黃國棟's Reviews Page 2/5

I highly recommend stopping by Michi-no-Eki Ryuhyo-Kaido Abashiri! This rest area brings together Abashiri sightseeing information, souvenirs, and food, so you can conveniently buy a variety of local specialties all in one place. The atmosphere inside is relaxed, and you can also enjoy views of the Sea of Okhotsk. It is not far from Abashiri Station, making it an easy stop whether you are traveling by car or exploring the city. If you visit in winter, you can also experience Abashiri's unique drift ice season. It is worth a visit!

When visiting Abashiri, Hokkaido, you definitely shouldn't miss the winter-only drift ice experience! I boarded the Abashiri Drift Ice Sightseeing Icebreaker Ship "Aurora" and headed toward the silvery-white world of the Sea of Okhotsk, hoping to see the winter drift ice with my own eyes.

Before we left, everyone kept telling me, "There definitely won't be any ice this time!" After all, seeing drift ice really depends on luck. Whether you encounter a vast expanse of it is entirely up to the weather and sea conditions. Unexpectedly, I was extremely lucky this time and actually saw a huge expanse of ice! Seeing all that white drift ice floating on the surface of the sea was still incredibly striking. I was completely satisfied just to see scenery like this.

In the cold sea breeze, looking out over the endless silvery-white sea of ice really captured the unique charm of winter in Hokkaido.

And since they had beer on the ship... of course I had to have one〜 Drinking beer while standing in the cold wind and watching the drift ice also felt very Hokkaido!

I was really lucky to encounter so much ice on this trip. Sometimes travel is just like that—the weather, season, and luck all have to line up perfectly for you to see the scenery you've been looking forward to most.

When you come to Sapporo, the Sapporo Clock Tower somehow makes you stop and take notice. I was just heading to Tanukikoji Shopping Street when I passed this classic landmark along the way. From a distance, the snow-covered wooden building stood out against the cityscape, making it hard not to go closer and take a few photos.

The Clock Tower has a unique romantic charm in winter. The roof, trees, and surrounding streets are all covered in white, and at night, warm lights illuminate the entire building, making it even more captivating. Some attractions are just like that—you don't need to plan a special visit. Coming across them by chance during your trip can make them even more memorable.

A historic park that preserves Hokkaido's history, symbolized by its red-brick silos.

I visited in winter this time, and the snow in the park was really deep, making it a little difficult to explore farther inside. Fortunately, the three iconic red-brick silos are near the entrance, just a short walk away, so I was still able to capture the classic view!

The red-brick silos covered in white snow create a quiet, nostalgic Hokkaido winter atmosphere that feels very different from the other seasons.

When visiting Hakodate's Motomachi area and strolling along its streets filled with international charm, you shouldn't miss the historic Hakodate St. John's Church.

The church was originally built in 1874 and was one of the early Anglican missionary bases in northern Japan. After fires, the building seen today was rebuilt in 1979. Its most eye-catching feature is the distinctive cross-shaped roof, which stands out when viewed from nearby streets or from above.

The white exterior and clean rooflines are simple yet dignified, blending Western church style with elements of Japanese architecture. I visited in winter this time, and the church against the white snow created an even more peaceful and romantic atmosphere.

Hakodate's Motomachi area itself has a very international feel, and slowly strolling through the snowy scenery really captures the feeling of winter travel in Hokkaido.

Onuma Quasi-National Park is one of Hokkaido's well-known attractions, offering different beautiful scenery in every season. It's also very easy to get to. Take the JR train to Onuma-Koen Station, and it's just a short walk from there. We chose to drive this time, which was also very convenient.

During our winter visit, the entire park was covered in snow and the lake was frozen, creating a silvery-white landscape. Together with the clear blue sky, the scenery was especially captivating. Winter-only activities such as ice fishing for pond smelt and sledding are also available, making it a great place to experience a different kind of winter fun in Hokkaido.

While visiting Muroran, Hokkaido, I stopped by the historic Former Muroran Station Building. It is one of the oldest wooden station buildings in Hokkaido and still retains its Meiji-era architectural style. When visiting in winter, the wooden building against the white snow feels even more nostalgic and romantic.

Inside the station building, there is a visitor information center, a museum about the history of the former Muroran Station, and a small railway museum where you can learn about the development of Muroran's railways. The most interesting part is that you can try on JR Hokkaido uniforms and hats for free, which also makes for fun souvenir photos!

Although Muroran is cold in winter, the snowy scenery paired with the old station building has a charm of its own. It's a small attraction that's easy to visit along the way while getting a sense of Hokkaido's history.

Nishiki Onuma Park offers different activities in every season, including hiking, camping, canoeing, and smelt fishing. It’s a great place to visit for anyone who enjoys being close to nature. On this winter visit, the entire park was covered in snow, with endless white fields stretching out before us and snow-covered Mount Tarumae visible in the distance. The scenery felt quintessentially Hokkaido.

There weren’t many noisy tourists, just a peaceful snowy landscape. Walking through it really felt like stepping into a postcard of winter in Hokkaido.

One of the classic souvenirs you have to buy when visiting Hokkaido!

Hanabatake Ranch Fresh Caramel is made with carefully selected ingredients and meticulous methods. It has a soft, delicate texture that slowly melts in your mouth, releasing a rich milky flavor. It's really unique.

Unlike regular caramel, which tends to be chewier, fresh caramel is smoother and melts in your mouth. The rich milky flavor goes down easily, making it hard to stop at just one. Before you know it, they're all gone.

Among Hokkaido souvenirs, this is a very iconic classic treat. It's well worth trying if you like a rich milky flavor!

When you come to Hokkaido, one of the most highly recommended souvenirs is White Black Thunder! The white chocolate and crunchy texture make it sweet and rich. It’s a popular chocolate bar available only in Hokkaido, and people often buy several boxes at a time. It’s very convenient as a souvenir.

But honestly~

I personally think it’s a little too sweet, so I don’t especially like it! But my family loves it, so I still bring some back for them every time I come to Hokkaido.