楊雅雯's Reviews Page 9/17

After visiting Tsutanuma Pond, we happened to see a sign for Suirennuma Pond on the way to Sukayu Onsen and decided on the spot to park and walk in for a look. We kept seeing warnings about bears along the way, and with almost no one around, the walk was honestly a little nerve-racking.

It didn’t take long to reach the observation deck, with the Hakkoda Mountains right in front of us. The weather was great that day, and the Asian skunk cabbages blooming in the marsh were quite beautiful. The bamboo groves rustling in the wind made it feel like a secluded, hidden place.

We were worried about running into a bear, so we left quickly after taking photos. I later found out that the fall foliage here is even more spectacular. I’d really like to come back if I get the chance!

Takayama Inari Shrine is famous for its spectacular Senbon Torii. Although it’s relatively inconvenient to get to, if you’re not driving, you’ll need to take a bus and then walk for about 40 minutes, or take a taxi for about 5 minutes. But it’s definitely worth making a special trip! The vermilion torii gates stretch on and on, creating a dreamlike scene, and during cherry blossom season, they’re incredibly beautiful. Even if you visit outside the flowering season, it’s still impressive, and there are relatively few international tourists, so you can leisurely enjoy the tranquility and beautiful scenery.

Cape Tappi is at the northernmost tip of the Tsugaru Peninsula, and from the cape, you can gaze out over the vast Tsugaru Strait. This time, I took the JR and Resort Asunaro trains from Aomori Station and arrived in about two hours. The scenery kept changing along the way, and the clear weather made the journey even better! At Kanita Station, I was also lucky enough to see the Train Suite Shiki-shima returning from Hokkaido. This unexpected little surprise made the trip even more memorable.

Finally made it to Cape Kamui, a place I've always wanted to visit! The cape is surrounded by the crystal-clear azure sea known as “Shakotan Blue,” and the scenery was truly breathtaking. That day, the sky was blue with white clouds and plenty of sunshine, so every photo looked like a postcard. Although there were quite a few visitors around noon, the trail was gentle and easy to walk, though the sea breeze was extremely strong. There are also mysterious legends along the way, making the trip even more interesting. Seeing this deep blue sea with my own eyes was truly worth it!

Otaru is really perfect for strolling around and exploring at a leisurely pace. This time, I visited Tanaka Sake Brewing. The century-old brewery has so much character, with its wooden architecture and strong traditional Japanese atmosphere. You can sample sake and plum wine inside, and Chinese-language service is also available, making it easy to browse. It doesn't feel overly commercial; instead, it has a simple, warm quality. If you like Japan's historic streets and long-established shops, I highly recommend stopping by while you're in Otaru to experience a taste of old Hokkaido.

If you're visiting Otaru, I really recommend planning a trip to Mt. Tengu!

Take Bus No. 9 from bus stop No. 4 at Otaru Station, ride it all the way to the last stop, and then take the ropeway up the mountain.

There weren't too many visitors before noon, so there was almost no wait for the ropeway. As it climbed, we watched the scenery through the windows. Once we reached the summit, we had sweeping views of downtown Otaru, the harbor, and the endless sea. The scenery was really beautiful!

Mt. Tengu also has plenty of fun attractions in summer. Besides enjoying the scenery, you can visit the chipmunk park. Admission is free, and you can buy food to feed them for JPY 300.

The speed at which the chipmunks devour sunflower seeds is honestly ridiculous. As soon as you have the food in your hand, it's gone in an instant, giving you no chance to feed them slowly. Watching them eat up close is unbelievably cute and so soothing!

If you visit Otaru, Mt. Tengu is definitely worth adding to your itinerary〜

You can enjoy the ocean views, ride the ropeway, and feed the chipmunks during the day. The whole outing is relaxing and fun!

It's about a 1-minute walk from Motomachi Park, on the right side of Motoi-zaka Slope heading toward Hakodate Port. This consulate experienced two fires and was later rebuilt during the Showa era. It is now a Tangible Cultural Property of Hakodate City.

I originally expected the consulate to feel like a very formal government building, but up close, it actually looked more like a large European-style estate. There are double gates at the front, and a simple landscaped garden in the courtyard, giving the whole place a distinctive look. What caught my attention most was the roof. It uses traditional Japanese roof tiles paired with a blue-and-white color scheme, which unexpectedly gives it a Mediterranean feel and makes it very different from the typical image of an old Japanese building.

We stopped here briefly to take some photos, then continued walking toward the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse〜As you stroll through Hakodate's Motomachi area, every building has its own character, making it a nice place to explore and take photos along the way.

Goryokaku was once an important political and military stronghold, but today it is a well-known cherry blossom viewing spot in Hakodate. The most distinctive feature is that, from above, you can see the entire five-pointed star-shaped fort, which is truly unique. Cherry trees are planted all around the fort. Just imagine the entire Goryokaku surrounded by a sea of pink blossoms when they are in full bloom—it must be incredibly beautiful!

There were no cherry blossoms during this visit, but the star-shaped fort alone was still very distinctive. If you're in Hakodate during cherry blossom season, this place is definitely worth adding to your itinerary.

There is an additional fee to visit the indoor observation facility, but from up high, you can get a clearer view of Goryokaku's complete star shape.

The night view from Mt. Hakodate really lives up to its reputation. It was so beautiful that I didn't want to leave! Looking down from the observatory, the lights of Hakodate stretch along both sides of the bay, with the water and city forming a beautiful curve. No wonder it's called the “million-dollar night view.”

We were very lucky to have such great weather that day, and the view was incredibly beautiful. If you visit Hokkaido, I really recommend making time to see the night view from Mt. Hakodate. It has a different charm during the day, at dusk, and at night, and the night view is definitely not to be missed!

When visiting Mt. Hakodate for the views, taking the ropeway up is definitely the fastest and most convenient option! Each gondola can carry up to 12 people. There aren't many seats inside, so you'll be standing most of the time, but the ride is very smooth, and you can reach the summit in under 3 minutes. It's really fast!

At the summit, the views of Hakodate are also very beautiful. Daytime, dusk, and nighttime each have their own beauty. The famous Hakodate night view in particular is truly worth seeing in person.

However, be aware that it gets extremely crowded on holiday evenings!

If you're planning a trip to Mt. Hakodate, be sure to allow time for waiting in line and check the time of the last ropeway.

Also, ropeway operating hours may vary depending on the season and weather, so remember to check the official website for the latest information before heading out to avoid disrupting your plans.