Slept quite well on Hamanasu with the aid of a relaxant. The seats were heated and it got a little too hot halfway through to the extent that I had to remove one layer of pants to prevent myself from sweating too much in the heat.
Reached Sapporo super early in the morning and went to dump luggage at Mitsui Garden Sapporo. Then we went in search for breakfast before our day trip out. Settled for Yoshinoya and Tobs got tempted by the unagi set. We got that (the one with 2 eels!), a mid sized gyu don with salad topping, and then added on another gyu topping at the end cos we had a lot more rice that needed to go with some gyu.
At the end when we were getting the bill, it all came up to Y2130. When the cashier announced the total price, the male diner near us gave us a look. I guess one would not expect to pig out on so much food at a fast food chain like Yoshinoya? Haha.
Stopped by Ueshima Coffee cos I wanted to get their seasonal special - matcha latte with ginger. It tasted quite yummy and offered us a place to chill before our 9am bus. Got a package that included return bus rides and a dip in one of the onsens at Jozenki. We headed to Hoheikyo first and had to trek super long just to reach the electric bus station. Big buses aren't allowed in the area for environmental concerns.
Alternatively, you could also trek all the way to the dam but we had just come a super long way from the station to the electric bus stop so we took the return electric bus instead. The view was different, fringed by the huge dam on one side, and a lake on the other. We took lots of pictures and then trekked up to view the dam from another vantage point. Thank God for the fantastic weather. I hope the photos do it justice!
Then it was time to get lunch and bathe. We were left with only one choice since most onsen resorts offer the latter but not the former. Ended up in Daiichi hotel and topped up Y200 for towels (cos obviously we didn't have any with us). Lunch in the resort was soba and ten don but the service was quite appalling and slow. Food was not bad but the lady who served us at the beginning really left a bad impression. Damage: Y3024
Went to soak in the onsen to get rid of all the tiredness. I love the outdoor pool where you get a nice view of the autumn scenery. Had to get out by about 1530 so that we could catch the return bus back to Sapporo.
All these long bus rides are good for sleeping. By the time we reached Sapporo, it was 1800ish and we went in search for food. Bagged F-cup at Y360 which was fantastic as usual. Tobs also bought a Chou-like item that was expensive (Y185) and didn't taste that great. Found the rum puffs at a discount that day (Y98) and Tobs ate 1 and then bought another 4. We also had a grape tart (with the largest grapes that I've ever seen around).
En route back on the bus, I saw a crepe van and plenty of ppl around it either queuing or eating. I must must get it! So we walked to the junction at Big Camera and bought a maron crepe. The crepe was soft and fragrant, the toppings were quite generous. My only gripe is that I can't bite into the ice cream without feel sharp stings in my teeth :( but it was an awesome crepe. Wished we each had one!
The hotel was comfortable with considerable space (by Japanese standards). Watched a documentary commemorating the 100th anniversary of Tokyo or sth and was super impressed by how far ahead civilization was in the early 1900s in Japan as compared to the rest of the world. They would have achieved much much more without the war.
Day 4
Didn't opt for the hotel breakfast cos there was not much sene in paying Y1500 for a semi international buffet spread when all I really want to eat is Jspanese local breakfast. We went in search of Sukiya and stopped by the Government House for more photo opportunities.
I super duper heart the cheese gyu don at Sukiya. They are also the only one that offers an option between small and medium sized bowls which gives the rice portion of the small bowl but much more meat. Exactly the way I like it. Plus it costs the same as a regular medium bowl (more rice less meat) so why not!
Decided to hang around the city because we wanted to try this highly rated restaurant Saveur. But the lunch only begins at 12. Walked about Sapporo a bit and went poking around Don Quihote. Bought a back straightener which I immediately tried. Tobs will prob get one himself too. Was highly annoyed when we smelt something awesome (butter croissant-like aroma) but just could not identify where it was coming from. After walking around the area a few times, we gave up. Not before sitting down outside KFC for a bit and drooling over the ads for a new product - KFC chicken with Yuzu and chili spices. Hope to try it sometime!
At Saveur, you had the option of the Saveur lunch set for Y2100 and the Special lunch set for Y4850. After some great difficulty in communicating with the waitress, we realized we can have one of each - both diners must order the same set. So, in a wise moment of indulgence, we opted for the Special set. And it was mega duper awesome. All praise for it even up to the last course. Although this was quite a huge spending but it was worth it. The chef and the lady boss even saw us to the lift and thanked us for dining with them. What wonderful hospitality. I hope they will still be around the next time I visit Sapporro.
Since we hung around Sapporo for lunch, that means we had to head down to Noboribetsu after lunch Rushed for the train and made it to Noboribetsu but the weather was gloomy (started raining as well) and it was not within walking distance to Hell Valley. Bus was Y320 each and infrequent. A taxi ride would have costed Y1900. It was unfortunate but we had to turn back.
When we reached Sapporo we went to grab our sweets first. Good thing we did so cos we got the last C cup. When we dropped by Le Tao to take a look at their maron cake which was sold out the day before, we realized it was a chiffon cake and decided not to get it in the end.
Tobs grabbed the mon blanc he wnted but it wasn't as fantastic as the Ginza one. The Chou stick, however, was quite yummy. I loved the crust that was similar to that of cookie Chou, except better cos it had nut bits on it as well. :)
Decided to try a nabe place that was ranked quite highly on tabelog. Ordered their bite-sized gyoza, mentai tamago (yums!!) and a nabe pot that was recommended WITHOUT ASKING WHAT MEAT WAS IN THE POT. Both of us assumed it was normal meat or seafood.
When the pot came and cooked, we realized it wasn't. And the waitress informed it was beef intestines. But it was quite fatty and I only had 2 pieces. Tobs didn't even manage to eat one. In the end we ate all the veg in the pot and left the most precious part, the fatty beef intestines untouched. Most expensive price we paid for a pot of veg (Y1280Y each). Luckily we had the sweets as a nice round up.
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