楊雅雯's Reviews Page 11/17

I originally came for the magnificent views of Mount Tokachidake, but it was cloudy, and the mountain was completely hidden in the mist, which was a bit disappointing.

However, looking back toward the Furano Basin, the vast plains were just as beautiful, and I still enjoyed that distinctive sense of openness you get in Hokkaido.

This place is also perfect for people who don't hike often. After parking, it's only a short walk to the observatory, so you can easily enjoy the views from above without getting out of breath climbing a mountain.

Travel doesn't always come with perfect weather. From a different perspective, cloudy days have their own unique atmosphere too.

I'll consider this visit a preview and look forward to coming back next time for a clear view of Mount Tokachidake!

While in Asahikawa, I made a special trip to the Otokoyama Sake Brewing Museum. Otokoyama is a sake brand with more than 350 years of history. Inside, you can see exhibits related to traditional sake brewing and learn about the brewing culture Otokoyama has developed over the years. The entire place is very clean and comfortable to walk around. Of course, I was most looking forward to the tasting. There are quite a few Otokoyama varieties available to sample, so you can take your time comparing the different flavors.

Besides sake, there's another interesting experience here: you can drink the natural water used for brewing. The water is clean and slightly sweet, and very pleasant to drink. I also tried their specialty frozen treat, flavored with rice syrup. It had a very distinctive taste, completely different from the usual frozen desserts.

It's not just a place to drink sake—you can also learn about its history and brewing culture. If you like sake or are interested in traditional Japanese culture, this is worth adding to your Asahikawa itinerary!

I had quite a few bowls of ramen throughout this Hokkaido trip, but unexpectedly, the one I can't stop thinking about is Santouka Ramen in Asahikawa!

The miso broth was rich and smooth, savory but not at all heavy. Paired with the tender chashu pork, every bite was delicious. Finishing the whole bowl gave me that satisfying feeling of, “Now this is Hokkaido ramen.” Of all the ramen I had on this Hokkaido trip,

**Santouka’s Asahikawa flagship store easily took first place for me**

It was so good that it makes me want to come back again!

If you come to Asahikawa and love ramen, you really shouldn't miss this place!

Asahikawa Ramen Village brings together seven popular ramen shops, all filled with the aroma of ramen. There are so many choices that you'll have a hard time deciding which one to try.

I visited during a weekday mealtime, and almost every shop was packed. There were more people than I expected! It seems to be popular with both locals and tourists.

If you're looking for good food in Asahikawa and craving a piping-hot bowl of ramen, just head to Ramen Village〜

You can try different styles of Asahikawa ramen all in one place, so it's perfect for ramen lovers.

Hokkaido's Onuma is not only a place to enjoy lake views, but also a seasonal home to many migratory birds.

At the Onuma Wild Bird Observatory, you can learn about and observe the wild birds that visit throughout the four seasons. The spring and fall migration seasons are especially good times to see swans. Large flocks fly to Onuma to rest, and at its most spectacular, there can be around 4,000 birds.

Compared with bustling tourist attractions, I prefer quiet places like this where you can feel close to nature. You can sit and slowly watch the lake, listen to the birds, and take in Hokkaido's peaceful, unspoiled natural scenery.

If you happen to visit Onuma, I recommend setting aside some time to walk around here. You might even come across a flock of swans.

This vast wetland in eastern Hokkaido really feels like it stretches endlessly into the distance.

There are no bustling shops or crowded tourists, just expansive wetlands, grasslands, and distant mountain views, untouched and pristine. I visited on a weekday, and there were very few visitors, making the whole area exceptionally quiet. I took my time walking around and enjoying the feeling of being surrounded by nature.

I actually prefer quiet places like this to popular tourist attractions.

There’s no need to rush. Just stand amid the vast northern landscape and take in Hokkaido’s natural scenery.

Meiji Park has a strong sense of Hokkaido’s history. Its most distinctive features are the preserved red-brick silos, with their rustic architecture creating a unique landscape alongside the spacious green grounds.

It’s also a great place to see cherry blossoms in spring. When the blossoms are in full bloom, the red-brick buildings stand against a sea of pink flowers, creating a special atmosphere. As you stroll through the park, you can enjoy the natural scenery while also getting a sense of Hokkaido’s history over the years.

If you enjoy quiet walks and taking photos and want to experience Hokkaido’s nostalgic atmosphere, Meiji Park is well worth adding to your itinerary.

It's about a 4-minute drive from JR Usu Station. I originally thought we'd just stop by since it was on the way, but this Zenkoji Temple tucked away in the forest unexpectedly became a very special stop on this trip.

Zenkoji Temple has a very long history. It was founded in 826, and during the Edo period it was one of the “Three Official Temples of Ezo.” The entire temple complex has also been designated a National Historic Site.

After looking it up, I learned that it's also known as the “Temple of Flowers,” with cherry blossoms in spring, hydrangeas in summer, and seasonal flowers such as azaleas and peonies in fall.

We came during the wrong season this time, but that makes me look forward even more to seeing Zenkoji Temple in bloom next time.

Hokkaido University really is much bigger than I imagined. Once inside the campus, all I could see were vast stretches of greenery and towering trees. It felt so spacious, as if I could walk forever without reaching the end.

The scenery changes with each season: cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, the much-anticipated golden ginkgo trees in fall, and romantic snow-covered scenery in winter.

Although I didn't visit during the season for the famous ginkgo avenue, I still really enjoyed strolling slowly around the campus, looking at the old, lush trees, feeling the pleasant breeze, and taking in the quiet, relaxed atmosphere.

In central Sapporo, it's hard not to notice this historic red-brick building.

Built in 1888, the Former Hokkaido Government Office Building has a strong European Baroque style and was constructed with about 2.5 million red bricks. The entire building is very distinctive and has become one of Sapporo's most iconic landmarks.

It served as the administrative center of the Hokkaido government for 80 years. Inside, you can take your time learning about the history of Hokkaido's development. It feels like traveling back to the Meiji era and experiencing Sapporo as it was then through the architecture and exhibits.

Admission is also **free**, and its central Sapporo location makes it very convenient to get to. It's well worth adding as a stop while visiting Sapporo.

During cherry blossom season, the red-brick building looks even more beautiful with the blossoms in full bloom. Unfortunately, my visit wasn't during cherry blossom season, but the building itself was still well worth seeing.