6 Days 5 Nights Hokkaido Trip (Day 4) - Lake Shikotsu & Lake Toya 支笏湖+洞爷湖

Fourth day in Sapporo. Today we also follow another tour to outskirt from Sapporo. It will cover 2 Lake, which is Lake Shikotsu and Lake Toya. This tour we book from Japanican page, cost 7100¥ (RM274). We have to depart from Sapporo Bus Terminal 8:35am .

First stop we reach is Lake Shikotsu, it take about 90min from Sapporo. All the way same like yesterday, we will thru the earphone listen the tour explanation. Besides that, you also can enjoy the view outside of the bus during the journey. You will take a lot of natural scenery photo. 

Lake Shikotsu is a caldera lake formed approximately 40,000 years ago when water collected in Shikotsu caldera. It consider a Japan's largest lake, but the water volume is the 2nd largest in Japan due to its depth. It is also famous for its high level of clarity.

We have about 60min free and easy time at Lake Shikotsu. You also can take the Lake Shikotsu sightseeing boat (glass-bottom boat) . It will take 30 min to round the lake, if you wish to take, please take it when you are arrive there,cost about 1200¥ (RM45). 

After here, we heading to our second stop Lake Toya. On the way ,the bus will stop at Mushroom Kingdom Otaki about 20min. This place is a small rest area and there selling some Hokkaido famous mushroom or snack . At this area we still can see the snow at the roadside mountain area.

I bought some dried fruit noodle pack from here and i also tried the Hokkaido milk. You must try the Hokkaido milk, it really nice.

Another 40 min, we arrived Toyako Manseikaku Hotel Lakeside Terrace, which located next to Lake Toya. We will about 90min to have lunch and free and easy walk around. 

The lunch already served on the table when we step in the restaurant. They served us the Kami-Nabe (Japanese Paper Hot Pot). The meal include the hot pot, steam egg, Fried Vegetable, cold dish and dessert .

After Lunch we walk to the Lake side which next to the hotel. The scenery here really nice. You will feel relax here next to the Lake. 

10 to 15 minute drive away from this hotel, tour also arrange visit Usuzan Ropeway and Showa Shinzan Bear Park. The Bear Park is own-self expenses and you can enjoy seeing many brown bears up close!

Mount Usuzan was formed from a series of eruptions occurring 10,000 to 20,000 years ago. It remains an active volcano to this day. Showa Shinzan and Lake Toya can be seen from the ropeway station summit area. Take a walk on the Outer Rim Boardwalk to the Crater Basin Observation Deck and learn how a volcano works while enjoying the gorgeous views below.

We didn't walk until the up level hill,i believe that hill level will have another nice scenery. We only walk around the observation deck area ,it already good enough for us.

After the last stop, we heading back to Sapporo. It will be take around 2 hr journey. You can take a rest or enjoy the mountain scenery. It different from morning time what we see. 

In Between, we also will have 2 rest stop at Silo Observatory and Nakayama Pass .

At Silo Observatory(塞露展望台),we also can enjoy another super view to see Lake Toya. Although the bus only stop 15min for us to go rest room, we also took many picture at here.

 At Nakayama Pass , surround the rest area also have a lot snow.Beside that, you also can get a nice Sunset photo.

Around dinner time,we arrived at Sapporo Bus Terminal. After this, we meet up my best friend at Totiton Marumaya Branch to have our dinner. 

I most recommended this sushi shop, all the ingredient are fresh and when you dining here, you can feel Vigorous.

Toriton Sushi Maruyama

23 Chome-2-17 Kita 4 Jonishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0824, Japan

6 Days 5 Nights Hokkaido Trip (Day 3) - Otaru 小樽

Third day in Sapporo. We book a  OTARU Day Tour  (小樽 ) from KKDAY page. There include all way transport , lunch buffet and Mount Tengu Ropeway. The original price is RM 234 per pax, i get the promotion discount code 6% . So finally price is RM 219.50. It really worth to join this trip.

We gather at Sapporo Bus Terminal around 8:55 am and depart aroun 9:15 am. There only have one drive and one tour guide follow us. There have free WIFI at the bus and have different language of explanation for the attraction place.   

First stop we stop at the in front of Former Hokkaido Bank, Head Office (Otaru Bine) and visit the wine shop there. At there we also get to tried the local wine of them.

After that, the bus heading to parking area and drop us there free and easy walk around Otaru Canal.

That tour guide lead us to the canal and she also very fast to get a corner help us to take photo. If not we have to wait some time only can get the angle.

The Otaru Canal in the port and the surrounding by stone warehouses have much to tell of the city’s proud form of long ago, which paved the way to prosperity beyond Sapporo and the cultivation of Hokkaido. There are many historical buildings that still stand around the Otaru Canal from 100 years ago, which provide a nostalgic atmosphere that you can enjoy as you walk around.

After i take a picture from this angle and show to my friends, they said just similar like the propaganda poster. 

At the crossroads nearby the otaru canal information center, you also can enjoy the shopping at Loax and food at Comsen Otaru Canal Cafeteria.

Although we only stop here 60 min, we also took a lot photo and wall thru the both side canal.

After here, we back to bus and heading to Grand Park Otaru Hotel .

Grand Park Otaru located on the bay area in Otaru. With this strategic location easily accessible to Yacht Harbour in Otaru Marina, offering magnificent view of Ishikari Bay

This photo i take from the website. 

This photo i take from the website. The restaurant is facing the Harbour in Otaru Marina. It really nice.

We will take a rest here to enjoy ours lunch about 90min. You also can shopping next to the hotel . There is Aeon Shopping mall next to this hotel. If you dont want to shopping, you also can walk out to the rest area to take Harbour in Otaru Marine photo.

After lunch, the next stop is Tanaka Sake Brewery.

Tanaka Sake Brewery Kikkougura was built as part of the stone warehouse group in 1905, and is designated as a historical monument of Otaru City. 

When you step in , there has a worker lead you to walk thru factory and explain the sake brewing process. 

After the show us the sake brewing process. We can taste the sake and some others drink at their show room. If you like it, you also can buy from there. 

After we heading to Sakaimachihondori Street. Here you can visit Kitaichi Glass Factory（北一哨子）,Otaru Music Box Museum,Kitakaro Otaru Honkan,Visit The Glass Studio in Otaru,Rokatei Otaru canal Shop (六花亭), Letao （北菓), Marchen Square (交叉点）and others.

Letao is a famous dessert shop. When you in Hokkaido must try their Double Fromage.

Just one bite and you will experience the taste in your mouth that melts like snow, the rich milky taste that brings instant joy, and the aesthetically modest sweetness. The upper layer is creamy smooth no-bake cheesecake, and the lower layer is rich, tasty baked cheesecake. 

Beside that , the Ironi biscuit ,Uji Matcha Double and swiss roll also must try things in this shop.

Otaru Music Box Museum is a music museum in the Otaru Orgel-do II building in Otaru, Japan.The main building of the museum was constructed in 1902.The antique music boxes are in Hall 2.The music box it includes various examples of music boxes as well as CDs that have music box-esque versions of various songs. Chris Bamforth of The Japan Times wrote that it had an "absolutely phenomenal" variety of music.

There have a Marchen Square (交叉点),so you can took Panaroma shot at here. 

The last 20 min we heading back to Kitaichi (北一哨子) shop enjoy the 8 layer Otaru ice cream. But we only took half Layer only. They also so warmest, next to the ice cream shop, also have a space to let customer enjoy the snack around there. 

After that, we heading to our last stop in Otaru ,Mt. Tengu Ropeway .

You can enjoy strolling the various beautiful landscapes of historical Otaru. Overlooking this beautiful seaside city and the Sea of Japan is Mt. Tengu.The Mt. Tengu Ropeway can take you from the foot of the mountain to the very top, a total distance of 735 meters, in about 4 minutes.

From the mountain summit you can even get a great view of the Shakotan Peninsula.

We also can't imagine , there still have snow at the mountain. Although the snow is now smooth, but still nice view and it not really cold much. We just feel  comfortable when we walk around here. We also make a lot funny story here. 

Around 5pm, we already heading back to Sapporo area. The bus drop us back to Sapporo Bus Terminal and we continues shopping and have dinner at Esta Sapporo ,which is Bic Camera building. 

We feel like wanna have Okonomiyaki,we choose a shop which need to have long ques. End up a bit regret , but still have fun la. This shop located at Esta Shopping Mall 10 Floor, after we order we have to cook by our self.That's the point why we feel regret. Because non of us know how to cook this. Really a good experience to try this.

Every time come to Japan, we sure visit the Crane Machine shop. We already tried few time on yesterday, but we didn't get any toy. Today a bit lucky and we never give up to play. That's why i can bring this cute Dumbo back to Malaysia.