Winter in Hokkaido | Day 4: Noboribetsu Jigokudani (Hell Valley), Snow World Wattsu, Sapporo City

by Wan Qing - July 27, 2017

26 December 2016 (Monday)

After having our breakfast, we departed to Noboribetsu Hell Valley (Jigokudani 地獄谷) which is just less than 5 minutes away from our hotel. We were supposed to visit this place the day before, but the sky was dark by the time we reached Noboribetsu. Jigokudani is the main source of hot spring waters in Noboribetsu.

This place is actually really huge and you can spend quite some time over here exploring the walking trails, dipping your feet in the hot spring at designated areas but in the winter, some of these are not passable therefore we only wandered around the entrance. The colours of Jigokudani varies as the seasons change too. The sulphur smell wasn't that strong when I was there but will probably get stronger as you go further along the walking trails.

fail panaroma again-

We continued out journey to Wattsu for snowmobiling!! If you're in Hokkaido during the winter, you really really really have to try this! Although not cheap la ha ha it's exclusive of the tour fees so additional ¥10000 (~RM380) per pax.

The diesel smelled realllyyyyyyy bad even though I was wearing my mask omg I thought my snow mobile was gonna explode or something. We drove in one long line and were not allowed to cut the person in front sigh I was driving around 10km/h all the while :( the adventurous me would LOVE to speed lol

We stopped at the top of the mountains(?) for some pictures.

childhood snow angel dream came true?

Click here for more info regarding the snow mobile activity and locations.

On the way to lunch at Sapporo, we got to see these people clearing up the streets from snow!

JAPANESE SUKIYAKI!!!

The authentic one where you don't soak the meat in one big pot of soup. It's a buffet hence free flow of meat!

Lunch @ 牛屋江戸八 (website)

Opening hours: 11:30am-3pm, 5-11:30pm daily

While waiting for our bus, it started snowing outside!!! Everyone was so excited so we went out for pictures.

"Eh too white leh Qing you turn your back then we can take picture of the snow"

uhm ok-

We then proceeded to Tanukikoji Shopping Arcade (狸小路商店街). I just realised I didn't take any photos of it but it consists of a few roofed shopping streets. We bought lots of Japanese snacks over there and the pharmacy has some great deals too.

Do get these when you're there! And of course Royce chocolates.

白い恋人 (Shiroi Koibito)

じゃがポックル (Jaga Pokkuru)

Next, we went over to Odori Park where the Sapporo TV Tower is situated.

(Left the dslr in the bus so.. this is the best my phone can do)

The Formal Hokkaido Government Office-

BBQ Dinner! The amount of meat intake on this day x_x

Dinner @ 北海道料理宮の森 (website)

Opening hours: 11am-9pm daily

Otw back to our hotel, we were told that we can walk over to the Susukino Crossing (すすきの) , a very happening place in the city. Most of the people stayed indoors but my mum and I were like quick let's go HAHA

(Okay so wikipedia just told me it's actually a red-light district... Yes we saw lots of shops where you can browse a "menu" of guys/girls, go in and talk/drink with them, more service then extra charge la ahaha that was what my tour guide said)

The reason why Japanese use transparent plastic umbrellas is because of the snow blowing in sideways sometimes due to the wind! Most of the time you need to block the snow in front of you/ prevent them from falling into your eyes and you need to know where you're going hence the transparent umbrella.

The snow got real heavy and we went underground for awhile because it was too cold.

Susukino Ramen Alley-

Every single shop here sells ramen and the stores are relatively small where you sit around the counter/ where they cook and there are no tables for family. We were still full from the dinner and felt they might chase us out if we take up 4 seats and only order 2 bowls hence we did not have any :/