I first had a brief taste of Japan back in May 2017 when we joined a cruise that made short stops at Okinawa and Ishigaki Islands (Read here). Those visits were little more than a glimpse, leaving me hoping that one day I would return to explore the country more fully.
Nine years later, that opportunity finally came. This time, it was a family holiday with Serene and her family.
Now that my two grandchildren in Western Australia are in high school, travelling together to a foreign country seemed the perfect way to reconnect with them while exploring new places and creating lasting family memories. Serene chose Hokkaido as our destination, with Sapporo and Furano forming the heart of our itinerary. From 8 to 15 July, we spent a wonderful week exploring the region, soaking in its natural beauty, and sampling a wide variety of local delicacies, many of which were completely new to us.
Odori Park & TV Tower
Our first stop in Sapporo was Odori Park, located beside the iconic Sapporo TV Tower. Often described as the green heart of the city, Odori Park stretches through the very centre of Sapporo. Although it is known today as a beautiful urban park, it was originally created as a wide firebreak to separate the government district from the residential and commercial areas. Over the years, it has transformed into one of Japan's most attractive and vibrant city parks.
Now that my two Aussie grandchildren are in high school, exploring a foreign country could be a better way to re-connect with them and to see and experience new things together. Serene decided to visit Hokkaido - specifically to explore Sapporo and Furano.
Our very first stop in Sapporo is the Odori Park next to the TV Tower. Reckoned as the green heart of Sapporo, it is at the centre of Sapporo. Although called a park, it was originally created as a wide firebreak separating the government district from the residential and commercial areas. Over time, it evolved into one of Japan's most attractive urban parks.
Standing with my grandson, Nathan, near the iconic Sapporo TV Tower, with the famous
"SAPPORO" flower display in the foreground - a favourite photo spot for both locals and visitors alike. Nathan has grown even taller since we last met in Perth in April last year. Watching him grow up while creating new memories together has made this trip all the more special.(
Read here).
As it was lunch time when we dropped by the park, we saw office workers eating lunch on the lawns, families relaxing, children playing around the fountains, and visitors enjoying the flowers at the gardens.
Tanukikoji Shopping Street
From Odori Park, we made our way to another of Sapporo's iconic attractions - the Tanukikoji Shopping Street. This fully covered shopping arcade has been part of the city's history for more than 150 years, dating back to the early years of Sapporo's development as the capital of Hokkaido.
More than just a shopping destination, Tanukikoji offers visitors a glimpse into the heart and soul of Sapporo. We spent quite some time strolling through the lively arcade, which stretches for about 900 metres across seven blocks (1-chome to 7-chome). Along the way, we passed around 200 shops, cafés, restaurants and speciality stores, making it a delightful place to browse, shop and sample local delicacies.
In fact, we returned to Tanukikoji more than once during our stay in Sapporo.
As we strolled along the bustling Tanukikoji Shopping Street, we were amazed by the incredible variety of local delicacies on display. From freshly grilled seafood and sweet treats to colourful desserts and savoury snacks, every few steps revealed another tempting speciality. We stopping at one of the food stalls to sample a unique local favourite - the Fisherman's Rice Ball. Unlike an ordinary rice ball, it is grilled to order, giving it a crispy crust while keeping the centre soft and fluffy. It is topped with salmon bonito flakes. The rice ball is served with a cup of hot soup, which diners pour themselves from a large container on a table. That was a simple Hokkaido culinary experience.
