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The Quest to Sapporo (15 - 19 December 2024)

Sapporo, the capital city of Hokkaido, greeted us with stunning views as we landed, the city blanketed in snow.


We opted for an airport transfer to observe how locals drive during the winter, as we had plans to self-drive for the next five days.

Upon arrival at Ibis Styles Sapporo, we were pleased with the spacious room and the excellent breakfast offering a wide variety of both Japanese and Western dishes.

After settling in, we ventured to the Suzukino area for Sapporo’s famous miso ramen. Luckily, we arrived early, as the restaurant was small with space for only about ten people, meaning we didn’t have to wait long in the freezing cold under the starry sky.




We spent the next three days exploring the city.

Our first stop was Shiroi Koibito Park, famous for producing white chocolate biscuits. We got to see the manufacturing process firsthand and enjoyed decorating cookies with chocolate. We also indulged in white chocolate fondue while taking in the snowfall at their whimsical playground.










Next, we visited the Sapporo Crab Market. Unfortunately, we arrived late for lunch and only had the chance to try a sashimi kaiseki bowl and grilled king crab legs. However, the crabs weren’t fresh as they were frozen, which affected the taste and texture of the meat.





During Christmas time, we experienced the German Christmas Market at Odori Park, complete with real snow and dazzling illuminations. We enjoyed street snacks such as Irish hot coffee, mulled wine, Sapporo beers, churros, and cheese pretzels—though it was freezing cold eating outdoors! With time to spare on our last day, we took in a bird’s-eye view of the city from the Sapporo TV Tower.








We also stopped for photos at the iconic Sapporo Clock Tower before heading to the Sapporo Beer Garden. There, we indulged in the BBQ Genghis Khan style, where lamb was paired perfectly with Sapporo beer.

To wrap up our experience, we explored the history of Sapporo beer, followed by a beer tasting session, and then enjoyed some snow play outdoors.










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