Go anywhere in Japan, and one thing becomes clear. The Japanese really LOVE crab. Apart from being blessed with snow, one thing that the northern island of Japan could rely on is the abundance supply of different kind of crabs namely king, queen, hairy and snow.
Japan’s love for crab is legendary, its crab consumption being one of the highest in the world. Typically eaten in the colder months, it’s the quintessential winter dish in Japan and there’s no better place to have it than here in Hokkaido. Hokkaido is like a haven for those who travel for food, seafood to be exact. I have a penchant for fish markets because that’s where the freshest is found. No visit to Sapporo, or any other prefecture in Japan, would be complete without stopping by a fish market in the morning. The Nijo Fish Market in Sapporo is what Tsujiki Fish Market is to Tokyo. Even though it is much smaller in size, it’s still a great place to get fresh seafood and local produce right in the heart of Sapporo. With other fish markets I have been to, Nijo Market is the smallest and the cleanest. Easy access and no tuna auction to watch unlike Tsukiji Market so the expedition to Nijo Fish Market was a lot less tedious. 日本人民对新鲜海产品的需求量可是不能小视的。要吃新鲜的海鲜,东京有筑地市场,大阪有黑门市场,而北海道札幌,有二条市场。每次来日本,我总会到这些传统市场逛逛,二条市场当然不能例外。 一听到是 “北海道产”,无论是什么东西都会觉得好吃的不得了吧。就像是听到北海道产的螃蟹和北海道产的鲑鱼一样,会想要下一秒就尝到这些美味。然而,有一个地方聚集了北海道几乎所有的美味,那就是北海道最大的城市札幌。一般人都经常会来札幌,因为聚集了北海道各地的海产物、蔬菜水果、各地前来的观光客和当地的居民使这个地方热闹非凡。在二条市场,可以看到一档又一档的海鲜店,放著新鲜的蟹、鲍鱼、海胆等等。除了海鲜店以外,还有不少卖海鲜的餐厅。
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Who doesn't know Sapporo Beer? Along with Kirin and Asahi, Sapporo is one of the top three most popular Japanese beers. It is also one of the oldest breweries in Japan. It is obviously in the city of Sapporo that it was first brewed, in 1877. If you have the chance to visit to the northern island of Hokkaido, do not miss the Sapporo Beer Museum!
Visiting the Sapporo Beer Museum also makes for an interesting journey through time! Indeed, the museum offers a high quality tour on the history of beer in Japan. The first introduction by Europeans, the start of industrial production and more. This is also an opportunity to look back on the beginnings of the opening of Japan to the world, and its swift leap into modernity. Imagine yourself in the Meiji era. I know what you're thinking... and yes, at the end of the tour you will have the opportunity to taste a few different varieties of beer that the company produces! 札幌啤酒就是大家所熟悉的三宝乐啤酒,是在日本历史相当悠久的啤酒,也是受到大家欢迎的啤酒品牌之一。如果来到了北海道却没有品嚐过札幌啤酒的滋味,以及了解这个深根在北海道的品牌,只能说对于北海道的回忆还不够完整。位在札幌市内的札幌啤酒博物馆是日本国内唯一的一座啤酒博物馆,里面不只有介绍啤酒的历史沿革,还有提供札幌啤酒或是非酒精饮料的试饮方案。而这栋建筑物本身被选定为北海道的文化遗产,优美的红砖复古外观更是摄影的好景点,难怪这里的观光客总是络绎不绝。 Hokkaido is known around the world for its natural beauty, delicious food, and their four seasons. If you are perhaps planning on visiting Sapporo during winter or snowboarding in the nearby mountains of Hokkaido, there is one town you don’t want to miss during your stay: Otaru. The second thing I wanted to do while in Sapporo was visiting Otaru.
Otaru is a port-town in western Hokkaido, about 30 minutes by train from Sapporo. Interestingly, most of the city’s architecture is designed with a Western-style in mind, which is unusual compared to other architecture throughout Japan. However, while visiting Otaru, you won’t feel like you are in just another Japanese tourist town. Otaru is a city of hidden treasures that will make memories to last a lifetime. And through the centre of it all, lay the beautiful Otaru Canal a quiet, gentle body of water, mirroring the façades of the low rise buildings standing alongside it, delicately covered with snow. I could just sit by the canal on a cold stone bench for a moment of rest and think about how perfect this town seemed to be. 北海道的小樽市是一座迷人的历史港都,从1910年开凿的小樽运河,赋予了她灵魂,也使她一度成为日本明治、大正时期重要的海运贸易中心。如今这座城市尽管已褪下旧日的繁华,然而以运河为中心的市街,仍保存着许多历史建物,宛若童话里的浪漫景色,让今日的小樽成为充满魅力的观光城市。到小樽来晃晃,如果没有来小樽运河走走,会让人觉得好像没有真的去到小樽逛逛一样。因为这个小樽运河可是这里的重点景点。 Hello, Hello and Happy New Year!
I hope you all had a truly wonderful start of the year with your loved ones, a bottle of red wine and a heck load of sparkles and laughter. I thought my first post of the new year ought to be a little look over the past 12 months, but I realize I have so much to catch up on my travelogues and I can't waste anymore time but to keep travel writing whenever I can. I wanted this post to be a somewhat photo heavy blogpost, a post full of snow snaps that you may not have ever seen before.
Japan is probably one of my favorite places in the world, which is kind of remarkable considering I spent the past two years exploring many areas in Japan. In fact, I only spent one week in Sapporo, but it instantly stole my heart and continues to be at the top of my list of places in the world I want to return. It is just so cool, especially during winter. I visited last month, which was heaps of fun, and honestly I think anytime in the winter would be magical there. I loved the food, I was fascinated by how different the culture up there was from the rest of Japan, and since Japan has such a wet climate, I think Sapporo had the most snow I’ve ever seen in my life. In fact I’d say if you want to enjoy a truly beautiful winter in Japan then head to Sapporo! Have you ever seen snow before? Japan is a country with one of the world’s heaviest snowfall area. My Sapporo holiday is done and dusted! In theory, the trip is over, but my vivid memories of the trip are as clear as day! Sapporo is indeed Oh-mazing.
In some countries, snow is very rare. In Sapporo, it snows everyday in winter. I was very lucky to see very heavy powdery snow in Sapporo and I want to share my wonderful experience with you. It was such an unexpected experience that I encountered when I landed at New Chitose Airport in Sapporo. The whole city was covered in snow. The snow arrived a month earlier than normal in Hokkaido. It was a most beautiful sight for me. I took so many photos of snow. Time for Christmas, time for snowman. Hello Hokkaido ! Travel from Singapore to Sapporo. I've just returned from an unforgettable snowy winter trip.
I’m bubbling with excitement as I write this post, as I’m venturing into yet another topic on this humble blog of mine, and that is one of my pet loves, travel! Well, what’s life without exploring new things now and then? I flew to Tokyo and then boarded a connecting flight to New Chitose airport in Sapporo. Winter has arrived in Hokkaido and i was warned that my flight may have to return to Tokyo if the airport had to be closed due to snow. I finally landed in Sapporo and over the past one week I saw more snow than at any other time in my life with temperatures as low as -10. I've decided to blog about a snowy Sapporo trip and it's gonna be super lengthy posts with plenty of scenic photos. I can't wait to start writing about it. Stay tuned ! Street food is a staple of Japanese life. Japanese street food is most commonly found during the many festivals that happen throughout the country, and during events there's more than ample opportunity to get your street food fix. Packed with colourful yatai or “street food vendors” street food offerings include various regional sweet and savoury delicacies. Some of the most amazing street food that Japan has to offer will be tucked behind colorful stands with gleefully shouting vendors. More than the novelty or even the quality of the food, which varies from stall to stall, it is the convivial atmosphere of yatai that makes them memorable. Sadly, these traditional pushcarts are being replaced by motorized vans, which are not nearly as romantic and do not offer seating. I took a walk down the street side yatai stalls that offer inexpensive treats in my recent trip to Tokyo.
日本的街边小吃摊 “屋台”,过去一般是在两轮拖车的货台上搭起店面,用人力或自行车、摩托车来牵引的移动摊位。但是,最近很多都是经过改装的微型货车或是厨房设备齐全的移动式厨房车。“屋台”多出现在夜晚的大街上,卖的最多最有名的要数关东煮及拉面。但是最近,中午时分在商务办公区面向工薪族销售盒饭或是在各类活动场所及节假日的闹市区摆摊营业的情况也很多。浓浓的日式特色对于前来旅行的外国游客来说,是种渴望又虚幻的存在。这些“屋台”沿河或路边而设,排成一行,形成一条长长的小吃街。屋台虽小,但能感受到最具日本风味的氛围,看到屋台,我的日本之行才算接上了地气。 Experience Authentic Tsukiji Fish Market In Tokyo (Soon-To-Be Relocated By November 2016), Japan26/6/2016 Fish markets… a curious thing is that so far, none of the fish markets I visited felt remotely like a dingy, dirty wet market. I guess fish markets are very interesting indeed, especially the famous Tsukiji Market which is a large wholesale market for fish, fruits and vegetables in central Tokyo.
I took a trip to Japan a few years ago and experienced a whirlwind of amazing sights and flavors. The famed Tsukiji Market was high on my list, and my adventure exploring its aisles made a lasting impression. I returned in April from another voyage to Japan, and wanted to share with you on Tsukiji Fish Market. It will always be an enigma with its bustling foot trucks, noisy banter, and the viscera of fish and sea creatures everywhere. I am humbled, meandering the wet lanes lined with infinite stalls. The sight of the many kinds of fresh fish and other seafood and the busy atmosphere make Tsukiji Market a renowned place worldwide, being one of the world's largest fish markets. It was an exceptionally cold morning when I stepped out of my hotel at Shimbashi and found a way to Tsukiji Fish Market. Visiting Tsukiji Fish Market (筑地市场) was listed as one of the "must go" places in my Itinerary. These photographs are meant to share my wonder and my bewiderment, documenting the routine activities of these men and the unusual, beautiful fish who give their lives to them. Unfortunately, the Tsukiji Fish Market won’t be here for long. The wholesale market is slated to move to the nearby Toyosu district in November this year which means you don’t have much time left to visit. The new market will be a modern marvel, but somehow nothing can replace the character and history of Tsukiji. Mesmerising Cherry Blossom Stroll Along The Meguro River In Tokyo, Japan 日本追樱记 2016: 穿行樱花隧道之中, 东京目黑川18/6/2016 This walk in Tokyo is enjoyable at any time of year, but it is particularly lovely when the cherry blossoms are blooming. Every person in Tokyo has her favorite spot. It is hard to declare where the most beautiful sakura blossoms are, or where the best place to view them would be as well as describe how beautiful it is to be completely surrounded by Cherry Blossoms......
Nakameguro is a beautiful neighborhood in Tokyo with trees of Cherry Blossoms on Meguro River running through it. Cherry trees line both sides of the river, starting from Nakameguro Station and running in both directions. The best way to enjoy sakura around the Meguro River is to stroll along the rows of sakura there. I strolled along the paths along the river and it was amazing to see this transformation. In April they were in full bloom. 目黑川是被称为 “东京哲学之道”,两岸种植了800多株的染井吉野樱,每逢三四月间,盛开的樱花仿佛花之走廊,掩映于河面之上。随着花瓣飘落,水面会变成粉色的樱花溪流。沿着目黑川漫步,能感受到都市中难得的安逸恬静,不同于其他赏樱名所一般人山人海,在这你可以照着自己的步伐,静静观赏壮丽的染井吉野樱。 象征着喜悦的樱花,华美绚烂的绽放,着实令人期待。虽然已经不是第一次赏樱了,但是,这是我第一次在东京赏樱。。。所以,选择知名度颇高的目黑川。在河岸边樱花道、列车窗外风景,或有城廓的公园,寻找只属于日本独特风格的樱花风景。 Lake Kawaguchi In Tokyo Offers Picturesque Scenery Of Mount Fuji During Cherry Blossom In Japan5/6/2016 There’s only one item on my itinerary today and that is to go visit Mount Fuji. Fortunately, there’s no need to climb over steep slopes or trek long distances to reach the active volcano. Just a long bus ride out of Tokyo to one of the Fuji Five Lakes and you can enjoy the extraordinary view. You can't go to Japan without seeing it.
Kawaguchiko is one of the most convenient and breathtaking locations to view world famous Mount Fuji. There are many different locations to capture memorable photos of Fuji, but Kawaguchiko is one of the most accessible locations from Tokyo to capture water reflections as you take photos. Kawaguchiko is the town and it surrounds Lake Kawaguchi, which is one of the renowned Fuji Five Lakes. Cherry blossom is short-lived beauty and fortunately, I caught the full bloom period in Tokyo. The cherry blossom around the Fuji Five Lakes typically peak around mid april. Therefore, I decided to visit one of the five lakes, Lake Kawaguchi, hoping to catch a glimpse of Japan’s famous cherry blossom season. Mount Fuji, itself, needs no real introduction, but for those of you who don't know, here is a little background information on it. It is Japan's highest mountain and in 2013, Mount Fuji and the surrounding area (including Lake Kawaguchi) were added as a Cultural site to the World Heritage List. It is an active volcano which last erupted in 1707. Tokyo tower is the tallest man-made structure in Japan with a design based on the eiffel tower. I had always wanted to see the eiffel tower, but since that ain’t happening anytime soon, this was a really nice consolation. The Tokyo tower is not as high as the Tokyo Sky Tree but I love it so much. It is very similar to the Eiffel Tower in design. In the night the 180 lights make Tokyo Tower an attractive display in Tokyo’s evening sky. It is nicely lit up at night with it’s red colour standing out. It’s definitely worth a visit. The lighting of the tower was fantastic.
Tokyo Tower was the main broadcasting and communication tower of Japan from 1958 to 2012 (yes, 54 years!) before Tokyo Sky Tree was built. Despite its 333m height, it cannot provide clear signals to TV and radio network these days due to the skyscrapers around the area (before, absolutely yes). The experience was also a memorable one and it reminded me of the time I went up to the Taipei 101 and Macau Tower. This classic spot offers a 360-degree panorama of the Tokyo night view. The Main Observatory is located 150 meters above ground level, and the Special Observatory 250 meters. Enjoying a panoramic view of a city should always be part of an itinerary when travelling to some place new. 东京,一座让人感到不可思议的城市,时尚与古韵完美融合,打造出一个完美的东京印象。如果是第一次到东京,先去东京铁塔吧,从地势较高的地方可以感受到这座城市的规模,从东京铁塔向下俯瞰,会惊奇的发现本以为热闹的大都市也有宁静的一面,而且绿化非常好,传统和高科技,都市特有的喧嚣和寂静,你一定会喜欢上这样的东京。就像东京铁塔Guide Book上写的那句:东京,从这里开始…… 在过去,无论是日剧、动漫还是电影,东京铁塔的身影总是出现在其中。甚至也有不少作品场景以东京铁塔为主。在当年,许多人的心中东京铁塔不只是栋建筑,甚至是象征东京的代名词。 深受日本各类影视文化影响的我,也自然而然地从小就知道了东京铁塔的存在,每当提到东京,映入脑海的,就是那雄伟的红色建筑。随着时代的演进,东京的新地标东京晴空塔/东京天空树落成后,东京铁塔的地位也随之被取代。 如今,东京铁塔已做为专供遊客登顶眺望东京都会区的观光场所,依然伫立在此。 If you are in Tokyo or about to visit Tokyo, you might be a little tired of only hearing about historical tourist spots like temples and shrines and famous shopping areas. If you want to try something a little different (that you don't have to pay for), you can try visiting a Japanese TV station, i.e the Nippon Television Tower. The NTV building has a funky clock motif on its exterior, designed by anime movie director Hayao Miyazaki. This is a cannot miss big clock (a glockenspiel as it has mechanical animations) in Tokyo. It is also the largest animated clock in the world. The attention to detail on the clock is amazing. The copper clock springs to life every few hours, playing music and a special clockwork sequence. Clockwork people appear out of doors and get to work with hammering anvils and such.
身为一个旅行计划的策划人,我当然可以拥有一点小小的权力,可以吆喝大家甚么时间该动身。这个私房小景点是我在东京私心安排进去的。 东京日本电视台塔是日本电视放送网广播公司总公司大楼。看见高耸参天的摩登大楼,四面帷幕加上来来往往的上班族,感觉就像是流行伸展台的走秀。这些大型商办大楼里,有一个宫崎骏大师所设计的机械电视大时钟,也在此佔有举足轻重的位置。 安装在日本电视台总部大楼三楼的外墙,走过经过很难不被巨大的时钟所吸引,大钟由宫崎骏监督制造,于固定时间会有如咕咕钟般报时,但报时有如机关重重的霍尔移动城堡般,各个零件科拉科拉的移动,有机器人等会工作,热锅会冒烟,并放着类似宫崎骏卡通的轻柔音乐。如果你是个动画迷,一定要前往日本电视台朝圣,为了膜拜宫崎骏导演所设计的大时钟。它是日本最大的机关人偶时钟,完全就是个艺术品。 When I was strolling along Tokyo's Ginza shopping district, Japan, I caught sight of a life-size bronze cupid sculpture looking around the corner of a building for 'prey'. Peeking around the corner of a jewelry store in the Ginza shopping and entertainment district is a bare-bottomed bronze cupid, armed with an arrow of love. The cupid standing on the corner of the Tenshodo building (watch and jewellery retailer) that intrigues all who pass by.
Sometimes during travels on many unexpected occasions, interesting photo opportunities do crop up. It is precisely for these unplanned occasions that having a camera on-hand and ready, really pays off. With the advent of smart phones, having a camera on-hand and ready at all times has become more of a norm rather than the exception. I was fortunate enough to visit Tokyo recently and I was totally blown away by the beauty of Tokyo’s cherry blossoms! In Tokyo, cherry blossom season usually takes place at the start of April. The cherry blossoms period really takes the beauty of Tokyo to the next level.
Flower viewing is a tradition that goes back more than a 1,000 years in Japan or even earlier. The flowers’ short beautiful lives – they only bloom for about two weeks – became a symbol of human life too. In short, celebrate life because it doesn’t last long and when it’s gone, it’s gone. Prior to my Japan trip, I had Ueno Park listed down as one of the must-go places in Tokyo especially after reading about how it is one of Tokyo's most popular and lively cherry blossom spots. There are so many different types of cherry blossom trees in many different areas, so Ueno Park is a must visit if you are in Tokyo during the cherry blossom season. 每年的3 、4月开始大家的Facebook是不是都会被樱花照片轰炸的体无完肤,心中一定是想,我也一定要去日本赏樱。但我去年去过一次之后,便又发下豪语,有机会一定要再赏樱努力追樱,跟着日本人在樱花树下悠的赏樱,这样才是赏樱最高境界。 东京上野恩赐公园面积非常大,以樱花着名,每年的樱花季节就会挤满赏花的遊人,不过即使并非樱花季节遊览,依然是件赏心乐事。 上野恩赐公园,为我这一次的东京小旅行揭开了美丽的序幕。 我的东京赏樱行,就从上野公园开始啰! Japan Travel Blog 2016 - Just Returned From Tokyo, More Adventure Stories To Be Shared Soon!17/4/2016 Hello everyone! I just came back from Tokyo yesterday and I'll share with you my adventures here over the next few weeks, probably months.
While it does feel nice to be home in Singapore, I can’t help but to miss Japan already. There is this incredible energy in Japan that I barely got to tap into. Without a doubt, I’m going back. I feel like I have so much left to explore and discover. As i just said, the energy here is so incredible. I’m really going to miss that. Exploring Tokyo has been such an awesome experience. Shibuya, Harajuku, Roppongi, Ginza, and of course Shinjuku, all have so much to offer. I can really see how business in Tokyo flourishes because the Japanese culture creates conditions to do so. I am full of gratitude for being able to explore the city of Tokyo and learn about the country’s culture. |
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