The long journey from Tōkyō to Hakodate isn’t as time-consuming as it used to be, thanks to the newly opened first segment of the Hokkaidō Shinkansen. That said, the shinkansen terminus serving one of the biggest urban centres in Japan’s northernmost prefecture is located about 16 kilometres from the heart of the city: hardly aContinue reading “Rail Report: From the Shinkansen to the City on the Hakodate Liner, Japan (02 October 2017)”
Tag Archives: Hokkaido
Rail Report: Tōkyō to Hakodate on the Tōhoku and Hokkaidō Shinkansen, Japan (02 October 2017)
Travelling between Tōkyō and Hokkaidō has never been easier, with new high-speed rail services whisking passengers from the Japanese capital to Hakodate in under four and a half hours. Today, let’s see what it’s like to zoom all the way up to the great big north on an unbroken run along two shinkansen lines: oneContinue reading “Rail Report: Tōkyō to Hakodate on the Tōhoku and Hokkaidō Shinkansen, Japan (02 October 2017)”
Field Report: Otaru, Japan (09 February 2014)
Otaru may be a rather small city – and yes, I was here just a couple of days ago – but it’s got more than enough attractions to justify a second day-trip from Sapporo.
Food Report: Ezokko (Sapporo)
Rāmen is a food for all seasons, but it takes on a special appeal when the mercury drops below freezing point. With Sapporo’s cold winter air sucking all the heat out of my tropic-reared body, is it any wonder that I was game for another steaming-hot bowl just a day after my last one?
Field Report: Sapporo, Japan (09 February 2014)
Remember the little mahō shōjo we met at Ōdōri Park a few days ago? Remember how I mentioned that there’s just no avoiding her, especially considering that Sapporo is her home turf? Well, guess who I ran into one Sunday morning in Hokkaidō’s snowy capital.
Food Report: Baikōken (Asahikawa)
One can’t fail to be impressed by Japan’s knack for making culinary combinations that might seem daft at first – and I mean downright lunatic – yet end up working beautifully in the end. Like wasabi-flavoured Kit-Kats, for example. Or like miso-flavoured rāmen with a pat of butter and some corn thrown in.
Field Report: Asahikawa, Japan (08 February 2014)
Yesterday’s trip to Asahikawa was a great experience, but there’s a lot more to the city than just its famous zoo, especially at this time of year. Welcome to the third winter festival of our journey.
Field Report: Otaru, Japan (07 February 2014)
The use of the adjective “magical” tends to send me retching, but I’ll admit that the word entered my mind as I enjoyed a candlelit evening in a small city on Hokkaidō’s Sea of Japan coast.
Field Report: Asahikawa, Japan (07 February 2014) – Part 2/2
Watching paint dry is one thing. Watching penguins strut their stuff on an icy catwalk is another. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather see the latter.
Field Report: Asahikawa, Japan (07 February 2014) – Part 1/2
Diego’s off to visit Japan’s northernmost zoo, in Hokkaidō’s second-largest city. But we don’t even have to wait until we arrive to get a taste of the animal experience – because in this case, the zoo comes to us!
Within striking distance 