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| 2023 Sapporo White Illumination |
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Finally, free & easy day for us even though it was just for one day. Woke up without any alarm and skipped the hotel breakfast for once. Own time, own target and without much in mind where to visit except the few places suggested by our tour guide, which will open only in the late evening.
- 1st stop: Hakodate
- 2nd stop: Niseko Village
- 3rd stop: Otaru
- 4th stop: Hokkaido Shrine, Asahikawa, Zoo
- 5th stop: Sapporo
Had McDonald's for our 1st meal of the day at JR Sapporo/The Stellar Place. It was about the same as Singapore's but we tried their Beef Stew Pie. Not bad taste with minced beef and sauce for the filling. And need no McCafe to get a decent Latte. Just ordered all over the counter. Also didn't realized the missing French fries until half way through our meal so told them over the counter and got it sent to our table. The power of keeping the receipt till you are done.
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| Mcdonald's Japan - Beef Stew Pie |
SAPPORO CLOCK TOWER
After our meal, we started on our journey to the Clock Tower using Google Maps. It was quite a distance away from where we were but a good 10-20 minutes walk without breaking a sweat under the chilly weather.
It is the oldest clock tower in Japan with American building design, and one of the few surviving Western-style buildings in Sapporo. A symbolic landmark built in the 1870s as a drill hall for Sapporo Agricultural College.
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| Sapporo Clock Tower |
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| Clock Display at Level 2 |
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| Outside of Sapporo Clock Tower |
SEICO MART
The convenience store chain was founded in 1971 and now has more than 1100 stores in Hokkaido where they began. Not to miss since it won't be available in other prefectures of Japan (although I know you will be thinking is just another brand of convenience store). I love Japan's convenience stores because is much more interesting than the ones in Singapore (though they also have 7-11).
Been wanting to try Natto and happen to see it in a form of rice roll so bought one to try. Couldn't get any taste because the natto was so little. But the natto was sticky and stretchy as many have described online.
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| Seico Mart in Sapporo |
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| Natto Rice Roll |
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| (Left to Right) Sweet Treats From Family Mart and Seico Mart respectively |
DAIMARU SAPPORO
(BESIDE STELLAR PLACE SAPPORO)
It has been so long since I hear Daimaru after it exited out of Singapore in 2003. So I'm curious and decided to go in and take a look (without prior online search). I thought it was just another departmental store but I was wrong. The moment I walked in, it reminded me of Galeries Lafayette in Paris but a smaller scale even though it was a 9 floors building (basement 1 to level 8). You can literally find your favourite luxury brands there. I found mine of course. But honestly, buying luxury stuff in Japan isn't that cheap than in Singapore, even after tax refund. How I know? I asked my SA in Singapore and he said it would be better to get bags than apparels to see the difference. Food for thought.
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| Daimura Sapporo |
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| In my element |
We actually had a late lunch or early dinner before heading back to the hotel. The same underground shopping place at JR Sapporo/The Stellar Place where we had McDonald's. This time is soba at a random shop. It was quite decent but I can't help but love their springy texture with nice broth.
After a short rest in the hotel, we headed out for the Christmas Market and White Illumination in the evening. Surprisingly near to our hotel, like maybe less than 10 minutes walk.
SAPPORO TV TOWER
Sapporo TV Tower is located on the eastern edge of Odori Park, a Sapporo landmark that witnessed the city development for more than half a century. Visitors get to enjoy beautiful seasonal views of Odori Park from the observation deck like Sapporo Christmas Market 2023 and Sapporo White Illumination 2023 which the illuminated decorations are put up at the park in the winter . Conveniently near our hotel (Hotel Monterey Edelhof Sapporo) with a walking distance (less than 5-10 minutes).
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| It is that dark at 5.47pm in the evening |
SAPPORO CHRISTMAS MARKET 2023
THE ITINERARY OF THE DAY! Walked further down from Sapporo TV Tower to the Christmas Market. A version of Munich Christmas Market in Sapporo and I was so excited because I have dreamt of going to the one in Germany for the longest time. It was so crowded and lots of stalls offering authentic Christmas food and drinks, craft items and ornaments.. It made me squeaked a little in my heart. This market is only opened during Winter from mid November to Christmas Day.
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| Entrance to Christmas Market |
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| Just one stretch of stalls and crowds |
Had our dinner there (manage to grab a space for 2) and the following were what we got. The husband was impressed with the burger with double cheese (btw we aren't cheese lovers) and the patty was good. As for the sausage, it was okay but I did enjoyed the sauerkraut.
I'm more curious with the drinks we got. The hot wine has been boiled down to non-alcoholic with the orange taste. Like drinking tonic. I can do that at home one day. And I never had alcoholic hot chocolate in my life and the Irish Hot Chocolate was WOW. Taste more like alcohol than chocolate (ratio like 70:30).
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| German Sausage with Sauerkraut and Cheeseburger |
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| Hot Wine and Irish Hot Chocolate |
SAPPORO WHITE ILLUMINATION 2023
In 1981, this tradition of seasonal lights began in Sapporo. The sparkling works of art is decorated at Odori Park. The 43rd edition starts at the same time as Christmas Market and carries on to the following year mid-March (subject to changes). The lights are switched on till midnight to make a great place for a romantic night walk.
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| The mix of white n purple is nice |
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| Sapporo TV Tower at the back |
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| Looks like illuminated snow flakes |
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| So pretty that everyone is taking photos from all angles |
A glimpse of my night at Christmas Market? Watch my latest video up on my YouTube Channel now.
HOTEL MONTEREY EDELHOF SAPPORO
I love my hotel stay here because going to places mentioned above is so convenient. The room was small but comfy. Please note that during winter, no aircon in the room except heater. If you want aircon, switch off the heater and let the aircon slowly fill the room. An their International breakfast buffet was good with varieties from Japanese (we tried Natto), Chinese and even Western choices.
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| Do you find the decor on the left looking like a tent at hotel lobby? |
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| Spacious, glamorous walkway |
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| Vintage-looking lifts |
I gave a room tour during my stay at Hotel Monterey Edelhof, now in my Short. A simple but comfy room (in my opinion) with decent breakfast included.
So I shall conclude this post by recommending you to visit Sapporo Christmas Market (although not a large scale one) and Sapporo White Illumination if you are going there during winter time. Please note that Christmas Market starts from mid-Nov to Christmas Day. And if you enjoy luxury shopping, Daimaru is the place to go. The rest you can give it a miss. Cheers.
Disclaimer: All the above were paid by the writer. Not a sponsored post. All reviews are based on the writer's preference and taste buds and do not represent anyone other than herself.