Hokkaido Winter 2013 北海道冬季之旅 - Day 11 Itinerary: Hakodate 函馆

Day 11 - 13.02.2013 (Wed)

Breakfast: Doutor, branch @ Hakodate Wako [Closed]

Visited Hakodate Asaichi 函館朝市.

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Purchased 1 day streetcar pass. Price = 600 yen

Hakodate ekimae 函館駅前 > Goryokaku Koen-mae 五稜郭公園前
by streetcar

Visited Goryokaku Tower 五稜郭タワー and Goryokaku Koen 五稜郭公園.

Lunch: Gotoken Curry Express 五島軒カレーエクスプレス, in Goryokaku Tower.

Lunch add-on: Hasegawa Store ハセガワストア, Goryokaku branch

Goryokaku Koen-mae 五稜郭公園前 > Jujigai 十字街

by streetcar.

Visited Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse 金森赤レンガ倉庫.

Suehiro-cho 末広町 > Hakodate ekimae 函館駅前
by streetcar.

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Shopping:
(1) Boni-moriya departmental store (棒二森屋店)
(2) Kiosk in Loisir Hotel

Hakodate Bus Terminal (1645 hrs) > Hakodate Airport 函館空港 (1705 hrs)
by Airport transfer bus. Fee = 400 yen

Dinner: Restaurant Pollux, in Hakodate Airport 函館空港

Hakodate Airport (1940 hrs) > Haneda T1 (2110 hrs)
by JL 1170

Haneda Intl Terminal (2340 hrs) > SIN T1 (0620 hrs)
by JL 035

- End of Hokkaido Winter 2013 Trip -

Hokkaido Winter 2013 北海道冬季之旅 - Day 10 Itinerary: Hakodate 函館

Day 10 - 12.02.2013 (Tue)

Breakfast: Best Western Fino Hotel

Morning stroll to Clock Tower

Shopping: Marui Imai, in Odori.
Bought packed lunches from Marui Imai.

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Sapporo JR Station 札幌駅 (1317 hrs) > Hakodate JR Station 函館駅 (1649 hrs)

by Hokuto train. Day #4 usage of 4 day flexible Hokkaido Rail Pass.

Check in: Loisir Hotel Hakodate

Hakodate ekimae > Jujigai
by streetcar. Fee = 200 yen.

Hakodate Ropeway Station > Mount Hakodate summit 
by ropeway 函館山ロープウェイ. Fee = 1,050 yen (discounted)

Night view from Mount Hakodate summit 函館山. 

Dinner: Lucky Pierrot ラッキーピエロ, Jujigai branch

Jujigai > Hakodate ekimae
by streetcar. Fee = 200 yen

- End of Day 10 -

Hokkaido Winter 2013 北海道冬季之旅 - Day 9 Itinerary: Sapporo 札幌, Eniwa 恵庭, Otaru 小樽

Day 9 - 11.02.2013 (Mon)

Breakfast: Best Western Fino Sapporo

Sapporo JR Station > Eniwa JR Station
by local train. Fee = 620 yen

Eniwa JR Station (1028 hrs) > Ecorin Village
by free shuttle bus service.

Lunch: Ten Man Restaurant in Ecorin Village

Ecorin Village (1311 hrs) > Eniwa JR Station
by free shuttle bus service.

Eniwa JR Station > Sapporo JR Station
by local train. Fee = 620 yen

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Utilised Sapporo-Otaru Welcome Pass, JR pass for one day.
Sapporo JR Station > Minami-otaru JR Station

Tea break: Kahisakan, along Saikamachi Street

Visited Otaru Canal and old Temiya railway line for Otaru Snow Light Path Festival.

Otaru JR Station > Sapporo JR Station

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Dinner: Aji no Tokeidai, in Sapporo JR Station.

Visited 33rd Susukino Ice Festival.

- End of Day 9 -

Hokkaido Winter 2013 北海道冬季之旅 - Day 8 Itinerary: Sapporo 札幌

Day 8 - 10.02.2013 (Sun)

Breakfast: Best Western Fino Sapporo

Utilised Sapporo-Otaru Welcome Pass, unlimited subway rides for one day.

Sapporo > Odori by subway.

Visited 64th Sapporo Snow Festival held at Odori Park.

Desserts: Sapporo Sweets Cafe in Aurora Town.

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Odori > Fukuzumi via Toho line.
Fukuzumi Bus Terminal > Hitsujigaoka Observatory Hill
by Bus 84. Fee = 200 yen.

Late lunch: Rest House in Hitsujigaoka Observatory Hill for Genghis Khan BBQ.

Hitsujigaoka Observatory Hill > Fukuzumi Bus Terminal
by Bus 84. Fee = 200 yen.

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Fukuzumi > Odori via Toho line.
From Odori subway station, walked along underpass towards Sapporo JR Station.

Tea break: Snow Brand Parlour for ice cream

Shopping: ESTA and Daimaru, in Sapporo JR Station.

Visited JR Tower Observation Deck T38.

Dinner: MOS Burger

- End of Day 8 -

Hokkaido Winter 2013 北海道冬季之旅 - Day 7 Itinerary: Asahikawa 旭川, Sapporo 札幌

Day 7 - 09.02.2013 (Sat)

Breakfast: Asahikawa Washington Hotel

Asahikawa JR Station Bus Stop 5 (0910 hrs) > Asahiyama (0950 hrs)
via Bus 46; alighted at last stop and another 5 mins walk to Asahiyama Zoo.
Fee = 380 yen 
* Please take Bus 41 or 47 from Bus Stop 6, located just outside Asahikawa JR Station. 

Visited Asahiyama Zoo.

Asahiyama Zoo (1330 hrs) > Asahikawa JR Station (1412 hrs)
via Bus 41.
Fee = 400 yen

Late lunch: Mori no ma cafe, third floor of Feeeal Asahikawa.

Asahikawa JR Station (1605 hrs) > Sapporo JR Station (1746 hrs)
via Asahiyama Zoo Train. Day #3 usage of 4 day flexible Hokkaido Rail Pass.

Check in: Best Western Fino Sapporo

Dinner: Kani Shogun

- End of Day 7-

Hokkaido Winter 2013 北海道冬季之旅 - Day 6 Itinerary: Asahikawa 旭川

Day 6 - 08.02.2013 (Fri)

Breakfast: Sounkyo Kankou Hotel

Sounkyo Kankou Hotel (1000 hrs) > Asahikawa Washington Hotel (1130 hrs)
via free hotel shuttle bus service.

Check in: Asahikawa Washington Hotel

Visited 54th Asahikawa Winter Festival:
(1) Heiwa-dori Shopping Street.
(2) Asahibashi Bridge riverside venue.

Lunch: Abashibashi Bridge riverside venue

Winter Festival venue (1410 hrs) > Asahikawa JR Station (1425 hrs)
via free shuttle bus.

Shopping @ Asahikawa Seibu.

Asahikawa JR Station (1736 hrs) > Minami-Nagayama JR Station (1747 hrs)
via local train bound for Ikaushi. Fee = 220 yen.

Dinner: Aoba Ramen in Asahikawa Ramen Village.

Shopping @ Uniqlo.

Minami-Nagayama JR Station (1954 hrs) > Asahikawa JR Station (2005 hrs)
via last local train bound for Asahikawa.Fee = 220 yen.

Supper: Mister Donuts, along Heiwa-dori Shopping Street.

- End of Day 6 -

Hokkaido Winter 2013 北海道冬季之旅 - Day 5 Itinerary: Abashiri 網走, Sounkyo 層雲峡

Day 5 - 07.02.2013 (Thu)

Breakfast: Hotel Route Inn Abashiri

Abashiri JR Station > Lake Abashiri
via taxi. Fee = ~1,500 yen

Visited "Discover the New Northern Continent! Attaka Abashiri" - Lake Abashiri Winter Festival

Lunch: Cafeteria in event venue.

Lake Abashiri > Abashiri JR Station
via taxi.

Abashiri JR Station (1417 hrs) > Kamikawa JR Station (1710 hrs)
via Ryuhyo Express Okhotsk no kaze. Day #2 usage of 4 day flexible Hokkaido Rail Pass.

Kamikawa JR Station (1715 hrs) > Sounkyo Kanko Hotel (1800 hrs)
via Twinkle Bus Sounkyo-go. Fee = 500 yen

Check in: Sounkyo Kankou Hotel

Dinner: Sounkyo Kankou Hotel

Visited 38th Sounkyo Hyoubaku Matsuri (Sounkyo Ice Fall Festival).

- End of Day 5 -

Hokkaido Winter 2013 北海道冬季之旅 - Day 4 Itinerary: Abashiri 網走

Day 4 - 06.02.2013 (Wed)

Breakfast: Shiretoko Grand Hotel Kitakobushi

Shiretoko Grand Hotel Kitakobushi (0745 hrs) > Shiretoko-shari JR Station (0835 hrs)
via Twinkle Bus Utoro-Shiretoko-shari line.
Fee = 1,000 yen

Shiretoko-shari JR Station (0855 hrs) > Abashiri JR Station (1000 hrs)
by Ryuhyo Norokko Train.
Fee = 1,110 yen (reserved seats)
- Train stopped for 10 mins at Kitahama JR Station.

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Check in: Hotel Route Inn Abashiri Ekimae

Abashiri JR Station > Michinoeki Drift Icebreaker Terminal
via Abashiri Tourist Activity Bus. Fee = 130 yen

Boarded Aurora Drift Icebreaker Cruise at 1100 hrs.
Fee = 3,300 yen

Lunch: Restaurant Daihyogen in Abashiri Central Hotel

Abashiri Bus Terminal > Abashiri Prison Museum
via Abashiri Tourist Activity Bus. Fee = 280 yen

Abashiri Prison Museum > Abashiri JR Station
via Abashiri Tourist Activity Bus. Fee = 230 yen

Dinner: Sukiya Restaurant, for beef rice bowl.

- End of Day 4 -

Hokkaido Winter 2013 北海道冬季之旅 - Day 3 Itinerary: Utoro Onsen ウトロ温泉

Day 3 - 05.02.2013 (Tue)

Breakfast: Kushiro Royal Inn

Early lunch: Washo Market (和商市场)

Kushiro JR Station (1109 hrs) > Shibecha JR Station (1224 hrs)
by DL Fuyu-no-Shitsugen Train.
Fee = 1,340 yen

Joined JR Twinkle Bus Course (1240 - 1615 hrs).
(1) Shibecha-Kawayu Line: visited Lake Mashu and Mt Iwo. Fee = 1,000 yen
(2) Kawayu-Utoro Line: visited Oshinkoshi Falls. Fee = 1,000 yen

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Check in: Shiretoko Grand Hotel Kitakobushi

Dinner: Shiretoko Grand Hotel Kitakobushi

Watched 27th Shiretoko Aurora Fantasia at 2000 hrs.

- End of Day 3 -

Hokkaido Winter 2013 北海道冬季之旅 - Day 2 Itinerary: Kushiro 钏路

Day 2 - 04.02.2013 (Mon)

Breakfast: Sanyoan

Sanyoan (1050 hrs) > Obihiro JR Station
by hotel free shuttle service.

Obihiro JR Station (1135 hrs) > Kushiro JR Station (1303 hrs)
by Super Ozora. Day #1 usage of flexible 4 days Hokkaido Rail Pass.

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Check in: Kushiro Royal Inn

Hired a sightseeing taxi with the help of hotel front desk.

Sightseeing taxi pick up from hotel at 1400 hrs.
(1) Akan International Crane Center
(2) Kushiro City Marsh Observatory

Time taken = 3 hours
Fare = 16,000 yen

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Dinner: Robata, for robata-yaki.

Visited Fisherman's Wharf MOO.

- End of Day 2 -

Hokkaido Winter 2013 北海道冬季之旅 - Day 1 Itinerary: Obihiro 带広, Tokachigawa Onsen 十胜川温泉

Day 1 - 03.02.2013 (Sun)

Tokachi-Obihiro Airport (0940 hrs) > Obihiro JR Station (1018 hrs)
by Tokachi Bus. Fee = 1000 yen

Tokachi Bus timetable:  http://www.tokachibus.jp/%E7%A9%BA%E6%B8%AF%E9%80%A3%E7%B5%A1%E3%83%90%E3%82%B9/?lang=en

Purchase of 4 day flexible JR Hokkaido Rail Pass and Twinkle Bus tickets from Obihiro JR Station Twinkle Plaza.
JR Hokkaido Rail Pass: http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/railpass/index.html

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Lunch: Pancho Buta-don (元祖豚丼)

Dessert:  Rokkatei main store (六花亭本店)

Shopping: 
(1) ESTA @ Obihiro JR Station
(2) Fujimaru 藤丸百货; Tokyu Hands Truck Market located on Level 6.

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Obihiro JR Station (1440 hrs) > Sanyoan (1455 hrs)
by hotel free shuttle bus.

Check in: Sanyoan in Tokachigawa Onsen

Dinner: Sanyoan

Visited Sairinka (22nd Tokachigawa Swan Festival) held at Tokachigaoka Park.

- End of Day 1 -

Hokkaido Summer 2012 北海道夏季之旅 - Day 7 Itinerary: New Chitose Airport 新千岁空港

Day 7 - 16.07.2012

Breakfast: Noboribetsu Grand Hotel

Noboribetsu Grand Hotel > Noboribetsu JR Station
via taxi.
Fee = ~2,000 yen

Noboribetsu JR Station (0846 hrs) > Minami Chitose JR Station (0950 hrs)
by Super Hokuto via Muroran main line.

Minami Chitose JR Station > New Chitose Airport
by Rapid Airport Express.

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Toured New Chitose Airport:
(1) Calbee Plus, for freshly fried potato chips.
(2) Doraemon Waku Waku Sky Park
(3) Royce Chocolate World

Lunch: Miso Kitchen, for buta-don.

New Chitose Airport (1435 hrs) > Narita T1 (1610 hrs)
via ANA NH2154

... continued journey in Tokyo.

- End of Hokkaido Summer 2012 Trip -

Hokkaido Summer 2012 北海道夏季之旅 - Day 6 Itinerary: Noboribetsu 登别

Day 6 - 15.07.2012

Breakfast: Ekiben, bought from Sapporo JR Station.

Sapporo JR Station (0730 hrs) > Noboribetsu JR Station (0842 hrs)
via Muroran main line.
Fee = 7,880 yen for a set of 4 tickets.

Kept luggage in lockers available in Noboribetsu JR Station.
500 yen per large sized locker.

Noboribetsu JR Station > Noboribetsu Marine Park NIXE
approx. 5 - 10 mins walk.
Fee = 2,400 yen

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Noboribetsu JR Station > Noboribetsu Grand Hotel
via taxi.
Fee = ~2,500 yen

Check in: Noboribetsu Grand Hotel

Lunch: Tenho, ramen shop located along Gokuraku dori.

Covered Noboribetsu Onsen Walking Trails, took approx. 2 hrs:
(1) Jigokudani Loop Course, Tessen Pond.
(2) Oyunuma Observatory, a good view of Mt Hiyori and Oyunuma.
(3) Taisho Jigoku
(4) Oyunumagawa Natural Foot Bath

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Dinner: Noboribetsu Grand Hotel

Night stroll to Jigokudani (Demon's Fire Trail) and Gokuraku dori.

- End of Day 6 -

Hokkaido Summer 2012 北海道夏季之旅 - Day 5 Itinerary: Sapporo 札幌, Otaru 小樽

Day 5 - 14.07.2012

Visited Former Hokkaido Govt Building.

Breakfast: Mister Donut, outlet in Sapporo JR Station.

Utilised 1 day unlimited JR rides ticket of Welcome Pass.

Sapporo JR Station > Minami-otaru JR Station
by train via Hakodate main line.

Shopped at Uniqlo, outlet approx 5 mins walk from Minami-otaru JR Station.

Toured Marchen intersection (童话交叉点):
(1) Yume no oto, Otaru Music Box Museum and Otaru Steam Clock
(2) Ginnokane, sweets and confectionery shop and cafe.
(3) LeTAO, sweets and confectionery shop and cafe.

Walked along Sakaimachi Street.

Toured Otaru Canal.

Passed by old Temiya railway track and ended tour at Otaru JR Station.

Otaru JR Station (1434 hrs) > Sapporo JR Station (1506 hrs)
by train via Hakodate main line.

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Sapporo > Higashi Kuyakusayome
by subway via Tohu line (blue).

Higashi Kuyakusayome > Sapporo Beer Garden
approx. 10 - 15 mins walk.

Late lunch/early dinner: Lilacs in Sapporo Beer Garden, for Genghis Khan BBQ.

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Nishi-yon-chrome > Ropeway Iriguchi
via Sapporo streetcar.
Fee = 170 yen

Ropeway Iriguchi > Mt Moiwa Ropeway Station
via free shuttle bus.

Took ropeway to Mt. Moiwa summit.
Fee = 1,500 yen (with 200 yen discount voucher)

Roperway Iriguchi > Nishi-hatchome
via Sapporo streetcar.
Fee = 170 yen

Supper: MOS Burger, outlet near Nishi-hatchome streetcar stop.

- End of Day 5 -

Hokkaido Summer 2012 北海道夏季之旅 - Day 4 Itinerary: Sapporo 札幌

Day 4 - 13.07.2012

Breakfast: Furano Natulux Hotel

Furano JR Station (0854 hrs) > Takikawa JR Station (transfer) > Sapporo JR Station (1055 hrs)
Fee = 8,480 yen for set of 4 tickets. Additional 510 yen for each reserved seat.

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Check in: Chisun Hotel Sapporo

Visited Twinkle Plaza in Sapporo JR Station to purchase Sapporo-Otaru Welcome Pass.
Fee = 1,500 yen

Utilised 1 day unlimited subway train rides ticket of Welcome Pass.

Sapporo (H07) > Odori (H08)
by subway via Toho line (blue).

Visited Odori Park and Sapporo TV Tower.

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Odori (T09) > Miyanosawa (T01)
by subway via Tozai line (orange).

Miyanosawa > Shiroi Koibito Park
approx 7 mins walk.

Dessert: Chocolate Lounge, in Shiroi Koibito Park

Miyanosawa (T01) > Odori (T09)
by subway via Tozai line (orange).

Visited Clock Tower, before heading back to hotel.

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Dinner: Matsuya, outlet in Susukino.

- End of Day 4 -

Hokkaido Summer 2012 北海道夏季之旅 - Day 3 Itinerary: Furano 富良野, Biei 美瑛

Day 3 - 12.07.2012

Breakfast: Furano Natulux Hotel

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Sightseeing taxi picked us up from hotel at 0800 hrs.
(1) Saika no sato, flower park in Nakafurano
(2) Roller Coaster Road, in Kamifurano
(3) Shikisai no oka, flower park in Biei
(4) Aoi ike (Shirogane Blue Pond), in Biei
(5) Patchwork Road, in Biei
(6) Hill of Zerubu, flower park in Biei

Time taken = 3.5 hours
Fare = 23,100 yen

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Lunch: Asperges, in Biei Senka. Reservations made beforehand.

Biei Senka > Biei JR Station
approx 10 - 15 mins walk.

Biei JR Station (1508 hrs) > Lavender Farm Station (1543 hrs)
via Furano-Biei Norokko Train.
Fee = 740 yen (reserved seats)

Lavender Farm Station > Farm Tomita
approx 5 - 10 mins walk.

Farm Tomita > Furano Natulux Hotel
via taxi.
Note: Took a taxi back to hotel due to heavy downpour. Alternatively, one can choose to walk back to Nakafurano JR station, which will take approx. 20 mins.

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Visited Furano Marche again, for last round of shopping.

Dinner: Kodamaya, for handmade soba.

- End of Day 3 -

Hokkaido Summer 2012 北海道夏季之旅 - Day 2 Itinerary: Furano 富良野 (Nakafurano 中富良野, Rokugo 麓乡)

Day 2 - 11.07.2012
https://maps.google.com.sg/maps/ms?msid=205065800026451234650.0004d3299ab1414225e19&msa=0&ll=43.359385,142.390022&spn=0.152016,0.308647

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Breakfast: Furano Natulux Hotel

Furano JR Station (0818 hrs) > Nakafurano JR Station (0825 hrs)
Fee = 220 yen

Nakafurano JR Station > Choei Lavender Park
approx 10 mins walk.

Returned to Nakafurano JR Station (1044 hrs) > Furano JR Station (1054 hrs)
Fee = 220 yen

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Twinkle Bus Furano, departs from Furano JR Station at 1150 hrs.
(1) Jun & Yui's Recycled House, in Rokugo
(2) Rokugo Observatory
(3) Furano Jam Garden & Anpanman Shop, in Rokugo
(4) Furano Cheese Factory
(5) Ninguru Terrace, beside New Furano Prince Hotel

Skipped the return trip to Furano JR Station.

New Furano Prince Hotel (1532 hrs) > Naturwald Hotel (1540 hrs)
via Kururu bus, bus stop D.

Naturwald Hotel > Furano Delice
approx 10 mins walk.

Returned to Naturwald Hotel (1655 hrs) > Furano JR Station (1730 hrs)
via Kururu bus, bus stop F.

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Visited Furano Marche, a one stop shop for all made in Furano products.

Dinner: Kumagera, for Bandits' hot pot and Waygu beef shabu shabu hot pot.

- End of Day 2 -

Hokkaido Summer 2012 北海道夏季之旅 - Day 1 Itinerary: Furano 富良野

Day 1 - 10.07.2012
https://maps.google.com.sg/maps/ms?msid=205065800026451234650.0004d3299e22f1f7e3e34&msa=0&ll=43.354892,142.384615&spn=0.038257,0.077162

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Asahikawa Airport (1340 hrs) > Furano JR Station (1500 hrs)
via Lavender Bus, fee = 1000 yen
Bus stops at Biei JR Station, Kamifurano, Nakafurano and New Furano Prince Hotel (Last stop).
Lavender Bus: http://www.furano-kankou.com/english/hyperlinks/access-Lavender-bus.htm

Check in: Furano Natulux Hotel

Visited Tourist Information Centre, located outside Furano JR Station:
- Purchased Kururu bus pass.
- Collected Choei Lavender Park chairlift discount voucher (300 - 50 yen discount = 250 yen).
- Arranged half day sightseeing taxi for Day 3.

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Attractions: Furano Grape Juice Factory and Winery

Furano JR Station > Grape Juice Factory
via taxi, fee = ~1000 yen
Had to take taxi because we missed the shuttle bus at 1520 hrs and the next one comes at 1620 hrs.

Grape Juice Factory > Winery (Chateau Furano)
approx 20 mins walk.

Winery (1726 hrs) > Furano JR Station (1730 hrs)
via Kururu bus, bus stop M.

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Dinner: Yuigadoxon (唯我独尊), for omelette and homemade sausage curry rice.

Strolled to Furano Elementary School, location for Hokkaido geographical center marker.

- End of Day 1 -