Kitakaro is a renowned sweets shop and café chain in Hokkaido. In Sapporo’s Omotesando, the main store sits on the second floor of a repurposed library which was originally built in 1926, giving it a charming old-world atmosphere. Not only sweets, their senbei (rice crackers) are amazing.

Hakodate, Sapporo, Kushiro 2024 February Ramen "Ajisai" in Hakodate Ikameshi (Squid Rice) near Mori station Pastryy at Rokkatei Goryoukaku cafe Seafood grill at "Noah's Arc" in Sapporo Sweets, rice cracker and cafe at Kitakaro, Sapporo Miso ramen, Kushiro A Japanese confectionery called "Hougan sama" only sold at Rokkatei Hokkaido Jingu cafe "Haskapp Jewelry" cookie recommended by a Sapporo local Scallop butter rice ball sold at the train station "Morihiko" coffee and much mo

Hokkaido Along the way - looking out from the car (sightseeing taxi in Kushiro) and JR local train (Hakodate - Sapporo - Kushiro) February, 2024

Sapporo, Hokkaido Hokkaido Jingu (Hokkaido Shrine) in Sapporo is Hokkaido's most important Shinto shrine , enshrining deities of land development, including Emperor Meiji, offering spiritual support, good fortune, and beautiful cherry blossoms in Maruyama Park, especially popular for New Year's and spring festivals. It's a significant cultural site with natural beauty, wildlife, traditional rituals, and opportunities to buy amulets, serving as a spiritual heart for the region

Hokkaido February 2024 The Sapporo Snow Festival ( Sapporo Yuki Matsuri ) is a massive annual winter event in Sapporo, Japan, held for about a week in February, featuring spectacular, large-scale snow and ice sculptures at three main sites: Odori Park (giant sculptures, illuminations), Susukino (intricate ice sculptures), and Tsudome (family snow play) . Originating in 1950 from high school students building snow statues, it has grown into a world-famous festival attracting m

Hokkaido Sapporo Clock Tower, Sapporo TV Tower, JR Sapporo station, Susukino at night (February 2024) Sapporo (札幌, "important river flowing through a plain" in Ainu language) is the capital of Hokkaido and Japan's fifth largest city . In the beginning of the Meiji Period (1868-1912), when the development of Hokkaido started on a large scale, Sapporo was chosen as the island's administrative center and enlarged according to the advice of foreign specialists. Sapporo became

Hokkaido "Washo market" is the oldest market in Kushiro, established in 1954. It's one of Hokkaido's three major markets, alongside Hakodate Morning Market and Sapporo Nijo Market. Located just a 5-minute walk from JR Kushiro Station, it boasts excellent accessibility. About 50 shops line its aisles, including fresh seafood stores, dried and salted goods shops, delicatessens, greengrocers, and butcher shops, continuing to be a beloved "kitchen" for the locals. https://www.was

Hokkaido The Akanko Ainu Kotan is one of the largest Ainu kotan (settlements) in Hokkaido, inhabited by about 120 people. It is a place where Ainu culture is shared through the experience of interacting, making, eating, inheriting, unleashing and living with nature, based on the Ainu belief that souls reside in all things.