Gina C's Reviews Page 7/12

Sapporo Streetcar (Sapporo Shiden)

Originating as a horse-drawn railway for transporting stone, the Sapporo streetcar has served as a key mode of transportation in central Sapporo for over a century, long cherished as part of everyday life. Since the completion of the loop line in 2015, it has made getting around the city center even more convenient. One of its distinctive features is the “side reservation” design on the downtown section, where the tracks run right alongside the sidewalk.

Sapporo
Trains & Subway

7 Oct 2026 See More

The Sapporo Streetcar is very convenient. It travels through the streets of central Sapporo, making it easy to get to different attractions.

You can also enjoy views of Sapporo along the way. Sitting on the streetcar and watching the city slowly pass by feels a little more leisurely than taking the subway.

Mt. Moiwa Ropeway (Observation deck)

Mt. Moiwa is located at the almost center of Sapporo. A Swiss-made mini cable car designed to observe the forest runs to the altitude of 531m, this mountain is easily reached to the peak so loved by Sapporo citizens, there are five mountain trails to go up to the peak.

Sapporo Station, Odori, Susukino
Observatories

7 Oct 2026 See More

Looking down from the observation deck, the lights of central Sapporo stretch far into the distance, with streets and buildings sparkling in the background. The night view is very beautiful, so it's no wonder Mt. Moiwa is considered one of the “Three Great Night Views of Hokkaido.”

I specifically planned to come at night to see the view. With the cool mountain breeze and the countless lights spread out before me, the atmosphere was very romantic.

Sapporo TV Tower

Built in 1956 on Nishi 1-chome, the starting point of Odori Park, the Sapporo TV Tower is well known to locals and tourists alike as a landmark of Sapporo that has witnessed the city's development since its completion.

Sapporo Station, Odori, Susukino
Observatories

6 Oct 2026 See More

Sapporo TV Tower is next to Odori Park and is one of Sapporo's most iconic landmarks. You can see its tall red structure from far away, and when you get close, it really feels like, “I've arrived in Sapporo!”

This time, I stopped by Sapporo TV Tower and admired it while taking a walk through Odori Park. The surrounding scenery was very pleasant. The tower looks different from every angle, and it's also a great place to take photos as keepsakes.

Hokkaido Shrine

Hokkaido Shrine, one of the most prominent shrines in Hokkaido, is located in Chuo District, Sapporo City. Its history is long, which began in 1869, when the Emperor Meiji directed to enshrine “Kaitaku Sanshin (Developing Three Deities)” here as a place of faith for pioneers.

Sapporo Station, Odori, Susukino
Shrines & Temples

6 Oct 2026 See More

Hokkaido Shrine isn't just a place to worship; it's also a distinctive stop on a trip to Hokkaido. The shrine grounds have a solemn yet pleasant atmosphere, and walking along the approach, you can really feel the traditional Japanese ambiance.

What impressed me most this time was the little squirrel fortune at the shrine. It was just so cute! The tiny squirrel design was adorable, and I couldn't stop taking photos of it while holding it. It's completely different from an ordinary fortune slip, and I thought it made a perfect little keepsake from this trip to Hokkaido.

Otaru Triangle Market

The Otaru Triangle Market, nestled between JR Otaru Station and National Route 5, is a small yet historic marketplace with origins dating back to the 1940s. It began with a few street vendors and developed as a morning market, accumulating over 60 years of history. Just a minute's walk from Otaru Station, the market is conveniently accessible and, except for New Year's Day, is open almost daily. Its reputation for affordable prices attracts a steady flow of both locals and tourists from Japan and abroad. The market's name derives from its triangular-shaped plot and roof.

Otaru and Niseko
Shopping Streets

6 Oct 2026 See More

Otaru Triangle Market is packed with seafood stalls. All kinds of fresh fish, crab, scallops, sea urchin, and more look very tempting. The stalls are lined up one after another, giving the market a lively, traditional atmosphere.

The biggest draw is the wide variety of seafood rice bowls. The ingredients look fresh and plentiful, and as you walk around, you can't help but keep looking and wanting to try everything. Besides shopping and seeing the canal in Otaru, I also highly recommend visiting Triangle Market to experience the local seafood culture!

Niseko Takahashi Dairy Farm

At the base of the majestic Mount Yotei lies a vast ranch, nestled in the beautiful and bountiful natural environment of Niseko. Here, with a commitment to quality soil and grass cultivation, dairy cows are meticulously reared. The process is comprehensive, spanning from the nurturing of the cows to the production of fresh milk products.

Otaru and Niseko
Experiences Facilities

6 Oct 2026 See More

At Niseko Takahashi Dairy Farm, you definitely can't miss the farm's popular soft-serve ice cream! As soon as I got it, I noticed its rich aroma. It had a very strong milky flavor and was smooth and creamy, with every bite full of rich dairy goodness.

Noboribetsu Marine Park Nixe

The aquarium is centered around "Nixe Castle," which was built on the actual "Egeskov Castle" model in Denmark. About 400 species and 20,000 living things are on display. The entire interior of the beautiful brick castle is used as an aquarium.

Lake Toya and Noboribetsu
Zoos & Aquariums

6 Oct 2026 See More

At Noboribetsu Marine Park Nixe, what I looked forward to most was watching the marine animal shows! There were adorable sea lions and dolphins, and the atmosphere was very lively. They captured everyone's attention as soon as they appeared.

The sea lion show was very entertaining. They were agile and smart, following commands to perform all kinds of tricks, and I couldn't stop taking pictures. The dolphins that came next were even more exciting. Their jumps, spins, and other moves were all very sharp, and the crowd cheered nonstop every time they leaped out of the water!

Universal Studios Japan

Universal Studios Japan, nicknamed “USJ”, is a large-scale theme park with entertainment for everyone, both children and adults alike. The park is separated into different areas, each with a different theme from popular titles across the world.

Osaka Port, Bay Area
Amusement Parks & Theme parks

5 Oct 2026 See More

Universal Studios Japan (USJ) was already packed with people as soon as it opened. Almost everyone headed toward the popular Mario area in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD and the Harry Potter area, and the park was really lively!

Although almost every popular attraction had a wait of at least 2 hours, and just thinking about the wait was a little exhausting, it still felt well worth it after actually going on the rides. From waiting in line to finally getting on the attraction, the whole experience was filled with anticipation, and afterward, I felt it was worth the wait.

Hozenji Meoto Zenzai

Nestled beside the Mizukake Fudoson in the charming Hozenji Yokocho, this sweet shop was founded in 1883 (Meiji 16). The shop’s specialty, "Meoto Zenzai," served in two separate bowls, is a symbol of good fortune for couples, believed to strengthen their bond and bring harmony. It is also said that two people drawn to each other who share this dessert will find their romance fulfilled. Traditionally, each person eats from two bowls.

Shinsaibashi, Namba, Nipponbashi (Minami)
Cafés

5 Oct 2026 See More

At Hozenji in Osaka, I came specifically to try the famous “Meoto Zenzai.” Two bowls of piping-hot sweet red bean soup with rice dumplings were brought to the table, and just looking at them felt so comforting. The soup was sweet, and the red beans were very soft!

After finishing the hot red bean soup with rice dumplings, I felt warm all over. When visiting Hozenji, I highly recommend stopping by for some Meoto Zenzai and experiencing this traditional dessert with a story behind it!

Jiyuken Namba Honten

Founded in 1910 as Osaka’s first Western-style restaurant, Jiyuken Namba Honten operates in the bustling Namba Center Street in the heart of the Minami area.

Shinsaibashi, Namba, Nipponbashi (Minami)
Western Restaurants

5 Oct 2026 See More

At Jiyuken in Namba, Osaka, it was my first time seeing a raw egg placed directly on top of curry rice. At first, I was actually a little hesitant to eat it and wondered, “Does raw egg really taste good with curry?”

But since I was already there, I worked up the courage to try a small bite! After mixing the raw egg into the curry rice, the texture became smoother, and the egg flavor mellowed out the curry quite a bit. It was surprisingly easy to eat.