[JP; 2018] 2 days self-drive in Hokkaido! (Asahikawa - Furano - Sapporo)

We had 2 full days in Hokkaido, and the best mode of transport for such a cold weather is the car! & it was the best decision we had ever made, the weather was so crazy cold that being in the car was heaven!

We had no itinerary for the 2 days of self-driving. The only thing we had was a borrowed guide book, so while my dad drives, I will start flipping the book for interesting destinations in the whole hokkaido. (I think we were too ambitious but it somehow worked out)

Times Car Rental @ Asahikawa Station 

Tabirai Japan, http://en.tabirai.net/car/;
JPY16,840 for 51 hours (SGD$215), inclusive of the highest tier insurance coverage

Tabirai is a rather user friendly 3rd party site that has a full range of rental cars dealers in Japan... and the plus point - you do not need to pay any deposit upon booking.

It is actually just JPY13,600 for 51 hours on Tabirai with very basic insurance coverage. But during the collection, Times Car was encouraging us to top-up to the highest tier as it was my dad's first time driving on the icy roads. Which made sense; JPY3,000 to buy an assurance was not that expensive.

& my dad got to drive his favourite Japanese brand car - Mazda! Kudos to Times Car for the clean and well maintained car, that we really enjoyed the car ride!

[DAY 1] Asahikawa Zoo @ Asahikawa

Asahikawa Zoo was the reason why we decided to stay in Asahikawa!

Asahikawa Zoo, http://www.city.asahikawa.hokkaido.jp/asahiyamazoo/;
JPY820 / adult (SGD$10)

The most famous activity in Asahikawa Zoo is - PEGUIN PARADE! & we manage to get there in time to catch the peguins waddle in the fluffy snow.

My favourite 2 shots!

Other cool animals like polar bear...

& my favourite animal all time - GIRAFFE!

There were many other animals, but I shall not share further otherwise it will be like some spoiler. We had some small bites from the stalls in the Zoo. I can't describe how amazing a normal hot soup can be in the cold freezing weather.

For those who wish to revive your childhood, there is a "mini" playground where you get to sit on icy slides!

[DAY 1] Ramen Village @ Asahikawa

We were hungry after the Zoo visit, and the Ramen Village was the best place to visit!

Asahikawa Ramen Village, http://www.ramenmura.com;
4 Chome-119-48 Nagayama 11 Jo, Asahikawa, Hokkaido 079-8421

  

There were plenty of ramen restaurants to pick from, and we chose 天金 Tenkin!

The ramen was so good looking and delicious, same for the don!

After a nice meal, we decided to go for UNIQLO shopping! It is just 1min walking distance from the ramen village.

[DAY 1] Snow Crystal Museum @ Asahikawa

Took this shot while my dad was driving to the Museum, it was almost sunset time!

We got to see our first sunset in Hokkaido outside the Museum!

& this is the Snow Crystal Museum!

雪の美術館 Snow Crystal Museum, http://yukibi.marryblossom.com;
3-1-1 Kamuicho Harushinai, Asahikawa 070-8028, Hokkaido

As it was nearing their closing hours, so we decided not to purchase the entrance tickets into the Museum.

I really liked the surroundings that much, I felt like I was in some Europe country. It will be great if they cleared the snow abit more so I could take better photos.

& we built our first mini snowman over there!

[DAY 1] Unknown Restaurant @ Asahikawa

My mum always heard people bragging how delicious Hokkaido's crabs were. So my dad drove around the Asahikawa city area and we found this "home style" restaurant tucked at a corner of the street.

Without knowing what is the Japanese menu about and the price of the crabs, we bravely had our dinner there.

This dinner costed a big hole in my pocket, the most expensive meal we had in our whole Japan trip! But it was definitely worth the price for the good quality food and also the people we met in the restaurant. Met this 3 Japanese uncles that tried to be the bridge of communication between us and the restaurant owner. And eventually 7 of us were trying to share things in super broken English and body language. Best thing I heard from them was I'm only 18! (& they were serious)

Thankful for the moment. (':

[DAY 2] Miyamatoge Art Park @ Furano

Next day we decided to leave Asahikawa to the nearby city Furano. However all the farms were closed in the winter period. ):

While we were driving along Furano looking for something to see & do, we spotted this art park. (it wasn't even in the guide book) It was a random encounter; perks of having no itineraries!

Miyamatoge Art Park 深山峠アートパーク, http://tokachidake.com;
Miyamatoge Kita 33-go Nishi 8-sen, Kamifurano-cho, Sorachi-gun 071-0508, Hokkaido

Amazing weather with a super impressive Ferris Wheel, there is also a trick eye museum next to the wheel.

But what caught our eye was the field of snow!

The snow over there was so thick, it was around my knee level. It was so fun that I sunk into the snow and got stuck!

[DAY 2] Furano Jam Garden @ Furano

Furano Jam Garden, https://www.furanojam.com/furano_us;
3 Higashirokugo, Furano, Hokkaido 076-0162

The Jam Garden is an area with a factory selling freshly made jam and also the famous cartoon character Anpanman's shop!

Anpanman's Shop

Anpanman's shop entrance was rather cute, just that the snow was so thick that we could only see their heads bobbing out.

It sells all kinds of Anpanman items at Level 1.

And there was an art museum at Level 2! How I wish I can bring one back home!

Kyohsai Farm's Furano Jam Garden

Right beside the Anpanman's shop is the famous Kyohsai Farm!

It has a wide variety of jam, and all visitors get to do jam tasting!

Other than the jams, they have this famous toast in their cafe; bread plus butter coated with sugar powder!

The most amazing high-tea view with an amazing bread. The butter literately melts like ice cream in the mouth.

[DAY 2] とみ川 Tomikawa @ Furano

とみ川 Tomikawa, www.furanotomikawa.com;
5 Rokugo Shigaichi, Furano, Hokkaido 076-0161

 This ramen stall was recommend by the cashier at the Anpanman's shop!

The soup base was really rich & flavory.

[DAY 2] Sapporo Factory @ Sapporo

There wasn't much things to see in Furano, so we decided to drive further to the biggest city in Hokkaido - Sapporo! My mum was asking for some shopping, so Sapporo Factory was the best place to head to.

The place was mega huge with many levels!

Sapporo Factory, https://sapporofactory.jp;
4 Chome Kita 2 Johigashi, Chuo, Sapporo, Hokkaido

Caught my mum doing shopping! It has a wide variety of shops, I even saw a huge pet shop... definitely a good place for some small shopping.

[DAY 2] Tanukikoji Shopping Arcade @ Sapporo

We were feeling hungry, so Tanukikoji was definitely the place to fill up our stomachs!

Tanukikoji Shopping Arcade, http://www.tanukikoji.or.jp;
Tanukikoji Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido

 It was snowing badly that night, it was so nice to have shelter along the rows of shops!

We followed some ladies into this hidden alley on the shopping arcade, there were plenty of small wine houses, too bad they were all full house.

We decided to settle our dinner at a rather busy restaurant - お刺身居酒屋瑠玖 & 魚平

お刺身居酒屋瑠玖 & 魚平, http://www.izakaya-rukku.com;

The food served was so fresh & superb good for value!

Would really like give credits to my awesome dad for driving us in such an extreme road conditions (snowy & icy roads). Specially day 2 where he drove from Asahikawa to Furano to Sapporo and back to Asahikawa in the middle of the night. Some of the roads recommended by the GPS was like super scary; with lots of bends and twists and plenty of uphill and slopes. I think he wouldn't want to agree driving in the winter anymore, it was really an intensive impromptu 2 days driving itinerary! Nevertheless a big THANK YOU! (;