A short trip to Hokkaido.

[blu-by-u]

Re: A short trip to Hokkaido.

Hokkaido's former Gov building.







There was a group doing a photoshoot and I just helped myself

[iso]

Re: A short trip to Hokkaido.

Great set Blu - Were thinking of going to Japan next year, but after your exhaustive record, I think we have seen it all

[blu-by-u]

Re: A short trip to Hokkaido.

With my exchange rate, they are And unlike winter, they are already melting the moment you take them into your hands. You have to eat them VERY fast.

Great set Blu - Were thinking of going to Japan next year, but after your exhaustive record, I think we have seen it all

You can't say that..I have only covered a small part of Hokkaido. Central Japan, Kyoto all offers a very different scene.

[blu-by-u]

Re: A short trip to Hokkaido.

Otaru. Most famous is this Otaru Canal.


and the shopping



At one end of the street is this interesting shop..


They sell these movements...

[blu-by-u]

Re: A short trip to Hokkaido.

Forgot to mention..this clock that runs on steam

[blu-by-u]

Re: A short trip to Hokkaido.

An interesting shop next door..



If you are a fan of Studio Ghibli with Anime shows like Spirited away, My Neighbour Totoro and etc, you will find lots of the stuff there.

[blu-by-u]

Re: A short trip to Hokkaido.

And my favorite shop is this.



They provide free juice, coffee or tea with a cup purchase and I bout this this time.


(taken with an iphone)

This set bought from the same shop in 2013

[blu-by-u]

Re: A short trip to Hokkaido.

Another shopping place is at Tanukikoji



and at junction 3/4 , leads to a huge underground mall

[blu-by-u]

Re: A short trip to Hokkaido.

Okurayama
The 1972 Winter Olympic Ski jump stadium.




A view of the Sapporo town from the top

[blu-by-u]

Re: A short trip to Hokkaido.

And lastly the Hokkaido Shrine before departing for home.

[blu-by-u]

Re: A short trip to Hokkaido.

Good Luck charms that was hung there..


Buying those charms.


More pictures here in my flickr.
Most shots are from the EM1.2, mzd12-100 and mzd14-150. Unless mentioned, iPhone or Asus.

[Phill D]

Re: A short trip to Hokkaido.

Looks like you had a great holiday Blu and got some nice images from that new lens. You've given us an excellent summary of a very interesting culture. I was lucky enough to visit Kobe several years ago for work but we did have a day at the weekend to explore Kyoto which was a fascinating experience. Japan is the only country I've been to where there was a real feeling of isolation. As I don't speak any Japanese when I was exploring on my own I just didn't understand anything. Even McDonalds was a mystery when there were no pictures to point at . If you get to Kyoto on a future holiday I'd love to see some images.

[blu-by-u]

Re: A short trip to Hokkaido.

I know that feeling of being suddenly dumb. Am an Asian Chinese but unfortunately I do not speak or read any chinese. In the past I have traveled to China, Taiwan and Jap on business related visits and have become dumb. It is a very unnerving experience. When you are out on the streets alone and have to figure things out and worst order food.

So having this fully planned guided tour All meals and itinerary planned is good for a non chinese or japanese.

Having mentioned that, Unlike in the past, having to only point to pictures, I think the internet is really good as many of the shops that I have visited including some out of the normal tourist area can understand some basic english. Manage to order food, drinks...did not have to resort to a Mcd as in Finland where I had to point to what I wanted

[OM USer]

Re: A short trip to Hokkaido.

Phew - a whirlwind tour. Nice. Thanks.