Day 3, Part 1

Location: Sapporo, Hokkaido
Weather: -1 deg, cloudy, fine
Author: Chrissie (mata!)

Konbanwa! I have decided to split Day 3 into two parts because it was really eventful that day and we took lots of photos which we wanted to share with you. I have yet to figure out which editor to use to join photos together, so this post may be a little long. Ganbatte!

We managed to wake up early enough this morning to enjoy the free breakfast offered by Marks Inn where we're staying. It was very simple fare, a small selection of breads and soups, but very yummy and filling (at least for me, I think Amy begs to differ). We have developed a routine of walking to the Sapporo train station every morning. It's quite a few blocks away, about a 20 minute walk from where we're staying. To get there we walk along a major street which contains a number of major department stores, restaurants and entertainment establishments. So the walk is actually quite interesting. On the way, I thought I'd take a picture of a symbol of Sapporo.

The sign translates as "Hokkaido is Sapporo Beer"

The picture was taken at a major intersection with the above Sapporo beer billboard on one corner, Asahi Beer billboard on another corner and Kirin Beer on yet another corner. Talk about the war of the beer brands.

By the time we reached the Sapporo train station I was getting camera snappy again, so here's a picture of the entrance to the train station with me off to one side. The station building is really big as it serves as a terminal for various subways as well as the JR railway line. It's probably the busiest station in Hokkaido.

Sapporo Train Station Entrance

Anyway, the station also contains a tourist information bureau which is the source of our growing pile of brochures and pamphlets. We intended to visit Mount Okura ski jump today because they are apparently holding a number of fun winter activities as part of the snow festival, but we found out the activities will only be available starting from 5th Feb so we decided to delay. Luckily for us, because we then spontaneously decided to visit the Shiroi Koibito (White Lovers) Chocolate Factory instead!!

We really didn't know what to expect when we got there. It was much bigger than I imagined it would be and very wonderland-like! The buildings were very elaborate, and the outdoor courtyard was littered with snow, mini toy houses and lots of winter decorations. It even had a snow slide and a rose garden, although the roses were wrapped in pink covers to protect them from the cold. A bit like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory except without the munchkins!

The entrance to the chocolate factory

More of the buildings housing the chocolate factory

The rose garden with a beautiful mountain background

Amy in front of one of the mini houses littered around the courtyard

Me on the bridge with the snow slide in the background

We lost track for a while taking pictures before realising that we didn't even know where the entrance to the chocolate factory was! Found it due to a helpful parking attendant. It cost 600 yen to enter, but we also received a free Shiroi Koibito chocolate to sample. It's basically white chocolate encased in two layers of biscuit and is an Hokkaido omiyage (souvenir).

Shiroi Koibito Chocolate

After walking up some stairs we entered a fountain room which looked really magical with the lighting.

Pretty Fountain

This was followed by a long corridor with a large collection of antique tea cups and glasses mostly from Europe and looking very expensive.

To be continued....