Compared with the uniform product displays at department stores, I prefer a souvenir shop full of local character like Hokkaido Dosanko Plaza, Sapporo shop! Stepping inside feels like setting off on a Hokkaido treasure hunt. From specialty snacks and local treats to all kinds of limited-edition products, every corner holds an unexpected surprise. You can not only find great products that are usually hard to come across, but also experience Hokkaido’s culture and way of life through them. Rather than just choosing popular local specialties, you can discover unique gifts with stories behind them, making each gift feel more personal and thoughtful.
Hokkaido Ⅾosanko Plaza, Sapporo shop | Review by Linda Liao
Other Reviews by Linda Liao
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Minamiza Theatre
A theater that features Kabuki which originated in Kyoto. Kabuki is said to have originated from the “Kabuki Odori” dance, invented by a woman named Izumo no Okuni. As the dance started to popularize during the early Edo period, around this time the Minami-za also opened. It is Japan’s oldest theater with more than 400 years of history located in the same place.
The first time I walked along Shijo Street, I caught sight of Minamiza in the distance on the other side of the bridge, and I still remember it today. This Momoyama-style theater has a beautiful exterior that makes you wonder what stories are being performed inside.
Minamiza’s history dates back to the early Edo period. With more than 400 years of history, it is one of Japan’s oldest theaters and an important symbol of Kyoto’s kabuki culture. Every December, during the “Kichirei Kaomise Kogyo,” wooden signs bearing the actors’ names are hung in front of the theater, creating a distinctive winter scene in Kyoto.
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Takoyaki TAMAYA Main Store
This renowned shop has elevated the universally loved Osaka snack "takoyaki" to a level where it's recognized in prestigious international gourmet guidebooks.
How could you visit Osaka and not eat takoyaki! Especially in winter, you can watch the chef deftly turn the batter on the steaming griddle, cooking each little ball until golden and tempting. Once plated, the bonito flakes dance in the heat, making your mouth water just from looking at them.
What makes Tamaya special is its rich broth, made by simmering lobster with seafood, meat, and vegetables, which adds layers of flavor to the seemingly ordinary takoyaki. It looks simple on the outside, but each bite is packed with savory flavor and is very comforting〜
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Arashiyama Yakatabune River Boat
An elegant riverboat experience along the upper Oi River, flowing beneath Togetsukyo Bridge. It began around 805 AD in the early Heian period as one of the pleasures enjoyed by aristocrats, and gradually became popular with the general public as well. Today, no reservation is required to hop on a shared boat, making it a classic part of sightseeing in Arashiyama.
Boarding a yakatabune in Arashiyama, Kyoto, feels like stepping into a moving Japanese landscape painting! The boatman propels the boat with a bamboo pole as you admire the lush green mountains, murmuring stream, and Togetsukyo Bridge along the way, taking in Kyoto’s leisurely atmosphere. The highlight is the seasonal summer cormorant fishing experience. Every year from July to September, after nightfall, fishing fires reflect on the water as the fishermen skillfully direct the cormorants to catch fish. This ancient technique has a mysterious charm. Watching the firelight flicker with the waves and listening to the sound of flowing water feels like traveling back through a thousand years. It’s an unforgettable experience.
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