Frozen Fantasy

I've visited Japan three times yet I've still got two unfulfilled dreams, first is experiencing hanami in Japan and the second is visiting Sapporo's Snow Festival. This news from Mainichi about 'Frozen Fantasy' in Sapporo makes me think..' when will I visit Hokkaido again..?'

These pictures courtesy of Mainichi news..

Ramen Walker

Ramen or Japanese noodle is one of my favorite foods and almost every region in Japan has its own variety, from my favorite tonkotsu ramen of Kyushu to miso ramen from Hokkaido.

Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido is famous for its rich miso ramen which is ideal for Hokkaido's snowy winter. Should you visit Sapporo and want to try the local famous ramen, you just need to find one place called Sapporo Ramen Kyowakoku (Sapporo Republic Ramen) in ESTA building level 10 just next to Sapporo JR station. You'd find more than a dozen ramen shops with its specialty and you can try different ramen each day just like what I did during my four days visit in this city.

During my trip in Japan last year-end, I could't resist to try every ramen I found in every city I dropped by, not only in Hokkaido but some other cities like Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto as well. Here are some of my ramen's shots:

Starts from my favorite ramen in Sapporo, these two ramens are from Sapporo Ramen Kyowakoku.

This one was the best one, unfortunately I couldn't remember the name

Sapporo miso ramen

Miso ramen in Asahikawa

Shoyu ramen in Hakodate

Shio (salty) ramen in Shinagawa (Tokyo)

Tonkotsu ramen in Kyoto

Shoyu ramen in Shinsekai, Osaka

Miso ramen in Namba, Osaka

One ramen shop in Sapporo Ramen Kyowakoku

Free eggs from above shop in Sapporo Ramen Kyowakoku

Yes the eggs are free! One of ramen shops in Sapporo Ramen Kyowakoku offers free eggs with your ramen, you can eat as many as boiled egg with you ramen for free.

Itadakimasu!..

Sapporo - Blessed by Snow

Saturday, December 26, 2009, New Chitose Airport in Sapporo scrubbed 40 departing and 32 arriving flights due to blizzards and poor weather caused by a low-pressured system that passed by that southern coast of Hokkaido island, dumping heavy snow that overwhelmed its snow-dozing capacity, said the official.

How lucky I was as I had left that island on Christmas day, just the day before! Otherwise I'd be camped out on the airport's seats and I'd need to reschedule my trip in Japan.

Visiting Sapporo in winter time really is an unforgettable experience full with fun and a joy of white Christmas! I spent 3 nights in that beautiful and dazzling city famous for its fresh seafood and ramen!

Here are some of my photos from strolling around Odori Park enjoying White Christmas Illumination and German Christmas Market, Clock Tower (only 2 minutes walk from Odori Park) and TV Tower.

The beautiful view of Odori Park from TV Tower, Sapporo

Sapporo White Illumination at Odori Park

German Christmas Market at Odori Park

Clock Tower

Sapporo city's night view

These are the authentic Sapporo ramen shops in Sapporo Ramen Kyowakoku (Sapporo Republic Ramen) at level 10 of ESTA building next to Sapporo station east/north entrance.

Sapporo Ramen Kyowakoku

If you need any info about Sapporo, some friendly staffs at Tourist Information desk always ready to help you, just find The Hokkaido Sapporo Information Center inside Sapporo JR station on 1F, West Concourse, North Exit (North6, West 4). They open from 8:30am – 8:00pm year round (JR Information window closes at 7 pm) phone: 011-213-5088