My Hokkaido Trip

Contributed by Andy Wong, New Shan Travel

Otaru Canal on an autumn day

I have been dreaming of going to Hokkaido for ages. I remember watching Japan Hour that featured Hokkaido’s beautiful natural sceneries, world-class and family-friendly winter skiing facilities and activities, and mouth-watering fresh seafood caught from the cold deep waters off Hokkaido. My lust for Hokkaido was fuelled by friends regaling me with stories of their wonderful trips to Hokkaido, and never once did I hear anything negative about that place.

An opportunity surfaced to visit Hokkaido on a familiarization trip, and I smilingly ticked off one of the major items on my to-do list. 

As the plane descended on New Chitose Airport on a cool autumn afternoon, I began to feel a sense of achievement, like realizing one’s dream. The drive from the airport to my hotel in Niseko took about 2 hours. What struck me on the coach journey was the wide roads in Hokkaido (in contrast to the typical narrower roads on mainland Japan) and the smaller number of cars on the roads. Without the Japanese signs, I would have thought that I was in Australia. We reached Niseko Northern Resort, An’nupuri at 7pm, just in time for a sumptuous Japanese buffet dinner consisting of sashimi and sushi.

The next day, we proceeded to take a gondola ride up to Mt. Niseko Annupuri where we enjoyed sweeping views of Niseko, Mt. Yotei and Hirafu. By the time we got down, it was time for lunch. As you know, every meal in Japan can be an exhilarating experience.

After inspecting the ski facilities at Hirafu, we checked into Hotel Piano at Kiroro. Behind the hotel, there was a Hokkaido-style BBQ restaurant that serves the best BBQ seafood I have had.

Next stop – Otaru Canal. In the early 20th century, this canal was part of the port area where larger vessels unloaded their goods onto smaller boats, which then flowed along the canal to unload the goods at warehouses located along the canal. When the unloading process became mechanized, this area was redeveloped into a beautiful canal and the warehouses were transformed into museums, restaurants and specialty shops. With traditional gas lamps lighting up the area, coupled with drizzling snow in the winter nights, it is a very romantic place for couples.

The Otaru Music Box Museum features the development of music boxes or “orgel”, as it is known in Japan. The main building can be recognized by its brownish-red brick walls and renaissance-style arch-top windows. You definitely will not miss the Steam Clock just outside the museum. Made in Vancouver, the Steam Clock is powered entirely by steam, chimes every 15 minutes and blows the main-steam whistles on the hour. In the museum, you will see one of the largest collection of music boxes or orgel in all shapes and sizes. You can even customize your own music box for a small fee.

Just three minutes walk away from Otaru Music Box Museum is Kitaichi Glass Museum. Founded in 1901, it was then known as Asahara Glass. The first president, Hisakichi Asahara, began to produce kerosene lamps in Otaru. Kerosene lamps were part of life's necessities because electricity supply was unknown at that time. In 1910, he began to produce floating glass balls for fishing and the rest is history. Their exquisite handmade glassware in many shapes and forms can only be made by skilled craftsmen. It also has a workshop where the manufacturing process can be observed.

Kitaichi Glass Museum – Be careful not to swing your bag around. Once broken, considered sold! 

Maneki Neko or “Fortune Cat” music boxes       

Sushi music boxes! So real, you will want to eat them! 

Otaru Music Box Museum

Along the same street as Kitaichi Glass Museum, you will find many shops selling ice cream, confectionery and seafood. One shop that caught my eye was the one that was selling gigantic Hokkaido Crabs! The pictures below tell a thousand words.  

These Hokkaido crabs are actually

 bigger than what the pictures suggest.

There was no time to check out Ishiya Chocolate Factory so we headed to Odori Park where the landmark is the Sapporo TV Tower. Odori Park is situated in the centre of Sapporo City and is a green-belt area that provides a breather to the city dwellers. There are many shops around the area. Dinner time beckons! We were going to have Shabu-shabu, which is a Japanese variant of the hot pot.


The dish is related to sukiyaki in style, in that both use thinly sliced meat and vegetables
and are usually served with dipping sauces. As you can see, we had many servings of the freshest beef slices and generous refills of the soup base and ingredients. Service was top-notch as the waitresses replied “Hai!” to every request and fulfilled our whims and fancies within 2 minutes. Such shabu-shabu restaurants can be found in many places, and they are consistently good.

Odori Park with Sapporo Tower in the background

Aurora Town is an underground shopping mall

with plenty of shops and eateries. 

Next on the stop is shopping! We were brought to Mitsui Outlet Park in Sapporo. It is really huge and many international brands can be found there. For foodies, I particularly recommend the supermarket there where local farm produce can be freshly bought. It is called “Farm Village”. With an excellent shopping harvest, we checked into the airport hotel in order to catch the early morning flight home via Tokyo. With a heavy heart, I bid farewell silently to Hokkaido, but not before I ended my trip with a sumptuous sashimi dinner.

A sumptuous Sashimi dinner to end the trip!

*The views and opinions expressed in this article are that of the writer and do not represent the views of New Shan Travel.

Keeping Cosy in a Winter Wonderland

With the holidays just around the corner, it’s that time of the year where Singaporeans are eager to take a breather from the hustle and bustle of their lives as well as escape the sweltering heat. Be it jetting off to the Alps for a skiing adventure or Germany’s Winter Markets, it is paramount to be prepared for the sudden change in climate. Insight Vacations’ travel gurus offer 6 tips to stay warm this holiday season.

1. Cover up.

Did you know that three quarters of our body heat is lost through the top of our heads? Coats, scarves and gloves can only do so much. Stay especially toasty by throwing on a winter hat or a jacket with a hood. Keep your ears warm with some cute ear muffs too.

2. Layer it.

When it comes to winter coats, most Singaporeans think, “The thicker, the better”. Rather than piling up in bulky feather-downed jackets, try wearing multiple layers of thin clothing instead. Choose natural fabrics such as wool, silk, cotton, and cashmere which are just as warm. Layering helps keep the heat sealed in, and is definitely much easier to move around in.

3. Moisturise.

Being in a cold country takes away the luxury of humidity that we experience back home. Increased exposure to the cold air without proper care can lead to dry skin and chapped lips. Bring along an oil-based lotion or moisturiser to hydrate your skin during the trip. They can also be used as a remedy for dry hands or feet. Lip balm or medicated chapsticks which are easily available at pharmacies are good for soothing chapped lips. You will definitely feel the difference!

4.Unwind.

Hydrating yourself with plenty of water during the day is essential, but what better way to wind down after a long day out than with a hot beverage? Cafédirect’s São Tomé Luxury Hot Chocolate makes a satisfying drink to warm you up and relax your stiff limbs, and is perfect for diehard chocoholics who are watching their waistlines.

5. Socialise.

According to Researchers at The University of Toronto, social exclusion can make you feel colder than if you are spending time with people. Opt for packaged tours that offer a guided winter journey. Make a few new friends and the holiday of your dreams at the same time. Visit www.insightvacations.com to explore their variety of tour packages and maybe even meet new people who are interested in the same destinations (forums.insightvacations.com).

Book a winter tour with Insight Vacations at the NATAS Travel Fair from 24 August to 26 August and enjoy up to 32% off summer prices, and an additional 5% if you book in groups of 5 to 8. You will also receive a complimentary tin of Cafédirect’s São Tomé Luxury Hot Chocolate and a neck scarf. For more information, please contact 6338 7338, email: info@insightvacations.com.sg , or their website at www.insightvacations.com.

Feast Your Eyes in Eastern Europe

Article by Insight Vacations

Article written for www.natastravel.com

You can never truly appreciate the beauty of Europe until you actually go on a trip there yourself and soak in the sights. I remember one of the most magical trips I had was when I went on a tour with Insight Vacations, to visit the Christmas Markets in Vienna, Prague, and Budapest.

My friend Fiona first enticed me to head to Europe when she showed me photos of the Christmas Markets on her trip there. To quote her vivid description, “the sights, sounds and smells of a traditional market in a winter setting are part of an intangible experience that we cannot find here.” Before I knew it, I found myself booked and ready for a flight bound for Vienna.

Firstly, I have to say that Vienna was truly a feast for the eyes. From our hotel, the Hilton Vienna, we hopped down to neighbouring Stadtpark for a refreshing walk. Gilded statues of musicians, the most famous of which was composer Johann Strauss, were scattered against a picturesque backdrop of flora and fauna.

I could almost imagine the rum-pum-pum of his famous waltzes filling the air as I admired the bronze statue.

Top of the line international designer boutiques, some former purveyors to the Imperial and Royal Court, were just across the park in Kohlmarkt 6 and Kaerntnerstrass, where we enjoyed tax-refundable purchases.

There were several local cafes and gift shops within a stone’s throw of our accommodations as well, and for those who wanted their good ol’ frappe, there was always Starbucks. I could always pop out of my room for some shopping or a drink and be back in a jiffy.

After lunch, we took a short stroll to see fairyland Stefansplatz, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The sheer size of the square and its breathtakingly Baroque buildings were overwhelming. I was enveloped by majestic architectural monuments, a reminder of the monarchical past of Vienna. This was juxtaposed with the liveliness of a modern city as muted laughter punctuated the air. The sources of the revelry were beer gardens and wine taverns on the square, also known as 'Biergartens' and 'Heurigens'.

Juxtaposition of the old and the new in Vienna.

Just looking at this photo makes me feel tiny. Towering at 137m, the Stefansdom Gothic Spire is sure to dwarf even the world’s tallest person.

  

And of course one cannot forget to stop and capture a few shots of the magnificent statues along the square.

 The impressive view is completely transformed by nightfall.

Doesn't it transport you back to ancient times?

We thought we had seen everything until we walked right into a Christmas scene at Rathausplatz. The centrepiece at this traditional Christmas Market was the towering Christmas tree dazzlingly decorated with fairy lights.

The cornucopia of local crafts and traditional fare, traditional goodies like Bohemian Crystal and classic wooden toys were a feast for the eyes. I shopped to my heart’s content as I gladly gathered goodies to fill the Christmas stockings of my family and friends.

Europe is most definitely a recommended destination for those who love to soak up the awe-inspiring sights of Europe. A special feeling lingers long after you leave these huge bazaars in medieval European towns. This surreal old-world charm is a whole new experience for those of us used to commercialised festive celebrations in Singapore. I had a wonderful time with Insight Vacations, and next Christmas I am definitely joining them again to experience a new kind of magic.