Back to Hokkaido, Japan (HOKKAIDO TRAVEL GUIDE) and sadly, winter and snowfall were severe, dropping to -0 degrees Celsius. Many things to do in Hokkaido during winter were halted due to heavy snowflakes blanketing everything, which also risked our flight back home being canceled (OTARU WHAT TO DO & SEE).
Best Tourist
Sightseeing Spots in Hokkaido
Okurayama
Viewing Point
It was definitely disappointing that our visit to Okurayama Viewing Point, the
famous 1972 Winter Olympic Games ski jumping venue in Sapporo, was canceled.
Okurayama Viewing Point is well known as a top Hokkaido sightseeing spot, where
visitors can take a chairlift to the top for panoramic city views and the ski
jump. There’s also a small museum showcasing winter sports history and ski
jumping. It’s an interesting stop for both the view and winter sports
enthusiasts. Unfortunately, it didn’t materialize for us.
Sapporo Shrine in Maruyama Park
Also canceled was the visit to Sapporo Shrine, a peaceful and important Shinto shrine in Maruyama Park. It’s a beautiful and calm place to walk around, surrounded by tall trees. Many locals and tourists visit the shrine to pray, especially during New Year and seasonal festivals. If you’re in Maruyama Park, this shrine is an easy and meaningful cultural stop in Sapporo (KERALA TOURIST PLACES).
Shopping in Hokkaido: What to Buy and Where
Hokkaido Wet
Market
With sightseeing spots canceled, we headed to a nearby Hokkaido wet market.
It’s known for its fresh seafood, especially crabs which are the star of the
market. You can also purchase Japanese local produce like noodles, snacks,
air-dried seafood products, and souvenirs such as magnets, which I bought as a
remembrance. The wet market also has small eateries offering local delicacies.
Honestly, it’s similar to wet markets in other parts of the world, so it’s a
good spot if you want fresh seafood or souvenirs, but you can skip it if
pressed for time.
Shopping Malls in Hokkaido
We visited several shopping malls in Sapporo, Hokkaido. The first was famous
for exclusive Burberry Blue Label handbags, though nothing caught my eye since
I wasn’t really shopping. Next was Mitsui Factory Outlet, a large outlet mall
offering brand-name bargains. Shopping didn’t lure me much; it was more of a
window-shopping experience and an opportunity to see the mix of modern and
traditional products and local specialties. If you enjoy shopping, Hokkaido’s
malls and outlets offer a variety of options.
What to Eat in
Hokkaido: Local Dishes and Seafood
Food Courts in
Hokkaido Shopping Malls
Most shopping malls in Hokkaido feature clean and well-maintained food courts
with a wide selection of Japanese and Asian fusion dishes. At Mitsui’s food
court, I enjoyed a bowl of spicy pork ramen - comforting, delicious, and
generously portioned. Ramen is a must-try local dish when visiting Hokkaido.
Seafood Lunch in Hokkaido
We had a seafood lunch featuring freshly grilled abalone over charcoal, beautifully presented. The meal included seafood sashimi - prawns, salmon, tuna, and fish roe - garnished with flowers, accompanied by a bowl of warming miso soup. This hearty meal was perfect for the cold winter weather and showcased the quality of Hokkaido seafood.
Seafood Dinner in Hokkaido
Dinner was a true seafood feast in Hokkaido, perfect for seafood lovers. The spread included cheese-baked crab, fresh raw crab legs, crab steamboat, and a finale of thick, gooey crab porridge stirred with eggs and topped with spring onions - all in the same steamboat broth. For those who love seafood and want to try the best, this kind of all-you-can-eat Hokkaido crab experience is unforgettable, though it might be heavy for some.
Hokkaido Hotel Buffet Breakfast
The next morning’s buffet breakfast at our hotel was a welcome change. The
buffet featured simple but flavorful traditional Japanese breakfast dishes,
such as rice congee served with edamame beans and condiments, grilled salmon,
grilled pork belly, fresh raw salads, tofu dishes, and various grilled fish.
A highlight was
the variety of egg dishes - runny eggs with soy sauce, steamed eggs
(chawanmushi), grilled eggs, and more. This authentic Japanese hotel buffet
breakfast in Hokkaido is worth experiencing and reflects traditional tastes
perfectly.
All in all, a trip to Hokkaido, Japan is about discovering and experiencing its famous tourist spots, unique culture, and incredible local food, especially fresh seafood and traditional cuisine.
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