In Nara, you have to try the famous “Mahoroba Daibutsu Pudding”! The first thing that caught my eye was the pudding jar lid, which features a cute Daibutsu design. It’s small and so adorable that you won’t want to throw it away even after finishing the pudding.
The pudding is delicious, and even the jar has a distinct Nara feel, making it perfect as a souvenir. It’s cute and tasty, so it’s no wonder it has become such a popular Nara dessert!
Sapporo TV Tower
Built in 1956 on Nishi 1-chome, the starting point of Odori Park, the Sapporo TV Tower is well known to locals and tourists alike as a landmark of Sapporo that has witnessed the city's development since its completion.
Sapporo TV Tower is next to Odori Park and is one of Sapporo's most iconic landmarks. You can see its tall red structure from far away, and when you get close, it really feels like, “I've arrived in Sapporo!”
This time, I stopped by Sapporo TV Tower and admired it while taking a walk through Odori Park. The surrounding scenery was very pleasant. The tower looks different from every angle, and it's also a great place to take photos as keepsakes.
Hokkaido Shrine
Hokkaido Shrine, one of the most prominent shrines in Hokkaido, is located in Chuo District, Sapporo City. Its history is long, which began in 1869, when the Emperor Meiji directed to enshrine “Kaitaku Sanshin (Developing Three Deities)” here as a place of faith for pioneers.
Hokkaido Shrine isn't just a place to worship; it's also a distinctive stop on a trip to Hokkaido. The shrine grounds have a solemn yet pleasant atmosphere, and walking along the approach, you can really feel the traditional Japanese ambiance.
What impressed me most this time was the little squirrel fortune at the shrine. It was just so cute! The tiny squirrel design was adorable, and I couldn't stop taking photos of it while holding it. It's completely different from an ordinary fortune slip, and I thought it made a perfect little keepsake from this trip to Hokkaido.
Otaru Triangle Market
The Otaru Triangle Market, nestled between JR Otaru Station and National Route 5, is a small yet historic marketplace with origins dating back to the 1940s. It began with a few street vendors and developed as a morning market, accumulating over 60 years of history. Just a minute's walk from Otaru Station, the market is conveniently accessible and, except for New Year's Day, is open almost daily. Its reputation for affordable prices attracts a steady flow of both locals and tourists from Japan and abroad. The market's name derives from its triangular-shaped plot and roof.
Otaru Triangle Market is packed with seafood stalls. All kinds of fresh fish, crab, scallops, sea urchin, and more look very tempting. The stalls are lined up one after another, giving the market a lively, traditional atmosphere.
The biggest draw is the wide variety of seafood rice bowls. The ingredients look fresh and plentiful, and as you walk around, you can't help but keep looking and wanting to try everything. Besides shopping and seeing the canal in Otaru, I also highly recommend visiting Triangle Market to experience the local seafood culture!
