Final Night in Sapporo/Hokkaido

So we have come to my the final night in Hokkaido. I returned to Sapporo for the convenience of being closer to the airport. I decided to treat myself the final evening.
I booked an evening tour that included a night view of Sapporo and a bbq lamb dinner.
Lemme show you below.

I stayed at the Igloo Dorm & Breakfast. Not so tough to find.

My hostel, looking at it's door.

1st Stop: Mt. Moiwa Ropeway

This way to the Mt. Moiwa Ropeway.

Oh, I already saw Nagasaki.
2 out of 3!

Ugh, there were too many people.

2nd Stop: Genghis Khan (BBQ Lamb Dinner)

The escalator to lamb dinner.

This was a seriously long way up!

The restaurant: Crystal house

Fun how night turns windows into mirrors.

Yes, lamb . . .

Ah, how to cook the BBQ lamb

It's coming. Not too shabby for a newbie.

The damage. I think I did very well.

What? "negative" pandas? What will they come up with next?

Mt. Okura Ski jump
Wanna go up?

Too bad we were there way after it closed.

Coming back down the same escalators.
Can you see the people near the bottom?

Back towards my hostel

A restaurant near the Igloo Dorm & Breakfast hostel.
I understand it's vegetarian (or vegetarian-friendly).
I hope I can go back and try it out.

Kushiro: Guided

I always try to keep in touch with the people I've met, especially my adult EFL students.

For the year I was in the States after Poland (June '16 - June '17), I taught English online through SkimaTalk. My students were predominantly Japanese adults (there was 1 Japanese child and a couple of Korean adults I taught too).

I've been able to keep in touch with one former student all this time. She recently moved to Hokkaido. She recommended I go visit and offered to show me around. Of course I took her up on her offer! The question was "when." This trip answered that question for me.

We made arrangements to meet in Kushiro and she showed me around.

Below are a few of my pictures.

1st Stop: Kushiro Shitsuken National Park (Wetlands)

About to go to the Observatory

Largest wetlands in Japan

Ugh, short signs . . . 

2nd Stop: Lake Mashu, the Clearest Lake in Hokkaido/Japan

It's here, but it was too foggy to see. Whoops.

You can't even see the rest of this mountain, it's so foggy.

3rd Stop: Sulfur Mountain

I was amazed at the scale and how close we could actually get to it.

Can you smell the sulfur?

Brilliant!

Why don't we use masking tape to deshell hard-boiled eggs more often?

4th Stop: Sunayu: Onsen Beach

Want to make your own onsen on a beach?

Here, you can!

Apparently, you don't have to dig far for warm, thermal water.

You can even drink this water!

5th Stop: Town by Lake Akan

Lunch, freshly caught from the lake just across the road.

Lake Akan Ainu Kotan

Lake Akan Eco Museum Centre

"mud volcano"?

Info over Lake Akan

Lake Akan

Oh, so mud volcanoes are a thing.

Who knew?

Below is a my photo and video slideshow of this wonderful day.
Indeed, I am very grateful.

Kushiro: Alone

This southeast town of Kushiro was actually the main reason I wanted to come to Hokkaido.
Before returning to Korea in late June 2017, I taught English online. Most of my students were Japanese. I have been able to keep in contact with one former-online-student. She lives in Kushiro now and recommended that I should visit. She offered to show me around herself. We had a few appointment conflicts, but have finally managed to agree and follow through with a date! This is probably why I decided on Japan instead of Mongolia for my summer vacation destination.

Well, we met and toured around on a Sunday. I arrived on Friday night at my hostel. That meant I had Saturday off. From what I could see online, it seemed like there weren't any English-speaking SDA churches in the area. Therefore, I decided to wander around Kushiro on foot--alas, what I do best.

Walking Around Kushiro

I just thought this covered sidewalk looked really cool.

A panoramic view from Nusamai Park. This was taken just above the flower clock.

The Flower clock on the edge of Nusamai Park

A nice light post along Kushiro River

Someone likes The Beatles.

A public footbath near Kushiro river, by Nusamai Bridge.

On a bench at the MOO, looking at Nusamai Bridge and Kushiro river

Lunch at a Thai Restaurant

Oh, Thai? Why not?
Even in Japan, I sometimes need a break from Japan itself.

My choice

My choice: before

My choice: after
Successful, wouldn't you say?

My dessert? The deep-fried spring roll with banana

I chose well. I didn't even bother with an "after" picture.

Walking Around Kushiro, Part 2

Kushiro JR Station

Ha! I get to see (and drink) you again!

Sakaemachi Peace Park monument to peace

Kids for Peace

Momma cat and kitten waiting for their meal.

Photos of several sunsets from the MOO.
I did not see such a sunset that day.

Walking Around Kushiro at Night

KARAOKE!
And yes, you can find songs in English, as well as other languages.

Lights from the MOO reflecting on Kushiro River

It was Saturday night. Why is the main road so empty?!

Ah, melon soda . . . Thanks, Greg, for introducing me to this.

Of course, a slideshow of pictures (and video?) from my day wandering around Kushiro on my own.
Next, I'll share my guided day beyond Kushiro. Isn't it wonderful when your guide drives you around?