Japan Diaries 4: Day 166

Day 166: April 16, 2022

Saturday - Reuniting with my Family in Sapporo

Finally! After 6 months apart, I will finally be reunited with my family. I'll meet them at New Chitose Airport today. We'd also spend the weekend in Sapporo City before returning to Rumoi City.

Here comes the Engan bus bound for Sapporo

Surprise, surprise! Abi, the Obira ALT, is also on the bus going to Sapporo.

Arrived at Sapporo JR Station

I took the 8:30 a.m. Engan Bus from Motokawacho bus stop to Sapporo JR Station bus terminal in Sapporo City. Since my wife and daughter were scheduled to arrive around 5 p.m. and I had more than 5 hours to kill, I used the chance to visit Sapporo JR Station and other local tourist attractions.

First stop: Sapporo's Akarenga

My first stop was Hokkaido Government Office / Akarenga but it was closed and seemed like it was undergoing maintenance work. 



Inside Sapporo Clock Tower

I then headed to the Sapporo Clock Tower. I wasn't able to enter it the last time I went to Sapporo to meet my Filipino ALT friends so I took the chance to enter it and check out what it has to offer. I probably explored it for over an hour as it was almost lunch when I decided to go to my next destination. 

Passed by Odori Park and the Sapporo TV Tower

From the Sapporo Clock Tower, I walked for several blocks to Odori Park where I was able to see the Sapporo TV Tower again. The park looked very different from the last time I visited as it now lacks the snow that covered it before. 

I only passed through the park as I was actually heading to Sapporo Ramen Alley. I also passed by Tanukikoji Street along the way. It made me reminisce about the bonding times that I had with the other Filipino ALTs last Christmas. 

Time to buy lunch at Sapporo Ramen Alley

Spicy Miso Ramen from Teshikaga Ramen

It was already lunchtime when I reached Sapporo Ramen Alley. I decided to eat lunch at one of the ramen restaurants in the famed alley. I chose the Teshikaga Ramen as it has a lot of positive reviews on Google Maps. I ordered the Spicy Miso Ramen with all toppings which was highly recommended by those who left reviews on Google Maps and TripAdvisor.

I headed back to the area near Sapporo JR Station to look for Hotel Mystays Sapporo Aspen

I finally found Hotel Mystays Sapporo Aspen

From there, I headed back in the direction of Sapporo Station for the 3PM check-in at Hotel Mystays Sapporo Aspen, where we booked our overnight stay. 


Arrived at New Chitose Airport

New Chitose Airport Pokemon Store

I bought my daughter a New Chitose Cabin Attendant (CA) Pikachu

I freshened up a bit before heading back to Sapporo Station. I then rode the Rapid Airport train to New Chitose Airport. I still have a few hours left to wait when I arrived at the airport so I explored it a little. One of the places that I visited was the Pokemon Store New Chitose Airport. I bought the store-exclusive New Chitose Cabin Attendant (CA) Pikachu as a welcome gift to Ella when she arrived. 



Welcome to Hokkaido!

Team Nicerio toured the airport a bit

By 4:30PM I was already at the arrival area waiting for my wife and daughter. It didn't take long for us to finally have our emotional family reunion. It has been 5 months since we last hugged and kissed each other. I'm really thankful that my family made it to Hokkaido safely. 


Team Nicerio is finally complete

We then headed back to Hotel Mystays Sapporo Aspen in Sapporo City to rest a bit and drop off their luggage before heading out again for dinner. 

We're heading back to Sapporo

Reached Hotel Mystays Sapporo Aspen in the afternoon

Dinner at Curry Kitchen Onion before calling it a day

Speaking of dinner, we ate at Curry Kitchen Onion where, you guessed it right, we ordered and ate curry. If you'd ask me I highly recommend the Katsu Curry.

The curry in Curry Kitchen Onion is too beautiful to eat

Time to call it a day @ Hotel Mystays Sapporo Aspen 

Overall, today was probably my most memorable day so far since I got here in Hokkaido. I thank God for bringing my family to Hokkaido safely. 

Read more:




Location: Japan, 〒060-0808 北海道札幌市北区北８条西４丁目５

Comments

Post a Comment

Book your hotel thru KLOOK

Klook.com
Subscribe and get updated with the latest travel articles of The Backpack Adventures

Popular posts from this blog

Munting Buhangin Beach Camp - Batangas

Image
Located in the municipality of Nasugbu in the province of Batangas, Munting Buhangin Beach Camp is one of the few privately owned resorts in the area that doesn't really require memberships for visitors to enjoy. Munting Buhangin Beach Camp Munting Buhangin Beach Camp Details Although Munting Buhangin Beach Camp doesn't have white sand to boast, it's quite an isolated place which makes the resort stand out. Its light brown sand, sprinkled with different kinds of shells, is cleaned daily by the dedicated staff of the resort. Sadly, during my visit, a broken piece of glass buried in the sand gave one of my toes a deep cut but I know that it's just a rare case (no one needs to be fired) and nobody wanted that to happen. Munting Buhangin Beach - Nasugbu, Batangas  One of the best places to go camping...  ...or rent nipa huts and treehouse You might want to try kayaking here too Going up: parking / Going down: beach Munting Buhangin Beach Camp is ide
Keep reading

A Guide to Collecting Eki Stamps

Image
Japan is undeniably a collector's paradise. As a matter of fact, there are a plethora of different things to collect here that are catered to every collector's unique taste and preference.  Anime fans have their usual toys, mangas, and memorabilia. Pokemon fans have numerous Pokemon Centers that sell an assortment of Pokemon merchandise. Kitkat collectors have more than 300 flavors of Kitkat to try out. Pilgrims have the temple stamps called goshuin which I wrote about last time. These are but some of the numerous possible things to collect in Japan . A Guide to Collecting Eki Stamps However, since I'm promoting budget travel, my article today talks about something that you can collect for FREE . Yup, you read that right. All you need to have is a clean notebook or tickler and an ever-watchful eye. A Guide to Collecting Eki Stamps Eki stamps , also called train station stamps, are rubber ink stamps that are typically found in most train stations in Japan. These stamps f
Keep reading

National Shrine of St. Padre Pio - Batangas

Image
Located in Barangay San Pedro in Sto. Tomas in the province of Batangas, the National Shrine of St. Padre Pio is a pilgrimage site dedicated and inspired by Saint Padre Pio. National Shrine of St. Padre Pio National Shrine of St. Padre Pio History The shrine initially started out as a bamboo and nipa chapel back in 2003. Then on November 7, 2005, a 1.6-hectare agricultural land was donated to the Archdiocese of Lipa by a generous couple. A year later, another generous individual donated 200 square meters of land to provide the right of way to the site. This land would be the site of the new chapel and later on the Shrine of St. Padre Pio . The salakot like roof as seen from the bell tower Devotees hanging handkerchiefs dipped in the Well of Hope or Bukal ng Pag-asa  St. Padre Pio welcomes the pilgrims to the shrine Pray, Hope, and Don't Worry - National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio St. Padre Pio belltower St. Padre Pio painting A relic inside the Reli
Keep reading

Tanza Oasis Hotel and Resort - Cavite

Image
UPDATED: October 30, 2020 Located in Tanza in the province of Cavite, Tanza Oasis Hotel and Resort is a stunningly luxurious getaway with reasonable (and some say affordable) prices. Tanza Oasis Hotel and Resort Tanza Oasis Hotel and Resort Details Tanza Oasis Hotel and Resort is a place recommended for those who are looking for a quality stay that is just a stone's throw away from Manila. It's also a perfect place for a quick weekend getaway or a summer escapade with the family or  barkada .  This place also prides itself on its hotel accommodations and its outdoor facilities. Not to forget, the delicious food served in its in-house restaurant. Tanza Oasis Hotel and Resort   - Tanza, Cavite The pool as seen from the hotel building The huts near the beach Speaking of its hotel, seeing it for the first time would make you say that it's not your ordinary cheap hotel. When you enter it, you'd be welcomed by an elegant modern architectural designed interior. The
Keep reading

10 Things to Do in Chitose City

Image
10 Things to Do in Chitose City Chitose ( 千歳市 ) is a city in the Ishikari Subprefecture of Hokkaido, Japan . Chitose was originally named shikot in the Ainu language, which means " big depression or hollow ," similar to Lake Shikotsu, which is a caldera lake. This sounded too much like dead bones (死骨, shikotsu ) in Japanese, so it was altered to Chitose. For those planning to visit Chitose City to check what it has to offer, here are the 10 Things to Do in Chitose : Chitose City manhole covers 1. Take a picture of the manhole cover of Chitose City . So far, I have seen one unique manhole cover which is expected in the city. There is a colored version of this installed in front of  Michinoeki Salmon Park Chitose . Chitose Roadside Station 2. Visit the  Chitose Roadside Station  /  Michinoeki Salmon Park Chitose  and buy products that are produced or made in the town. You can also get the roadside station stamp here for the Hokkaido Stamp rally booklet. This roadside statio
Keep reading

First Timer's Guide to Collecting Goshuin

Image
Japan has always been the best country when it comes to souvenirs. Each city prides itself on its own product which is perfectly suited for the different tastes of tourists. As a travel blogger whose interest is mostly culture and history, I'm naturally inclined to buy souvenirs that remind me of the rich history and culture of the places that I have visited. Oftentimes, I am left with no other option but to buy refrigerator magnets, key chains, and pins. However, during my last visit to Japan, I discovered and got a unique souvenir that I think you'd also love to take home (and bring back to Japan next time you visit). This souvenir would surely remind you of Japan's cultural, religious, and historic side... this souvenir is none other than a goshuin collection. First Timer's Guide to Collecting Goshuin A goshuin is described as a temple or shrine stamp/seal that is written by a temple priest called a kannushi in a special notebook called goshuincho which tran
Keep reading

Quituinan Hills - Albay

Image
Located at Barangay Tinago, Camalig in the province of Albay, Quituinan Hills is one of the most beautiful yet least known tourist destinations of the town.  Quituinan Hills Quituinan Hills Details For those who have visited Quituinan Hills on a clear day, I bet they'd agree with me when I say that this place is among the top places in the province to view Mayon Volcano. Aside from that, the best way to describe Quituinan Hills is that it has a ranch-like feel. Well, that's probably due to the fact that the developed part of the hill is really a ranch named Quituinan Ranch .  Road to Quituinan Hills Welcome to Quituinan Hills This place is a great location for picnics with friends and family. You can either rent a cottage (small P100; big P500) or bring and pitch a tent (P100 space rental) in one of the allowable areas of the hill. Other activities offered here are horseback riding (P60 per 15 minutes) and ATV rental (P200 per 15 minutes). You can also explore
Keep reading

Imus City Plaza - Cavite

Image
Located in the center of the Poblacion or town proper of Imus City in the province of Cavite, Imus City Plaza is one of the city's scenic and historical attractions. Imus City Plaza Imus City Plaza Details This plaza is located in front of the equally historical Imus Cathedral and Imus City Hall . Imus City Plaza is also the first place to greet you if you're heading to the cathedral via Sapinoso Street.  Imus City Plaza - Imus City, Cavite General Licerio Topacio The general guarding the flag Checking out each angle of the monument Imus City Plaza History Imus City Plaza is probably easily remembered because of the monument with two vintage artillery flanking it. The monument stands as an honor to the children of Imus who joined the fight for the independence of the country against Spain. As for the man standing on top of the monument, he is General Licerio Topacio . He is one of the most notable sons of Imus. He is famously known for honorably declining
Keep reading

10 Things to Do in Asahikawa City

Image
10 Things to Do in Asahikawa City Asahikawa City ( 旭川市 ) is the second largest city in Hokkaido Prefecture. Its name came from the misinterpretation of the Ainu name for the Asahi River. The Ainu called it Chiu Pet , which means "River of Waves," but it was misinterpreted as Chup Pet , which means "Sun River," and therefore became known as Asahi River in Japanese. For those planning to visit Asahikawa City to check what it has to offer, here are the 10 Things to Do in Asahikawa City : Asahikawa Manhole Cover 1. Take a picture of Asahikawa’s unique manhole covers . So far, I have seen 1 unique manhole design not counting the special  Asahikawa Pokemon Manhole Cover . Asahikawa Roadside Station 2. Visit  Asahikawa Roadside Station . You can buy souvenirs, eat authentic Asahikawa ramen, and also get the Asahikawa Roadside Station stamp for your stamp collection. As a bonus, you will also find the Asahikawa Pokemon Manhole Cover featuring the Alolan Vulpix, Cubchoo, a
Keep reading

Kyoto Station - Kyoto

Image
Located in the heart of Kyoto City in Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto Station  ( 京都駅 ) is one of Japan 's largest train station buildings. It serves as the main gateway for locals and foreigners coming in and out of the city. Kyoto Station  ( 京都駅 ) Kyoto Station History Kyoto Station opened for service on February 5, 1877, by decree of Emperor Meiji. In 1889, its railway connected to Tokyo giving way to the present day Tokaido Main Line. In 1895, the station became a terminal to the Nara Railway (present-day Nara Line) connecting Kyoto with the southern regions of Kyoto Prefecture and Nara City. Then in 1897, the station became a terminal to the Kyoto Railway (present-day Sagano Line) connecting Kyoto Station with the northern regions of Kyoto Prefecture.   First Kyoto Station building* Second Kyoto Station building* Third Kyoto Station building* The station got a facelift in 1914 and a Renaissance-inspired facility replaced the old station. This new station was spacious and designed
Keep reading