I made a special trip to Sapporo PARCO to look around and find the BAO BAO ISSEY MIYAKE store. I’d seen it at the airport several times before, but the popular styles were always sold out or there wasn’t much selection, so it wasn’t easy to really browse. This time, I finally had the chance to take my time at the downtown store and see Issey Miyake’s distinctive geometric designs in person. From the different materials and color combinations to the details of each bag shape, every style is highly recognizable and quite pleasing to look at.
Sapporo PARCO | Review by Linda Liao
Other Reviews by Linda Liao
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The Aso Nakadake Caldera
Nakadake (1506 m) in the center of Mt. Aso is a volcano that continues to be active. You can see the volcanic crater up close. There are seven craters in Nakadake, and the first crater is currently active and can be seen. It can be reached near a huge crater with a circumference of about 4 km. When the gas clears, you can see the emerald green lake at the bottom of the crater, which is filled with 50 ~ 60 °C hot water.
The moment I arrived at the Nakadake Crater of Mt. Aso, the only word to describe it was “spectacular.” The sight before me was completely different from an ordinary tourist attraction. Nakadake is still an active volcano, and standing in front of the crater, I could feel the power contained within nature, which also added a sense of tension to the trip.
Even before reaching the crater, I could already smell the strong sulfur odor. Along the mountain road, there were many emergency shelters built in case of an eruption. I couldn't help imagining that if the volcanic activity suddenly intensified, these shelters would be an important line of defense for protecting visitors. Along with the magnificent volcanic scenery, the journey also inspired a greater sense of awe toward nature.
After reaching the crater and looking down from above, I could see white smoke continuously rising from it, like a huge living creature breathing. Occasionally, there was also a gurgling sound, as if a huge pot of scorching mud were boiling beneath the volcano. It was both interesting and astonishing.
Because Mt. Aso is still volcanically active, professionals closely monitor it every day. If the weather is poor or volcanic activity becomes more frequent, access may be restricted or even prohibited. The winds at the summit are also quite strong, and breathing in the sulfur odor for too long isn't advisable, so after taking photos and briefly experiencing the awe of the place, we hurried away.
Mt. Aso is definitely worth experiencing in person. However, due to a helicopter crash this year, the relevant areas are currently still closed. I hope they can reopen once the volcanic activity and safety conditions have stabilized.
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JR KYUSHU RAIL PASS
The JR KYUSHU RAIL PASS is a great-value rail pass offered by JR Kyushu for international visitors. It provides unlimited travel on JR lines throughout Kyushu-including local trains, limited express trains, and even the Kyushu Shinkansen. You can choose from 3-, 5-, or 7-day passes, and select the area that suits your itinerary: Northern Kyushu, Southern Kyushu, or All Kyushu.
If you're sightseeing in Aso, I definitely recommend riding the Aso Boy! at least once. The ride lasts over an hour, but it's never boring. From the moment the train pulls into the station, you'll barely put your camera down!
The entire train, from the exterior to the inside of the cars, is full of thoughtful details, with delicate, cute decorations tucked into every corner. You'll keep taking pictures of everything along the way. Kuro, the star of the train, is especially irresistible. Adults and children alike are almost all won over by him, and in the end, you'll willingly walk into the shop and switch into “keep spending” mode (lol).
The onboard shop is really popular, so if there are any limited-edition items you want, I recommend heading there as soon as you board. Many items are available only in limited quantities, and once they're sold out, they're gone. Especially when you watch the people ahead of you frantically clearing the shelves, that heartbreaking feeling of “it's right there, but I can't buy it” really stays with you! The last time I rode, it happened to be during China's October holiday, and the buying power of the tour groups was incredible. Saying they “cleared the shelves” is no exaggeration.
If you have a JR KYUSHU RAIL PASS, you can also reserve a seat directly using the online reservation service included with the pass. If you're lucky enough to reserve a seat in the first car directly behind the conductor, it's definitely a prime seat! Sitting at the very front and watching the train pass through Aso's green tunnels and forests, with scene after scene coming toward you, is an unforgettable visual feast. If you visit Aso, don't forget to come play with Kuro!
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JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo
Occupying the upper floors of the iconic JR Tower, one of the tallest buildings in Hokkaido, this luxury hotel offers direct access to Sapporo Station, making it a perfect base for both sightseeing and business travel. The hotel features 330 elegantly appointed rooms, all offering breathtaking views of downtown Sapporo, Ishikari Bay, and on clear days, even the distant Daisetsuzan mountain range.
One of the biggest advantages of JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo is its truly convenient location! The hotel is directly connected to Sapporo Station, saving time whether you're taking the JR or heading to other attractions around the city. This is a major plus for independent travelers. Especially when visiting Sapporo in winter, there's often snow outside, and the roads are slippery and prone to icing over, so dragging a suitcase any distance can be really difficult. For anyone traveling to Hokkaido in winter, convenient transportation is definitely a very important consideration when choosing accommodations.
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