Trip to Hokkaido in 2017 winter – Part 4, Sapporo Snow Festival and stay in Asahikawa

2017 Hokkaido

This post is continued from the post, Trip to Hokkaido in 2017 winter – Part 2, from Sendai to Oshamanbe

After arrival in Sapporo, I proceeded to Sapporo Snow Festival. I would like to show you this snow festival and move to Asahikawa.

Sapporo Snow Festival

I made a quick stop to see world famous, Sapporo Snow Festival. Honestly I am not a big fun of this type of mega event. But I had never seen Sapporo Snow Festival until then. I made 1.5 hours to see this festival.

I took Sapporo city subway from Sapporo to Odori Oark which is one of the place to hold Sapporo Snow Festival. Subway was super busy because it was in peak hours and many visitors moved to Odori Park to see this event.

Sapporo subway station

There were huge number of visitors and it was crowded everywhere. It is such a popular event!

There were many snow sculptures, activities and live entertainment in more than 10 blocks of Odori park.

Freestyle ski demonstration hill

There are lots of food stands. You can eat many kinds of Hokkaido foods. I had Zangi which is Hokkaido style deep fried chicken. Of course it is yummy!

I spent only one hour. I could see only half part of Odori park event. But I realized why this event was so popular. The event was busy but very organized. Staff know how to handle this huge number of visitors. Many visitors from local and overseas enjoyed this event. If you are interested in this event, you should have one day for this event. Because there are other sites to hold this even. 1 hour is crazy and do not copy my trip! LOL

Sapporo Snow Festival is held in Susukino and Tsudome too. I did not have enough time to see other places. Please see the official site to get the detailed information of Sapporo Snow Festival
Sapporo Snow Festival official site

Sapporo to Asahikawa

Sapporo 18:30 (Super Kamui 33) 19:55 Asahikawa

Super Kamui offers very frequent train services between Sapporo and Asahikawa.

The last stretch of my trip on day 2 was 1.5 hours train trip by Limited Express Super Kamui to Asahikawa. I stayed in Asahikawa and prepared to visit Biei next day.

It was dark and I have nothing to say about this train trip.

Light up, dinner and hotel in Asahikawa

Ice sculpture in Asahikawa station

Asahikawa had snow festival in this period too. I could not visit this snow event but there were light up and many ice sculptures in downtown Asahikawa from Asahikawa station. It is very accessible and many visitors enjoyed this winter light up.

Ramen Matsuda

I ate Asahikawa Ramen for dinner. Asahikawa is one of most well known ramen places. There are many ramen restaurants in the city. Many of ramen restaurants near station are closed by 21:00. But many restaurant along Showa street which is a few blocks away from the station are open late.

I picked “Ramen Matsuda”. This restaurant have received award by Asahikawa Ramen competition. I ate Tontoro Shoyu Ramen which was braised pork belly ramen in soy sauce base soup.

It was 1,300 yen. Taste was good but it is overpriced honestly. I knew the price but ramen was less than my expectation.

Hotel Route Inn Grand Asahikawa station

I stayed in Hotel Route Inn Asahikawa. It is located just in front of Asahikawa station and it is very accessible. Especially when you travel in Hokkaido during winter time, weather may be very severe. Access is a big factor.

Room is very common. It is not very special but it is enough to get nice stay.

Hotel rate is 7,000 yen per night. It included free breakfast, free coffee, observation public Onsen bath at the top floor. It was such a nice deal and highly recommended.

Coffee machine
Lobby
Front desk
Breakfast

Continue to the post, Trip to Hokkaido in 2017 winter – Part 5, Asahikawa to Sapporo via Biei.

Comments

  1. Gina says:

    Hi,

    Your posts really helps me on planning my Hokkaido trip.
    Does this trip recommends for travelers with big size luggage or light travelers?

    Any suggestions for people to has huge luggage and still want to follow your itinerary? feasible?

    Thank you!

  2. Elaine Lam says:

    When we were in Sapporo in 2013, we stayed at Susukino. You have to warn people about making their way in the underground passage from Sapporo Station to Susukino on foot. Although you need not surface thus avoiding the cold weather, the walk is not for the unfit. With luggages in toll, the walk seems to take forever!

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