
It was a light snow, and it did not even have a chance to accumulate on the ground, so the ground was mostly clear. Which was good, because I had a luggage to drag to the train station, and then to the airport.
Our flight was in the afternoon, but we made our way to the airport (New Chitose) in the late morning, cos we hate to rush or be pressed by time.
The airport was VERY kid friendly, with a Doraemon and Hello Kitty themed restaurant and playground.
ANA offered their passengers (with children) free use of their strollers within the airport, up to the departure gate.
For our flight back to Sendai, Air Do was the carrier (codesharing with ANA). And it was NOT a turbo-prop plane. It was a small jet. I think it was a 727. And it was ALL Economy seats. I wonder how profitable that is.
Anyway the interesting thing was, on landing, and the moment the seatbelt sign was off, the passenger sitting next to my wife sprung out of his seat and was out the door.
Many other passengers were also rushing out.
Maybe it was because it was ALL economy, so the economy passengers were near the exit, whereas normally, we would not be able to see the Business and First Class passengers rushing for the exit.
Or maybe the passengers REALLY REALLY needed to get their Gyu Tan fix.
Sendai is famous or renowned for being the origin of Gyu Tan - grill beef tongue. Served usually over rice. We tried a few the week before when we visiting Sendai. The Sendai Gyu Tan were all quite tender, unlike the beef tongue I had tried before (can't recall when and where).
Anyway, we were not in a hurry and we did not want to rush with the crowd, so we took our time getting off the plane, getting our luggage and out the secured area.
And we got a whiff of grilling meat.
It was a Gyu Tan restaurant!
And it was not crowded (well, it is well past lunch time - almost 4 pm). And the grilling aroma was really really enticing.
So we sat down for a bite. And I think it was the BEST Gyu Tan we had. Well, maybe it was the beer I had with it.
And maybe because I was rather hungry.
I had searched on Hyperdia for the train route from Sendai Airport to Ueno. That was one of the few times Hyperdia failed me. The route proposed was long, with multiple transfers, and just way too confusing. I decided to take the Airport Express (Y410 each) to Sendai JR Station, and then take a Shinkansen to Ueno. That would be simpler and faster (because, Shinkansen).
Ueno Station was once again very confusing and crowded. I could love this station. If you gave me a few weeks.
I think.
It was a light snow, and it did not even have a chance to accumulate on the ground, so the ground was mostly clear. Which was good, because I had a luggage to drag to the train station, and then to the airport.
Our flight was in the afternoon, but we made our way to the airport (New Chitose) in the late morning, cos we hate to rush or be pressed by time.
The airport was VERY kid friendly, with a Doraemon and Hello Kitty themed restaurant and playground.
ANA offered their passengers (with children) free use of their strollers within the airport, up to the departure gate.
For our flight back to Sendai, Air Do was the carrier (codesharing with ANA). And it was NOT a turbo-prop plane. It was a small jet. I think it was a 727. And it was ALL Economy seats. I wonder how profitable that is.
Anyway the interesting thing was, on landing, and the moment the seatbelt sign was off, the passenger sitting next to my wife sprung out of his seat and was out the door.
Many other passengers were also rushing out.
Maybe it was because it was ALL economy, so the economy passengers were near the exit, whereas normally, we would not be able to see the Business and First Class passengers rushing for the exit.
Or maybe the passengers REALLY REALLY needed to get their Gyu Tan fix.
Sendai is famous or renowned for being the origin of Gyu Tan - grill beef tongue. Served usually over rice. We tried a few the week before when we visiting Sendai. The Sendai Gyu Tan were all quite tender, unlike the beef tongue I had tried before (can't recall when and where).
Anyway, we were not in a hurry and we did not want to rush with the crowd, so we took our time getting off the plane, getting our luggage and out the secured area.
And we got a whiff of grilling meat.
It was a Gyu Tan restaurant!
And it was not crowded (well, it is well past lunch time - almost 4 pm). And the grilling aroma was really really enticing.
So we sat down for a bite. And I think it was the BEST Gyu Tan we had. Well, maybe it was the beer I had with it.
And maybe because I was rather hungry.
I had searched on Hyperdia for the train route from Sendai Airport to Ueno. That was one of the few times Hyperdia failed me. The route proposed was long, with multiple transfers, and just way too confusing. I decided to take the Airport Express (Y410 each) to Sendai JR Station, and then take a Shinkansen to Ueno. That would be simpler and faster (because, Shinkansen).
Ueno Station was once again very confusing and crowded. I could love this station. If you gave me a few weeks.
I think.
We had to find and walk to our next hotel: Hotel Coco Grand Ueno Shinobazu.
Which is MY FAVOURITE HOTEL for this trip!
Wait, you say. Didn't you say Dormy Inn Asahikawa was your FAVOURITE hotel just a few paras above?
No. I said it was the BEST hotel. This is My FAVOURITE hotel.
Not the same thing.
Dormy Inn was Best in terms of value for money, space, free Ramen, and other "vibes" that I like about the place.
Coco Grand is my favourite because it tries so hard to make your stay enjoyable. And succeeds. At least for me.
I'm easy.
I like the Keurig Coffee machine they provided in the room. The toiletries (they have a small pack for you to take away!), and... you know what? It's a buncha little things that I'm too embarrass to mention now!
Not that I liked everything.
I thought the decor was cheesy and obiang.
But the location was good. It was close to the JR station. It was close to the Keisei station. It was close to the Ameyayokocho. It was close to the Ueno Zoo.
 |
| Pagoda in Ueno Zoo |
16 Nov
The first day, we got discounted tickets to the Ueno Zoo at the hotel front desk. The Zoo was only a 15 minute walk away. The zoo has pandas and a baby panda had been born earlier that year.
17 Nov
We made our way to Asakusa and the Hanayashiki Amusement Park, Japan's oldest Amusement Park.
The roller coaster seemed rather mild and would barely thrill a primary school kid, but there were a few up-to-date rides which would scare a few teenagers, and probably one middle-aged father.
But what my daughter really LOVED was the Crazy Taxi Ride. She went many many times. I lost count.
 |
| Crazy Taxi Ride at Hanayashiki Amusement Park |
18 Nov (Sat)
(Train to Narita)
1655 hrs ANA NH 803 Narita (T1) to Singapore
2330 Arrive Changi, Singapore.
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